tlp

Purpose

Apply TLP’s settings and change mode of operation.

Start or restart TLP

Start TLP and apply power saving profile for the actual power source:

sudo tlp start

Note

Also use this command to apply changes after editing the configuration.

Battery Mode

Apply battery profile and enter manual mode:

sudo tlp bat

Hint: manual mode means that changes to the power source will be ignored until the next reboot or tlp start is issued to resume automatic mode.

AC Mode

Apply AC profile and enter manual mode:

sudo tlp ac

Hint: manual mode means that changes to the power source will be ignored until the next reboot or tlp start is issued to resume automatic mode.

USB Autosuspend

Apply autosuspend mode for all attached USB devices except those excluded by default or via configuration:

sudo tlp usb

Optical Drive

Power off optical drive in MediaBay/Ultrabay:

sudo tlp bayoff

Hints:

  • Re-power the drive by releasing and reinserting the drive slot/Ultrabay eject lever; on newer models push the media eject button

  • Devices other than optical drives – in particular hard disk drives – are not affected by this command

Battery Care

See also

  • The level of battery care support as well as battery names and allowed charge threshold values depend on laptop vendor or brand, Linux kernel version and TLP version - consult Battery Care Vendor Specifics for details

  • For further advice please visit the FAQ: Battery Care

Change battery charge thresholds temporarily

sudo tlp setcharge [<START_CHARGE_THRESH> <STOP_CHARGE_THRESH>] [BAT0|BAT1|BAT<x>|CMB0|CMB1]

Changes the charge thresholds for the battery to the given values.

Configured thresholds will be restored at the next boot or by using tlp setcharge again but without the threshold arguments.

Example:

sudo tlp setcharge 70 90 BAT0

Applies thresholds of 70/90% to battery BAT0.

Note

tlp setcharge changes the charge thresholds only temporarily. To make the change permanent, you must activate or change the related settings in the config file. Refer to Battery Care.

Charge battery to full capacity

sudo tlp fullcharge [BAT0|BAT1|BAT<x>|CMB0|CMB1]

This is done by applying vendor presets to the charge thresholds temporarily. Configured thresholds will be restored at the next boot or by using tlp setcharge without the threshold arguments.

Hint: after setting the thresholds the command terminates; it does not wait for the charge to complete.

Example:

sudo tlp fullcharge BAT1

Charges battery BAT1 to full capacity.

Charge battery to the stop charge threshold once

ThinkPads only

sudo tlp chargeonce [BAT0|BAT1]

This is done by temporarily lifting the start charge threshold. The configured start charge threshold will be restored at the next boot or by using tlp setcharge without the threshold arguments.

Hint: after setting he thresholds the command terminates; it does not wait for the charge to complete.

Force a complete discharge of the battery while on AC power

ThinkPads only

sudo tlp discharge [BAT0|BAT1]

BAT0 selects the main/internal battery, BAT1 the auxiliary/Ultrabay battery for discharge. The command continously shows remaining capacity and estimated discharge time. Discharging may be stopped at any time with Control-C.

Hints:

  • The command needs the charger plugged in

  • As soon as the battery is empty, charging begins and the command terminates; it does not wait for the charge to complete

  • Normal use of the ThinkPad is possible during the discharge process; it does not suddenly switch off when the battery is empty

  • ThinkPads with two batteries: the battery controller can only handle one battery at a time; while discharging one battery with this command the other battery can neither be charged nor discharged

  • When encountering problems, see the FAQ: Battery Care

Perform a battery recalibration while on AC power

ThinkPads only

sudo tlp recalibrate [BAT0|BAT1]

This command works as follows:

  • The command needs the charger plugged in

  • Applies vendor presets to the charge thresholds

  • Discharges the selected battery completely;

  • As soon as the battery is empty, charging begins and the command terminates; it does not wait for the charge to complete

  • Normal use of the ThinkPad is possible during the discharge process; it does not suddenly switch off when the battery is empty

  • Important: to complete the recalibration process, let the battery charge to 100 % subsequently; you may power off but not remove the charger

  • ThinkPads with two batteries: the battery controller can only handle one battery at a time; while discharging one battery with this command the other battery can neither be charged nor discharged

  • When encountering problems, see the FAQ: Battery Care

Example:

sudo tlp recalibrate BAT0

Recalibrates the main battery (BAT0).

Hints:

  • Configured thresholds will be restored at the next boot or by using tlp setcharge without the threshold arguments

  • ThinkPads with two batteries: the battery controller can only handle one battery at a time; while discharging one battery with this command the other battery can neither be charged nor discharged

  • Recalibration forces the battery pack to update the energy_full or charge_full information shown by tlp-stat -b

  • Recalibration does not repair defective or worn out batteries

Disk IDs

tlp diskid

Shows disk ids for configured drives