Surface Pro 3 battery degradation

Anonymous
2016-05-11T07:37:37+00:00

I've been using Microsoft Surface Pro 3 for a year, and shortly after the warranty expired I noticed my Surface Pro 3 can only last about 1-2 hours after a full charge. At first I thought this was a problem with background process draining the battery so I disabled everything running in the background. It didn't helped. Then I found out about the powercfg utility and run powercfg /batteryreport on it, and this was the result:

A full charge capacity has degraded by over 80% in just few weeks and continue degrading. I tried to "recalibrate" the battery by doing full charge then full drain multiple times, and it didn't helped. Talk with Microsoft via chat support and they insist this was a software problem and reinstalled the driver and asked me to wait few days to see if things improve. Not only it didn't improved, but now my Surface can only last 30 minutes.

Few days after chat (today), I called Microsoft support and they were being extremely unhelpful. Insist that this was a software problem (which the chat support person already did) and it's "perfectly normal" for battery capacity to degrade. I insist that I've already done the software "fixes" and it didn't work and tell them this is definitely hardware problem, but the person on the phone tell me there's nothing I could do except to order the out of warranty exchange (which cost about $560 in my local currency). 

Is there anything else I should do? My country has no Microsoft Store which I could take the machine for them to take a look. Phone/online support were the only option, and none of them could understand the issue.

Surface | Surface Pro | Power and battery

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Anonymous
2016-07-26T21:31:16+00:00

Hello everyone,

Thanks for your continued patience here. We have now completed our testing of the update and it has passed our quality assurance process.

The update, “System Firmware Update - 8/29/2016”, is now available to install from Windows Update.

Before installing this update, ensure that your Surface Pro 3 is plugged directly in to AC power using the standard AC power adapter (do not use the Surface Docking Station), disconnect any USB devices or external monitors, and check that Windows shows a 40% charge or greater when you hover over the icon in the taskbar before you begin.

Once you install the update, please select Restart now (do not shutdown). After your Surface restarts, please manually restart it a second time to complete the process. For more information, please see our Surface Pro 3 Battery FAQ article.

If you’re having trouble charging your Surface, you get a low-battery error, or your Surface turns off when you unplug it, the steps in our Surface battery won’t charge article can help you pinpoint the problem. Should you need any further assistance, please contact us. 

Thanks again.

Greg

Updated 8/29/16.

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-08-03T12:39:11+00:00

    I can't use a portable computer that I paid over $1500 for without it being tethered to power.  Come on Microsoft.  I can't reliably use your product.  It might as well be an anchor at this point. 

    I am trying to be patient for this software fix. 

    Panos Panay

    "98% of people using the Surface Pro 3 would recommend the device to their friends."

    "Surface Pro 3 is a product people know and love."

    How about now?

    Sorry, my rant is done.  :)

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-08-03T11:15:56+00:00

    I can also confirm that after i upgraded i had a 01/08/2016 firmware upgrade that did a full bios update, so i am watching the battery report now :)

    As I understand it this is not a Windows 10 issue, some have reported it with Windows 8, so the OS isn't going to fix this unfortunately.  The firmware release is not a fix for this as confirmed by the release notes:

    https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/install-update-activate/pro-3-update-history?os=windows-10&=undefined

    Remember that this firmware will only be offered if you have the Windows 10 Anniversary Update installed.

    I would also advise caution in testing each new firmware or OS release as running the battery down degrades it even faster so please wait until we know a fix has been released.  This issue has gained quite a bit of coverage so expect those same sites to post updates once it has been addressed.

    I hope this can be fixed remotely, via firmware, as I take very good care of my Surface Pro 3 and do not want a refurbished one to replace it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-08-03T10:46:08+00:00

    Bought new power cable (waiting for old faulty one to be replaced). Upgraded to anniversary edition whilst plugged in. Battery finally showing 100% charge but went flat within 15 mins of disconnecting from the mains. Am now charging from flat with the new OS installed to see if that makes any difference. I am not expecting much though.

    Regardless of whether it helps I find it absolutely disgusting that someone from microsoft hasn't bothered to advise whether the update will solve the issue or advised when and how it will be solved.

    I will never purchase microsoft hardware again based on this experience.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-08-03T10:31:12+00:00

    I downloaded the ISO and upgraded. 

    My battery was showing 95% max before and 100% max now but still not fixed.

    Also my battery history report is now blank.

    I can also confirm that after i upgraded i had a 01/08/2016 firmware upgrade that did a full bios update, so i am watching the battery report now :)

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