What is killing my computer’s battery?

What is killing my computer's battery__2160h.jpg

We've all been there…

One day our computer's battery life is fine and the next it won't make it more than an hour.

While batteries do eventually wear out, sudden changes are usually caused by a software change on the system. Because of this, these issues are relatively simple to diagnose and resolve.

Below are the steps I personally use to determine the cause of and resolve battery/reduced performance issues for friends and family.

Solutions for Mac, Windows, or Chrome

Mac

  • Open Activity Monitor
    • Open Spotlight Search (keyboard shortcut: command + space)
    • Search for and open Activity Monitor
Spotlight Activity Monitor.png
  • Ensure the CPU section is selected.
Activity Monitor CPU Selected.png
  • Ensure All Processes is checked under the View menu
Activity Monitor App Processes Selected.png
  • Sort by % CPU descending by selecting it until it has a down arrow next to it
Activity Monitor Sort by CPU Descending.png
  • Determine which application is using the most CPU (It should be the application at the top and will generally be using ~80+% of CPU)
Activity Monitor Application With Most CPU.png
  • Decide what to do with the application:
    • Restart the application.
    • Is the program Chrome?
    • Do you need the program?
      • No
        • Resolution: Uninstall the application.
      • Yes
        • Resolution 1: Restart the application.
        • Resolution 2: Restart the computer.
        • Resolution 3: Reinstall the application.
        • Resolution 4: Clean reinstall the application.

Windows

  • Open Task Manager (keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
  • Ensure the More details is selected.
Task Manager More Details.png
  • Sort by CPU descending by selecting the CPU column header until the is displayed in the upper left.
Note: f there is actually a CPU usage the problem, the percentage will generally be more than 80+%

Note: f there is actually a CPU usage the problem, the percentage will generally be more than 80+%

  • Determine which application is using the most CPU.
  • Decide what to do with that application:
    • Is the program Chrome?
    • Do you need the program?
      • No
        • Resolution: Uninstall the application.
      • Yes
        • Resolution 1: Restart the application.
        • Resolution 2: Restart the computer.
        • Resolution 3: Reinstall the application.
        • Resolution 4: Clean reinstall the application.

Chrome

  • Open the Chrome Task Manager (Windows keyboard shortcut: Shift + Escape while Chrome is active).
    • Select the button in the upper right.
    • Select the More Tools menu item.
    • Select the Task Manager menu item.
Open Chrome Task Manager.png
  • Sort by CPU descending and determine which task is using the CPU.
    • Select the CPU heading until it has next to it.
Chrome Task Manager.png
  • If it is a tab:
    • Resolution 1: Reload the tab
    • Resolution 2: Close and reopen the tab
  • If it is an extension:
    • Do you need the extension?
      • No
        • Resolution: Remove the extension using the Chrome Extensions page.
          • Select the button in the upper right.
          • Select the More tools        menu item.
          • Select the Extensions menu item.
          • Find and disable, then re-enable the extension.
      • Yes
        • Resolution 1: Restart Chrome.
          • Select the button in the upper right.
          • Select the Exit menu item.
        • Resolution 2: Disable, then reenable the extension on the Extensions page.
          • Select the button in the upper right.
          • Select the More tools        menu item.
          • Select the Extensions menu item.
          • Find and disable, then re-enable the extension.
        • Resolution 3: Remove, then reinstall the extension.

Hopefully that fixed it!

If it didn't, you may need to have your battery replaced. At least you ruled out many common causes!

I hope this was helpful. If you have any questions, please reach out!

Kyle Stay