Are you tired of using a laptop with a weak battery? Do you also want to learn how you can improve your laptop battery life? Well, you are in the right blog as here we will see through all of that. Having a laptop that pops up with a low battery signal in the middle of a task can be frustrating and trust me, It is something you would never want to experience again.
For most people, the laptop is a crucial part of their lives just as the smartphone is to others. They carry out several functions using their laptops, from creating designs for their businesses, gaming, interacting with clients, friends, and family, watching online videos, etc. All these usually come at the expense of the battery you have. A strong battery will last longer hours and no one wishes to have a weak battery that doesn't last according to their needs.
This comprehensive guide was written to help those tired of searching for the nearest power outlet or carrying around their charger like it's their best friend all because of a weak battery. Furthermore, in this guide, you will learn hacks and tips to help you improve your laptop battery life to ensure it is capable enough to carry out your daily functions. That said, let's dive straight into what we have for today! Shall we?
How to Improve Laptop Battery Life
With the help of these simple tips, I believe you won't have to worry so much about your laptop battery life as it will last you henceforth. Here are simple tips to improve laptop battery life:
Adjust Power Settings
The laptop works the same way as a smartphone in the sense that they both have options for optimizing battery life. One way to enjoy a lasting battery life is to take advantage of the adjustable power settings. To do this, simply visit the Control Panel (or Settings on Windows 10) and choose Power Options. Select a power plan that best balances performance and power consumption, such as "Power Saver" or "Balanced."
Reduce Screen Brightness
Having a laptop screen with 100% brightness at all times is not usually advisable if you need your battery to last longer. Reducing the screen brightness to a well-optimized proportion can significantly reduce power consumption. To do this simply use the keyboard shortcuts or settings to decrease the screen brightness to a more comfortable level.
Manage Background Processes
Close unnecessary applications and processes running in the background. Some programs can consume a considerable amount of power, even when not actively in use. Use the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc on Windows) to identify resource-intensive programs and end their processes.
Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
You may likely want to ask, do Wifi and Bluetooth consume that much power? Yes, they do and the surprising thing is that they can take up much power even when not actively connected to a network or device. Hence it is advised to turn them off after use.
Use Battery Saver Mode
It is also recommended that you effectively make use of the Battery Saver Mode option on your laptop. For those who use Windows and macOS, these operating systems offer battery-saver modes to help limit background activities and adjust settings to conserve power. Enable this mode when you need to extend battery life.
Manage App Notifications
Want to enjoy a long-lasting battery life? Then do well to disable unnecessary app notifications that constantly pop on your screen. Bear in mind that notifications too can drain batteries hence it is best to reduce them to help save your battery life.
Keep Your Laptop Cool
Overheating laptops over time tends to weaken battery life and you don't want to experience that situation where you are looking for a power source to charge up your laptop every here and there. In this case, it is advised to properly ventilate your laptop by using it on a flat, hard surface, and ensure to clean the vents regularly to prevent dust buildup.
Hibernate Instead of Sleep
If you need to leave your laptop idle for an extended period, hibernation mode is more power-efficient than sleep mode. Hibernation saves your current session to the hard drive and powers off the computer, whereas sleep mode keeps the system in a low-power state.
Reduce Keyboard and Mouse Backlighting
If your laptop has a backlit keyboard or a backlit mouse, consider reducing the intensity or turning it off altogether. These backlight features consume additional power.
Calibrate Your Battery
Calibrating a laptop battery typically involves the practice of resetting the battery's power gauge to ensure accurate and reliable reporting of its charging level. In other words, it is beneficial to calibrate your laptop's battery to ensure accurate reporting of battery life. However, it is best to consult your laptop's manufacturer's guidelines for specific instructions on how to do this.
Conclusion
By following these simple hacks and tips you should be able to optimize your laptop battery life to last long enough to carry out your day-to-day tasks. Having a battery that runs down almost immediately can be sickening and the way to avoid such an occurrence is by being intentional in how you use your system. Also, ensure that you observe apps or any features that can typically drain your battery life and get rid of them promptly to ensure a healthy battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any Background Processes or Apps that Drain the Laptop's Battery Unnecessarily?
Yes, some background processes and applications can consume significant battery power. Check your task manager or system monitor to identify resource-intensive processes or applications. Closing unnecessary apps and disabling unnecessary startup programs can help conserve battery life.
Should I Keep My Laptop Plugged In All the Time, or Is It Better to Use the Battery Until It's Low Before Charging It?
Modern laptops are designed to handle being plugged in for extended periods without causing damage to the battery. However, it is beneficial to use the battery and discharge it to around 20-30% before recharging it. This practice helps calibrate the battery and maintain its longevity.
Common Mistakes People Make that Drain Laptop Batteries Quickly?
- Leaving Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled when not in use.
- Running resource-intensive applications or software.
- Keeping the screen brightness at maximum level.
- Using a power-hungry screensaver or wallpaper.
- Having too many unnecessary background processes running.
- Leaving USB devices connected when not in use.
- Not properly managing power-hungry browser tabs or extensions.
- Ignoring software updates and not optimizing battery settings.