Dell provides a command line tool ("command configure" a.k.a. cctk) to get/set BIOS config (including battery and charge related values).
https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln311302/dell-command-configure?lang=en
I've used this tool to modify the charge start/end threshold on 18.04LTS.
Answer from sg23 on askubuntu.comDell Power Manager
UPDATE: Dell has apparently realized its error and corrected the Dell Power Manager and MyDell snafu. If you download Dell Power Manager from the Dell site, it will be updated/converted to the Microsoft Store version the next time Microsoft Store runs. Dell Power Manager will install from MS Store over the older Dell directly downloaded version, after which the now-updated MS Store version will ask to download the necessary drivers. HOWEVER, unlike before the drivers will successfully download and install, and Dell Power Manager will remain operable.
So my Public Service Announcement was valid for.....one day. LOL
More on reddit.comDell Command Power Manager - Cannot Set Battery Thresholds
Dell Power Manager Guide
Dell Power Manager Thoughts/Experience?
Videos
Dell provides a command line tool ("command configure" a.k.a. cctk) to get/set BIOS config (including battery and charge related values).
https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln311302/dell-command-configure?lang=en
I've used this tool to modify the charge start/end threshold on 18.04LTS.
Some power management tools pm-utils are installed by default.
You can install laptop-mode-tools to use extended power management features by
sudo apt-get install laptop-mode-tools
This package will do most of power saving automatically, but you can tune it using config files.
For Ubuntu 16.04 pm-tools and laptop-mode-tools do not automatically detect events of switchng from battery to AC because of systemd limitations. This can be fixed in udev.
For the details see this answer for details.
In addition you can use powertop to check power settings.
Sharing in case it helps others.
Dell in its infinite wisdom decided to move the functionality from its Dell Power Manager application into the My Dell app. Dell Power Manager is the utility that sets battery charging profiles & charging behavior and also sets thermal profiles & system performance behavior.
A few days ago (early May 2021), this change rolled out. Suddenly the power settings appeared in a new tile in the MyDell App. I would guess as a way to avoid confusing of having the same settings in two places, the Dell Power Manager app was literally removed from my Inspiron when the My Dell application was updated. Thanks Dell for just forcing that chance and not telling anyone.
I prefer the separate dedicated app rather than having to open MyDell to change power & battery settings, but the same controls from DPM were in MyDell and so I thought....whatever. If Dell wants to move things around so be it, and that is one less app (Dell Power Manager) to deal with.
Well, the last update to MyDell removed the new power settings from My Dell app and put in a link back to the old Dell Power Manager app. Clicking the link opens the Microsoft store where Dell Power Manager can be downloaded and installed (downloaded an installed is necessary since Dell auto-removed this app earlier). Once the Microsoft store version of Dell Power Manager installs, it then wants to download a driver pack to complete the setup. In the driver pack is a check that then fails and says that this functionality has been moved to MyDell. Aaaaargh. So MyDell is now where this is supposed to be (but isn't) so Dell Power Manager can't install standalone, but MyDell does not have the functionality and links to the Dell Power Manger app (which can't install).
Total Catch 22.
Fortunately, the fix is to download Dell Power Manager from the Dell Support site NOT from the Microsoft Store. Doing that puts the standalone Dell Power Manager (and its drivers) back on the laptop and everything works again.
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EDIT: Dell has dramatically simplified the process. This post is no longer applicable.
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This is a guide to using Dell's Power Manager since a lot of people have questions
Step 1: Download Dell's Power Manager from the windows
Microsoft Store Page
Step 2: Launch the application after it has finished
First launch screen
Step 3: Click on the More Info and an installer should pop up.
Installer
Step 4: After you got through the installer, there should be another pop up confirming you have installed the program successfully
Confirmation Pop Up
Step 5: Relaunch Dell Power Manager
Menu when installed corretly
Step 6: You're Done
I have a Dell XPS 9320 and my battery has seen better days (usually is almost dead in about an hour). So I plan on buying and installing a new battery (from Dell). Also perhaps too late I found out about the "Dell Power Manager" software.
Wondering if anybody has used this and if they felt that it was effective for preserving battery performance, and which option they use -- I mostly am about 60/40 with having my laptop plugged into a dock, but very much need the battery to last a while (new it would last around 5-6 hours) when unplugged.
On a Precision 5520, I've setup the battery to charge between 50%-60%, as I use the computer 80% of the time plugged in. This morning having the laptop unplugged, the system wouldn't boot fully. The battery LED indicator was showing 0%. Plugging the laptop in, it booted fine and began charging. After 5 minutes, the battery read 50% and charged slowly to 55%. After that, it jumped to 100%.
The battery status reads healthy and it actually lasts about 9 hours. It's supposed to be a refurb unit with a new OEM battery.
I'm assuming for some reason, Windows 11 read the battery charge level wrong and was preventing the laptop from fully booting up, then thought 60% was 100%.
Many people have described the very same behavior, where Windows freaks out and loses track on battery charge percentages. Is there a work around?