Battery Degradtion : Surface Pro (5 , 2017) (I5, 256 gb)

Anonymous
2019-06-15T07:08:49+00:00

Hello,

I just wonder if some of you who own this version of Surface Pro have the same issues like mine as in below:

ISSUE: Battery at full charge drastically degraded and swingsConditions observed lately:-The battery runs out within 1-2 hrs just by browsing websites/Youtube (tested on both Chrome&M. Edge)

-To fully Charge, takes only around 20-30mins (Est. full charge not accurate)

-Battery sometimes drops by a ridiculous amount E.G. by 20-30% in 1 sec.After checked with Battert Report run in CMDAt Designed Cap at : 45,000,

My Full Charge history as below (Noted that i tried to reset the windows and all previous history is gone so this is what i remember)

First bought (Jan,2018)

Full Charge 2018                                 : around 40,000 0 44,000 

Full Charge 2019(Early months)          : Starting to drop to 35,000

Full Chrage as of the last few months : 25,000

Full charge as the last few days of notice: Swings from 22,000 to 9,000 life cycles at 383 

Now i cant use it outside without charger. This is very frustating while working**.**

As my device is out of warranty, after searching online, the onl way is replacement at 500USD which seems ridiculus to me just because of battery. I bought this expensive device for the reason of long-term use. this is just a year and a half. Shouldn't it last for 4-5 years for its price?

If you have the same issues and any solutions/suggestions, feel free to share and discuss.

**Update 1 8/19/19:**I can't turn on. I lost my files those i didn't back up. I don't have any other computer to use.

Update 2 8/22/19: I just bought a new PC just to work. I cant wait for 1-2 weeks (Send to another country as  there's no microsoft HQ in Thailand) and spend 500USD for just battery replacement.

I kinda gave up and thought it was my fault back then. Now, if you have the same problems. Please up vote.

Update 3 9/1/19:

Seems like my battery is completely dead after testing at a computer shop.

Conclusion:

I am not a hardcore user. In less than 400 cycles, battery (all 4 cells) is dead.

The battery life of my surface pro lasted less than 2 years.

That means you have to pay 500 USD every 2 years. (Could have used this money to upgrade lol)

Maybe 2 in 1 tablets/laptops are not ready for practical use.

Maybe other brands are geting better.

Why do we have to refurbish/replace the device for just a battery which shouldn't cost more than 50 USD.

P.S.

For those who cant even turn the device on,

It's either the circuit is broken duee to defect/unfunctional battary 

OR

The battery is completely dead

Worst case = both.

Surface | Surface Pro | Power and battery

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-12-27T18:48:07+00:00

    I have tried every suggested solution on my SP5 (and Barb has been super helpful for pointing them out), but nothing has fixed my battery problem on the SP5. The SP5 is sitting on my desk plugged in persistently.

    My solution was to buy a SP6, which I've had for a few months. I bought this SP6 when they were being heavily discounted for the anticipated arrival of the SP7.

    I have been a MacBook user. Switched back to Windows for the SP1. Since then I have had a SP2, a SP5 (which had the battery problem) and now a SP6. Windows is better suited to my work, but Microsoft has great products, unlike overpriced Apple gadgets.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-12-27T17:59:31+00:00

    I agree with you Craig, love the product if it weren't for the unacceptable problems - for any computer, but especially one that costs this much. But the worst part is Microsoft's total silence, except for the hidden acknowledgment of the current buyback program for every model except ours. They know this is happening and are just rubbing it in our faces! Why waste their time on the customers who got the lemons, right? I would take legal action if I knew how. Meanwhile, here I am, an independent archaeologist/journalist/educator who made a huge splurge buying this computer to enable use in my many professional travels, and now with a useless computer that won't even stay charged for time needed to board a plane, as you say. Not to mention the Internet connection problems I have (also a known problem among users). And I can't afford a new one. Not sure what I'm going to do...

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  3. Barb Bowman 80,805 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2019-12-27T17:56:28+00:00

    My personal experience with Surface has not been wonderful.

    Surface Pro original - no problems when I owned it (gave to a friend when I

    bought the SP3)

    Surface Pro 3 - "batterygate" - the firmware fixes did not solve my issues and

    the SP3 was unusable on battery

    Surface Pro 5 LTE - one day out of the blue, SSD died. Fortunately I had

    Microsoft Complete and it was replaced, although they would not give me

    "advanced exchange" which I paid for as part of Microsoft Complete

    Surface 3 LTE - I sent mine to my cousin after I purchased the SP5 LTE. It

    recently experienced the lifted screen "battery bulge" making it dangerous to

    use.

    As for thin and light and repairability, I have to say that I own a 2011 MacBook

    Air. I had to have the Apple Store replace the battery a couple of years ago.

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-12-27T17:42:49+00:00

    See if

    https://answers.microsoft.com/message/b439f3c0-27b1-4dc0-9190-7e26a91d445e?threadId=ad5f5468-7ad4-4991-8854-942c8165adc3

    helps

    Thanks Barb, but no improvement.  Since I normally use from a docking station I hadn't noticed how bad this has gotten.  I did the battery re-sync procedure and again replaced battery driver.  Charged to 100% and kept a spreadsheet of time and battery remaining.  At 30 minutes light usage (browsing), with somewhere around 50% battery life left it just suddenly DIES with no notice.

    This is my second Surface and frankly I love the product.  I've recommended and purchased them for the executive teams at our companies.  Most love being free from heavier laptops.  However, it simply won't do to have the devices fail with no easy battery replacement every other year with battery life degrading throughout.  I can't even use on a plane now since I think the battery would fail before we even depart the gate.  Not to mention, the sudden failure leaves me likely to lose work.  Even more troubling is that given the number of people reporting a problem this appears to be widespread and Microsoft doesn't appear to be addressing the issue unless they are doing so privately one on one.  I'm not sure how I can continue to support the product if Microsoft won't support the users.  Really stinks since I'm truly not sure what other device comes close....I guess I'll start looking since it's time for end of year purchases/replacements.

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  5. Anonymous
    2019-12-27T17:00:34+00:00

    I gave up months ago. It was a very positive decision, and I urge those of you still in this thread to do so. Move forward. 

    I’ve quickly grown used to macOS, and find it superior in many ways. A combination of iPads and MacBooks are not only working for me at this point, but for everyone in my unit: I made the call last year in November and we have now finished upgrading a sizable population. While two or three individuals are holding onto their Surface units, It has been a very popular decision and one which has positively affected our productivity.

    I realize not everyone has the ability to reform their work unit and move them away from this broken Surface ecosystem. However, for those of you worried about walking away from this model of computer or Windows operating system in general, do it if you can. I look forward to a much less stressful 2020, working with a much more responsive company. 

    Join me.

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