I plugged in my framework laptop 13 (originally 11 series, but upgraded to ultra about a year ago, running windows 11) today when it was at about 60% battery. I saw sparking and then the whole thing shut off.
Ever since, the laptop refuses to power on. The only thing that is still working is a charging port on the opposite side of where the sparking port occurred, which turns on the orange “charging” light.
Did I just brick my motherboard just by plugging it in once?
What part was sparking?
The charging port
The charger psu is probably broken. Don’t plug it into anything else, it might damage it also.
What make/model is the charger?
It was an old hp charger that came with the spectre x360 laptop: HP TPN-LA12 - Genuine HP 65W USB-C AC Adapter Charger for for HP Chromebook Spectre EliteBook ProBook X360 / Elite x2 1012 G2 / Pavilion X2 / Envy X2 - CPU Medics
The charger psu is probably broken
You’re not talking about this are you?
Definitely ditch the HP charger or plug it into only things that will not be missed if cooked.
Was it sitting there sparking? or sparked when you plugged it in? Sitting there sparking says, that half of the board is probably for sure shot. Sparked when plugging in could be the charger tossing out the wrong voltage or since it is getting colder, high static charge. Neither one are good for electronics and can still damage them.
Contact support if you have not already and explain what went on. If one side is still charging the laptop then the EC is still alive and talking. Maybe open it up and physically disconnect the battery? Then try to start the board with just the power plugged into the side that at least charges. Sometimes it takes a few times to get the board to startup in standalone state.
If the battery went rogue and took the beating (like a champ) then the laptop will not start if the battery is reporting totally flat or damaged.