Users are reporting that Dell is now accepting out-of-warranty batteries of the XPS 15 9550 for free replacements. There were problems with batches of 84Wh batteries that were bulging and pushing against the trackpad, which not only hindered the trackpad function but also posed a safety hazard.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-offers-to-replace-swelling-XPS-15-9550-batteries-for-free-even-if-out-of-warranty.247546.0.html
Dell should have offered to replace the buggy 9550 laptops (eventually after 6 months of hardware issues (mainly BSOD crashes) I returned the laptop and received my money back).
They are not offering to replace my battery even though it is definitely swollen and appears to be a huge fire hazard. Maybe they would prefer to replace my entire home when it burns down due to this obviously defective battery? My XPS 15 is a 9530 which is apparently not part of the recall.
It's not only the 15 that is experiencing this problem. MY XPS 13 9350 has a swollen battery after just 16 months use from new causing casing, touchpad and keypad displacement identical to that shown in pictures of affected XPS 15 models.
Contacting Dell support was a complete waste of time. They dismissed that there was a problem completely at first, but then admitted that the 9550 model did have a problem with swollen batteries. As far as Dell are concerned it's out of warranty and furthermore they cannot help directly as there is no Dell service centre in Cyprus, where I live. I have found many XPS 13 owners reporting the same problem even on the Dell forum, so to deny the XPS 13 also has a problem is farcical. Perhaps not to the same extent as the 15, but the problem DOES exist. It's time that Dell had the integrity to admit that their sub standard batteries will swell and eventually cause damage well before the battery life is up.
The good news is that today I removed my Dell battery before serious damage occurred, and the casing and keyboard returned to the correct shape. The space bar now works again as it should. The three left hand cells were all swollen both sides. But why has the battery deformed so early in its life? In my view, it should never do this. Finally, with Dell's head in the sand attitude, is the XPS 13 / 15 one day going to be another Note 7?
I'm experiencing this issue with my XPS 15 9530, so I called DELL support team here in Belgium and explained the issue.
They advised to remove the battery immediately (potential safety issue) but refused to offer a free replacement. The reason for the refusal being the fact that my XPS 15 9530 is more than 3 years old (in fact it's 3 years, 8 months old).
Instead they made me an offer to purchase a refurbished battery for ~75€ with a limited warranty (3 months).
Below the photo of the old battery. I haven't decided to buy this refurbished one from them...
https://ibb.co/c6fS1G (https://ibb.co/c6fS1G)
https://ibb.co/e8MZgG (https://ibb.co/e8MZgG)
(https://ibb.co/e8MZgG)
(https://ibb.co/c6fS1G)
(https://ibb.co/e8MZgG)
Eugh, that battery really is in bad condition!
I have the same issue. I just change in BIOS charge after 50% and dont charge from 90% but I think this will not help. I just tweet to @dellcares if they can send me a new better. Laptop is out of warranty and for 1 years with + out of warrantry fee is around $350. What you suggest? Get a new one or buy warranty? thanks
Dell just robocalled me and is shipping a whole new battery for free - entering my service tag into www.dellproduct.com was all that was needed. This is for the XPS 9550 and Precision 5510.
I have the same problem. Swollen battery pushing up the track pad. Except I have a dell xps15 9530 and not the 9550. So dell said they won't replace the battery and I have to pay because it's "not a known issue" with the 9530.
Dell XPS 13 L322X
Same issue. (D)Hell denies any responsibility for the expanding battery. It is the exact same issue as the other XPS models, battery expanding and pushing up the touchpad and rendering it unclickable.
They quoted an exorbitant price for repair, when in actual fact this is like the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 debacle, where insufficient room in the design has been allowed for battery expansion, leading to damage to the device and constituting a fire hazard.
Being top spec Dell machines, one would expect better support and quality.
Same issue with 3 xps 13's and now an xps 15 9550. Checked the dell website and the service tag for the xps 15 is not showing as defective. I have spent months arguing with Dell over the xps 13's they refuse to do anything despite the fact that another model has had it's battery recalled. Now I am seeing it start to happen on our xps 15's. Dell needs to take responsibility, I have seen numerous people with the same issue on various sites, I am surprised there's no class action lawsuit on this yet. I refuse to buy Dell equipment going forward, we're buying Lenovo and looking at HP now.
I received a robocall today for one of the 3 Dell XPS 15 9550 units I bought stating the battery has a swelling problem and they will main a replacement. I wonder if they will send a screwdriver that fits with the battery. Not being a tech, I never saw a screwhead that small before and I doubt my local hardware store has a bit that fits? Anyone know what size those are?
Just saw this thread, no probs with my XPS 9550, but I thought heck, could do with a new battery and get fresh battery life for free :)
My service tag is an affected one.. I have an extended warranty but used the form at (www.dellproduct.com) and will get an 84whr one shipped in 2 weeks, result! (could have had onsite replacement but not bothered
Quote from: MicroElectronicSum on December 27, 2017, 02:05:52
I have the same problem. Swollen battery pushing up the track pad. Except I have a dell xps15 9530 and not the 9550. So dell said they won't replace the battery and I have to pay because it's "not a known issue" with the 9530.
Not a known issue, lol. a few years back 3 of us where we work bought a 9530, all 3 have a swollen batteries, affecting the keyboard and track-pad (unusable, requiring lots of pressure). Using mine right now, have to use an external keyboard and mouse. The other 2 were thrown, going to replace mine soon too, as its not usable as a laptop and well probably dangerous.
Quote from: MicroElectronicSum on December 27, 2017, 02:05:52
I have the same problem. Swollen battery pushing up the track pad. Except I have a dell xps15 9530 and not the 9550. So dell said they won't replace the battery and I have to pay because it's "not a known issue" with the 9530.
Not a known issue, lol. a few years back 3 of us where we work bought a 9530, all 3 have a swollen batteries, affecting the keyboard and track-pad (unusable, requiring lots of pressure). Using mine right now, have to use an external keyboard and mouse. The other 2 were thrown, going to replace mine soon too, as its not usable as a laptop and well probably dangerous.
I got the same issue on my xps 15 9550 which bought two years ago. I called Dell Customer service today and explained about the issue. They agree that they would replace a new trackpad and battery for free.
Dell Customer Service, Singapore is quite good.
Same issue here with my xps 15 9550. Had contact with Dell customer support to replace the battery and the touchpad.
Had to block all day for the repair.... haven't seen anybody from Dell.
It appeared something IT related went wrong at Dell, so made another appointment.
Again, waited all day for nothing!!
They suggested to make another appointment but I can't afford to spend a full day waiting for nothing. (I need to be mobile for work)
Thanks for nothing Dell Netherlands ;-(
This means my backup laptop (a Microsoft Surface) now becomes my primary device....
Dell has not offered to replace the swollen battery in my XPS 15 for free, I was told yesterday I have to pay as it's a little over a year old. Not very impressive if they're making defective parts that become dangerous shortly after your warranty expires and then charging you to fix them, I would certainly think twice before buying from Dell again. A shame because the laptop is actually very good, but I can do without an explosion/fire!
PS Forgot to add that this is Dell UK, though the support person was in Bangalore. She was very nice and helpful, I just don't see why I should pay to get a dodgy part fixed.
I had the swollen battery issue suddenly happen to my Dell XPS 9550 with the corner of the laptop cracked apart and the touch pad raised up a quarter inch. At first I thought I had dropped it or something -- but I was sure I hadn't.
It wasn't until, weeks later, I had a chance to open up the laptop to have a look. When I realized that the battery was swollen I Googled "swollen battery 9550" and realized it was a recognized issue with this machine.
So I contacted Dell, expecting them to replace the battery. No problem, right? They were replacing batteries even for out-of-warranty 9550s.
Wrong. They're refusing because the offer to replace the batteries has already expired.
Those of us that didn't realize we had potentially defective and potentially dangerous batteries in our 9550s are out of luck.
I'm really annoyed at Dell over this. Can you imagine if any other defective/dangerous product was acknowledged by the manufacturer but they put a deadline on dealing with it?
I was about to buy a new Dell XP this week but not after this poor experience.
XPS 15 9560 have it to.
I used to be a die hard DELL fan. After this, I am going to the dark side(Apple). I contacted DELL support and they told me the same, my product was out of warranty and I would need to get a replacement battery. You CANNOT buy one online only over the phone.
dell.com XPS-15-9560-swelling-97wh-battery-6GTPY/td-p/6138359
I cannot post links.
I called Dell they said this is not something they would repair. Honestly I bought my first HP laptop the same time and it is working like a charm. Dell is just inferior quality product.
They said this is something that should be expected. So like they say in the Liberty commercial "you dont have bad computer you have a bad company"!
I have the exact same problem will the XPS 13 9350 but Dell refuses to cover it and claims that it is a "generic and routine problem" with all lithium ion batteries and thus not their fault.
For all of us who are impacted by these defective, swollen batteries. PLEASE make your voice heard and sign this petition - http: //chng.it/2SzGGWWLcB
We are trying to raise awareness and let Dell hear our concerns. We bought premium laptops at premium prices only to be left with faulty, and potentially dangerous batteries. Dell will not listen to us unless we band together and make it known that it IS an issue that SHOULD be addressed.
I have the same problem with my 9550 and Dell refused to do a free replacement because they said that offer expired in September 2018. I was so upset I hung up on them. I have signed the petition and hopefully something comes out of this.
another victim. How sad. Repair quote is roughly $260 plus shipping, with 5-21 down-days, depending on shipping priority $$$. That is not OK with me...
OK, a late reporter on this issue. I just let the track pad raise higher and higher until it reached about 3/8", REALLY. The laptop didn't close right due to this. I just took the battery out for now and ordered another 1 for $111.00 85whr. At least my waiting didn't destroy my laptop. The track pad actually worked fine in this condition however I usually use a mouse anyway.
They won't replace it for free. I called them last night with the same issue with my 9550. $260 to send it away from diagnosis and repair, or $320 for an on-site tech to come and fix it. It'll cost way less if I buy a battery and repair it myself.
Same problem here.
Theres a petition on line... check them out.
change.org/p/dell-organizing-a-class-action-lawsuit-against-dell-for-defective-batteries
I had my battery replaced by Dell UK about a year ago - guess what. The replacement is now swelling!
Good Job Dell :/