Lenovo ThinkPad A285 Short Battery Life

Users have reported numerous different problems with the battery in the ThinkPad A285. Here is a list of possible problems and how to solve them.

Unfortunately, the ThinkPad A285 is known for having an especially short battery life compared to other ThinkPad models. However, there are still a few things you can do to get a little more life out of your computer.

Similarly to the battery not charging, the first thing that you should do if your device is experiencing short battery life is go into the Lenovo Vantage app and check your battery health. Again, this is done by selecting "Device" and "Power", then clicking on "See Battery Details."

Another way to ensure longer battery life is to make sure that you don't have any excess applications or processes running in the background. You can manage these by opening the Task Manager application installed on your device.

If you have your device plugged in for long periods of time and it either only charges partially, or doesn't charge at all, this could be for a few different reasons. Before moving forward, you should check the right end of your taskbar for one of three battery status icons.

If your device shows that the battery is not connected, then remove and reattach the battery once with the AC adapter attached. For more direction, we have a guide on how to replace the battery in your device with details on the connector here.

If your device shows that the AC adapter is not connected, a simple restart can usually solve the issue. Turn off your device, unplug the AC adapter, wait a few seconds, then reattach the AC adapter and start your device. If this did not work, there are a few steps you can take:

• First, make sure that the adapters connections are firmly attached. Also, examine the adapter for any visible damage. If you notice any issues, consider getting a new adapter.
• Then, confirm that the power outlet you are using is functioning correctly. You can do this by testing the AC adapter on another outlet, or by using a different device on that same outlet.
• Lastly, check to see if there are any available driver or software updates, as updating to the latest software can often resolve compatibility issues.

If your device shows that the battery is plugged in but stops charging at a certain percentage, this can be resolved one of 3 ways:

• If your device is plugged in for multiple hours without charging, run the Lenovo Diagnostics tool. The Lenovo Vantage app also has a Hardware Scan function under the support tab to help resolve issues. Running any available battery firmware updates through the Lenovo Support website can possible fix the issue as well.
• If your device stops charging between 0-95%, check then battery health through Lenovo Vantage. You can do this by selecting "Device" and "Power", then clicking "See Battery Details." This will allow you to see if your battery is in good health, or if there any issues that need resolving.
• If your device stops charging over 95%, there is no need to worry as this is normal behavior that is to protect and ensure longer lasting battery life.
• Lastly, if you've tried everything, you may need to replace the battery. Follow this battery replacement guide.

Additionally, Lenovo's website has a very helpful customer support page that can walk you through these steps, linked here.