Charging light or DC power jack or adapter or battery problem

[rckahale]

I own a HP Pavilion 15-AU008TX Specs - https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c05221099

Recently started facing problem with charging of laptop.
I used to notice some flickering noise from the DC power jack. This used to go away with some adjustment or removal of power chord.
One day after such flickering, when i removed the adapter chord, the laptop didn't fall back on battery and shut down completely. Battery percentage remained at 85% and it showed Plugged in. Not charging message for rest of the days.

Service center guy identified issue to be resolved with newer battery and new DC power jack. So, I replaced both of it myself and now it is back to working on battery.

However even with newer parts, I notice that even after keeping it stationary for charging, the charging indicator light changes from red to white after some random minutes, say 10 mins. The same light is also white depending on how deep I have inserted the adaptor plug. For eg: All the way in can also be white, 70% in can also be white, etc

Now I fear the same past problems will repeat which led to damage of internal components. I do not find adapter alone as the problem here, since there are no moving parts in adapter or any indications of functioning failure.

Both hinges of laptop and thereby charging point had become delicate. Hinges were in worse condition before servicing. Current situation is the best service center can do with repair work.

Currently there is no flickering noise, but a silent switch to white light at any percentage below 100.

On the days I worked directly on power adapter, as battery was not supplying charge on removal of power, there were NO crashes or shutdown due to lose power jack or weak hinges.

Although the problem is not apparent, it is big enough to disrupt work and cause damage.

What should be done now?

[rckahale]

I have tested with brand new adapter. The same issue reoccurred at about 46% charging from zero, the charging light inside DC power jack switched to white from red. And laptop shows not charging. 

This forum has answers saying adapter can be cause 

"If it can't (or the adapter is below the power output this PC requires) then it will still power the PC but will not charge the battery. Note that not all universal replacement adapters will have the required 'centre pin' signal."

Can I observe the milliwatts charging ranges and understand the issue?  App used - https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/p/pure-battery-analytics/9nblggh4x4k3

Charged percentage was gradually increasing and mW charge was decreasing from initial value of 25k. It is observed that when it drops around 4k it switches to Not Charging

Which part is faulty? How to fix it?

[rckahale]

Charging was getting stuck at 66%, which indicated that might be a software/firmware issue

So, I followed answers here
https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Software-and-How-To-Questions/Battery-stops-charging-at-70/td...
and upgraded my BIOS from old version of 2016 to most recent 2019

Now the charging is not stuck at 66 and the mW values are also in different ratio proportion to the previous values.
I ran diagnostics in both UEFI and windows 10, where battery & AC Adapter tests passed. But the battery calibration may have been altered with the newer BIOS.
I still get major fluctuations (no linear changes) in mW values for various charge percentages. Attached images after BIOS update.

A recap - Currently, my battery, DC power jack & Adapter all are new.
Worse thing, I just now experienced the flickering/sparking again while adapter was plugged in. 3 more times and something will go bust inside.

[rckahale]

Update -
This post cautioned about earthing/grounding troubles
https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/Laptop-making-noise-when-power-cord-plugged-in/td-p/596...

So, I will monitor by changing my home power point, for issue of flickering noise.

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Battery-won-t-charge-above-42/...
As described in this post, I read my diagnostic test details to find 2 cells having problem.
Primary_CellVoltage1: 4152mV
Primary_CellVoltage2: 4018mV
Primary_CellVoltage3: 0mV
Primary_CellVoltage4: 0mV

This reply to a post

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebooks-Archive-Read-Only/HP-Battery-Cell-voltage-1-0-mV/m-p/2642585...

creates confusion on understanding battery/cell related issue

Edit: Got it now. The battery has only 2 cells to begin with.

So battery replacement is not a solution. 

What then?

[Echo_Lake]

@rckahale
Thank you for posting on the HP Support Community.

I would request you to reach out to our Support and our Support Engineers should be able to sort this out. HP Support can be reached by clicking on the following link: www.hp.com/contacthp/

Please feel free to contact us here anytime you need any further assistance. Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[rckahale]

For people having battery calibration issue

Drain the battery.

When laptop switches off, turn it on it keeping power cable connected for few seconds & remove it once it starts booting.

Surprisingly my laptop worked for another 20 minutes after it has switched off for lower battery warning.

Since next usage, I got the additional 10% as maximum battery charging threshold.

May be it helps someone.