Swollen Battery

Unplug the system and with the battery removed, hold the power button for 30 sec.  Remove and reinstall the memory module(s) and the storage drive.

Plug in and see if the system will then power up.  If it will, then the battery is likely the issue.

If it will not, there is another issue and a replacement battery will not solve the problem.  Running the system with a swollen battery was not wise -- beyond the safety hazard, the pressure from the battery likely fractured some of the traces or loosened one or another chip, meaning the only sure path forward is a replacement system board.

No, that laptop does not require a battery in order to use in on AC power. However, if you continued to use it with a swollen battery installed, the battery may have damaged internal components. You will need to open the laptop to check or have a qualified technician do so.

Swollen Battery Information and Guidance | Dell Canada

Follow procedures in Dell Owner's Manual to disassemble and reassemble your laptop.

Whenever touching components or working inside a computer, wear a grounded wrist strap, also called anti-static wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet. I know many people do such work without this, but it's a cheap and sensible precaution. Rest the laptop on an anti-static mat or at least a reasonable alternative such as corrugated cardboard.

Swollen batteries should not be used and should be replaced and disposed of properly. Handling and replacement of any Lithium-ion Polymer battery, including a swollen one, must be done with caution and in accordance with the handling instructions below. This guidance can also be found under the Documentation (Manuals & Documents) section for each applicable product on www.dell.com/support or at this link: www.dell.com/support/manuals/dell/swollenbattery.