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How to Show Battery Percentage in Ubuntu Linux

By metsPosted on Posted in Sport Gear

How to Show Battery Percentage in Ubuntu Linux

Knowing your battery percentage at a glance is essential for managing your device’s power and avoiding unexpected shutdowns. By default, Ubuntu’s top panel may not display the exact battery percentage, especially if you’re using certain desktop environments or custom themes. Fortunately, enabling the battery percentage display is a straightforward process that enhances your user experience and helps you better monitor your device’s power status. Whether you’re a new Ubuntu user or someone looking to customize your desktop, this guide will walk you through the steps to show the battery percentage in Ubuntu Linux.

What You’ll Need

  • An Ubuntu Linux system (version 20.04, 22.04, or later recommended)
  • Administrative (sudo) access to your user account
  • Optional: GNOME Tweaks tool if you’re using GNOME desktop environment

Step-by-Step

  1. Check Your Desktop Environment: Determine if you’re using GNOME, KDE, Xfce, or another desktop environment. The most common on Ubuntu is GNOME.
  2. Access System Settings: Click on the system menu at the top-right corner of your screen and select ‘Settings’ or ‘System Settings’ depending on your version.
  3. Navigate to Power or Battery Settings: In the Settings window, look for a section labeled ‘Power’ or ‘Battery.’ For GNOME, this is typically under ‘Power.’
  4. Enable Battery Percentage Display: Find the toggle or checkbox that says ‘Show battery percentage’ or similar. Turn it on. If you don’t see this option, proceed to the next step involving GNOME Tweaks.
  5. Use GNOME Tweaks for Additional Customization (if needed): Install GNOME Tweaks if you haven’t already by opening a terminal and running: 
    sudo apt update
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

    > Once installed, open GNOME Tweaks from the application menu, navigate to the ‘Top Bar’ section, and enable ‘Battery Percentage.’

  6. Verify the Change: Look at your top panel or system tray. The battery icon should now display the remaining percentage. If not, restart your system or log out and back in.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting to install GNOME Tweaks when using GNOME desktop environment and the option isn’t visible in standard settings.
  • Confusing the system settings for other desktop environments like KDE or Xfce, which have different procedures.
  • Not restarting or logging out after changing settings, which may prevent changes from appearing.
  • Using outdated Ubuntu versions where the interface or options may differ slightly.

Tips

  • Keep your system updated to ensure compatibility with the latest features and settings.
  • If you prefer a more minimal look, disable unnecessary icons and customize the appearance through themes.
  • Use keyboard shortcuts to quickly access system settings for faster customization.
  • Consider installing third-party panel applets if you want more detailed battery information or custom displays.

Troubleshooting

If the battery percentage isn’t showing after following the steps:

  • Verify your desktop environment: Confirm you’re using GNOME or the environment that supports these settings. For KDE or others, check their specific settings.
  • Ensure the battery icon is enabled: Sometimes, the icon itself might be hidden. Check the system tray or panel customization options.
  • Update your system: Run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade to ensure all components are current.
  • Reinstall or reset settings: Remove and reconfigure the GNOME Shell extensions or tweak settings if needed.
  • Check for hardware issues: Use commands like upower -i /org/freedesktop/UPower/devices/battery_BAT0 to see if your system detects the battery correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I show battery percentage in Ubuntu on a Dell XPS laptop?

Yes, the process is the same for most laptops, including Dell XPS, as long as you’re using a compatible desktop environment like GNOME.

2. Why isn’t the battery percentage showing even after enabling it?

This can happen if your desktop environment doesn’t support the setting or if a system update has caused a glitch. Restart your computer after making changes and ensure you’re using the latest Ubuntu version.

3. How do I enable battery percentage in KDE Plasma on Ubuntu?

In KDE, right-click the battery icon in the system tray, select ‘Configure Notifications,’ and enable ‘Show Percentage’ under the battery settings.

4. Is it possible to customize the battery icon to display differently?

Yes, using GNOME extensions like ‘Top Icons’ or customizing themes can change how the battery icon and percentage are displayed.

5. Will showing battery percentage drain more power?

No, displaying the percentage is a simple visual update and does not significantly affect battery life.

6. How can I troubleshoot if the battery percentage suddenly disappears?

Check for recent updates or changes in settings, restart your system, and verify hardware status using system commands like upower.

By following these steps and tips, you can easily enable the battery percentage in Ubuntu Linux, giving you better control and awareness of your device’s power status at all times. Monitoring your battery helps prevent unexpected shutdowns and manages your device’s longevity more effectively.

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How to Show Battery Percentage in Ubuntu Linux
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