Surface Pro 4 battery drain while OFF

Anonymous
2017-07-05T14:02:24+00:00

I have a HUGE battery drain while power off (not hibernating)  at least 5-10 percent per day.   I windows updates done.   I used to think it was because of the keyboard being attached. but I have switched to a Brydge Keyboard.  Does anyone else have this issue or know how to fix?

Thanks!

Surface | Surface Pro | Power and battery

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Anonymous
2017-08-04T04:59:28+00:00

Thanks Victor_S

Another solution I've found is to shut down the computer the old way - regular shutdown instead of hybrid shutdown.

You can use this shortcut:

C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe /s /t 3 /c "Full Shutdown"

  • shutdown.exe can execute the various sleed/hibernate commands, including the regular shutdown.
  • /s means "shutdown". If we shutdown the normal way, it is a hybrid shutdown (/hybrid)
  • /t 3 means after 3 seconds. If you skip this it's 30 seconds by default.
  • /c "Full shutdown" is a simple comment that will appear in various places as the reason for your shutdown.

Keep in mind it takes a little longer to shutdown this way, and it takes a little longer to start afterwards, but I think the computer doesn't keep some systems active, thus you should see almost no battery drain, even for prolonged times.

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Anonymous
2017-07-05T14:59:17+00:00

That is a good question because the screen will be off.  Before shutting down and all programs are closed, you can do a CTRL+ALT+DEL and select the task manager and look at the processes that are still running at that moment and you may find 'something' but doubtful.

The power sub-system could also have a defect causing that as well and not actually shutting off the machine when it is supposed to be off.

The task manager may give you a clue when all programs are shut down.  If you can't find anything listed, it is possible you may need to contact customer support to get the machine swapped out.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-01-07T16:13:21+00:00

    I don't know whether or not this might be playing a role, but in thinking back, in my case, after powering on the SP4 after a period of time in which it has been off (after having been fully charged at shutdown previously), I might be seeing varying levels of how much of a charge is left in the SP4 depending on whether or not the wifi has been disabled before shutting down the SP4 or whether or not Airplane Mode has been enabled before shutting down the SP4.  I bring this up because sometimes I do disable the wifi before a shutdown, and looking back, I think I might be seeing varying levels of a charge left as it relates to this.  I'll pay closer attention to this over the next several days to see if this might be playing a factor, and I wanted to bring it to others' attention as well in case they might want to keep an eye on this also.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-07T04:54:27+00:00

    Hi all,

    I am facing the same issue here 5 months ago and recently I have contacted Microsoft Support and they get me a refurbished unit replacement since it is still under warranty period. I have used this replacement unit for 1 week now and so far so good, no battery drain after power off.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-06T23:58:10+00:00

    Hello Jean,

    For us to be able to isolate the problem's cause, we need you to run a diagnostic check on the device, you can do that by using the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit.

    Let us know the result.

    Thank you.

    Hi,

    According to with I said in my previous reply I did some test with the last replacement SPA that MS sent me by Dec 14.

    First, to answer to your question I did Surface diagnostic toolkit with no errors report.

    Here is my test : 

    • clean install (latest with mediacreationtool) + drivers update.
    • full charge (SP4 was empty when unboxed)
    • battery was 100%
    • shutdown with shutdown -s command by dec 30 2017 at 21:38:00 (see pict. battery report and sleep study)
    • restart by jan 6 2018  at 23:19:28 (see pict. battery report and sleep study)
    • powecfg (batteryreport and sleepstudy 

    - battery is 94% after 1 week off

    power cfg 

    Sleeptudy 

    With another PC bought brand new same period (a few days after I sent back my just received SP4 for screen flickering problem) I still got 100% after one week.

    Like me previous SP4 I also have a strange setting in power recommended mod ( when you click on battery icon) : cursor is set to right on max eco mode when on AC POWER (lowering screen light) and set to middle (with stronger screen light) when on BATTERY.

    As this behavior was the same on all my surface I suppose that it is an endemic abnormal behaviour.

    One year with this surface now just playing beta tester for MS. I am really upset.

    According to french law this might be a reason to sue MS for a refund.

    I would like to stop spending time on forums and with support sending surface back and forth and receive from MS a real answer.  

    I do not trust MS for hardware definitely.

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