UniEnergy Technologies Battery » Why Does My Laptop Battery Drain So Fast? ( Causes & Quick Fixes)

Why Does My Laptop Battery Drain So Fast? ( Causes & Quick Fixes)

If you have to work a lot with your laptop or you are a gamer, you can appreciate how valuable the device is. You can also understand the frustration of using a laptop with a battery that drains too fast, especially when you cannot tell why it happens.

We understand because we have all been there. Why does your laptop battery drain so fast? The reason may not be far-fetched. You may have too many applications open and running simultaneously. The screen may also be too bright, or you have external devices connected to it.

Another possible but often overlooked reason is that the battery has become weak. There are many possible causes of a fast-draining laptop battery, and this article discusses them. It also offers common fixes to try, especially if you regularly use the laptop.

What Causes a Laptop Battery to Drain Fast?

Let’s look at some reasons your laptop battery drains so fast and how you can solve the problem.

  • System changes: You may have adjusted some settings or added some applications affecting your laptop’s battery consumption. If the battery issue is recent, you may want to check recent additions to your laptop or settings you may have tweaked.
  • Disc drives and installed drivers: If you inserted new disc drivers into your laptop, they might be part of the problem. This is especially true if the drives are heavier than your laptop’s capacity. Otherwise, check the drivers; one or more may be faulty and draining your laptop’s battery.
  • Firmware: The firmware enables the laptop to function well and is what the laptop runs on regularly. However, it may become corrupted over time, causing functional issues and wearing out the battery.
  • Applications and processes: Opening too many applications or having too much background activity on your laptop can wear it out and drain the battery. This particularly applies to internet applications and processes because they come with other background programs that slow the laptop.
  • External connections: Connecting external devices can drain the battery. They rely on the laptop’s power source to run, which eventually drains it. You will notice the battery weakening if you regularly connect these Bluetooth devices to your laptop.
  • Screen brightness: Selecting the brightest setting for your laptop screen can weaken the battery over time. Setting it to remain bright even when the laptop is idle drains the battery within a short period.
  • Battery Issues: There is also the possibility that the battery is weak or nearing the end of its lifespan. The battery may have weakened if you have constantly used the laptop for more than a year. The same applies if you constantly charge the laptop.

These are only some common causes for a fast-draining laptop battery, but the list is not exhaustive. You may find other unique causes that drain the power of your laptop battery.

These causes are a general idea guiding you to the right areas to look at, even if they do not directly apply to your specific situation.

Laptop Battery Draining too Fast – How to Fix

Laptop Battery Draining too Fast How to Fix

Following the common causes listed and explained above, we will explain some possible solutions and how to avoid the problem in the future.

1. Disconnect External Devices

If you have multiple devices, such as wireless mice and keyboards, connected to the laptop, it may be time to disconnect them. Check the ones that you do not regularly use and remove them from the laptop to lessen the load on the battery.

Follow the prompts in Settings to disconnect them. If you are unsure or cannot find Settings, follow the instructions in this section. Go to the Start button at the bottom of the page and select Devices.

Once you open it, you will find all the connected devices; select the applicable ones and choose Remove Device. Alternatively, locate the device icon on the taskbar, right-click it, and click Disconnect or Remove.

2. Adjust the Power Settings

Tweaking the settings on your laptop can change the load on your laptop battery. Start with the power settings and check other settings afterward. Open Settings and click System to find Power and Sleep options.

Adjust the screen time and sleep settings to reduce how much the battery drains when the laptop is idle or hibernates. You can also create a power plan for your laptop to ease the load on the battery and improve its functionality.

You may also want to check downloaded applications and other additions. They may contribute to the battery load, so consider disconnecting them and see if there is an improvement.

3. Remove Connected Drives

If you have a disc drive in your laptop, it may explain the battery drainage. Some users report that inserting a CD or DVD into the drive on their laptops slowed the speed and drained the battery.

The same may also be the case with your laptop. Therefore, remove the disc and turn off other applications connected to using the disc. Then, monitor the battery for some minutes to check for any improvement. To remove the disc, locate the disc drive icon and right-click it.

Select Eject to open the drive so you can remove the disc. If that process does not work, press the Windows and E buttons to go to File Explorer. Once there, click This PC and find the disc drive icon. Now, click it and tap Eject to open the drive to remove the disc.

4. Dim the Screen Brightness

Dim the Screen Brightness

Consider dimming the screen light if it is set to the brightest point. Extra-bright screens tend to add an extra load on the laptop battery, causing it to drain faster than usual. The same is true for the keyboard’s backlight.

If you set your laptop on battery saver mode, it automatically dims the screen brightness. However, consider manually reducing the laptop’s brightness if the battery-saver feature is inactive.

Alternatively, disable the screen light and use Dark Mode. use the F keys, F2 and F3, to reduce the brightness, or go to Settings and adjust the brightness. Your laptop may have different settings, but this instruction generally applies to all systems.

5. Check Applications

Laptops typically use different background apps, some heavier than others. They depend on the laptop’s battery to run; if you have many applications open or running simultaneously, the battery will quickly drain.

You can detect which applications carry the most weight and drain the battery if you have the latest Windows OS. Click the battery icon on the notification bar to open it. Once it opens, click the settings, and you will see different options.

Select Battery Usage by App; the screen will show the apps using the battery power, with the heaviest user at the top. The app will determine what to do next; if it is an app you cannot uninstall, such as Google Chrome, check the other apps on the list. There may be one or two you do not need, so uninstall them to reduce the load on the battery.

6. Activate the Power Saver Mode

Sometimes, activating the battery-saver mode does not solve the problem of lessening the load on the battery. Consider using a power-saver plan to boost its performance in such a case.

Check it from the control panel; if the setting is high performance, adjust it to reduce the battery draining issues. Open the Control Panel and locate the hardware sound or power options. You will find the option for a power saver plan under this option.

You can select between Balanced and Power Saver, and the Balanced option is the recommended plan. However, the power saver option is ideal for this situation because of the battery issues. Also, check for additional power settings and tweak them to maximize output.

7. Delete Software

Delete Software

Upgrading your laptop can put a strain on the battery, especially if the software is higher than the laptop’s capacity. For example, upgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 10 may work for your device.

But it may turn out to be too heavy for the battery due to the accompanying updates and files. The same applies to firmware and other additions to the laptop. You may notice that the device is slower than usual when in use, indicating its inability to work with the software or firmware.

 In some cases, using tools like Outbyte PC Repair can help. These tools can analyze and optimize your laptop’s performance, adjust settings, remove unnecessary software, and address issues that may be affecting battery life. If problems persist, you may still need to consult a technician for further assistance.

8. Replace the Battery

The last option may be to replace it with a new battery. Replace the battery if you notice that it takes about two and a half hours to charge it fully, but only twenty or thirty minutes to the shutdown time. A typical laptop battery should last at least three hours.

Some last longer, depending on the usage and load on the laptop. However, it should not drain within minutes, no matter how much you use it. Get a technician to test the laptop’s battery life and recommend a replacement with the best battery life.

Conclusion

Lessening the load on your laptop can protect its battery and preserve it for longer. If you download too many applications, connect too many devices, or use and charge it too often, the battery will prematurely wear out.

Additionally, check the screen brightness, installed drivers, disc drives, system changes, and recently-installed firmware. Finally, check the battery life; it may be too old or prematurely damaged. Let a trained technician or manufacturer check it before replacement so you can make an informed decision.

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