Framework 13 (Intel Core Ultra Series 1) Not Charging

Community Support
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1

This morning, I found my Framework 13 laptop (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, running Ubuntu 24.04.4) with an orange charging LED despite being plugged in for ~9 hours overnight. It refuses to power on when unplugged from a power source.

Here is some framework_tool output:

% sudo framework_tool --versions    
Tool Version:     0.6.5
OS Version:       Linux 6.8.0-136-generic #136-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Wed Jul  1 21:53:05 UTC 2026 x86_64
Mainboard Hardware
  Type:           Laptop 13 (Intel Core Ultra Series 1)
  Revision:       MassProduction
UEFI BIOS
  Version:        03.06
  Release Date:   08/08/2025
EC Firmware
  Build version:  marigold-3.0.5-a5f07f8 2025-08-06 07:01:52 marigold1@ip-172-26-3-226
  Current image:  RO
PD Controllers
  Right (01):       0.0.0A (MainFw)
  Left  (23):       0.0.0A (MainFw)
Intel Retimers
  Left:           0x270 (624)
  Right:          0x270 (624)
CSME
  Firmware Version: 0:18.0.15.2518
  Recovery Ver:     0:18.0.15.2518
  Original Ver:     0:18.0.5.2141
Laptop Webcam Module (2nd Gen)
  Firmware Version: 1.1.1
Touchpad
  Firmware Version: v0704
NVMe Device: /dev/nvme0
 Model Number:     WD_BLACK SN850X 2000GB
 Firmware Version: 620361WD

% sudo framework_tool --smartbattery
Place your right index finger on the fingerprint reader
Enter unseal key in hex (e.g. 04143672), or press enter to skip: 
Device Name:   FRANGWAT01
Manuf Name:    NVT
Serial Num:    0364
Manuf Date:    2024-06-25
Chemistry:     LION
FW Version:    Device=0x0045 FW=09.03 Build=0x4900
Mode:          0x6001
Temperature:   32.0C
Voltage:       8.898V
  Cell 1:      3.651V
  Cell 2:      2.525V
  Cell 3:      0.000V
  Cell 4:      2.722V
Current:       0.000A (avg 0.000A)
Charge:        0% (0 / 3821 mAh)
Design:        3915mAh @ 15.480V
Bat Status:    0x4AD0 [FD (Fully Discharged), DSG (Discharging), INIT (Initialization), RCA (Remaining Capacity Alarm), TDA (Terminate Discharge Alarm), TCA (Terminate Charge Alarm)]
Cycle Count:   360

=== Battery Health Analysis ===

Status: GOOD (with notes)
  Note: Terminate Charge Alarm active
  Note: Terminate Discharge Alarm active
  Note: Battery is fully discharged
  Note: Cell imbalance: 3651mV difference (>100mV)

Summary:
  Cycle count: 360
  Capacity: 3821 / 3915 mAh (98%)
  Current cell balance: 3651mV spread

% sudo framework_tool --power -vv
Battery Cutoff:     Unknown
Charger Status
  AC is:            connected
  Charger Voltage:  17800mV
  Charger Current:  80mA
                    0.02C
  Chg Input Current:4464mA
  Battery SoC:      0%
Battery Status
  AC is:            connected
  Battery is:       connected
  Battery LFCC:     3821 mAh (Last Full Charge Capacity)
  Battery Capacity: 0 mAh
                    0. 0 Wh
  Charge level:     0%
  Manufacturer:     NVT
  Model Number:     FRANGWA
  Serial Number:    0364
  Battery Type:     LION
  Present Voltage:  8.897 V
  Present Rate:     0 mA
  Design Capacity:  3915 mAh
                    60.604 Wh
  Design Voltage:   15.480 V
  Cycle Count:      360
  Battery charging
  Battery level CRITICAL!

% sudo framework_tool --console recent  
[...]
[6878.871800 found battery in disconnect state]
[6879.121100 Batt disconnected: reg 0x7fa1 mask 0x0002 disc 0x0000]
[6879.122400 found battery in disconnect state]
[6879.370700 Batt disconnected: reg 0x7fa1 mask 0x0002 disc 0x0000]
[6879.372000 found battery in disconnect state]
[6879.621700 Batt disconnected: reg 0x7fa1 mask 0x0002 disc 0x0000]

The laptop wouldn’t even get past the systemd startup while I had the charge limiter set to 90%. I reset my UEFI settings to default to get it to reach the desktop. Manually disconnecting and reconnecting the battery did not change the behavior.

I tried to update the BIOS to the latest 3.07 version, but without a working battery, I’m blocked by system power requirements:

% fwupdmgr update
[...]
Devices with firmware updates that need user action:
 • Intel Management Engine
   ‣ System power is too low
 • System Firmware
   ‣ System power is too low
 • UEFI dbx
   ‣ System power is too low

How can I fix this issue so my laptop can charge again?

2

The Cell 3 is dead. Replace the battery pack

3

Yeah, I did notice that. What are the normal voltages for those cells?

4

I’ve used this battery for a little over a year. The device (fw13 125H) is plugged in almost continuously but battery level is set at 60%.

sudo framework_tool --smartbattery
Device Name:   FRANGWAT01
Manuf Name:    NVT
Serial Num:    00D7
Manuf Date:    2024-08-24
Chemistry:     LION
FW Version:    Device=0x0045 FW=09.03 Build=0x4900
Mode:          0x6001
Temperature:   36.8C
Voltage:       15.833V
  Cell 1:      3.951V
  Cell 2:      3.960V
  Cell 3:      3.963V
  Cell 4:      3.959V
Current:       -0.339A (avg -0.309A)
Charge:        61% (2496 / 4137 mAh)
Design:        3915mAh @ 15.480V
Bat Status:    0x00C0 [DSG (Discharging), INIT (Initialization)]
Cycle Count:   20

=== Battery Health Analysis ===

Status: HEALTHY
  No issues detected. Battery is operating normally.

Summary:
  Cycle count: 20
  Capacity: 4137 / 3915 mAh (106%)
  Current cell balance: 12mV spread

Edit: I can’t tell you if this is “normal” or not. I do not like Capacity: 4137 / 3915 mAh (106%) so I’ve never let it charge to 100%. Rather I set the charge level to low to mid 90% for the rare times I’m traveling. 60% charge has been good for a 3-4+ hours unplugged which is sufficient for my needs.