Main Reasons Why Your Laptop Battery Drains Quickly

by John Sanderson
Why Does My Laptop Battery Drain so Fast

If you own a laptop and it’s not charging properly, there could be several reasons why this is happening. If you own a laptop more than three years old, the battery may be worn out and need to be replaced. The battery also might be defective and cause the computer to shut down too quickly or not charge at all. Other problems with the charger can also cause the battery to drain quickly. Finally, if your computer has been on for a long time without being plugged in, it could have drained its power supply because of heat buildup.

Why Your Laptop Battery Drains Quickly

1. Overheating – Heat is the enemy of every laptop. It can cause your laptop battery to drain quickly. If you’re in an area where it’s hot, it’s best to keep your computer off.
2. Playing Games – The more power the game requires, the faster your battery will drain. If you play games on your laptop, try playing them on a desktop instead of using the battery to run them.
3. Running a Program or Application – Any program or application that runs in the background will drain your battery as well, so close any programs that you aren’t using.
4. Using Your Laptop for More than 2 Hours – If you use your computer for more than 2 hours without plugging it in, the battery is likely to drain quickly because of heat buildup, and power surges from running programs and applications at once will also cause the battery to drain quickly.
5. Using Your Laptop While It Is Charging – Using a computer while it is charging can also cause heat buildup and result in a rapid battery drain.
6. Overcharging – This can happen if you leave your computer plugged in overnight or even if you are charging it during breaks at work or school.
7. Leaving Your Computer Plugged In Overnight – While this may seem like a good idea because it gives your laptop some extra juice when you need it most, leaving your computer plugged in for too long can damage its circuitry and overheat the battery, which will cause it to drain much faster.
8. Using a USB Device – Many USB devices, such as external hard drives, flash drives and other types of devices that you plug into your computer will suck up power. If you’re using a USB device with your laptop, turn it off if you’re not using it.
9. Having Your Laptop on for Long Periods of Time – If you leave your computer on for long periods at a time without charging it or shutting it down, the battery will drain quickly. The same is true if you use your laptop for more than 2 hours without charging it.
10. Not Closing Programs When You’re Not Using Them – Any program that runs in the background will suck up power and cause the battery to drain quickly, so make sure to close any programs that you aren’t using when they are not in use.

How To Prevent Your Laptop Battery From Draining Quickly

1. Use Power Saving Mode

You can enable this mode in Windows 7 by going to Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options. There, you can choose a power plan that runs your laptop on low power without affecting performance.

2. Dim the Display

If you notice that your laptop is running hot, try dimming the display or turning it off completely. This will prevent heat buildup and will help you save on battery life.

3. Update Your Laptop’s Drivers

If you’re using an older model laptop, try updating the drivers for your computer to make sure they are working properly and aren’t causing any issues with the battery or other components of your computer.

4. Close Unnecessary Programs

If you have more than one program running at once, close any unnecessary programs to prevent them from draining your battery while they are open in the background.

5. Quit Unnecessary Services

Many programs offer a way for you to start services when they are installed so that they run in the background, but most of these aren’t necessary if you aren’t using them, so quit them if possible to prevent them from draining your battery.

6. Enable Hibernation Mode

You can enable Hibernation Mode by going to Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options. There, select “Change Plan Settings,” then choose “Change Advanced Power Settings,” then click on “Sleep.” Under “Allow Hybrid Sleep,” select “Enable hibernation.”

7. Remove the Battery

If you don’t need to use your laptop on the go, remove the battery and store it in a cool, dry place so that it won’t discharge while you aren’t using your laptop.

8. Disable Unnecessary Plug-Ins

If you are using Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Firefox to browse the web, make sure that plug-ins such as Adobe Flash aren’t running in the background when they aren’t needed. This will prevent them from draining your battery while they are running in the background.

9. Update Your Drivers

Try updating any drivers for your computer or its peripherals if you notice that any of them seem outdated. Outdated drivers can cause a number of issues with your computer, including problems with battery life.
10. Turn It Off Completely – The best way to save on battery life is to turn off your computer when you aren’t using it rather than leaving it on standby mode, which uses more power than simply turning it off completely when not in use.

How To Replace Your Laptop’s Battery

1. Before you begin, turn your laptop off, unplug it from the power source and remove any discs or storage devices from your computer.

2. Remove the battery from your computer. This is usually located on the underside of your laptop.

3. Use a screwdriver to remove the battery compartment cover.

4. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove any screws holding the battery in place.

5. Remove the old battery by lifting it out of its compartment with both hands and placing it on a flat surface away from your laptop.

6. Slide the replacement battery into place and then secure it with screws removed in Step 4 . Make sure that all of the edges are lined up properly before securing them with screws.

7. Replace the battery compartment cover and secure it with screws removed in Step 2 . If you do not have replacement screws, use tape to hold down each side of the cover while you replace each screw one at a time until they are all secured in place again.

Conclusion

Laptop batteries are not meant to be used for long periods of time. The laptop battery is designed to be used while plugged into an outlet. If the laptop is constantly being used without the power cord, it can cause the battery to drain quickly.

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