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What to do if…
your device is overheating and you suspect a failing battery

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Stop using it, unplug it, and stop charging it. Put it on a dry, hard, non-flammable or heat-resistant surface away from anything that can burn, and watch it from a safe distance while it cools.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep using it “just to finish something” if it is hotter than normal, smells odd, makes unusual sounds, or the case looks swollen.
  • Don’t charge it to see if it settles down.
  • Don’t leave it charging unattended or overnight.
  • Don’t put it under a pillow, blanket, on a bed, on a sofa, or back into a pocket or bag while it is hot.
  • Don’t press on, bend, puncture, open, or try to remove a swollen battery.
  • Don’t put a suspect, damaged, swollen, or loose lithium battery in your household bin or normal recycling.

What to do now

  1. Make the immediate area safer. Unplug the charger and any accessories if you can do that without touching a very hot part. If the device is safe to handle, power it down. If it is too hot to hold comfortably, leave it where it is and move yourself away.
  2. Move it only if you can do so safely. Put it on a dry, hard, non-flammable or heat-resistant surface, such as a clear tile floor, stone surface, concrete surface, or metal tray. Keep it away from paper, curtains, bedding, upholstered furniture, aerosols, cooking oils, and other batteries or devices.
  3. Create space. Keep people and pets away. Watch it from a safe distance until it has fully cooled; this may take a while.
  4. Treat danger signs as an emergency. If you notice smoke, hissing, popping, rapid swelling, sparks, flames, or a strong burning smell, get out, stay out, close doors behind you if safe, and call 999. Don’t try to carry it through your home if that puts you at risk.
  5. If it cools, still treat it as unsafe. Don’t resume charging or using it. Keep it separate from other batteries and devices, and keep it away from anything that can burn.
  6. Protect your data only if it is clearly safe. If the device is fully cool, stable, not swollen, unplugged, and safe to handle, do one quick backup or cloud sync. Stop immediately if it starts heating again, smells odd, or changes shape.
  7. Record the basics. Note the make, model, serial number if visible, when it overheated, whether it was charging, whether it was recently dropped, and whether it was exposed to heat. Take photos of swelling or damage only from a safe distance.
  8. Check for safety alerts or recalls. Search the UK Product Recalls and Alerts service for the device, battery, charger, brand, and model.
  9. Report it if you think the product is unsafe. In England and Wales, contact the Citizens Advice consumer service. In Scotland, contact Advice Direct Scotland. In Northern Ireland, contact your local district council. Your report may be passed to Trading Standards or Environmental Health.
  10. Arrange safe disposal or professional advice. Use a battery collection point, retailer take-back route, or your local Household Waste Recycling Centre. If the battery or device is swollen, leaking, damaged, or still heating, check the local council or recycling centre instructions before transporting it.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to diagnose whether the cause is an app, charger, update, age, or battery fault right now.
  • You don’t need to decide today whether to repair or replace the device.
  • You don’t need to wipe, sell, post, or trade in the device until it is stable, safe to handle, and your data is backed up.
  • You don’t need to argue with the seller or manufacturer while the device may still be unsafe.

Important reassurance

Unusual heat during light use is a valid reason to stop and create distance. Taking a pause, stopping charging, and keeping the device away from things that can burn are sensible first steps, not an overreaction.

Scope note

These are first steps only: immediate safety, limited data protection if safe, checking alerts, reporting an unsafe product, and arranging safe disposal or assessment. Repair, warranty, refund, insurance, and replacement decisions may need specialist help later.

Important note

This guide is general information, not professional electrical, fire-safety, legal, or technical advice. If you see smoke, flames, rapid swelling, sparks, or other immediate danger, prioritise getting out and calling 999.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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