Debian

Scope:

  • Debian oldstable, stable, testing and unstable

  • Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE)

Package Repository

TLP and ThinkPad-related packages below are available via the official Debian repositories.

Newer TLP packages are provided via Debian backports. Add a new file /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian-backports.sources:

Types: deb deb-src
URIs: http://deb.debian.org/debian
Suites: DIST-backports
Components: main
Enabled: yes
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/debian-archive-keyring.gpg

Replace DIST with the codename of your installed Debian version.

Then run:

sudo apt update

Package Installation

Install the following packages

  • tlp (main) – Power saving

  • tlp-pd (main) – optional – Select TLP profile with a mouse click (Version 1.9 and newer)

  • tlp-rdw (main) – optional – Radio Device Wizard

either with your favorite package manager or the command:

Version 1.9 and newer

sudo apt install tlp tlp-pd tlp-rdw

Version 1.8 and older

sudo apt install tlp tlp-rdw

For Debian backports use:

sudo apt -t DIST-backports install tlp tlp-pd tlp-rdw

Replace DIST with the codename of your installed Debian version.

Note

Installing TLP removes the default power management package power-profiles-daemon. When uninstalling TLP, you should reinstall it manually.

Legacy ThinkPads only: External Kernel Module for Battery Care

Important

Currently supported Debian kernel versions offer full battery care support – i.e. charge thresholds and recalibration – for ThinkPads from the Sandy Bridge generation (2011) onwards. An external kernel module (also referred to as “out-of-tree” module) is not required, and the following steps are not necessary. However, if your model is from the Sandy Bridge generation (2011) or older, read on.

Only if the bottom of the output of tlp-stat -b, section ‘Recommendations’, shows the line

Install tp-smapi kernel modules for ThinkPad battery thresholds and recalibration

then install the required package

  • tp-smapi-dkms (main) – optional – External kernel module providing battery charge thresholds and recalibration for ThinkPads prior to the Sandy Bridge generation (2011) and specific tlp-stat -b output up to that generation

either with your favorite package manager or the command

apt install tp-smapi-dkms

Note

You must disable Secure Boot to use the ThinkPad specific packages