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How To Fix ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Keyboard Dock Battery Drain

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The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer with the optional MobileDock Keyboard provides amazing battery life: up to 16 hours on a single charge with the two connected. Unfortunately, while docked, the battery on the tablet drains as much as two percent an hour when the tablet is in standby mode. ASUS responded to requests for a solution saying they already fixed it, but users were unaware.

Here is how to fix the issue with your fully up to date Transformer, according to the company spokesperson’s post over at XDA.

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer in MobileDock Keyboard

First, ensure that the latest versions of the tablet and keyboard firmware are installed. You can check by doing the following:

  1. Go to Settings and then About Tablet.
  2. Look under Build Number where you should see a series of numbers and letters.
  3. Look for the number 8.2.3.13 or later – the latest build is 8.4.4.11, but this option was added in 8.2.3.13.
  4. Look under MobileDock Version where you should see a number ending with 0209, which is the latest version of the keyboard firmware.
  5. If neither of the previous two build numbers are correct, then scroll to System Update at the top of the page and check for updates to the software.
  6. If Software Update doesn’t find the new versions, go to the download page for the Transformer at ASUS and look under Firmware from the Other OS page and install that using the provided instructions.
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Screen Settings Page

Check the box next to MobileDock Battery saving mode

Now you are ready to turn on the battery saving feature. Go to Settings and Screen. Look for the item MobileDock Battery Saving Mode and place a check mark in the box. That’s it!

ASUS claims that this option turns off a potentially useful feature on some systems, so be aware. The dock should wake the Transformer from sleep mode with the press of any key. With option checked, the keyboard wake feature will no longer work on some older MobileDocks. I tested it with mine and fortunately even with the feature checked, mine still wakes the tablet with the press of a key. If yours does not, you may be able to get it replaced by ASUS according to their note in the XDA Developer’s Forum where we found this helpful tip. This involves sending the keyboard to ASUS under an RMA (Return Manufacturer Authorization).

If the battery saving feature breaks the wake on keyboard press feature for you, you can still wake the device with the power button. It may not be as convenient, but might be more convenient than returning your MobileDock to ASUS.

13 Comments

13 Comments

  1. Mimi0913

    07/21/2011 at 5:23 pm

    i think you have made an mistake,on XDA it says, select “battery saving mode” and  if your dock wake up by a key press, this is an older version.

  2. vdpluijm

    07/21/2011 at 7:50 pm

    more complicated that this.  Dock versions b40, b50 and b60 act differently; some broke, others improved after latest firmware upgrade.

  3. Anonymous

    07/21/2011 at 9:58 pm

    The ASUS transformer is by far the best tablet so pleased with mine and has come down in price as well – https://amzn.to/jLbPxq

  4. Tablet Cases

    07/22/2011 at 2:53 pm

    that dock totally looks like a laptop. why doesnt asus just sell laptops with removable screens? i reckon that will be the death of notebooks as we know it

  5. RJCofH

    07/30/2011 at 2:02 pm

    Have just gone though these instructions and found that my Transformer is in battery saving mode already. However, after powering down with a full battery  the charge will be down to 4% in 2 days (without it being used) so Asus’ excuse is a load of bull. Surely it is more sensible to set the machine to power off completely if the user selects the power off option. If you want quick start up with shorter battery life then there should be a selectable “sleep” option.

    • Stewart

      03/13/2012 at 5:47 pm

      I have the same problem, did you ever find a solution to your problem?

  6. Rami

    10/15/2011 at 1:38 pm

    Ih, anybody can help me to understand that, why my asus transformer docking keyboard does not charge?
    all the programes are up todat.
    ubdaah@gmail:twitter .com

    • Greg

      12/28/2013 at 11:18 pm

      I have the same problem. Did you find a solution?

  7. Exhblockxer

    11/20/2011 at 9:31 pm

    I store my tablet and dock separtely when shut down. This way it wont consume any battery on neither station. If you are travelling, whats the harm of losing some battery but at home its just as simple to take them apart for the night.

  8. Quyen007

    12/23/2011 at 9:25 pm

    so why did my dock station battery drain when my tablet is not docking on it? I don’t get it and my dock will not charge to full. it always stop charging at 96%. Why is that?

  9. Clifford Eck

    03/05/2017 at 6:45 am

    My amber light blinks all the time on the docking station. The Tablet is fully charged but the docking station will not charge and the low battery warning light (the amber blink) stays on. Is this a defective docking battery or something else?

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