When on battery, severe CPU throttling kicks in at 35% charge: how to change ?

Anonymous
2019-12-19T16:39:57+00:00

Brand new Spro7, Firmware up-to-date.

I noticed drastic CPU throttling when battery charge level reaches 35%: CPU tops at about 0.5 GHz and setting the power slide to "Best Performance" doesn't change that.

I found no setting that would allow to change this excessively conservative threshold to something more reasonable like 12 or 15% (my Battery Saver level is set at 15%, but it has obviously no impact on this).

Is this hard-coded in the firmware ?

Any ideas ?

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

46 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2019-12-19T23:11:41+00:00

    Hi, benoitvm!

    Thanks for reaching Microsoft Community. We are sorry to learn about the issue you have with the CPU throttle when the battery charge reaches 35%. I would like to ask if this happens when you charge the device below 35%? Or does it happen when it drops to 35%?

    For the meantime, please check for Windows Update:

    Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates

    Run **Surface Diagnostic Toolkit** and make sure to complete the tasks.

    Please also force a shutdown and restart your Surface.

    1. Press and hold the power button until the screen turns off (about 10 seconds), then release the power button.
    2. Press and release the power button to turn your Surface back on. You should see the Microsoft logo.

    If that doesn't work, here's how to make sure your Surface turns off completely:

    Press and hold down the power button until your Surface restarts and you see the Windows logo screen (about 20 seconds), then release the power button.

    We hope this helps.

    Regards,

    Janette_Z

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2019-12-22T17:51:00+00:00

    Hi Jeanette,

    Sorry it took so long for me to back.

    Here is some interesting additional info:

    It looks like the problem occurs only when the unit is connected to external monitor (USB-C -> HDMI), mouse (BT) & keyboard (USB)  (no docking station).

    When the unit is used with internal display + typecover, the CPU is not throttled down (until it reaches the defined low batt setting)

    Benoit

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2019-12-31T23:43:23+00:00

    Hi there, benoitvm!

    We are truly sorry for the late response. I appreciate your update about what you observed with the device's performance. 

    May I know if you happen to have used a Surface Dock or docking station to connect the accessories (monitor and USB keyboard)?

    Thanks!

    Regards,

    Janette_Z

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2020-01-02T13:47:21+00:00

    Hi Janette,

    as said, there is no docking station (or Surface Dock) involved:

    external monitor is connected using a  USB-C -> HDMI dongle (internal monitor is disabled)

    external mouse is connected via Bluetooth

    external keyboard & Ethernet are connected using a powered 4-port USB 3.0 SS hub

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2020-01-02T22:57:58+00:00

    Hello, benoitvm!

    Thanks for letting us know about this. Yes, you mentioned there was no docking station the 1st time you mentioned it. I am sorry for the confusion, I was checking if you have tried to include a docking station after posting your response last December 23rd. 

    Is it safe for me to assume that you haven't tried it out? 

    If you haven't, do you happen to have a friend with a compatible dock that can be plugged to your Surface Pro 7 so you can observe if there is a difference with or without a dock when those said accessories are plugged into a dock?

    Thanks!

    -Janette_Z

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments