If your MacBook Air battery is draining faster than usual, it could be due to several issues, ranging from a software issue to a bad or worn-down battery. Having multiple applications open all at once could impact the device’s battery life.
Hello, my name is Ty, and I am an IT Field Technician who works with a plethora of end-user tech daily.
This post will show you the key things I look for and clue you in on the fixes I implement to prevent this issue from persisting.
Let’s get this started.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Out-of-Date Software can cause unsatisfactory battery life performance on your MacBook Air.
- Leaving Applications open on your MacBook Air can bring your battery life down.
- A faulty battery, or one that has gone through many cycles, could also be the culprit of your less-than-stellar time in-between charges on your MacBook Air.
Cause #1: Out-of-Date Operating System Can Effect Battery Performance
Keeping your macOS up to date will rule this out as a possible detriment to your MacBook Air’s battery life performance.
A strange issue with macOS Monterey 12.2.1 caused accelerated battery drain during sleep mode. Check your device to see which version of OSX you are running, and update it beyond this.
How to Fix
Keeping your system up to date is a great way to ensure everything is running harmoniously and rule this out as the cause for your quickly depleting battery life.
To check your current software. Navigate to the small Apple logo in the top left, select system settings, and then select Software Update.
Cause #2: Background Apps Consuming Unnecessary Power
If you are busy, it can be easy to forget that you have apps running that you meant to close out of completely.
To check what apps you have currently running, follow the steps below.
- Navigate to your launchpad and then to the ”Other” folder.
- Find “Activity Monitor” and click on it to open it.
3. Once Activity Monitor is open, you can see which apps consume the most energy.
4. Close whichever ones you aren’t currently using or need open to help prolong your MacBook Air’s battery life.
Cause #3: Battery is Worn or Bad
The battery in your MacBook Air will deteriorate over time, no matter what. Eventually, you won’t even be able to use it without plugging it into an outlet.
After some time, your battery won’t be able to hold a charge as well as it once did, simply due to wear and tear. The average lifespan of a fully charged battery should be about 12 hours.
How to Fix
To check your battery life, navigate to system settings, battery, and then battery health. Here you can view your battery’s health and its cycle count.
If your battery isn’t performing as well as it used to, you can get a battery replacement. There are a few ways to go about this, and they vary in price.
Apple Store
If you want to replace the battery, this is the simplest option. You can make an appointment at an Apple Store, bring it in, and have it serviced. You come back in a few days, and your serviced MacBook Air should be as good as new! All you have to do is pay the service fee.
You can get an estimate of how much the service will cost on Apple’s repair page.
Third-Party Repair Shops
Another option is using a third-party computer repair shop that works on Apple computers. You can quickly check online for 3rd party repair shops in or near your city. Call them and let them know the service you are looking for to get an estimate on part+service cost.
Replace the Battery Yourself
Replacing your MacBook Air’s battery yourself is for more intermediate people, as it will take some care and caution. But if you don’t want to pay the service fee, you can do it yourself. That’s right; YOU can swap the battery out.
Look up your MacBook’s model number, followed by Battery, and you can see how much the part will cost. Most come with a tool kit with the screwdrivers required to get into the device.
A trustworthy website for this is iFixit.
You can look up how to replace your MacBook Air’s battery on YouTube and follow along. While it is not novice-friendly, with some care and time, you can replace it with no issue. Take necessary precautions like grounding yourself and ensuring the device is powered off before proceeding with any repairs.
Grounding yourself is essential when working on any repairs within a device; you don’t want a random static shock from your fingertip to short any of the internals of your MacBook Air. Some easy ways to ground yourself include wearing an anti-static bracelet and an anti-static mat.
While it is much more dangerous since you will be going in and doing the replacement, it will be more cost-effective than servicing it through Apple or other means.
Final Thoughts
Many things could cause your MacBook Air’s Battery to drain faster than normal, but don’t worry. Common causes include certain applications running in the background. To fix it, you can check your activity monitor to see which apps are running and close out the ones you are not currently using.
With the knowledge I’ve now equipped you with, you should be able to take it in stride and find the right solution.
