Managing your laptop’s battery life is crucial to getting the most out of your computer. With some simple tweaks and habits, you can extend your battery life dramatically. Here are 10 tips to maximize the life of your laptop battery:
1. Dim Your Screen
The screen is one of the biggest power drains on a laptop. Turning down your screen brightness can have a big impact on battery life. I aim for around 40-60% brightness when unplugged. You can use the dedicated brightness keys on your keyboard or change the settings through your operating system.
2. Disable Unneeded Features
Bluetooth, wireless, and location services use up battery when enabled. Turn these off if you aren’t using them. I disable Bluetooth when not in use and turn off Wi-Fi when not connected to a network. Location services are battery hogs too, so only enable them when needed.
3. Close Unused Apps and Browser Tabs
Having lots of apps and browser tabs open takes up RAM and CPU, draining battery. Only keep apps open that you are currently using. Close any apps running in the background that you aren’t using. Also, prune any unnecessary browser tabs.
4. Update Your Software
Outdated OS and software can strain your battery. Keep your operating system, apps, and drivers fully updated. Updates often include battery life fixes and optimizations. I make sure to install every update for my OS and check for app updates regularly.
5. Manage Your Background Tasks
Some apps continue running tasks in the background even when not in use. Manage which apps can run in the background through your settings. Disable background refreshing for apps that don’t need it like social media. This prevents unnecessary drainage.
6. Use Battery Saver Mode
Most operating systems have a battery saver mode. This enables various power-saving restrictions to extend battery life. I enable battery saver mode once my laptop hits 20% battery. The trade off is reduced performance, but it’s worth it to extend battery time.
7. Turn Off Keyboard Backlights
Having keyboard backlights on will drain battery faster. I always disable the backlighting on my laptop when unplugged. You can turn these off using keyboard shortcuts or through settings. If you need lighting, use the lowest brightness setting.
8. Adjust Power Settings
Change advanced power settings to optimize battery life. I set my laptop to sleep after 5 minutes of inactivity when on battery. You can also adjust settings for screen brightness, wireless connectivity, and sleep timeouts.
9. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Exposing your laptop to high or low temperatures can decrease battery life over time. Don’t leave your laptop in a hot car or anywhere with temperature extremes. For optimal battery health, keep your laptop around room temperature as much as possible.
10. Limit Gaming and Video Streaming
Resource-intensive applications like games and video streaming will drain your battery rapidly. Avoid gaming or watching videos when not plugged in. If you need to do these things unplugged, use the lowest settings possible to minimize the power usage.
Following these tips has helped me get the most battery life out of my laptop. Simple adjustments to your settings, software, and usage habits can go a long way towards maximizing your battery. Monitor your battery usage and make tweaks periodically to improve battery efficiency over time. With some discipline, you can avoid constantly hunting for an outlet.
