Microsoft is currently investigating reports of significantly reduced battery life in the Surface Pro 11, as users have complained that its battery life has been halved compared to its previous models.
The Surface Pro 11, known for its impressive battery life, has run into a significant issue that has left many users frustrated. A recent firmware/UEFI update has caused affected units to cap their battery charge at 50%, significantly reducing battery life and usability for mobile scenarios.
The toggle to disable or adjust the "Battery Limit" feature, previously accessible in UEFI or within the Surface app, has disappeared for many users, leaving no apparent way to restore normal full-charge functionality. This limitation undermines the primary mobile usage of the Surface Pro 11 by halving its effective charge capacity and battery runtime.
Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and stated that it is actively investigating the issue as of August 2025. Users have reported this problem since at least August 9, 2025. In response, Microsoft has been rolling out firmware and Surface app updates that improve battery charge management options.
The latest updates introduced a more flexible battery charge control within the Surface app, adding a new 80% charge limit option alongside existing adaptive and 100% charge settings. This new feature aims to give users better control over battery longevity versus usage capacity without rebooting into UEFI. However, the current problem differs from the intended battery limit feature, as the bug has disabled the toggle and locked the device at 50% charge automatically, regardless of user settings.
Affected users are urged to escalate the issue through official Microsoft support channels and monitor forthcoming firmware updates closely. At present, Microsoft has yet to release a confirmed fix or clear advisory on how affected users can regain normal charging capacity.
It's worth noting that the "Battery Limit" option is available on other Surface devices such as the Surface Go (all generations), Surface Pro 7 and later, Surface Laptop 3 and later, Surface Book 3, Surface Laptop Studio (all generations), Surface Laptop Go (all generations), and Surface Laptop SE.
The Surface Pro 11, with the Snapdragon X processor, usually offers very good battery life, averaging over 10 hours of real-world usage during testing. However, due to the current issue, the battery life of affected devices has been cut in half, reducing their effectiveness for mobile use.
The Snapdragon X chip inside the Surface Pro 11 is responsible for its great standby battery life, causing a maximum loss of 2% overnight. Under normal circumstances, the "Battery Limit" option has a toggle to be enabled or disabled, but a bug has caused that toggle to disappear.
The extent of the issue's spread is not clear at this time. Users who have experienced the issue have reported that the "Battery Limit" option is not showing on their Surface Pro 11, and their devices have a battery life capped at 50% and do not offer an option to restore normal battery functionality.
As Microsoft continues to investigate the issue, users are advised to stay vigilant and seek support through official channels to resolve this inconvenience as soon as possible.
- The Surface Pro 11's problem, where the battery charge is capped at 50%, has left many users disappointed, especially in mobile scenarios.
- Microsoft acknowledged the issue and started investigating it since August 2025.
- The latest Surface app updates have introduced a new 80% charge limit option, but the current problem is different, as it has disabled the toggle and automatically set the device to charge up to 50%.
- Users are urged to reach out to Microsoft support for help and keep an eye on upcoming firmware updates.
- The 'Battery Limit' option, which allows control over battery usage and longevity, is available on various Surface devices like the Surface Pro 7, Surface Laptop 3, Surface Book 3, and others.
- The Surface Pro 11, equipped with the Snapdragon X processor, usually offers impressive battery life, averaging over 10 hours of usage.
- Gadgets like smartphones and other PCs, powered by technology, also offer battery management options, but the current issue isn't affecting those devices.
- Hardware issues, such as this one, can sometimes impact the gaming experience on devices like the Surface Pro 11, which is used for gaming with Xbox and Windows 11.
