A laptop battery weakens over time, and what once lasted a whole day suddenly does not last even a few hours. Part of the wear is natural, but a lot also depends on how you use the laptop. Let us explain how to extend both the runtime and the lifespan of the battery.

How a battery ages

Laptops have lithium batteries that wear out through charge cycles and over time. After a few years a battery has a smaller capacity than when it was new, which is completely normal. The good news is that with the right use this wear can be slowed.

How to extend the battery’s lifespan

  • Do not keep the battery permanently at 100 % or drain it to 0 %. Lithium batteries are happiest moving in a range of roughly 20 to 80 percent.
  • Avoid heat. Heat is the most harmful thing for a battery, do not leave the laptop in the sun, in a hot car or on a blanket that blocks ventilation.
  • When permanently powered from the socket, enable, if the laptop offers it, a charging limit at 80 %, which spares the battery.

How to extend runtime on a single charge

  • Lower the screen brightness, it is the biggest power drain.
  • Turn on the energy saver in the settings.
  • Turn off Bluetooth and wifi when you do not need them.
  • Close demanding programs and unnecessary browser tabs.

Battery myths

Modern lithium batteries do not need to be “trained” or fully discharged, that is a relic of old types. An occasional calibration (a full cycle from full to almost zero and back now and then) only helps the percentage indicator show accurately, not the capacity itself.

When to replace the battery

  • The runtime has dropped noticeably and you can barely use the laptop without a socket.
  • The laptop switches off sooner than it shows a full battery.
  • The battery is swollen, which you recognize by a bulging bottom or touchpad. Address this immediately, a swollen battery is a safety risk.

Is your battery weakening or swollen? Get in touch, we will check the battery and replace it safely. For overheating, maintenance and a cooling pad also help.