Laptops are expensive commodities and by caring for them, you can extend their performance and lifespan. However, charging a laptop the wrong way before storage could be the death of your battery! So, if you like many others are wondering how to store a laptop for a long period, then this is a must-read article.
How to store a laptop for a long period?
Laptops should be stored in an environment which is dry, free of dampness, weather-proof and clean. The environment should be climate-controlled. This will ensure ambient temperatures are maintained at all times. In general, the laptop battery should be charged up to 40% before storing it. However, each manufacturer may have slightly different recommendations. As is shown in the below table, the optimal temperature for minimizing battery charge capacity loss is in an area with a temperature of 32 °F (0°C).
This is only one element of the puzzle though. Continue reading to get your hands on precise storage instructions. These are proven by experts to maintain your laptop and battery in the best condition while minimizing excess battery charge loss.
Each battery differs in terms of the appropriate working temperature, charging speed, depth of discharge and loading. Source
How to store a lithium-ion battery?
Batteries should be stored in a dry, ventilated and steady temperature room. The batteries should also be stored out of direct exposure to sunlight, heat and moisture or humidity in a room.
Keep batteries in a cool, dry place.
A common query is should you store lithium batteries fully charged?
In short, the answer is no.
I researched into this to see what the studies say. The Battery University have provided the below information following extensive testing of lithium-ion battery capacities over a year.
Instead, charge the lithium-ion battery to 40% to ensure it loses the least amount of charge.
Storing the battery at 32 °F (0 °C) ensures the least amount of battery charge loss.
After a year in this condition, the battery only lost 2% of its charge capacity. In comparison, a battery stored at 77 °F (25 °C) lost 4% charge, which is still fairly negligible.
In comparison, by fully charging the battery before storing it away, the battery lost 6% of its charge capacity and a sizeable 20% when stored at 77°F / 25°C.
Storing a battery with no charge could result in a deep discharge state whereby the battery may not be able to function again.
However, remember that not all batteries behave the same.
Plus, cold batteries hold their charge for longer than battery stored at room temperature.
Tip: Reduce laptop overheating by placing them on a hard surface, such as a table or laptop desk instead of a bed or sofa to keep the fan unblocked.
Related: Laptop Desk Pros And Cons – Plus Common Mistakes To Avoid!
Battery capacity lost based on temperature and % battery charge
|
Temperature |
40% charge (capacity after 1 year) |
100% charge (capacity after 1 year) |
|
32°F / 0°C |
98% |
94% |
|
77°F / 25°C |
96% |
80% |
|
104°F / 40°C |
85% |
65% |
|
140°F / 60°C |
75% |
60% (after 3 months) |
There are some manufacturers who have different guidelines regarding how to store batteries for longer periods.
I reached out to multiple laptop manufacturers for precise information on storing laptops.
Related: Where To Store A Laptop? Top 10 Dos & Don’ts & Mistakes!
Apple MacBook battery storage
How to store Apple MacBook for long period of time:
If you’re not going to be using the notebook for more than 6 months, store the battery with a 50% charge.
Avoid storing the battery when it is drained as it could result in it not being able to hold any charge when you use it.
Additionally, storing the battery with 100% charge for long durations could lead to battery capacity loss and thus a shorter battery life.
Store the battery at proper room temperature 62° to 72° F (16° to 22° C).
Lenovo ThinkPad battery storage
The below advice was provided by Lenovo for how to store Lenovo ThinkPad batteries:
When storing the Lenovo ThinkPad battery for a long time, charge the battery to 50%, and then detach the battery from the laptop to store it.
If it’s an undetachable battery, disable the battery through the BIOS settings.
In addition, Lenovo recommends that you should check the charge volume once every six months.
Dell battery storage
The following information was given for storing Dell batteries for long periods:
When storing for more than 4 days these guidelines can better preserve the life of your battery:
Do not store batteries for long periods plugged into or attached to any power source. This includes AC adapters, and laptop security carts plugged into an outlet.
Laptop batteries, including those stored in laptop systems, should maintain a temperature of 32° to 95°F (0° -35°C).
Batteries may be stored in the laptop or outside of the laptop.
Charge the batteries for not more than 1 hour before storing. Typically, this should charge the battery to between 80% and 100%.
Dell also stated that stored batteries could discharge 10-15% over a four-month period.
Tip: Always check the storage instructions or contact the manufacturer before storing a laptop away for a long time.
Can I store a laptop in a fridge?
Technically a laptop can be placed in a fridge, and this may sound like a smart idea especially when the laptop is getting hot or overheating. However, placing a laptop in a fridge could cause damage to it. With the risk of condensation and moisture and food come into contact with the laptop, it’s something that you should avoid doing. A better alternative is to allow the laptop to cool down or repair the overheating problem if it’s a regular occurrence. If the overheating problem isn’t fixable and you can’t upgrade your laptop, using it in a cool environment or investing in an air conditioner would help to minimize the risk of overheating.
So, for all you folks who are wondering if placing a MacBook in the fridge to cool it down will damage it – then yes, it more than likely could.
Tip: When removing a laptop or battery from the fridge, allow it to warm up gradually to room temperature before using it.
Can I store a laptop battery in a fridge?
Most battery manufacturers will advise against storing batteries in a fridge. In one sense, the fridge seems like a perfect place to store a laptop battery as you can maintain the temperature at the optimal 32°F / 0°C.
However, on the other hand, the fridge is a moist environment, and this could cause damage to a laptop or battery.
One suggestion is to place the laptop battery in an air-tight bag, such as a zip-lock bag.
That said, for the sake of an extra 2% battery capacity loss, it might be safer to keep the battery in a relatively cool room.
In a fridge, the bag could tear or allow moisture in. Furthermore, it could be subject to food spillages which could cause much more damage.
Tip: A battery takes about 2 hours to naturally return to normal temperature after being removed from a cool environment.
Conclusion
How you store your battery for a long duration can significantly impact on the battery charge capacity. Following the basic guidelines listed above will help to ensure you store it in the best possible manner.
Ultimately, whether you store the battery at 32°F / 0°C or at room temperature is only going to have a marginal 2% difference on the battery charge capacity. So don’t get too hung up on it.
Whether you think putting a laptop or a laptop battery in a fridge is a good choice and worth the risk is ultimately your decision to make.
However, it does come with the risk of damage from moisture and temperature variations.
Have you stored your laptop or a battery away for a long time? Would you risk putting it in the fridge to preserve its life?
I’d love to hear your feedback and any queries that you may have! Please leave them in the comments box below and I’ll be sure to get back to you!