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
    2018-02-04T11:47:24+00:00

    Jean,

    I don't work for Microsoft. I'm actually doing everything I can do get Microsoft to address this issue. Without success. I asked this question and asked others to try it because another person's battery drain issue turned out to be related to the attached typecover (when he did not attach it before shutting down/putting to sleep from the Start/power menu it did not exhibit the drain).

    Absent any real response from Microsoft, the only choices are wait and see if they respond OR see if we can narrow down the cause.

    I do NOT think you bought this to be a beta tester.

    But your comment touch the most interesting part of the problem : customers have to experiment ..

    Not only It shows a complete lack of knowledge from MS regarding his own device but it shows that MS reports on his customers his own duty ty find a solution .. 

    Do you really think that we bought this quite expensive piece of technology to play with as a beta tester ?!

    This is definitely not serious and deeply disrespectful of your customers

    Hi Barb,

    This would be a great idea to convince MS to take his responsibilities but after quite a year .. it seems MS will not move, staying stuck with a defective design for its product.

    Here in France, we can sue MS within 2 yeats after the purchase .. this is what I decided to do ... after one year from my purchase 

    I sent them a request to react within one month.

    Like with their phones MS is really a nightmare for hardware .. they do no support their customers .. obsolescence by design :( 

    regards

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  2. Barb Bowman 80,805 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2018-02-04T11:38:20+00:00

    Jean,

    I don't work for Microsoft. I'm actually doing everything I can do get Microsoft to address this issue. Without success. I asked this question and asked others to try it because another person's battery drain issue turned out to be related to the attached typecover (when he did not attach it before shutting down/putting to sleep from the Start/power menu it did not exhibit the drain).

    Absent any real response from Microsoft, the only choices are wait and see if they respond OR see if we can narrow down the cause.

    I do NOT think you bought this to be a beta tester.

    But your comment touch the most interesting part of the problem : customers have to experiment ..

    Not only It shows a complete lack of knowledge from MS regarding his own device but it shows that MS reports on his customers his own duty ty find a solution .. 

    Do you really think that we bought this quite expensive piece of technology to play with as a beta tester ?!

    This is definitely not serious and deeply disrespectful of your customers

    Was this answer helpful?

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-02-03T20:29:38+00:00

    Can you folks with this battery drain while off please try an experiment?

    When you are done using your Surface for the day, DETACH the type cover (and if

    you are docked, undock it). Then place it in sleep mode from Start, Power. What

    is the drain like without the cover attached.

    I tried .. battery drain is still there ...

    But your comment touch the most interesting part of the problem : customers have to experiment ..

    Not only It shows a complete lack of knowledge from MS regarding his own device but it shows that MS reports on his customers his own duty ty find a solution .. 

    Do you really think that we bought this quite expensive piece of technology to play with as a beta tester ?!

    This is definitely not serious and deeply disrespectful of your customers

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments