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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

8 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

2 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

300 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2018-04-30T13:16:49+00:00

    Just discovered this thread after returning from a 1 week holiday. I took my 2-years old SPro4 with me but forgot the AC adapter on a chair when leaving home :P. So I used the unit quite sparingly, turning Wi-Fi on only when necessary, and always using HIBERNATE when done (from the start/power menu). And I was indeed very surprised to see that the battery was draining much faster than expected, and realized only late that it was actually losing charge even when in hibernation for 2-3 days in a row. I ended up with a few % left, just enough to confirm my return flight....In the same time, a Surface Pro 3 left at home with AC adapter connected on the computer side but physically disconnected from the wall AC was turned back on after 8 days and....100% battery level !!!!

    So, if HIBERNATION is really supposed to work in the old fashioned way (i.e. save all RAM to disk then turn OFF the unit completely) you can count me in for this battery drain syndrom....

    But hereit seems that Hibernation actually still keeps some hw components in low power state- at least on some computers-, and hence, is NOT equal to full power off ?

    OTOH, when in Hibernation, the SP4 needs to be powered on using the power button (so the typecover seems to be fully turned off as well), suggesting a full power off state..

    Can someone here confirm that Hibernation IS/ IS NOT the same as full shutdown (shutdown /s) on the Surface Pro 4 ?

    (I also remember having had that situation a year ago or so where turning back on the unit after 3 weeks of inactivity showed the battery fully drained at 0%; it was a full shutdown if I recall properly)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2018-04-24T16:44:11+00:00

    Hi,

    you can boot (and wipe ssd)  it with different kind of boot key (including android boot like phoenix os.

    I use specific one for lab testing.

    count 1 or 2% of drain related to test boot.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2018-04-24T08:28:15+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.

    That's exactly the way I feel too. One guy is suing them, I hope it works.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments