Envy CPU speed slow when laptop power plugged in

[ElZoid]

My Envy 13 laptop frequently gets incredibly sluggish when the power cable is plugged in. This appears to be because the CPU speed is being throttled. If I view the Performance tab of Windows Task Manager, the CPU speed drops to 0.38GHz within seconds of plugging the cable in. If I remove the cable, the speed jumps back up to around 2.7GHz and the laptop performs as expected. 

I've ruled out Windows power settings as being the cause. In advanced power settings, processor power management is set to allow 100% for the 'maximum processor state'. Adjusting these settings and switching between different power plans (e.g. HP Recommended, High Performance, Power Saver) has no positive affect.

The problem occurs regardless of whether I'm using the laptop for anything intensive - I don't believe the laptop should be throttling the CPU to prevent overheating.  I see this problem even if my only open application is Google Chrome with memory use of approx 35% and CPU <10%. Watching videos or using any more powerful software is impossible without lagging or hanging.

Restarting the laptop doesn't fix the problem and this seems to have been a problem from new. I've downloaded all updates available through the HP Support Assistant program (including one for BIOS), but still see the issue. I suspect it may be BIOS related, but if so I'd expect all owners of this laptop to have the problem.

Is this something others are seeing? I would be glad of any suggestions to help me fix this. Cheers!

[Sparkles1]

HI @ElZoid,

Welcome to the HP Forums!:smileyhappy: 

It is a terrific place to find answers and tips!

For you to have the best experience in the HP forum I would like to direct your attention to the HP Forums Guide:  First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More

I understand that when on battery power your notebook's performance is good, but when you connect it to power the  notebook's power decreases.  Restarting the notebook does not change the behavior.  You have done all the HP updates.

Here is a link to  HP Notebook PCs - Testing and Using the AC Power Adapter that will rule that possibility out.

Are you connecting directly to an outlet and not in a power bar?

Have you tried a different outlet?

Here is a link to HP PCs - Increasing System Performance and Maintaining Your Computer (Windows 10) that may also help.

Next  I would try restoring the default power scheme.

• Right click on the Windows button (lower left corner)

• Choose command prompt admin

• Type powercfg -restoredefaultschemes and press enter

Please keep me updated on your progress.

Once you find an answer that solved your difficulty, please choose "Accepted Solution" to alert other people to your success. 

[davidsharp32]

I have exactly the same problem with my Envy 13.  I find that if i disconnect the power and reconnect the processor steps back up and a period of time before stepping down again.  I also find that if I boot up on power it tends to be more reliable than if I boot on battery.

I have tried different power outlets with the same effects.

Thanks

[KarenUK]

Event viewer could give you some clues. Look in  Event viewer > Windows Logs > System.  Look for Kernel-Processor-Power warning events. Processor power is controlled by the BIOS.

[ElZoid]

Hi David. I suffered this for several months, but soon after my original post here the problem seemed to sort itself. I can only guess one of the HP BIOS updates (there have been at least two) has resolved it. As far as I can think, I've not changed anything else on the laptop that would have fixed the issue.

[davidsharp32]

Hi yes. Some further googling revealed a BIOS update released mid March that fixed it.

[2brick]

Can you please let me know where I can find that Google update you are referring to? I have had the exact same issue with my Envy 14...

THANKS!

[2brick]

Sorry I meant that BIOS update that you googled...

[ElZoid]

No need to Google anything. Open the HP Support Assistant from the start menu. It will list any available updates for your laptop and you simply click on the button to download and install all.

[djmagnum]

The new bios actually didn't fix this for me as of 10/12/16. It has to do with power