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
    2018-04-23T20:56:12+00:00

    Hi,

    this is my 4th surface and the drain issue is still there.

    I decide to sue MS as it is covered by my insurance, it wil be at no cost for me.

    I wrote to MS before that without no result except another replacement offer.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-04-23T20:44:42+00:00

    The battery drain is verified by powering on the SP4 (after it has already been fully shutdown at a prior time) and then checking the battery level.  Me, as well as many others in this thread, have noticed that the battery will lose around an average of 10% charge per day after the unit has already went through a full shutdown.  Microsoft's track record of dealing with this issue is terrible.  If the SP4 is under warranty, they encourage getting it replaced with another unit, and it's a crap shoot as to whether or not the replacement unit will not have the battery drain issue.  If the SP4 is not under warranty, then you have to pay for their support, and then they encourage you to get the SP4 replaced.  In light of how long this issue has been known, and in light of Microsoft's absolutely terrible support of this issue, I can never buy from them another potential future Surface Pro.  They've lost my trust and future business on anything hardware-related.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-04-23T03:27:41+00:00

    how did you test battery drain without an os? I've never seen one that can run linux.

    I'm pretty sure it's the Intel ready tech built in to the rst drivers. Windows 10 is designed to utilize this tech so your email and tiles are always synced. Normally on desktops and laptops this can be disabled in bios. Since surfaces dont have a true bios, disabling it is harder. There is no switch I can find in the OS, I'm hoping if I disable the driver that will give better battery life as it is not doing anything in shut down mode. 

    Still testing, the changes I posted lowered the drain, so I think I'm moving in the right direction

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