Do not charge or use a swollen LiPo cell. Put it somewhere safe and arrange disposal.
What the message means
Swelling means gas has built up inside from damage, overcharge, overdischarge or age. A swollen cell can heat and catch fire.
Fix it in this order
- Disconnect it and stop using it.
- Do not puncture, squeeze or charge it.
- Store it on a non-flammable surface, away from people and flammable items.
- Take it to a battery recycling collection point.
- Do not throw it in ordinary rubbish.
- Check your charger settings and cell count before the next pack.
Why it happens
A swollen LiPo battery has built up gas inside, usually after overcharging, deep discharge, damage or age. A swollen cell can catch fire.
Stop using and charging it. Do not puncture, squeeze or tape it. Keep it on a non-flammable surface away from anything that burns, and take it to a battery recycling point. Do not put it in household waste.
If you see this, do this
| You see | Do this |
|---|---|
| Slightly puffed pack | Retire it. |
| Hot or smoking cell | Move away and keep clear. |
Related
Last reviewed: November 2026. These are the usual causes and the order that finds them fastest. Test on your own board; clones and cables differ.