11 Effective Fixes to Extend Your Laptop Battery Life

So, your laptop battery is draining faster than ever, even though it hasn't been that long since you bought it. Windows laptops are notorious for their poor battery backup due to resource-intensive applications and lack of power optimization. But don't worry, we've got you covered. In this article, we will provide you with 11 effective solutions to fix the laptop battery draining problem.

1. Decrease Screen Brightness

One common but often overlooked solution is to reduce the screen brightness. Many users forget to decrease the brightness after increasing it for specific tasks like gaming. Lowering the brightness can significantly improve battery life.

2. Lower or Disable the Keyboard Backlight

If your laptop has a backlit keyboard, consider reducing the brightness or disabling it altogether. While the power consumption is relatively low, every bit counts when you're trying to save battery.

3. Unplug Non-essential Accessories

Laptop coolers, USB fans, and external RGB keyboards can drain your battery quickly. Only use these accessories when your laptop is charging to preserve battery life.

4. Use Charger When Running Heavy Tasks

Performing resource-intensive tasks like gaming, video editing, or coding on battery power can drain your battery rapidly. It's better to use the charger when engaging in these activities.

5. Disable Wi-Fi

If you're in an area with a weak Wi-Fi network, your laptop may consume additional resources to establish and maintain a connection. Disabling Wi-Fi when not in use can help minimize battery drainage.

6. Disable High-Performance Mode

Using high-performance mode can significantly impact your laptop's battery life. Switching to low-performance mode can help extend battery life. In Windows 10, you can change the power plan by clicking on the battery icon on the taskbar and adjusting the slider to “Best battery life.” In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Power & battery and select “Best Power Efficiency” under Power mode.

7. Disable Background Running Applications

Background running applications can consume a significant amount of battery power. Disable any unnecessary or rarely used applications from running in the background. You can do this by opening the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and navigating to the Startup apps section.

8. Scan for Malware

Malware can cause abnormal behavior in your laptop, leading to faster battery drainage. Use a good anti-virus software or the built-in Windows Security app to scan and remove any malware from your laptop.

9. Reinstall Battery Drivers

Outdated or corrupted battery drivers can also contribute to fast battery drain. Reinstalling the battery drivers can help resolve this issue. Right-click on the Start menu, open Device Manager, expand the Batteries section, right-click on each device, and choose Uninstall. Disconnect the power adapter, restart your computer, and Windows will reinstall the drivers.

10. Restore Default Power Options

Resetting the power plan to its default settings can help if you've unintentionally changed some settings that affect battery life. Open the Edit Power Plan setting from the Windows Search, click Change advanced power settings, and hit the Restore plan defaults button.

11. Run Power Troubleshooter

If you're unsure which settings are causing your battery to drain quickly, you can run the power troubleshooter. Launch the Run dialog box (Windows Key + R), type “msdt.exe /id PowerDiagnostic,” and hit Enter. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan and fix any system errors affecting battery life.

By following these 11 fixes, you can extend your laptop's battery life and enjoy longer usage time. Remember to check for updates regularly, calibrate your battery, and practice good battery-saving habits to ensure optimal performance.