Laptop Battery Not Holding a Charge? Signs, Tips and Fixes

A laptop that used to last most of the day and now needs to stay plugged in is frustrating. Every laptop battery slowly loses capacity as it ages, but fast drain can also come from settings, software or the charger. Before you assume the worst, it's worth figuring out which one you're dealing with.

Here's how we at We Fix Phones N More suggest tracking down the problem.

Check Your Battery's Health

Most laptops can tell you how worn the battery is.

On a Mac

Open System Settings, choose Battery, and look at Battery Health. If it says "Service Recommended," the battery has worn down significantly. You can also hold the Option key and click the battery icon in the menu bar for a quick status.

On a Windows laptop

Windows can create a battery report. Open Command Prompt, type powercfg /batteryreport and press Enter. It saves a report you can open in your browser. Compare the "Design Capacity" with the "Full Charge Capacity." If the full charge number is much lower than the design number, the battery has lost a lot of its original capacity. Many laptop makers also include their own battery health tool.

Settings and Habits That Drain the Battery

If the battery checks out fine, the drain may be coming from how the laptop is being used.

• Screen brightness. The display is one of the biggest power users. Turning it down a few notches makes a real difference.
• Background apps. Cloud sync, browser tabs, chat apps and updates running in the background all add up. On Windows, check Task Manager. On a Mac, check Activity Monitor's Energy tab.
• Power mode. Use Battery Saver on Windows or Low Power Mode on a Mac when you're unplugged.
• Keyboard backlight and connected devices. Backlit keys, external drives and USB accessories all draw power.
• Heat. A laptop that runs hot uses more power and wears its battery faster. Our post on laptop overheating explains how to keep it cool.

When It's the Charger, Not the Battery

Sometimes the laptop isn't really draining quickly. It just isn't charging properly. Watch for:

• A charging light that flickers or doesn't come on.
• A cable that only works when held at a certain angle.
• A message saying the charger is too low power or isn't recognized.
• A loose or wobbly charging port.

Try a different outlet and, if you can, a known-good charger made for your laptop. A worn cable or a damaged charging port is often a simpler fix than a new battery.

Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

Stop using the laptop and have it checked if you notice any of these:

• A swollen battery. Signs include a trackpad that's hard to click, a keyboard that bulges, a case that no longer sits flat or a lid that won't close all the way. A swollen battery is a safety issue. Don't press on it or try to puncture it.
• The laptop shuts off suddenly while the battery still shows a decent charge.
• It only runs when plugged in.
• It gets unusually hot near the battery area while charging.

Tips to Make a Battery Last Longer

• Keep the software up to date, since updates often improve power management.
• Avoid leaving the laptop in a hot car or on a heater.
• Turn on optimized or smart charging if your laptop offers it. This limits how long the battery sits at 100%.
• Use a hard, flat surface instead of a blanket or pillow so the vents can breathe.

Bring It to Us

If your laptop battery is worn out, swollen or your laptop won't charge, bring it to We Fix Phones N More at 801 County Line Rd in Horsham. We'll find out whether it's the battery, the charger or the charging port and let you know your options. Our computer repairs come with a 90-day warranty. If it won't power on at all, see our guide on what to check when a laptop won't turn on. We serve customers across Bucks and Montgomery counties. Call us at 215-323-4750.