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. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

    Comments have been turned off. Learn more

  2. Anonymous
    2018-09-19T05:36:56+00:00

    Feel like there will not be any solutions from Microsoft as they keep dragging the matter as long as they can until all our unit cannot survive anymore. Just like what they have done to the Lumia 1520 with the Phantom Touch issue. They just totally ignore and pretend it never happen.

    Too many issue keep happening with each Windows update for the devices that they produce and this is totally unacceptable.

    To add to your point, there was a different issue regarding the Surface Pro 4 in which many users began reporting that the display on the screen would shake.  This led to being referred to as "Flickergate."  The earliest report of this issue came about while the SP4 was still under warranty.  It was after 2 years of growing complaints from SP4 users that Microsoft finally addressed the issue.  They addressed it by offering to replace these units with refurbished SP4 units.

    Now there is this issue of the SP4's battery charge draining when the device is completely off (fully shutdown or in hibernation so that modern standby is not active) and not attached to a charger.  And Microsoft is silent.  Not good.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2018-09-19T04:19:05+00:00

    The sleep study report has a graph at the top.  It should show battery drains over time.  Does it show a battery drain while the system is shut down?  It may not if no log can be created while shutdown.

    Have you tried letting the system go into modern standby while on battery and see what happens there?  It is in modern standby when the screen goes dark in the normal configuration.

    If line 10 is a mystery, what do you show as a hibernation time option?  And you have to wonder how the system became active if it was actually shut down.  But I have seen systems where they can be powered up from a powered down condition, for specific reasons.  You might check the Bios to see if any such option shows there.

    Thanks for the suggestions.

    The battery drain graph only shows from when I powered the computer up again after the 24 hour drain. The legend box under the graph says 'No line when system powered off'.

    The Power/Sleep setting shows - On battery power, PC goes to sleep after 5 minutes.

    My only thought about the Line 10 turn on was to check when Active Hours are set. Perhaps it thinks I don't use the computer after 5pm and it's OK to download updates. I'll check that, but I'm surprised that a startup command might operate when the computer is supposed to be totally shut down.

    However, under the battery settings is says 'Turn battery saver on automatically if my battery falls below 20%.'  Perhaps that explains the Line 10 startup. I'll turn off the battery saver command for the next drain check.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments