What To Know
- If you’re finding your Surface Pro battery isn’t lasting as long as you’d like, you might be wondering how to turn off Surface Pro smart charging.
- Smart charging can keep your battery at a lower charge level than you desire, even if you’re plugged in.
- However, if you prioritize long-term battery health and are less concerned with immediate battery life, smart charging can be a valuable feature.
Surface Pro devices are known for their versatility and power, but sometimes, their smart charging features can work against your best interests, leading to faster battery drain. If you’re finding your Surface Pro battery isn’t lasting as long as you’d like, you might be wondering how to turn off Surface Pro smart charging. This blog post will guide you through the steps to disable this feature and potentially extend your device’s battery life.
Understanding Surface Pro Smart Charging
Before we dive into how to turn off smart charging, let’s understand what it is and how it works. Smart charging is a feature designed to optimize your Surface Pro’s battery health by preventing it from being fully charged or completely drained. It aims to extend the overall lifespan of the battery by minimizing stress and wear.
However, this feature can sometimes be counterproductive, especially if you’re on the go and need your device to last for an extended period. Smart charging can keep your battery at a lower charge level than you desire, even if you’re plugged in. If you’re constantly using your Surface Pro and need maximum battery life, turning off smart charging could be the solution you’ve been searching for.
How to Turn Off Surface Pro Smart Charging: The Steps
Here’s how to turn off smart charging on your Surface Pro:
1. Open Settings: Click the Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen and select the “Settings” icon (gear-shaped).
2. Navigate to System: In the Settings app, click on “System”.
3. Select Power & Battery: In the System section, choose “Power & battery”.
4. Find Battery Usage: On the left-hand side of the window, click on “Battery Usage”.
5. Disable Smart Charging: On the right side of the window, look for the “Smart charging” toggle switch. Click on the switch to turn it off.
Beyond Turning Off Smart Charging: Other Battery-Saving Tips
While turning off smart charging can help, there are other ways to maximize your Surface Pro‘s battery life:
- Adjust Brightness: Lowering your screen brightness can significantly impact battery consumption.
- Close Unnecessary Apps: Background apps can drain your battery quickly. Close any apps you’re not actively using.
- Disable Location Services: If you’re not using location services, turn them off to save battery.
- Enable Battery Saver Mode: Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in battery saver mode that reduces power consumption.
- Update Drivers: Outdated drivers can sometimes lead to increased battery drain. Ensure your drivers are up to date.
- Avoid Using High-Performance Apps: Demanding applications like video editing or gaming can consume more battery power.
When is Smart Charging Useful?
While you may choose to turn off smart charging for specific situations, there are times when this feature can be beneficial:
- Long-Term Battery Health: Smart charging helps extend the lifespan of your Surface Pro battery by preventing overcharging and deep discharge.
- Minimizing Battery Degradation: By keeping the battery at a moderate charge level, smart charging helps minimize battery degradation over time.
- Optimizing Battery Performance: Smart charging ensures your battery performs efficiently and provides consistent power.
The Importance of Battery Calibration
After disabling smart charging, it’s recommended to perform a battery calibration. This process helps your Surface Pro accurately measure its battery capacity and ensure proper charging and discharge cycles. Here’s how to calibrate your battery:
1. Fully Charge Your Device: Connect your Surface Pro to a power source and let it charge to 100%.
2. Unplug and Use: Once fully charged, unplug your device and use it normally until it reaches a low battery level (around 10%).
3. Fully Charge Again: Connect your Surface Pro to a power source and charge it back to 100%.
The Verdict: Is Turning Off Smart Charging Worth It?
Whether or not to turn off smart charging depends on your individual needs and usage patterns. If you’re constantly on the go and need maximum battery life, disabling smart charging might be the best option for you. However, if you prioritize long-term battery health and are less concerned with immediate battery life, smart charging can be a valuable feature.
Beyond Battery Life: Optimizing Your Surface Pro Experience
Turning off smart charging is just one step in optimizing your Surface Pro experience. Exploring other settings and features can further enhance your device’s performance and extend its lifespan.
Popular Questions
Q: Will turning off smart charging damage my Surface Pro battery?
A: No, turning off smart charging will not damage your battery. Smart charging is a feature to optimize battery health, but it’s not essential for battery longevity.
Q: How often should I calibrate my Surface Pro battery?
A: It’s recommended to calibrate your battery every few months or whenever you notice inconsistencies in battery life.
Q: Will turning off smart charging affect the performance of my Surface Pro?
A: No, turning off smart charging will not affect the performance of your Surface Pro. It only impacts how the battery is charged.
Q: Can I turn off smart charging on older Surface Pro models?
A: The smart charging feature may not be available on older Surface Pro models. Check your device settings to see if the option is present.
