> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://knowledge.tracelog.in/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://knowledge.tracelog.in/linux-and-core/linux/improve-and-optimize-battery-life-on-linux.md).

# Improve and optimize battery life on Linux

### Goal

Maximum battery life on linux within reasonable and acceptable daily workloads

Case study: `Thinkpad x240` with `9cells` battery on `ubuntu 16.04`

* Before: from 100% to 5% - \~ `3.5hours`
* After installing **TLP**: \~ `5hours` 

### Solution

**TLP** brings you the benefits of advanced power management for Linux without the need to understand every technical detail. TLP comes with a default configuration **already optimized for battery life**, so you may **just install** and forget it. Nevertheless, TLP is highly customizable to fulfill your specific requirements.

**Please note**: `TLP` runs on every laptop brand. Setting the battery charge thresholds is available for IBM/Lenovo ThinkPads only.

### Installation

```
# Add PPA
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:linrunner/tlp
sudo apt-get update

# Especially for thinkpad
sudo apt-get install tp-smapi-dkms acpi-call-dkms

# Install
sudo apt-get install tlp tlp-rdw
```

**Start:** `TLP` will start automatically. To avoid having to restart the system, the first time you can start it manually by using the following command:

```
sudo tlp start
```

**Check:** Use the `tlp-stat` terminal command to check if TLP is working properly

```
▶ sudo tlp-stat -s
[sudo] password for devops: 
--- TLP 1.0 --------------------------------------------

+++ System Info
System         = LENOVO ThinkPad X240 20AMS1WY00
BIOS           = GIET75WW (2.25 )
Release        = Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS
Kernel         = 4.10.0-27-generic #30~16.04.2-Ubuntu SMP Thu Jun 29 16:07:46 UTC 2017 x86_64
/proc/cmdline  = BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-4.10.0-27-generic.efi.signed root=UUID=34cadb32-d632-4d98-a4a8-a1c53753dc35 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
Init system    = systemd v229
Boot mode      = UEFI

+++ TLP Status
State          = enabled
Last run       = 10:41:53 PM,   3685 sec(s) ago
Mode           = battery
Power source   = battery
```

### Reference

<http://linrunner.de/en/tlp/docs/tlp-linux-advanced-power-management.html>