Chromebook x360 - battery calibration issues

[RC360]

I have a HP Chromebook x360-12b which has a battery calibration issue.  Everytime, I recharge, it later dies and does not come back on until I insert the power lead.  For example, when it runs down to 10% left, I recharge.  When I use the laptop again, it states 100%, but after a short while it dies.  It appears to have retained the 10% charge left and cuts out (without warning) when it thinks that it's at 0%.

I have done a powerwash, updated the software, hard reset, run the diagnostics, etc.  The test states that the battery is in good health with around 71% capacity.

Has anyone had the same issue and do you know how to resolve it?

Thanks

[Max3Aj]

Hi @RC360, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
It sounds like your Chromebook's battery calibration is off, making the system incorrectly report charge levels. Since you've already tried a powerwash, software updates, and diagnostics, here are some additional steps you can try:

Perform a Full Battery Calibration (Manual Method)

Since the issue seems to be with how the system interprets battery levels, try recalibrating it:

1. Charge the battery to 100% – Keep it plugged in for at least 30 minutes after reaching 100%.
2. Use the Chromebook on battery power until it shuts down on its own (even if the battery percentage is incorrect).
3. Leave it off for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
4. Plug it back in and charge to 100% without turning it on.
5. Turn it on and check if the battery percentage aligns better with actual usage.

This should help the battery controller relearn its full charge capacity.

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBJxM5HQFs0

Check for a Battery Firmware Update

HP and Google sometimes release firmware updates for Chromebook batteries that address calibration issues. To check:

1. Ensure your Chromebook is up to date:
   • Go to Settings > About Chrome OS > Check for updates.
2. Run a firmware update check manually:
   • Open a Crosh (Chrome OS Shell) terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
   • Type battery_firmware_update and press Enter.
   • If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions.

Reset EC (Embedded Controller)

The Embedded Controller manages power and battery functions. Resetting it can sometimes resolve calibration problems.

1. Turn off your Chromebook.
2. Press and hold the Refresh key (⟳) + Power button for about 10-15 seconds.
3. Release both keys and power it on normally.

Check Battery Health Again

Since your diagnostic test showed 71% capacity, your battery is significantly degraded. You can check the detailed battery status using Crosh:

1. Open Crosh (Ctrl + Alt + T).
2. Type: battery_test 30 (runs a 30-second discharge test).
3. Type: battery_firmware info (displays firmware status).

If the reported full charge capacity is far below the design capacity, the battery may need replacement.
 

You may checkout these documents: Top 10 Chromebook Battery Care Tips | HP® Tech Takes < Tech Takes - HP.com India
HP Notebook PCs and Chromebooks - Improving battery performance | HP® Support
 

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[RC360]

Thank you for your suggestions, which I have tried to no avail, (except the battery health increased to 72%).  The laptop still dies shortly after a full charge.  Also, the battery percentage readout starts off erratic, showing the remaining time as 12hrs, 9hrs, 7hrs, etc, then settles to under 4hrs.

Crosh states Design capacity: 5275 mAh - Last full charge: 3837 mAh, so appears that the battery could be faulty, so not calibrating properly.  I'll have to get a new battery and see what happens.  Thanks.

[Garp_senchau]

@RC360,

You're very welcome! I appreciate you giving the suggestions a shot. It’s good to hear that your battery health improved a bit, but since the laptop is still shutting down quickly, it does seem like the battery is struggling to hold a charge properly.

The erratic percentage readout showing a significant drop definitely point to a battery that’s not calibrating correctly, likely due to wear or a fault. Replacing the battery sounds like the right next step. Once you install the new one, I’d recommend doing a proper calibration to make sure the system reads it accurately.

Hopefully, the new battery will get your laptop running reliably again! Let me know how it goes. 🤞😊

Regards,