How to make a Windows 11 laptop battery last longer

2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Open Settings, System, Power & battery and switch on Energy saver. Shorten the screen and sleep times on battery, lower the screen brightness, and look under Battery usage for apps that drain the battery in the background.

Most of a laptop's battery goes into the screen and into programs that keep working when you are not using them. Windows 11 has one switch that deals with both, and a handful of settings for the rest.

These steps are for Windows 11. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the Settings window, not screenshots, so colours and spacing on your PC look a little different.

Step by step

  1. – ▢ ✕SettingsSystemBluetooth & devicesNetwork & internetAppsAccountsTime & languageAccessibilityWindows UpdatePower & batteryPower modeEnergy saverScreen and sleepBattery usage

    Turn on Energy saver

    Open Settings, System, Power & battery and click Energy saver. Switch on Always use energy saver, or choose the battery level at which it turns on by itself. It is also a button in the quick settings: click the battery icon on the taskbar.

  2. Choose an efficient power mode

    On the same page, set Power mode to the more efficient option, if your PC offers it.

  3. Shorten screen and sleep times

    Click Screen and sleep. Choose short times for On battery power, turn off my screen after and On battery power, put my device to sleep after.

  4. Lower the brightness

    Open Settings, System, Display and drag the brightness slider down. The screen is the biggest consumer.

  5. Find hungry apps

    In Power & battery, open Battery usage. The list shows the battery use of each app. Click the three dots next to an app and choose Manage background activity to stop it running in the background.

  6. Lower the refresh rate

    Under Settings, System, Display, Advanced display, choose a lower refresh rate, for example 60 Hz instead of 120 Hz.

  7. Save power during video

    Open Settings, Apps, Video playback. Set Battery options to Optimize for battery life and tick Play video at a lower resolution when on battery.

Good to know

A dark background and the dark theme help on laptops with OLED screens. See how to turn on dark mode on Windows 11.

With no need for the internet, airplane mode saves the power the radios use: Settings, Network & internet, Airplane mode.

Close the lid when you step away. Most laptops then go to sleep at once.

If the laptop is slow as well: slow laptop: 7 free fixes that actually work.

In short: Energy saver on, efficient power mode, short screen and sleep times, lower brightness, check Battery usage, lower refresh rate.

Sources
  • Microsoft Support: Battery saving tips for Windows

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