How to Check Laptop Battery Health and Extend Its Life: Step-by-Step

If your laptop's battery doesn't last as long as it used to—or you just want to make sure everything's running smoothly—it's a good idea to check in on its health. Whether you're using Windows or a MacBook, knowing how to check laptop battery health can help you spot early signs of wear, avoid surprise shutdowns, and even stretch out your battery's lifespan.

In this guide, you'll learn a few simple ways to check your battery health using built-in tools, system settings, or apps from your laptop's manufacturer. We'll also share some easy tips to help you take better care of your battery, so it stays reliable when you need it most.

How to Check Battery Health on Windows Laptops

Checking your laptop battery health helps you keep tabs on how well your battery is doing and whether it's time to start thinking about a replacement.

For Windows laptop users, the easy ways to check your battery health are through your laptop's BIOS, using the built-in battery report tool, or taking advantage of manufacturer apps like Dell's SupportAssist or Power Manager. Each option will be explored in detail.

Method 1: Using the Built-in Battery Report Tool

Windows laptops have a built-in tool that lets you generate a full report on your laptop battery health. It's called the Battery Report, and it gives you a detailed breakdown of how your battery has been performing, how much charge it can still hold, and how that's changed over time. It's super useful and only takes a minute to access.

Here's how to quickly use it:

1. Click the Start menu, type Command Prompt, and open it.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command: powercfg /batteryreport and hit the Enter button.
3. You'll see a message that says a battery report was saved. By default, it's saved to: C:\Users\YourUsername\battery-report.html
4. Open File Explorer, go to that location, and double-click the file to open it in your browser.

The report reveals info such as the kind of battery installed, recent usage, battery usage, usage history, battery capacity history, and battery life estimates

Also, pay attention to Design Capacity and Full Charge Capacity. If your full charge capacity is much lower than the design number, your battery's definitely aging and may need replacing soon.

Method 2: Checking Battery Health via BIOS/UEFI

If you want to check laptop battery health without logging into Windows, you can do it through the BIOS or UEFI firmware. These are the systems that start up your laptop before Windows kicks in.

Use this method if your laptop isn't booting properly, or you just want a quick battery check from outside the operating system.

Here's how to do it:

1. Restart your laptop if it's on.
2. As it starts, repeatedly press the F2 key (on some laptops, it might be F12, DEL, or ESC depending on the model). Keep tapping it until you enter the BIOS or UEFI menu.
3. Once you're in, use your arrow keys or mouse if it's a UEFI setup to look for a section called Battery Health. It's usually under Overview or General.
4. Under the Battery Health section, you'll see a summary of your battery's condition. It's usually labeled like "Excellent," "Good," "Fair," or "Poor."

It may also allow you to view detailed stats depending on your laptop model. Although you won't get deep details as you would with Windows Report.

Method 3: Utilizing Manufacturer-Specific Tools

Some laptop models, like Dell, have built-in tools, like Dell SupportAssist On-Board Diagnostics, for checking battery health. This tool helps you test your hardware, including your battery, even before Windows loads.

Here are the steps to take:

1. Restart your laptop
2. As soon as the Dell logo appears, repeatedly press the F12 key. This will bring up the One-Time Boot menu.
3. From the menu, choose Diagnostics and press Enter.
4. The system will run a series of quick hardware checks. Just follow the on-screen instructions. It only takes a few minutes.
5. Once the basic test is done, click on Advanced Test.
6. Select System Info, then go to the Health tab.

You'll find detailed battery health information, including the current status and whether a replacement might be needed.

How to Check Battery Health on MacBook

Keeping an eye on your MacBook's battery health is just as easy:

Check Battery Health Status

1. Click the Apple menu and go to System Settings.
2. Select Battery from the sidebar.
3. Click the "i" next to Battery Health.

Here, you'll see your battery's condition (like "Normal" or "Service Recommended") and its maximum capacity, which tells you how much charge it holds compared to when it was new.

Check Cycle Count

Each MacBook battery has a limited number of charge cycles (usually around 1,000). To check yours:

1. Hold Option, click the Apple menu, and choose System Information.
2. Under Hardware, click Power.
3. Look for Cycle Count under Battery Information.

Knowing your cycle count helps you gauge how close your battery is to the end of its expected life.

When to Consider Replacing Your Laptop Battery

Even when your laptop battery completely goes bad, it gives you signs, drops hints when it's time for a new one. Here are the signs to look out for:

1. Shutting down without warning: If this happens, even when the battery still shows a decent charge, that's a red flag. Sure, the occasional glitch happens, but if it becomes a pattern, your battery might be the issue.
2. Battery looks bloated: Notice a bulge near your keyboard? Or maybe your laptop isn't sitting flat on the table anymore? That's a swollen battery, and it's dangerous. Don't try to remove it yourself as damaged batteries can be a fire hazard. Just take it to a professional repair shop.
3. Overheating: Laptops naturally get warm, but if yours feels too hot or sounds like a jet engine from the fans, your battery might be struggling, especially if it's a persistent occurrence.
4. Battery life gets shorter: A fully charged laptop that barely lasts an hour before needing another boost is telling you to change the battery.
5. Charging takes forever: A good battery charges up quickly. If your laptop seems to take ages to get to 100%, or it's stuck at a low percentage no matter how long it's plugged in, that's another clue your battery health is bad.

Tips to Maintain and Improve Laptop Battery Health

The truth is that your laptop battery won't last forever. Despite that, how you use and care for it can prolong its lifespan. Here are simple tips that can help keep your laptop battery healthy in check:

Use Solid Chargers

Using off-brand or counterfeit chargers can cause voltage issues that may gradually harm your laptop's battery. It's safest to use the charger that originally came with your device. But if you've misplaced it or find it too bulky, a high-quality GaN (gallium nitride) laptop charger is a solid alternative.

The material runs cooler than silicon, so the adapter can be smaller while delivering the same—or more—power, reducing the heat that can accelerate battery wear.

The Anker 747 Charger (GaNPrime 150W) is a compact yet powerful charging solution, delivering up to 150W across four ports—three USB-C and one USB-A. Despite being 38% smaller than Apple's 140W charger, it can charge two laptops simultaneously or up to four devices at once.

Each USB-C port supports up to 100W when used individually, ensuring rapid charging for high-demand devices. Anker's ActiveShield 2.0 technology monitors temperature over 3 million times per day, adjusting power output to safeguard your devices. Its foldable plug design enhances portability, making it ideal for travel or daily use.

Need desktop muscle? The Anker Prime Charger (250W, 6-Port GaNPrime) delivers a 250W ceiling across four USB-C and two USB-A ports, letting the first USB-C hit 140W while the others reach up to 100W each.

A built-in 2.26-inch LCD and control dial show live wattage and let you flip through AI, Port Priority, Dual-Laptop, or Low-Current modes for power exactly where it's needed. Inside, GaNPrime with PowerIQ 4.0 keeps the chassis compact and efficient even under full load, and that 140W port can take a 16-inch notebook from empty to halfway in roughly 25 minutes.

Lower Your Screen Brightness

The brighter your laptop display, the more power it uses. So, try dimming it down a bit since you'll barely notice the difference, and your battery will thank you.

Adjust the Refresh Rate

If you're using a gaming or high-performance laptop, a high screen refresh rate looks smooth, but it also eats up power. Tone it down a bit, especially when you're not gaming or watching high-speed videos.

Keep Your Software Updated

Updating your BIOS, drivers, and apps doesn't just keep your laptop safe but also improves the power efficiency and performance. Newer firmware comes with better battery management.

Use Power-Saving Settings

Your laptop already has built-in power plans like the battery saver mode. Switch it on to reduce performance slightly and extend battery life quite a bit.

Don't Stay Plugged In All the Time

It's tempting to leave your laptop plugged in nonstop, especially if you're in an area with unstable power. But try and unplug it once in a while, to reduce the energy pumped into the battery.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to check your laptop battery health, you're in a much better spot to catch potential issues early—and keep your device performing at its best. Whether you used the Battery Report on Windows, peeked into the Mac's System Report, or tried a manufacturer tool, it all adds up to smarter laptop care. Keep an eye on those battery stats, follow the upkeep tips, and your laptop will thank you with more reliable power when you need it.

FAQs

How do I check my laptop battery health?

To check your laptop battery health, open the Start menu, type Command Prompt, and run it. Then, type powercfg /batteryreport and press Enter. This will create a detailed battery report saved at C:\Users\YourUsername\battery-report.html. Just open the file in your browser to view your battery's performance and health status.

Is it OK to keep the laptop plugged in at 80%?

It's perfectly okay to keep your laptop plugged in at 80%. In fact, many laptops have a feature that stops charging at 80% to help extend battery lifespan and reduce wear over time.

Is 80% laptop battery health good?

An 80% battery health indicates that your laptop's battery can hold 80% of its original charge capacity, which is considered acceptable. While you might notice a slight decrease in battery life, the battery should still function well for most tasks. However, if the health drops below 60%, you may experience significant reductions in battery performance, and it might be time to consider a replacement.