USB-C-PD stops working randomly

Framework Laptop 16 Linux
1

I’m experiencing a strange issue where one or both of my USB-C ports stop charging the computer. I experience this randomly. The only things I do with the USB-C ports are plug in my dell dock (which I want to replace with a better dock soon) or plug in my USB-C power cable. However, after several iterations of this over many days, it seems that the USB C port I use most often for power stops accepting power (right side, port closest to the screen, under the power switch).

I do tend to leave the computer on and just let it sleep for many days at a time. However, rebooting doesn’t help. The only way I can get the computer to pull power on that port again is by going into the BIOS and disconnecting the battery, saving, shutting down, then unplugging the power, waiting for 10 or so seconds, then plugging back in and booting up. Then it works fine, until it stops again.

Even while the power doesn’t work, the rest of the USB port functionality works fine. It detects and uses any other device just fine. Only the USB-C power function is affected.

Anyone else experience this? Have a solution?

Thanks.

Sincerely,
damccull

Which Linux distro are you using?
Nixos

Which release version?
(if rolling release without a release version, skip this question)
unstable

(If rolling release, last date updated?)

Which kernel are you using?
6.11.7

Which BIOS version are you using?
03.03

Which Framework Laptop 16 model are you using? (AMD Ryzen™ 7040 Series)
Laptop 16 (AMD Ryzen 7040 Series)

1 Like
2

The USB ports on the FW16 have different capabilities depending on which one you plug into.

Which slots do you plug things into?
I would recommend plugging the dock into port 1 or port 4.
I would recommend plugging the power into port 2 or port 5.

Powering off the laptop, and removing the PSU, leaving for more than 40 seconds, that allows the EC to reset. Removing the slot cards.
Then power up again with the slot cards installed and PSU attached. That should be enough to reset it.

There is also a reset procedure using the Chassis open switch that might be worth a try also.

3

I plug the dock or the power cable into 1 or 4 always. The dock provides power, so I don’t need the external power cable when on the dock.

4

Have you tried to just reboot the ec to see if that resolves your problem instead of disconnecting the battery, apparently this can be done by pressing the power button for 20 seconds.

5

No, I’ll try that next time. Didn’t know about it. Can it be done while the computer is off or do I need to do it as a hard shutdown? I don’t particularly like hard shutdowns.

6

Afaik it should work when shut down.