The battery discharges too quickly

Batteries charge and discharge again. Each time this happens, the battery loses a little capacity and the life of a charge is shortened. However, you don't have to replace your battery immediately because there are several solutions to get a few extra hours out of it.

STEP 1 Adjust the brightness of your screen

Start by reducing the brightness of your screen. A screen consumes much more power when you go from 90 % to 100 % brightness. So a small adjustment can make a difference.

STEP 2 Adjust your power profile

In addition, you can adjust your power profile when your laptop is not charging. This is one of the best actions you can take to get longer from one battery charge.

• Click on the battery icon at the bottom right to get the menu.
• Then choose a more energy-efficient mode..

STEP 3 Terminate background processes

If you have been using your laptop for a while, you have probably installed and uninstalled a number of programmes. Some programs automatically run in the background to boot up faster, look for updates or check the license. Often this is unnecessary and the computing power to run this process in the background is not worth it.

With Windows 10, you get all kinds of applications that shouldn't be running in the background, such as Paint 3D, Photos or Print 3D. Most users don't need these applications every day. They are also lightweight, so it is better not to run them in the background.

• You can easily check which programmes are running in the background in Windows 10 by going to Start and typing in Background Apps. Click through to Background Apps.
• Then you will get a menu with all the applications running in the background. It is best to switch off all programmes that you do not use constantly.

Leave Windows security  on.

STEP 4 Adjust the browser settings

If you keep a series of tabs open in your web browser, be aware that some tabs can be very demanding on your battery. Especially when the website continues to load high quality videos and thus consume a lot of data. That's why you should close the tabs you don't need.

Using an ad blocker such as uBlock Origin can also reduce energy consumption, especially if you receive a lot of video ads.

STEP 5 Replace your battery

If none of the other solutions work, you should replace the battery.
On most recent laptops such as the Dell xps 15 9550, the battery is fairly accessible. All you need to do is unscrew the screws on the back, unclip the panel, remove the battery screws and disconnect it. Remember to turn off your laptop and unplug it before you start. An official battery costs approximately €100. 

Some older models or laptops aimed at the professional world have a replaceable or removable battery. Replacing them is then an easy task, unlike finding the right battery model. If you can't find the right battery for your laptop, seek advice from a computer shop.

It's always worth comparing several options. If you find a battery online, be sure to compare the price (including shipping costs) with what an official manufacturer's repair shop or the local computer shop will charge for the repair. Sometimes the price difference is so small that it's better to leave the repair to a professional rather than do it yourself.

Background information 

General recovery tips 

• Manual Repair Cafés on defective laptops (French, ext.)
• Where can I buy spare parts? (French, ext.)
• Instructions on 3D printing spare parts (English, ext.)

Please note

• Always unplug the device when working on it and remove the battery if possible.
• When working with electronics, it is best to wear an antistatic bracelet to prevent damage from static discharges
• If you are unsure how to proceed, contact a local repair shop or a professional repairer