Select Start > Settings > System > Power & battery and turn on Battery percentage. The number then shows next to the battery icon on the taskbar. On any version, you can also point to the battery icon to see the percentage.
Applies to: Windows 11 laptops and tablets. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 29, 2026.
Show the percentage on the taskbar
- Select Start > Settings > System > Power & battery.
- Turn on Battery percentage.
If you don’t see the Battery percentage setting, your PC doesn’t have the latest Windows 11 update yet. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, or use one of the other ways below.
Other ways to see the battery level
- Point to the battery icon. Hover over the battery icon at the right end of the taskbar and a tip shows the percentage left.
- Open Quick Settings. Select the battery, network or volume icon, or press Windows logo key + A. The battery percentage shows at the bottom of the panel.
- Open Power & battery. The top of the page shows the percentage and, on many PCs, the estimated time left.
See what’s using your battery
On the Power & battery page, open Battery usage. A chart shows how the battery level changed over the last 24 hours or 7 days, and a list below shows which apps used the most. If one app uses far more than the rest, close it when you’re on battery, or check its own settings for a power-saving option.
If the battery percentage looks wrong
- The battery icon is missing on a laptop. Right-click Start, select Device Manager, and expand Batteries. Right-click Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery, select Disable device, then right-click it again and select Enable device. Restart if the icon doesn’t return.
- It stops charging at 80%. Many laptops have a battery care setting that stops charging early to make the battery last longer. Look in your PC maker’s app, such as Lenovo Vantage, MyASUS, or Dell Power Manager, or in Windows under Power & battery if you see a smart charging option.
- The percentage jumps or drops suddenly. The battery may be wearing out. Create a battery report by running powercfg /batteryreport in Command Prompt, then compare Full charge capacity with Design capacity.
- It says Plugged in, not charging. Check the charger and cable, try another outlet, and make sure you’re using a charger with enough power for your laptop.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no battery icon at all?
Desktop PCs without a battery don’t show one. On a laptop, check that the battery is connected and that the PC isn’t running only on a power adapter with the battery removed.
How can I make the battery last longer?
Turn on Energy saver on the same Power & battery page. On older versions of Windows 11 it’s called Battery saver. You can set it to turn on by itself when the battery gets low, such as at 20%.
How do I check how healthy the battery is?
See how to check battery health in Windows 11.
Does showing the percentage use more battery?
No. The number is just a label on the taskbar, so it doesn’t change how much power your PC uses.
Why does the time left keep changing?
Windows estimates it from what you’re doing right now. Watching video or gaming drains the battery faster than reading, so the estimate rises and falls as you switch tasks.
Is it bad to keep my laptop plugged in all the time?
Not usually. Modern laptops stop charging when the battery is full. If you’re plugged in most of the day, a battery care setting that stops at about 80% can help the battery last longer over the years.
Can I get a warning before the battery runs out?
Yes. Windows warns you when the battery is low. To change when that happens, open Control Panel > Power Options, select Change plan settings, then Change advanced power settings, and expand Battery.
Microsoft’s reference is Power settings in Windows 11. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: turn off smart charging in Windows 11.
Related: how to check wireless mouse battery on Windows 11.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.