How to make a laptop battery last longer

What wears a battery down

Laptop batteries lose capacity a little with every charge cycle. Heat and long periods at full charge speed that up.

Habits that help

• Keep it cool. Do not leave a laptop in a hot car, and do not run it on a bed or cushion that blocks the vents.
• Use battery care settings. Many laptops can stop charging at around 80 percent when plugged in for long periods. Look in the maker’s software or your system settings for a battery health or optimized charging option.
• Avoid running it flat often. Occasional full drains are fine. Routinely running to zero is hard on the battery.
• Use the right charger, the one that came with the laptop or an approved replacement.
• Store it half charged if it will sit unused for weeks.

Lower power use day to day

• Turn down the screen brightness.
• Close programs and browser tabs you are not using.
• Use battery saver mode when you are away from a charger.

When to get help

• The battery drains much faster than it used to, or the laptop dies at a high percentage.
• Your system reports that the battery needs service.
• The laptop case is bulging, the trackpad is lifting or the laptop no longer sits flat. A swollen battery is a safety risk. Stop using it, unplug it and contact IT.