HP Notebook PCs - Improving Battery Performance (Windows)

Use these tips to change the power consumption of the computer to conserve battery power.

1. Reduce the number of open applications. Each open software application uses memory and power, even when the application window is minimized. Close software applications to conserve battery power.
2. Reduce the brightness of the screen to the minimum readable level. Use the function keys to adjust the brightness or use the display settings in Windows.
3. Remove peripherals when not in use. External hard drives and other peripheral devices can draw power from your battery even when they are not in use. Disconnect peripheral devices when you are finished using them.
4. Reduce the speed of your processor. The faster your computer works, the more quickly it depletes battery power. You can extend the charge of your battery by slowing down the processor speed.
5. Turn off the wireless function. Wireless connections draw battery power. When wireless capability is not needed, turn it off. Press the Wireless On-Off button so that the wireless feature and wireless light turn off.
6. Change the power option setting. Select either HP Recommended or Power saver to conserve battery power.

A power plan is a collection of hardware and system settings that manage how your computer uses power. Power plans can help you save energy, maximize system performance, or achieve a balance between the two.

In Windows, search for and open Choose a power plan to learn about, customize, and choose a power plan.

For more information, select one of the following links:

• Managing Power Options (Windows 10)
• Managing Power Options (Windows 8)
• Power Management (Windows 7)

The performance and capacity of laptop batteries naturally decrease over time. The way a battery is used daily can also affect these attributes.

Many factors can contribute to battery performance:

• Battery cells suffer gradual, irreversible capacity loss with each discharge-charge cycle.
• Temperature and discharge loads can impact battery performance and capacity.
• Battery capacity can decrease even when the computer is unplugged from a power source and not in use.
• During prolonged storage or non-use, the battery charge can decrease below its recommended low-voltage level. Discharging the battery below its recommended low-voltage level may physically damage the battery and result in the battery becoming unusable.

  note:

  If the battery does not recover after charging for 30 - 60 minutes, the battery has most likely sustained physical damage and must be replaced.

• Leaving the battery at a high level of charge in a high-temperature environment for extended periods can accelerate the loss of performance and capacity.
• The computer generates excess heat during high workload or if it is not properly ventilated. This temporarily impairs the battery charge and discharge rate. The battery function returns to normal when it cools to an acceptable operating temperature.
• To help maintain battery capacity, HP batteries are designed to discharge a small amount once fully charged. This is normal for most notebook batteries. The battery will begin to recharge once the charge has dropped below 95%.
• Using software for graphics processing or high-definition video accelerates the loss of performance and capacity. For example, playing 3D games decreases capacity faster than using word processing applications.
• Your notebook configuration and power settings can impact your battery performance. This includes settings such as:
  • Display brightness
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Display resolution
  • Windows Power Plan
  • Processor speed
  • Type of storage, such as a peripheral storage

Battery Health Manager in the BIOS provides a number of settings designed to improve battery longevity and performance for select HP business computers. For a list of supported computer models and BIOS updates to enable Battery Health Manager on those platforms, go to New Battery Health Management Feature Can Prolong Battery Life.

Open the BIOS, navigate to the Battery Health Manager, and then choose the settings you want, depending on how you use your computer.

1. Turn off the computer, and then connect the power cord if it is not already connected.
2. Turn on the computer, and then repeatedly press the Esc key until the Startup Menu displays.
3. Press F10 to open the BIOS Setup Utility.
4. Using the arrow keys, select Advanced, and then select Power Management Options.
   The Battery Health Manager feature displays. If you do not see Battery Health Manager, go to the HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads page to update the BIOS to the most current version available.
5. Click the drop-down menu to review, and then select a Battery Health Manager setting:
   • Maximize my battery health: Use this setting if the computer stays plugged in to the power adapter most of the time. This setting maximizes battery health by lowering the maximum battery charge level to 80%.
   • Let HP manage my battery charging: Use this setting if the computer is operating under a heavy load or being used in hot environments. Charging behavior automatically adjusts to balance between maximizing battery health and maximizing battery duration.
   • Maximize my battery duration: Use this setting if you need to have the battery fully charged when taking the computer off the charger. The battery charges to 100%, and then stops charging only to resume when the charge level falls to 95%.

     note:

     This setting might shorten the battery lifespan.

     
6. After you choose a setting, click Save, and then exit the BIOS Setup Utility.

Recommendations for battery usage and storage are included in the user guide for your computer. Additional battery care practices are as follows:

• Store batteries between 20°C and 25°C (68°F and 77°F) with 80 - 90% charge.
• Do not disassemble, crush, or puncture a battery, and do not short the external contacts on a battery.

    warning:

  Keep batteries away from children. Batteries can be a choking and poison hazard.

• Do not leave batteries exposed to elevated temperatures for extended periods. Prolonged exposure to heat (inside a hot car, for example) accelerates the deterioration of battery cells.
• Long term battery storage:
  1. Charge or discharge the battery to 80 - 90%.
  2. Place the notebook into ship mode per your user guide. Refer to your notebook user guide to determine if your computer supports this feature.
  3. Check the battery charge every three months. If the battery charge falls below 50%, charge the battery to 80 - 90%, and then repeat the steps in the user guide to put the computer back into ship mode.

  note:

  For the steps to put a business computer into ship mode, go to the Battery storage recommendations section in this document.

• For best performance, use only the battery provided with the computer, a replacement battery provided by HP, or a compatible battery purchased as an accessory. If you have a choice of battery types to use with your computer, use the type of battery with the highest capacity rating.
• To maintain the battery, run Battery Check using HP Support Assistant. Under normal usage, batteries should be calibrated a minimum of once every two to three months. However, a battery that is rarely discharged fully should be calibrated about once a month.
  Go to HP Support Assistant to download and install the software. Run the test, and then calibrate the battery based on the results.
  For more information, go to Testing and Calibrating the Battery (Windows) for detailed steps.

After storing a computer for several months, the battery can reach a critical charge level and cannot be recharged. This is a safety feature of the battery.

Many HP business notebooks use ship mode to minimize battery drain. Ship mode allows the battery to remain viable longer than when the computer is turned off. However, the computer exits ship mode when it is turned on for the first time. If a computer must be stored for a long period of time, such as a school break or when necessary for business purposes, place the computer in ship mode before storing.

note:

Not all business notebooks support ship mode. Refer to the user guide to determine if it supports this feature.

Perform the following steps before enabling battery ship mode:

1. Update the BIOS to the latest version for your computer. For more information, go to Updating the BIOS
2. Ensure the battery is charged to between 80 - 90% capacity.
3. Select the appropriate method listed below to enable battery ship mode.

To exit ship mode for normal use, plug in the computer to a power source and press the Power button to start the computer.

note:

For very long-term storage, HP recommends checking computers every three months to check the battery charge level. If the battery charge falls below 50%, charge the battery to 80 - 90%, and repeat the procedure to put the computer back into ship mode.