Skip to main content

Google working to fix Chrome bug that saps Windows devices of their battery life

A flaw in Google Chrome has been draining the battery life of Windows laptops and tablets by making the CPU work much harder than it has to, and it has been doing so for quite a while.

When a machine is idle with Chrome left open, the browser’s bug forces the processor to wake up as often as 1,000 times per second. By comparison, Windows would only force a CPU to do that 64 times per second. Perhaps even more frustrating is the fact that this flaw has been known about since 2010. Keep in mind that the issue is specific to Windows-based devices, so if you’re using Chrome on a MacBook or Chromebook, you’re in the clear.

Recommended Videos

This bug report says that Google Chrome “has no system clock tick interval management. Just increases it and keeps forever.” It even cites Microsoft documentation which says that increasing the system clock tick interval is a bad idea when it comes to preserving as much battery life as possible.

“If the system timer interval is decreased to less than the default, including when an application calls timeBeginPeriod with a resolution of 1 ms, low-power idle states are ineffective at reducing system power consumption and system battery life suffers,” a Microsoft page states. “System battery life can be reduced as much as 25 percent, depending on the hardware platform.”

Thankfully, Google is already at work on a fix for the bug. However, it’s unclear when it will be rolled out.

In the meantime, if you’re using a Windows laptop or tablet and you value its battery life, you might want to temporarily switch to another Web browser like Opera, Firefox, or Internet Explorer.




								
Konrad Krawczyk
Former Computing Editor
Konrad covers desktops, laptops, tablets, sports tech and subjects in between for Digital Trends. Prior to joining DT, he…
How to change your Google background in Chrome
A man holding a teacup staring at laptop screen.

Google Chrome is fairly plain, but there are ways to make it your own and liven it up. One way to customize it is by refreshing the overall look with a new theme. Not only can you change the New Tab background but you can also change the overall colors of your tabs, bookmarks bar, and more.

Read more
5 web browsers you should use instead of Google Chrome or Edge
Google Drive in Chrome on a MacBook.

Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge dominate the world of web browsers, but they’re not for everyone. Whether you want a browser that better respects your privacy or need an app that does things a little bit differently, you don’t have to stick to the usual suspects.

There’s a world of alternative web browsers out there if you want to give something new a try. Here, we’ve put together five excellent options, with each one bringing fresh new ideas to the table. So, if you’re looking for alternative browsers to Chrome and Edge, take one of these browsers for a spin.
Arc
Easels let you pin live websites snippets, which can update themselves and be interacted with. Alex Blake / Digital Trends

Read more
How to keep your laptop battery healthy and extend its life
Screenshot showing battery life in Windows.

You can keep your laptop's battery healthy for longer by following a few key guidelines. All batteries wear down eventually, whether you use them a lot or leave them alone entirely, but you can make yours last longer than it might if you know the right tips and tricks. Battery technology has evolved enough that you don't need to worry about leaving it plugged in overnight, but you should still take a few steps to ensure your battery stays as healthy as it can, for as long as it can.

Here are our top tips to keep your laptop battery's health in tip top condition.

Read more