That time my laptop nearly exploded at school
March 14, 2026 @ 23:32
Earlier this year I was in the campus library studying for my chemistry test later that day when something happened. While I was working on my homework earlier that day I heard some snapping coming from my laptop, which seemed odd, however I had previously opened it up to replace the wifi card and battery so I assumed it was just some clips snapping back in place. It turned out my laptop was bulging... a lot. Right where the battery is located. This isn't good.
I did what anyone should do and recorded a quick video of it to show people, before shutting it off and removing it from power. I then decided to leave the library, in search of some place I could store it or some way I could dispose of the battery safely. I quickly scooped the laptop up in my arms, as I didn't want it to get crushed by everything I had in my bag and explode me, and went off.
Since it was the middle of winter I travelled through the campus tunnels, building-to-building, in search of either a fireproof locker of some sort (maybe in chemistry or engineering?) or a screwdriver so I could remove the battery and continue using the laptop for the lab I had that day. (This was a very busy day, I had a lab and then a test right after :/).
I ended up getting all the way to the other side of campus where my lab would take place before I found someone with a screwdriver, and started removing the screws from the laptop. This was when I discovered what that snapping sound actually was. The battery was so bloated that it actually broke the laptop chassis as it expanded. I got the battery out and closed it back up, so that I could use the laptop during the lab plugged in. I also texted my dad letting him know that we need to look into a new laptop, because I have multiple classes that rely on having one including in rooms that don't have outlets.
Some time passes and he gets back to me, telling me to get a refurbished thinkpad from the campus store. The problem being that the store closes before the end of the lab, which started in under 20 minutes. I scooped up the battery in my hand, packed my stuff away, and speedwalked respectably through the tunnels, which took about half that time before getting to the store where they took a few more minutes trying to find the replacement. By this point I didn't think I'd make it back in time, but decided to try for that anyway. I picked up the giant cardboard box with the laptop, grabbed my battery, and ran across campus outside. As I passed by someone I literally heard them say "is that a laptop battery?" Why did you just recognize it that quickly???
By some miracle I did make it back on time. Everyone was there waiting for it to start as I nearly burst through the door, sweaty, carrying a giant cardboard box and a potentially-explosive device.
So uhh... overall an exciting way to spend a Friday. I tried to set up the new laptop while also doing the lab so I could use it but I stupidly connected it to the internet and had to wait until I got home to use a local account. Love Windows 11. I also did end up passing the chemistry test in the end, so it all worked out lol.
P.s. I though I would add, I'd had that laptop for at least 5 years. They don't make batteries for them anymore so whatever I had in there was likely some defective old stock that was laying around we unfortunately purchased. Not the best, but at least this laptop lasted a good while and I have no plans to replace my thinkpad anytime soon now. Anyway thanks for reading :3
