Applies ToWindows 11 Windows 10

Here are some things you can do to extend your PC’s battery life.

You can help lower your device's carbon footprint while helping your battery last longer. The Energy recommendations section is a quick place to go when you're looking for a collection of settings that affect your power usage.

  1. Select Start , and then select Settings  > System  > Power & battery  > Energy recommendations.Open Energy recommendations

  2. Select Apply all or individually adjust settings that are likely to use more power than average, such as screen brightness, screen saver, and how long your device can be inactive before it goes to sleep or turns off. To learn about each setting, see Learn more about energy recommendations.

Energy saver automatically manages system processes and power usage for an optimal balance of PC performance and longer battery life.

Select Start Settings > System > Power & battery . If you want energy saver to turn on whenever the battery falls below a certain level, select Energy saver to expand options, then next to Turn energy saver on when battery level is at, select the battery level you'd like. To turn on energy saver now and leave it on until the next time you plug in your PC, set Always use energy saver to On, or select the Battery icon in the notification area, then select the Energy saver quick setting.Turn on energy saver in Settings

Adjust some of your PC's display settings to help extend battery life. For example: 

Set a shorter duration for an active display.

Select Start Settings  > System  > Power & battery  > Screen and sleep. For On battery power, turn off my screen after, pick a shorter duration. Open Power & sleep settings

Reduce your display’s brightness.

Select Start Settings  > System  > Display  > Brightness . Clear the Change brightness automatically when lighting changes or the Help improve battery by optimizing the content shown and brightness check box (if either appears), and then use the slider to set the brightness level you want.Open Display settings

Reduce the screen refresh rate.

A higher refresh rate will provide smoother motion on your display, but it also uses more power. If you want to lower the screen refresh rate, select Start Settings  > System  > Display > Advanced display . For Choose a refresh rate, select a lower rate.

Choose custom graphics options for an app.

Select Start Settings  > System  > Display Graphics. Under Custom options for apps, select an app, select Options, then choose Power saving.

Use a dark background.

Select Start Settings  > Personalization > Background , and then choose a dark picture or dark solid color.Open Background settings

Use a dark theme.

Select Start Settings  > Personalization > Themes > Current theme, and then choose a dark theme.Open Themes settings

Adjust some of your PC's power settings to help extend battery life. For example: 

Let Windows change some power settings for you automatically.

Select Start Settings  > System  > Troubleshoot  > Other troubleshooters , then select Run next to Power

 Open Troubleshooter

Set a shorter duration for when your PC sleeps.

Select Start Settings  > System  > Power & battery  > Screen and sleep. For On battery power, put my device to sleep after, choose a shorter duration.Open Power & sleep settings

Change the background activity setting for some apps.

Some apps let you manage background activity. If you find that an app is using a lot of battery when running in the background, you can change the setting for apps that allow it. Select Start Settings  > System  > Power & battery > Battery usage. Under Battery usage per app, see which apps might be using more battery in the background. For an app that let you manage the background activity, select More options > Manage background activity. On the settings page for that app, change the setting for Let this app run in the background.

Put a lid on it.

Most laptops can go to sleep automatically by closing the lid. To set this, select Search  on the taskbar, enter control panel, then select it in the list of results. In Control Panel, select Power options Choose what closing the lid does.

Choose a more efficient power mode.

Select Start Settings  > System  > Power & battery . For Power mode, choose a power mode that's more efficient.

This option isn't available on all PCs and depends on your PC hardware and manufacturer.

Just press a power button.

Most PCs let you turn off your display, shut down, sleep, or hibernate with a press of the Power button.

To choose what the power buttons do, select Search  on the taskbar, enter control panel, then select it from the list of results. In Control Panel, select Power options, and then Choose what the power buttons do.

Choose different battery options for playing videos on battery.

Select Start Settings  > Apps > Video playback . For Battery options, select Optimize for battery life. To help save more battery, select the Play video at a lower resolution when on battery check box.

Other things you can do

Keep your PC plugged in until it’s fully charged.

To check your PC’s battery level, select Start Settings  > System  > Power & battery . At the top you can see your current battery level and how your battery level changes throughout the day. 

Restart your PC.

This can sometimes fix problems that can shorten battery life. Select Start , and then select Power  > Restart .

Turn on airplane mode if you don’t need Internet, Bluetooth, or other wireless communications.

Select Start Settings  > Network & internet , and then turn on Airplane mode .Open Airplane mode settings

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