Hot charger, smoke, odd smell: when to stop using a device

A phone is still charging, a laptop still works, and the charger is only slightly warmer than usual. According to a guide published by the Polish tech site Antyweb on 29 October 2026, such seemingly minor symptoms can signal a more serious problem, so they should not be ignored.

What to look out for

The author notes that most devices have a built-in battery. While its chemistry stays stable, nothing happens, but factory defects and other anomalies can have unpleasant consequences. This applies especially to smartphones, which we keep with us all the time.

If the cable, plug or power adapter gets clearly hot once connected to the mains, Antyweb advises moving the equipment away from the socket. Other dangers include:

• cracked cable insulation, exposed wires or burn marks,
• crackling, buzzing and occasional sparks,
• a smell of burning and smoke,
• an excessively hot casing or plug,
• repeated faults, such as the device switching itself off and on or tripping the fuse.

Antyweb warns that a damaged lithium-ion battery, for example after a drop or overheating, can catch fire quickly and dangerously. The article does not name the experts or any specific studies.

Advice from the fire service in Scotland

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service publishes similar advice. You should not use or charge a device if its battery:

• is producing smoke,
• feels extremely hot to the touch,
• looks swollen, has a lump or is leaking,
• hisses or crackles,
• smells unusual,
• takes longer to charge than usual or does not charge fully.

Take particular care after a device has been dropped. A damaged battery can overheat and catch fire without warning. If flames or smoke are coming from a battery or device, the service advises getting out, staying out and calling 999. Do not try to put the fire out yourself.

What this means for you

The rules for safe charging apply to everyone, including people renting flats or rooms. The fire service recommends:

• not charging devices while you are asleep or when nobody is at home,
• unplugging the charger once charging is complete,
• not covering the charger or device while charging,
• not charging equipment in hallways and communal areas that serve as escape routes,
• using a manufacturer-approved charger,
• replacing a damaged charger with an official one from a reputable source,
• not putting lithium-ion batteries in the general waste bin, because they can cause fires at waste sites – they should be recycled.