how to permanently turn smart charging off for surface laptop

Question

Did you know how to permanently turn it off since I don't want it turn on automatically

I'm travelling, working on the floor etc. I have less battery available

Answer 1

Hi Jack Liu 445,

Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community.

I understand that you'd want Surface Laptop Go to charge to 100% since you will be using it while travelling and Smart Charging feature is blocking you from doing it since it will limit the device to charge up to 80% only. This feature helps us to optimize the battery longevity on our devices. You can turn the feature off or set the device to charge to 100% through the Surface app. See: Smart charging on Surface (microsoft.com) for details.

However, there is no way for us to permanently disable this feature but once you turn it off, Smart Charging should only turn back on by itself once the device detects that it is plugged in for a very long time continuously and/or used at elevated temperatures. See: Caring for your Surface battery (microsoft.com).

If you would like to provide your feedback and suggestions on how to improve this feature, please click the Feedback button in the lower right corner of Surface app or visit Send feedback to Microsoft with the Feedback Hub app - Microsoft Support to use the Feedback Hub.

Kind regards,

Marrion

Answer 2

It would be really good to be able to disable it, as there is a crash bug with the smart charging feature.

If my surface is configured to smart charging, I get kernel failure blue screens while I'm screen sharing and trying to use the surface pen on the whiteboard app, but this never happens when the smart charging feature is turned off.

I have been forgetting to turn it off when it re enables each week and I generally get a crash as soon as I start the scenario above, then I disable and I have no issues until it re enables it again.

And yes, it did take me a while and a replacement unit to work out that is was the smart charging feature.

Answer 3

What on Earth? You'd best find a way to turn this off, or we'll stop buying Surfaces for our organisation. I'm not going to expect my consultants to dive into the Surface app and remember to charge their battery properly before they go to a client presentation or get on a plane. We barely get half a day's use out of brand new devices as it is, without you purposely crippling the battery.

From what fantastic high horse does Microsoft think it can impose this? Like many recent decisions it seems to have been made without any user consultation at all.

Answer 4

Oh, and now this: Windows Update is now carbon aware - Microsoft Support

...and I can't find out where to kill it. I'll take my updates immediately, thanks, privileging my own and my clients' security over Microsoft's specious greenwashing. How, amongst other things, do you think you know when my electricity has the lowest CO2 per KwH? Answer: you haven't the foggiest, but it sounds great in a corporate presentation.

Answer 5

I have purchased the highest end Surface available since the Surface Book about every 1-2 years.

I currently own a Surface Book 3 15", Surface Book 2 15", Surface Book 2 13", a Surface Pro 8 and the latest maxed out Surface Studio. I've given away a Surface Book 1.

The ones I use in the office I leave on Smart Charging, I think the option is a good idea as an OPTION. But I really need to completely disable this for my field computer.

I use my surface Pro in the field every day as an insurance adjuster, sometimes I'm out 16-18 hours per day 5-6 days a week and I cannot afford to accidentally forget to pause smart charging every night, or have to get up early and make sure it wasn't turned on so my computer can finish charging.

If I forget I can run out of battery in the middle of an inspection, (some of my inspections can last 2-4 hours). I then have to stop taking notes, and go plug the computer in, which causes me to provide poor surface not only to the current client, but all clients the rest of the day who's inspections are now delayed. I would rather buy a new $3000 computer a year earlier than have my battery capacity continue to perform a few months longer.

This is simply a business decision for me, I have to have my computer last at top performance for as long as possible to work efficiently. I buy and pay a premium for top end Surfaces because of their battery life, light weight and processing power. Having this turn itself back on over the weekend and getting surprised that I only have 80% battery is extremely frustrating. Have to regularly remember to disable this is an completely unnecessary annoyance.

If an option or hack is not made available to disable this "feature" I will stop purchasing Surface products until there is.

I need this feature to be an actual option not a complication in my life. I have greatly enjoyed my Surfaces, but this is a deal breaker I simply cannot afford.