Why Is My Laptop Battery Draining So Fast? [Causes & Fixes]

If you are someone who works most of his work on the laptop, you must have thought at some point of life why is my laptop battery draining so fast?

I have been working with computers for more than 17-18 years, and when it comes to laptops, I have been using them for more than 12-13 years. In these durations, I have worked with various laptops, and believe me, I too had this question in my mind multiple times as to why my laptop battery drains so fast. But, when I switched to Apple Macbook, I have never been thinking about this issue as it gives pretty much good battery backup.

Anyway, keep my story apart, and let’s find out why laptop battery drains fast. Allow me to tell you that even if your laptop’s battery backup is good if you are playing some heavy games or have been using the screen at a higher brightness than usual, chances are that the battery will drain quicker as compared to how it drains when on normal use.

battery draining quickly can be frustrating and inconvenient, as it limits the amount of time we have to use our laptops without access to a power outlet.  In this article, let’s find out various reasons why a laptop battery might be draining faster than expected. 

Let’s Find Out The Reasons Why Your Laptop Battery Drains So Fast

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1. The Battery is Old and Has Lost Its Capacity

Lithium-ion batteries naturally degrade over time, and as they age, they are able to hold less and less charge. If your laptop is more than a few years old, it’s possible that the battery has simply worn out and is no longer able to hold as much charge as it used to.

2. You Are Using the Laptop for Resource-Intensive Tasks

If you are using your laptop for tasks that require a lot of processing power, such as gaming or video editing, the battery will drain faster. This is because these tasks place a heavy load on the processor and other components, which in turn require more power from the battery. 

As I said, I hadn’t had much of issues with the battery when I switched to Macbook but this is also true that I don’t work with high-intensive tasks as well. Once for a month, I used to work on some heavy software, the battery drained a bit faster than usual. So, when resource-intensive software or tasks are there, the battery drains out quickly.

3. You Have a Lot of Programs Running in the Background

If you have a lot of programs running in the background, it can drain your battery faster. This is because these programs are constantly using resources and processing power, even when you are not actively using them.

4. Laptop Has a Virus or Malware 

A virus or malware can drain your battery by using resources and processing power without your knowledge. If you suspect that your laptop may be infected, it’s important to run a thorough scan and remove any malicious software.

5. You Have Too Many Browser Tabs Open 

If you have a lot of browser tabs open, it can drain your battery faster because each tab is using resources and processing power. Try closing tabs that you are not using to help extend your battery life.

6. The Battery is Damaged 

If the battery is physically damaged, it may not be able to hold a charge as well as it used to. This could be due to physical damage, such as a drop or impact, or it could be due to internal damage, such as a short circuit. If you suspect that the battery is damaged, it may need to be replaced.

7. You Have Backlit Keyboard

Many modern laptops are having a backlit keyboard, and if you keep it turned on all the time, it obviously consumes battery.  If you ask me, I would say that a backlit keyboard is only a fashion thing, there is no use for that actually in most cases unless you work in the dark. However, if you really have it, when there is not much use, keep the keyboard backlight off so that it won’t put pressure on your laptop battery.

8. Your Laptop is Connected to Multiple Peripherals

If your laptop is connected to multiple peripherals then also, the battery may drain faster. Specifically, when most of the peripherals are in use.

9. Maximum Screen Brightness

I have witnessed this because I am the kind of person who used to work in high brightness mode and always had this fast battery-draining issue in the past. But, since I mostly work either from my office or house, I never had the issue. But, a few times during the travel to my hometown, I sat to work at night and there were no power outlets. And, I used it normally on maximum brightness. The battery drained quickly. Since, then I started to make a habit of working on medium brightness so that when I am out of power, I can use my laptop for a little longer.

How To Fix Battery Drain In Your Laptop?

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So, I have already explained various reasons that may drain your laptop battery quickly. Now, let’s find out solutions to overcome this battery-draining issue of your laptop.

1. Close Unnecessary Programs or Browser Tabs

This is a very simple thing to understand the more browser tab and programs you use, the more processing power your laptop would need, and this will put more pressure on the processor and thus, on the battery. Therefore, always keep only those browser tabs open that you are working with. close the tabs that you are not working with. I have seen a few of my colleagues keep opening multiple tabs, and then forget to close them even when they don’t need them. So, make a habit of closing the tabs and programs that are not in use currently.

Luckily, I am the kind of person who doesn’t like clutter. Thus, whenever I work, I keep only those tabs or programs open that I am actually working with. I always close idle tabs or programs which helps me use my laptop for a prolonged period of time on a single charge.

If you don’t change your habit, the battery-draining issue won’t be solved. So, I would recommend opting for this habit of closing the programs and tabs not in use.

2. Adjust Your Power Settings

Your laptop has a built-in power management system that can help extend the life of your battery. You can go to Settings >> System >> Display, and keep the brightness as low as possible. However, you can set it as your convenience as well. 

3. Check for Viruses or Malware

As discussed, Viruses or Malware are programs that if infected with your laptop, may use certain programs and put pressure on the processor and thus the battery. So, if your laptop’s battery is draining fast, scan your laptop for viruses and malware. If found, clean your laptop. It will certainly improve the battery life.

4. Turn Off the Keyboard Backlight

If you do not need the backlight, keep it turned off. It consumes the laptop battery a lot!

5. Disconnect Unwanted or Not Needed Peripherals

At times, when there is no need for a few peripherals, you should disconnect them such as USB, Speaker, Webcam, wireless mouse, or anything that is not required but you kept them added. Just disconnect them, and it will surely improve the battery drain issue.

6. Close Unwanted Background Apps and Processes

If you are a normal user, you may not know that there are multiple background apps are keep running while you work, and also there are so many processes that keep running that you may not require. So, closing them may help prolong the battery usage of your laptop.

For Closing the Background Apps:

You have to go to Settings >> Privacy >> Background Apps, and there, you will be able to see the background apps which are running, you can turn off those that are not required at all.

For Closing The Processes

On your Windows laptop, press Ctrl + Shift + Del. It will open Task manager, Under the “Processes” tab, select the process that looks not required or unnecessary, and click “End task”

These will surely improve your laptop battery hours to some extent.

7. Replace the Battery

If none of the above solutions seem to be working, it’s possible that the battery itself is the problem. If your laptop is more than a few years old, it’s possible that the battery has simply worn out and is no longer able to hold as much charge as it used to. In this case, the battery will need to be replaced. So, get a new battery for your laptop. 

Final Words

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I hope that this article has provided you with some helpful information and solutions for dealing with laptop battery drain issues. Remember that, while there are many potential causes of battery drain, there are also many ways to troubleshoot and fix them as discussed in this article.

If you’re still having trouble with your laptop battery after trying the solutions outlined in this blog, it may be worth seeking additional help from a professional technician or your laptop’s manufacturer. They can provide more specific and in-depth assistance, and may be able to identify and fix any underlying hardware issues that may be causing your battery drain.