Laptop - Revision history

Arnecc: typo

2025-11-29T19:30:25Z

typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:30, 29 November 2025
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	A common tool used to save power on laptops is [https://linrunner.de/tlp/index.html TLP], which has sensible defaults for most laptops. To enable TLP you simply just write <code>services.tlp.enable = true;</code> in your <code>configuration.nix</code>. However, if you need a specific configuration, you can do as shown in the example below.		A common tool used to save power on laptops is [https://linrunner.de/tlp/index.html TLP], which has sensible defaults for most laptops. To enable TLP you simply just write <code>services.tlp.enable = true;</code> in your <code>configuration.nix</code>. However, if you need a specific configuration, you can do as shown in the example below.

	<~~syntaxHighlight~~ lang=nix>		<syntaxhighlight lang="nix">
	services.tlp = {		services.tlp = {
	enable = true;		enable = true;
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	# Optional helps save long term battery health		# Optional helps save long term battery health
	START_CHARGE_THRESH_BAT0 = 40; # 40 and ~~bellow~~ it starts to charge		START_CHARGE_THRESH_BAT0 = 40; # 40 and below it starts to charge
	STOP_CHARGE_THRESH_BAT0 = 80; # 80 and above it stops charging		STOP_CHARGE_THRESH_BAT0 = 80; # 80 and above it stops charging
	};		};
	};		};
	</~~syntaxHighlight~~>		</syntaxhighlight>

	This example enables TLP and sets the minimum and maximum frequencies for the CPU based on whether it is plugged into power or not. It also changes the CPU scaling governor based on this.		This example enables TLP and sets the minimum and maximum frequencies for the CPU based on whether it is plugged into power or not. It also changes the CPU scaling governor based on this.

Phobos: Corrected config

2025-11-27T20:40:49Z

Corrected config

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:40, 27 November 2025
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	= Closing the lid =		= Closing the lid =
	~~<syntaxhighlight lang~~=~~"nixos">~~		{{File\|3=services.logind.settings.Login = {
	services.logind.~~lidSwitch~~ = "poweroff";		HandleLidSwitch = "poweroff";
	~~services.logind.lidSwitchExternalPower~~ = "lock";		HandleLidSwitchExternalPower = "lock";
	~~services.logind.lidSwitchDocked~~ = "ignore";		HandleLidSwitchDocked = "ignore";
			};

	# one of "ignore", "poweroff", "reboot", "halt", "kexec", "suspend", "hibernate", "hybrid-sleep", "suspend-then-hibernate", "lock"		# one of "ignore", "poweroff", "reboot", "halt", "kexec", "suspend", "hibernate", "hybrid-sleep", "suspend-then-hibernate", "lock"\|name=/etc/nixos/configuration.nix\|lang=nix}}
	~~</syntaxhighlight>~~These three options can be used to configure how a laptop should behave when the lid is closed. In this example, it normally shuts down. If power is connected, only the screen is locked. If another screen is connected instead, nothing happens.		These three options can be used to configure how a laptop should behave when the lid is closed. In this example, it normally shuts down. If power is connected, only the screen is locked. If another screen is connected instead, nothing happens.

	= Power management =		= Power management =

Klinger: - reordered headings (moved all headings one heading up). Added the 3 options for closing the lid.

2025-03-23T13:29:33Z

- reordered headings (moved all headings one heading up). Added the 3 options for closing the lid.

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:29, 23 March 2025
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	== Power management ==		= Closing the lid =
			<syntaxhighlight lang="nixos">
			services.logind.lidSwitch = "poweroff";
			services.logind.lidSwitchExternalPower = "lock";
			services.logind.lidSwitchDocked = "ignore";

			# one of "ignore", "poweroff", "reboot", "halt", "kexec", "suspend", "hibernate", "hybrid-sleep", "suspend-then-hibernate", "lock"
			</syntaxhighlight>These three options can be used to configure how a laptop should behave when the lid is closed. In this example, it normally shuts down. If power is connected, only the screen is locked. If another screen is connected instead, nothing happens.

			= Power management =
	NixOS has several tools to help you manage the power on your system and it also has a stock feature for power management. To enable the stock NixOS power management tool which allows for managing hibernate and suspend states you can write <code>powerManagement.enable = true;</code>. This tool is compatible with the other tools mentioned, but the other tools may overwrite this setting.		NixOS has several tools to help you manage the power on your system and it also has a stock feature for power management. To enable the stock NixOS power management tool which allows for managing hibernate and suspend states you can write <code>powerManagement.enable = true;</code>. This tool is compatible with the other tools mentioned, but the other tools may overwrite this setting.

	=== CPU performance scaling ===		== CPU performance scaling ==
	==== thermald ====		=== thermald ===
	Thermald proactively prevents overheating on Intel CPUs and works well with other tools. Enabled by: <code>services.thermald.enable = true;</code>		Thermald proactively prevents overheating on Intel CPUs and works well with other tools. Enabled by: <code>services.thermald.enable = true;</code>

	==== TLP ====		=== TLP ===
	A common tool used to save power on laptops is [https://linrunner.de/tlp/index.html TLP], which has sensible defaults for most laptops. To enable TLP you simply just write <code>services.tlp.enable = true;</code> in your <code>configuration.nix</code>. However, if you need a specific configuration, you can do as shown in the example below.		A common tool used to save power on laptops is [https://linrunner.de/tlp/index.html TLP], which has sensible defaults for most laptops. To enable TLP you simply just write <code>services.tlp.enable = true;</code> in your <code>configuration.nix</code>. However, if you need a specific configuration, you can do as shown in the example below.

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	This example enables TLP and sets the minimum and maximum frequencies for the CPU based on whether it is plugged into power or not. It also changes the CPU scaling governor based on this.		This example enables TLP and sets the minimum and maximum frequencies for the CPU based on whether it is plugged into power or not. It also changes the CPU scaling governor based on this.

	==== auto-cpufreq ====		=== auto-cpufreq ===
	Another tool used for power management is [https://github.com/AdnanHodzic/auto-cpufreq auto-cpufreq] which aims to replace TLP. When using auto-cpufreq it is therefore recommended to disable TLP as these tools are conflicting with each other. However, NixOS does allow for using both at the same time, and you can therefore run them in tandem at your own risk. To enable the service, add <code>services.auto-cpufreq.enable = true;</code> to your <code>configuration.nix</code>.		Another tool used for power management is [https://github.com/AdnanHodzic/auto-cpufreq auto-cpufreq] which aims to replace TLP. When using auto-cpufreq it is therefore recommended to disable TLP as these tools are conflicting with each other. However, NixOS does allow for using both at the same time, and you can therefore run them in tandem at your own risk. To enable the service, add <code>services.auto-cpufreq.enable = true;</code> to your <code>configuration.nix</code>.

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	Since v2.0 auto-cpufreq also includes a GUI that lets you temporarily override the CPU frequency governor setting.		Since v2.0 auto-cpufreq also includes a GUI that lets you temporarily override the CPU frequency governor setting.

	==== Powertop ====		=== Powertop ===
	Powertop is a power analysis tool, but it also has a feature called auto-tune which will enable power saving settings on your device. These power saving settings should be almost the same as those enabled by tlp, although Powertop enables USB auto-suspend by default. This can make your input devices such as the keyboard unresponsive for some time when it has been suspended.		Powertop is a power analysis tool, but it also has a feature called auto-tune which will enable power saving settings on your device. These power saving settings should be almost the same as those enabled by tlp, although Powertop enables USB auto-suspend by default. This can make your input devices such as the keyboard unresponsive for some time when it has been suspended.

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	This also enables the auto-tune feature of Powertop.		This also enables the auto-tune feature of Powertop.

	== Hardware support ==		= Hardware support =
	=== Hybrid graphics ===		== Hybrid graphics ==
	Many laptops have both a dedicated and a discrete GPU. To use your laptop effectively you have to manage both GPUs. For guidance on how to configure the GPUs, refer to the dedicated wiki-pages for your configuration. If you want to have the option to run your laptop with and without the discrete GPU to save power, you can either disable it in the bios (if possible) or you can use Nix's feature to define specialisations to give you two boot entries on each rebuild of your system.		Many laptops have both a dedicated and a discrete GPU. To use your laptop effectively you have to manage both GPUs. For guidance on how to configure the GPUs, refer to the dedicated wiki-pages for your configuration. If you want to have the option to run your laptop with and without the discrete GPU to save power, you can either disable it in the bios (if possible) or you can use Nix's feature to define specialisations to give you two boot entries on each rebuild of your system.

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	</syntaxhighlight>		</syntaxhighlight>

	== Troubleshooting ==		= Troubleshooting =

	==== Laptop runs hot when on power, but not on battery ====		=== Laptop runs hot when on power, but not on battery ===
	If you use tlp and experience this issue a solution can be to tell tlp to always run in battery mode.		If you use tlp and experience this issue a solution can be to tell tlp to always run in battery mode.

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	</syntaxHighlight>		</syntaxHighlight>

	== See also ==		= See also =
	* [[Power Management]]		* [[Power Management]]

	[[Category:Hardware]]		[[Category:Hardware]]
	[[Category:Cookbook]]		[[Category:Cookbook]]

Granddave: Code formatting, minor capitalization changes

2024-12-17T15:57:15Z

Code formatting, minor capitalization changes

Show changes

LucasFA-old: Update (rename): hardware.opengl -> hardware.graphics

2024-12-17T14:46:51Z

Update (rename): hardware.opengl -> hardware.graphics

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:46, 17 December 2024
Line 104:		Line 104:

	Example of a nvidia specialisation:		Example of a nvidia specialisation:
	<~~syntaxHighlight~~ lang=nix>		<syntaxhighlight lang="nix">
	specialisation = {		specialisation = {
	nvidia.configuration = {		nvidia.configuration = {
	# Nvidia Configuration		# Nvidia Configuration
	services.xserver.videoDrivers = [ "nvidia" ];		services.xserver.videoDrivers = [ "nvidia" ];
	hardware.~~opengl~~.enable = true;		hardware.graphics.enable = true;

	# Optionally, you may need to select the appropriate driver version for your specific GPU.		# Optionally, you may need to select the appropriate driver version for your specific GPU.
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	};		};
	};		};
	</~~syntaxHighlight~~>		</syntaxhighlight>

	== Troubleshooting ==		== Troubleshooting ==

Wimpy: Undo revision 16587 by Wimpy (talk)

2024-08-11T12:55:38Z

Undo revision 16587 by Wimpy (talk)

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:55, 11 August 2024
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	# ---Snip---		# ---Snip---

	~~services~~.auto-cpufreq.enable = true;		programs.auto-cpufreq.enable = true;

	# optionally, you can configure your auto-cpufreq settings, if you have any		# optionally, you can configure your auto-cpufreq settings, if you have any
	~~services~~.auto-cpufreq.settings = {		programs.auto-cpufreq.settings = {
	charger = {		charger = {
	governor = "performance";		governor = "performance";

Wimpy: Correct configuration.nix example when using the upstream auto-cpufreq flake.

2024-08-11T12:43:58Z

Correct configuration.nix example when using the upstream auto-cpufreq flake.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:43, 11 August 2024
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	# ---Snip---		# ---Snip---

	~~programs~~.auto-cpufreq.enable = true;		services.auto-cpufreq.enable = true;

	# optionally, you can configure your auto-cpufreq settings, if you have any		# optionally, you can configure your auto-cpufreq settings, if you have any
	~~programs~~.auto-cpufreq.settings = {		services.auto-cpufreq.settings = {
	charger = {		charger = {
	governor = "performance";		governor = "performance";

Sleepynix: line break (4th try)

2024-04-20T08:27:52Z

line break (4th try)

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:27, 20 April 2024
Line 50:		Line 50:
	};		};
	};		};
	</syntaxHighlight>Alternatively, if you have [[Flakes]] enabled you can also use the flake directly provided by the auto-cpufreq authors to get a more up-to-date version. They offer a detailed explanation how to add it to your system on their [https://github.com/AdnanHodzic/auto-cpufreq?tab=readme-ov-file#nixos GitHub page]. ~~<nowiki>~~<br~~></nowiki~~> To summarize: 1) add the flake as an input to your <code>flake.nix</code> file and enable the module:<syntaxhighlight lang="nix">		</syntaxHighlight>Alternatively, if you have [[Flakes]] enabled you can also use the flake directly provided by the auto-cpufreq authors to get a more up-to-date version. They offer a detailed explanation how to add it to your system on their [https://github.com/AdnanHodzic/auto-cpufreq?tab=readme-ov-file#nixos GitHub page].<br> To summarize: 1) add the flake as an input to your <code>flake.nix</code> file and enable the module:<syntaxhighlight lang="nix">
	# flake.nix		# flake.nix

Sleepynix: correct line break (3rd attempt, yikes)

2024-04-20T08:24:05Z

correct line break (3rd attempt, yikes)

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:24, 20 April 2024
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	};		};
	};		};
	</syntaxHighlight>Alternatively, if you have [[Flakes]] enabled you can also use the flake directly provided by the auto-cpufreq authors to get a more up-to-date version. They offer a detailed explanation how to add it to your system on their [https://github.com/AdnanHodzic/auto-cpufreq?tab=readme-ov-file#nixos GitHub page].		</syntaxHighlight>Alternatively, if you have [[Flakes]] enabled you can also use the flake directly provided by the auto-cpufreq authors to get a more up-to-date version. They offer a detailed explanation how to add it to your system on their [https://github.com/AdnanHodzic/auto-cpufreq?tab=readme-ov-file#nixos GitHub page]. <nowiki><br></nowiki> To summarize: 1) add the flake as an input to your <code>flake.nix</code> file and enable the module:<syntaxhighlight lang="nix">


	To summarize: 1) add the flake as an input to your <code>flake.nix</code> file and enable the module:<syntaxhighlight lang="nix">
	# flake.nix		# flake.nix

Sleepynix: changed line break/paragraph break

2024-04-20T08:22:24Z

changed line break/paragraph break

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:22, 20 April 2024
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	};		};
	</syntaxHighlight>Alternatively, if you have [[Flakes]] enabled you can also use the flake directly provided by the auto-cpufreq authors to get a more up-to-date version. They offer a detailed explanation how to add it to your system on their [https://github.com/AdnanHodzic/auto-cpufreq?tab=readme-ov-file#nixos GitHub page].		</syntaxHighlight>Alternatively, if you have [[Flakes]] enabled you can also use the flake directly provided by the auto-cpufreq authors to get a more up-to-date version. They offer a detailed explanation how to add it to your system on their [https://github.com/AdnanHodzic/auto-cpufreq?tab=readme-ov-file#nixos GitHub page].


	To summarize: 1) add the flake as an input to your <code>flake.nix</code> file and enable the module:<syntaxhighlight lang="nix">		To summarize: 1) add the flake as an input to your <code>flake.nix</code> file and enable the module:<syntaxhighlight lang="nix">