Should laptop be plugged in all the time?
Laptops should not be plugged in all the time, as some manufacturers advise against it. Apple used to advise charging and discharging the battery monthly, but no longer does so. Overcharging isn’t a concern, as the battery stops charging when it reaches 100%. Modern laptops have improved battery life, so it’s best to enjoy your laptop without worrying too much about battery life.
What are some common laptop battery problems?
Laptop batteries can sometimes experience issues that can be frustrating and inconvenient. Here are some of the most common laptop battery problems and their solutions:
Battery not holding charge:
If your laptop’s battery charge is unpredictable, try recalibrating your battery by fully charging, then fully discharging, and finally recharging it. This can often reset any issues with the battery’s internal circuitry.
Battery drains quickly:
If your battery runs out faster than expected, check for any power-hungry apps running in the background. Adjusting your power settings to ‘power saver’ mode and turning off unnecessary features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth when not in use can also help.
Laptop shuts down unexpectedly:
If your laptop turns off without warning, recalibrating your battery might help. If the problem persists, it might be time to consider a battery replacement.
Battery not recognized:
If your laptop doesn’t recognize your battery, ensure it is properly connected. whether the issue still exists, try a different battery to see whether the problem is with that particular battery.
Overheating of laptop batteries:
Overheating can reduce the lifespan and performance of laptop batteries. It’s important to keep laptops cool for optimal battery performance.
What are some tips for maintaining a healthy laptop battery?
Here are some tips to help maintain a healthy laptop battery:
Save cycles, save your battery:
Laptop batteries are built to handle a certain number of charge cycles, usually around 500 full cycles. One complete discharge down to 0% followed by a recharge back up to 100% is what is meant by a charge cycle. The capacity of a battery degrades over time with each charge cycle, thus the less frequently you deplete it, the longer the battery lasts. So, try to avoid completely draining your laptop’s battery and instead keep it between 40% and 80%.
Keep your battery in zone:
Ideally, you want your laptop to enter into hibernation before the battery is totally drained — as well as during downtime when you won’t be using the laptop for a while. Your battery life will be increased and power consumption reduced.
It’s getting hot in here, so hide your batteries:
Overheating can reduce the lifespan and performance of laptop batteries. It’s important to keep laptops cool for optimal battery performance. Avoid using your laptop on soft surfaces like beds or couches that can block air vents and cause overheating. If necessary, use a cooling mat or a stand.
Leave it plugged in (but not all the time):
While modern laptops have longer-lasting batteries, it’s generally recommended to avoid leaving your laptop plugged in and charging all the time to prevent battery degradation. It’s best to use your laptop how you want and enjoy it without worrying too much about battery life.
Download software to get battery health reports:
Some laptops come with built-in software that can help monitor your battery health and provide useful information about its performance. If your laptop doesn’t have this feature, there are many third-party apps available that can help you monitor your battery health.