The Battery Drains Quicker Than Expected on a Dell Laptop With Modern Standby Mode Enabled

Laptop battery drains faster than expected

A lot of Dell's recent laptops support the Modern Standby mode. This mode keeps the computer power on and is what responds instantly if the power idle mode is configured and connected standby is enabled.

Windows Modern Standby: Expands on the Windows 8.1 Connected Standby power mode. It is more inclusive. It allows computers that do not support all the prior requirements for Connected Standby to take advantage of the low-power idle mode. (for example, Computers that are based on the configuration of an SSD + hard drive or SSHD, and/or a network adapter.)

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In Modern Standby, the computer uses the S0 low-power idle mode. Modern Standby has the flexibility to configure the default behavior to limit network activity while in the low-power state. Windows operating systems reduce the power consumption of the operating system. It only wakes from the lowest power state when necessary. With Modern Standby, the computer wakes when there is real-time action that is required. Such as operating system maintenance, or a user wakes the computer. Modern Standby is available for all Windows desktop and Mobile operating systems since Windows 10.

This can cause the computer to have more battery drain than the traditional S3 power mode.

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You can quickly check the power states and settings that are available to you, by running the following command at a command-line prompt (See Figure 1.):

Powercfg /a

(Figure.1 Command Prompt Window running the Powercfg /a command)

Dell always recommends that you start by updating the BIOS and other computer drivers to the most recent revisions available.

You can download these drivers from the Dell Support Website.

1. Select your computer from the available list or enter your service tag.

2. Go to Drivers & Downloads.

3. Ensure that the correct operating system is showing for your computer.

4. Install the SupportAssist application and allow it to detect which drivers you need to update.

5. Follow the online instructions to download and install them.

6. BIOS updates involve power cycling your computer - ensure that you have the laptop connected to external power throughout.

You can also follow these suggested steps to set your computer up to use the battery more efficiently.

1. Optimize the Hibernate after setting:

   1. Click power option in the system tray (see Figure 2.)

      

      (Figure.2 Clicking the Power Icon in the system tray)

   2. Click Change plan settings on the power plan in use (See Figure 3.)

      

      (Figure.3 Change Power Plan settings for the power plan in use.)

   3. Click Change advanced power settings (See Figure 4.)

      

      (Figure.4 Changing the advanced power settings)

   4. Enter into option Sleep - Hibernate after - On battery (Minutes), input with 240 and then apply (See Figure 5.)

      

      (Figure.5 Change the Hibernate after, On Battery option to 240 minutes)

2. Turn off the option Stay connected to network while asleep:

   1. Click the power icon in the system tray. Click Power & sleep settings (See Figure 6.)

      

      (Figure.6 Power & sleep Settings)

   2. Under Power & sleep page with Network connection item (default is disabled) (See Figure 7.)

      

      (Figure.7 Adjusting Power & sleep Settings)

   3. Clear On Battery power, stay connected to network while asleep (See Figure 8.)

      

      (Figure.8 Disabling On battery power, stay connected to network while asleep)

For reference: Windows Modern standby or change the power mode for your Windows PC

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Recommended Articles

Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.

• What is Modern Standby and how does it differ from S3 Standby
• How to Improve the Performance of a Dell Laptop Battery