How do I keep my laptop's battery in good health?

All lithium-ion batteries have a lifespan. In general, batteries undergo two types of natural aging processes: time aging and cycle aging. Regardless of usage, the battery capacity naturally decreases by 1% to 3% annually. Additionally, after each charge and discharge cycle, the battery's capacity decreases slightly. Typically, the battery begins to show significant aging after about 2-4 years or around 1000 full charge-discharge cycles.

Important note: If used improperly, the battery can age much faster!

Good news—through scientific usage and maintenance, we can effectively extend the lifespan of laptop batteries and keep them in the best condition for longer.

Maintain the Proper Charging Range

Many people wait until their battery is completely drained to charge it, which is actually harmful to the battery!

Lithium batteries should avoid staying at full charge (100%) or very low charge (<20%) for long periods, as this accelerates the internal chemical aging.
The ideal usage range is 20%-80%: charge when the battery drops to around 20%, and unplug when it reaches 80% (some brands like Lenovo and ASUS offer software that lets you set charging thresholds).

High temperatures are the number one enemy of batteries. 

High heat not only accelerates the aging of the battery cells but can also cause safety hazards. Studies show that when temperatures exceed 35°C (95°F), the battery capacity can decrease by 3%-5% per month.

Reduce Unnecessary Power Consumption

Software optimizations can significantly reduce the frequency of charging. Windows users can select the "Balanced" power plan in "Power Options" and disable high-power background applications (such as extra Chrome tabs or automatic updates).

For macOS users, enable "Low Power Mode" and use Activity Monitor to close power-draining applications. Reducing screen brightness to 50%, turning off keyboard backlighting, and disabling unused Bluetooth/Wi-Fi can extend battery life by 1-2 hours.

For hardware maintenance, removable batteries should be charged to 50%-60% before being stored if not used for an extended period, and checked every 1-2 months. For non-removable batteries, ensure regular cycling while the laptop is powered on to avoid battery degradation from being stored at full charge for too long.

Regularly Calibrate Your Battery

Sometimes the system may misread the battery’s capacity, causing incorrect battery levels or jumps in power. We should calibrate the battery every 3-6 months to ensure the system accurately detects the real battery level.

Battery Calibration Process:

1. Full Charge Preparation
   Connect the power adapter and charge the battery to 100%. Some brands (like HP) recommend continuing to charge for 1-2 hours after reaching 100% to ensure even battery charge distribution. You can use the laptop normally during this process, but avoid running large programs that may cause overheating.

2. Deep Discharge
   Unplug the charger, go to the system power settings: Windows users can create a “Never Sleep” power plan (disable low battery notifications); macOS users should let the laptop stay on until it automatically goes into sleep mode. Use the laptop normally (e.g., browsing) until the battery is completely drained and the system shuts down. Do not force a shutdown.

3. Resting Phase
   After the laptop shuts down, do not immediately charge it. Brands like HP and Dell suggest leaving it off for 5-6 hours to allow any residual battery charge to dissipate completely. For MacBooks, wait at least 5 hours before charging.

4. Full Recharge
   Reconnect the power adapter and fully charge the laptop to 100% while it’s powered off. For Windows laptops, you can start using it after reaching 100%. For MacBooks, leave it charging until the power indicator turns green before using it. The entire calibration process takes about 8-12 hours and is best done overnight or on the weekend.

After calibration, you can check the system tools to verify the results:

• Windows users can generate a battery report (powercfg /batteryreport) to see the difference between the "Design Capacity" and the "Full Charge Capacity."

• For MacBooks, hold the Option key and click the battery icon to confirm the "Battery Status" shows as "Normal." If the battery’s runtime is still below 50% of the original, or the discharge curve remains steep (e.g., a 20% drop in 10 minutes), the battery has likely physically aged and should be replaced.

Keep Your System and Drivers Updated

Laptop manufacturers release BIOS or power management driver updates to optimize battery performance.
It’s recommended to regularly check for updates in the following areas:

• BIOS firmware

• Battery management drivers

• Operating system updates

These updates improve battery detection, charging strategies, and temperature management.

Proper Storage of Batteries When Not in Use

If a laptop is not going to be used for a long time, the battery’s charge level is crucial! Storing the battery at 100% or below 20% will accelerate aging, even when the laptop is powered off.

Store it in a cool, ventilated place with the charge level between 40%-50%. Check the battery every few months and recharge if necessary.

Use High-Quality Replacement Batteries

If your laptop battery exhibits the following issues, it’s time to consider replacing it:

• The battery drains quickly or fails to charge fully.

• The battery is swollen or has an abnormal temperature.

• The system fails to detect the battery.

If these tips don’t restore your laptop battery’s performance, consider replacing it with a high-quality battery from BatteryMall.com

Looking for more helpful guides on laptop battery care, calibration, and troubleshooting? Visit: BatteryMall.com/blogs/support for expert advice and resources.