Can an expanding battery cause the trackpad to slightly pop up?

Yep - check the battery. These newer laptops mostly use softcell packs screwed in under the trackpad, so you end up with this being the clue something is wrong with the battery.

3 years is kind of early for a battery to expand - did you ever “exercise” it or let it sit? Sitting is bad for batteries. The issue is depending on when you bought it. you’re past the point where it is easy to argue for a warranty exception if the machine is out of warranty, especially if you have had the machine since 2018. That said, if it’s only 1 year old or less, I would check if it’s under warranty.

Even IF the machine is 1 year old and out of warranty, push for a warranty exception if you used it and didn’t let it sit - this is a safety issue! A battery SHOULD NOT EXPAND within 1 year and if it does, the manufacturer is responsible for the cost to repair IMO - that’s way too early to give them a pass.

I’ve had to argue for an exception and got it, but if I’m buying a new machine I buy business hardware - it may be harder with a consumer machine without having someone who has the guts to beat them down with the required experience. Do you know anyone you’re friends with who is good with eBay and owns older paid for machines? That’s your ticket to an exception.

If your laptop is 2-3 years old or Dell doesn’t make an exception, the DP/N is 8N0T7. You can find the battery here.