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[Notebook] Laptop Battery

December 26,2025

This document provides essential battery information, maintenance tips, and power-saving guidance. Depending on the usage habits, you can optimize system settings to maximize battery lifespan and runtime.



Battery Types

MSI laptops use two types of batteries:


1. Lithium-Ion (Li-ion): These batteries offer low maintenance, high power density, and no memory effect. They also have a significantly lower self-discharge rate compared to Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries.


2. Lithium-Polymer (Li-polymer): Known for their lightweight and compact size, Li-polymer batteries are commonly used in thin and light MSI notebooks.


Battery Maintenance

To optimize battery lifespan and ensure safe usage, please follow these recommendations:


1. If storing the laptop for an extended period, it is recommended to charge/discharge the battery to about 40% and perform an EC Reset. When using it again, please plug in the power before pressing the power button.


2. If the laptop is used primarily with the power adapter plugged in, it is recommended to perform a battery calibration every three months. For detailed steps, please refer to [How To] Perform Battery Calibration.


3. Overcharge Protection Mechanism:


  • Basic Protection: By default, charging stops once the battery reaches 100% and does not resume until it drops below 89%.
  • Advanced Settings: Available in Dragon Center / Creator Center / MSI Center / MSI Center Pro / MSI Center S for models with Battery Master. Users can define a custom charge limit percentage based on their usage habits.

(1.)AI Charger: Automatically switches to the most suitable battery mode based on AI calculations.


(2.)Best for Mobility: Ideal for users who frequently use the notebook with battery mode. Charges to 100%, and stops until it drops below 90%.


(3.)Balanced: Charge the battery when under 70%, and stop charging at 80%.


(4.)Best for Battery: Suitable for users who often use the notebook while plugged in. Charge the battery when under 50%, and stop charging at 60%.


Note:
Battery Master is supported on:
1. Models with UWP versions of Dragon Center, Creator Center, MSI Center, MSI Center Pro, or MSI Center S.
2. Devices equipped with GTX 16 series / RTX 20 series GPUs and Dragon Center version 2.5 or above.
If Battery Master isn’t available in your software, please visit MSI official website to download and install the latest version.


4. Safety Guidelines


  • Only use the charger provided with the laptop.
  • Do not cover the charger while in use, as it may generate heat.
  • Avoid storing the laptop in high-temperature, high-humidity, or extremely cold environments.

5. Before Charging:


  • Li-ion and Li-polymer batteries have no memory effect and do not need to be discharged before charging.
  • Actual charging times may vary depending on battery capacity and current software activity.

Battery Lifespan and Charge Cycles

1. Battery lifespan depends on the number of charge cycles. One cycle is defined as a full discharge followed by a full recharge. For brief periods of use, if the battery is not fully discharged before recharging, the battery gauge will automatically calculate the cycle proportionally. For instance, if the battery drops from 100% to 80% during a 2-hour meeting and is then recharged to full, it would be counted as approximately 1/5 of a full cycle.


2. As cycles increase over time, battery capacity will gradually decline. If inaccurate cycle calculations result in abnormal battery capacity drops, performing a battery calibration can reset the battery gauge and restore normal capacity. For detailed steps, please refer to [How To] Perform Battery Calibration.


3. Battery lifespan varies based on capacity, user habits, and operating environment. For concerns, please refer to [How To] Check the battery health status or contact MSI Customer Service Center for further assistance.


Abnormal Battery Behavior

If the battery is aging or shows the following signs, it may affect the system performance. To avoid damage to the laptop chassis, internal components, or system performance, please stop using the laptop and contact MSI Customer Service Center.


Signs of abnormal battery status:

1. Battery status light is continuously flashing.

2. Battery is swollen or deformed.


Note: It’s normal for lithium-polymer batteries to generate a small amount of gas during charge/discharge cycles. However, if the battery is excessively aged and swollen, please contact an authorized dealer or service center to purchase and replace it with the same model provided by the manufacturer.


Optimizing Battery Runtime

Battery performance primarily depends on system power consumption, which in turn is influenced by the current laptop settings - such as battery capacity, Windows power plan, processor speed, storage device, display resolution, screen brightness, and keyboard backlight. To optimize battery runtime based on personal habits, please refer to [Notebook] Short Battery Life and Fast Power Consumption in Battery Mode to apply recommended settings that reduce system power usage and allow unused components to enter power-saving modes.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the system show "Plugged in, not charging" even when the battery isn’t full?
A: By default, charging stops at 100% and resumes only when the battery drops below 89%. For models with Battery Master, users can set their own charge limit.


Q: How long can an MSI laptop battery last?
A: Lifespan depends on battery capacity, usage habits, and environment. Please refer to the maintenance guide to help extend battery life.


Q: Is it safe to keep the laptop plugged in all the time?
A: Yes, MSI laptops have built-in overcharge protection. Continuous charging won’t cause battery overcharging.


Q: How can I check the battery health status?
A: Please refer to [How To] Check the battery health status.


Q: Why does the battery continue to drain even when the laptop is turned off?
A: This is due to battery self-discharge, and the system is still using minimal power in standby, sleep, hibernation, or shutdown states.



Reference Information and Related Articles

[Notebook] How to Reset Embedded Controller (EC reset)
[How To] Perform Battery Calibration
[How To] Check the battery health status
[Notebook] Short Battery Life and Fast Power Consumption in Battery Mode
[Notebook] Abnormal Battery Condition After Long-Term Inactivity
[Notebook] Battery Charging Issues: Unable to Charge, Slow Charging, Unable to Reach 100%

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