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Laptop Switching Between AC and Battery When Gaming [Fixed]

Check both the power and graphics settings

5 min. read

Published onDecember 4, 2023

published onDecember 4, 2023

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Key notes

Often, the laptop keeps switching between AC and battery when gaming. The issue is present on all iterations of the OS, including Windows 10 and Windows 11, and was primarily encountered on Asus laptops. It can be verified by checking thebattery-report.htmlfile.

Automatic switching of the power source results in a sudden change in brightness and the game’s performance, affecting the gameplay. And in most cases, using another charger didn’t help.

Why is my laptop changing between charging and not charging?

This happens when running power-intensive tasks if the laptop can’t get enough out of the power cord (charger) due to the limit set by the manufacturer. Subsequently, it switches to battery power. Remember, during extensive gaming, it’s your graphics adapter that consumes maximum resources.

What can I do if the laptop is switching between AC and battery when gaming?

Before we start with the slightly complex solutions, try these quick ones:

1. Run the Power troubleshooter

The Power troubleshooter also helps when thelaptop’s battery won’t charge beyond 80%.

2. Reinstall the battery’s driver

Reinstalling the driver is a proven fix that also helps when thelaptop battery is stuck at 0%.

3. Update the battery’s driver

If your laptop is switching between AC and battery power when gaming,updating the battery driversshould do the trick. Also, while you are at it,update the graphics driversince it often turns out to be the underlying cause.

In case Windows can’t find a better version, go to the manufacturer’s website andmanually install the latest driver. For Asus laptops, you can get drivers from thededicated Download Center.

Outbyte Driver Updater

4. Change the Power Management Mode setting

5. Uninstall problematic Windows updates

6. Perform a system restore

Asystem restorereverts your PC to a working state where everything worked fine. Remember, the files remain unaffected during the process, but recently installed apps ordrivers may be downgradedor removed.

7. Get the hardware inspected

In case your laptop still keeps switching between AC and battery when gaming, it’s most likely a hardware problem to blame. So, if you haven’t yet tried another charger, do it first.

When that doesn’t work, consult a hardware expert or the official laptop manufacturer and get every power-related part inspected for damages or loose connections.

These solutions will help when your laptop keeps switching from battery to power or vice-versa. Remember, as per our research, more often than not, it was a hardware issue to blame. But we still recommend you modify the relevant settings first and check for improvements.

Before you leave, discover some quick tips toincrease the laptop’s charging speedif it’s presently slow.

For any queries or to share more solutions with us, drop a comment comment below.

Laptop Switching Between AC and Battery When Gaming [Fixed]#

What can I do if the laptop is switching between AC and battery when gaming?#

1. Run the Power troubleshooter#

2. Reinstall the battery’s driver#

3. Update the battery’s driver#

Outbyte Driver Updater#

4. Change the Power Management Mode setting#

5. Uninstall problematic Windows updates#

6. Perform a system restore#

7. Get the hardware inspected#