Interpret HP Hardware Diagnosis battery test log

[RonEvo]

Could some kind soul tell me what the log below means re Primary battery in an old laptop?

Briefly boot up message error 601 [Primary battery low], so I replaced the coin battery with a new one. Previously, I tried to update BIOS, then laptop couldn't find a hard drive [eMMC]. Now updated BIOS by USB drive. Still couldn't find hard drive, so I enabled Legacy Bootup, & boots properly into Win 10 now.

But still Primary battery low message. I think this might be a "false positive" so to speak. Time & date not lost when laptop off & not connected to external power.

I've put what seem relevant matters in bold.

Test Version = 1.17.4.0
TestId = a088469f-b159-4d7e-b4f9-0f1ed77a95af
Instance = 1
StartTime = 2025-05-25T10:53:22
ExecutionDuration = 00:01:10
Result = Cancelled [my comment: I didn't cancel the test; it quickly said some error?]
==================================================
CeementBatteryCheckResult: 12
DevicesSupported: 1
DeviceCount: 1
Primary_ACPowerOn: True
Primary_ACAdapterOk: True
ACAdapterStatus: False
Primary_TestresultString: VERY_WEAK
Primary_DesignCapacity: 2850mAh
Primary_FullChargeCapacity: 672mAh
Primary_RemainingCapacity: 673mAh
Primary_MaxError: 3
Primary_CycleCount: 110
Primary_Temperature: 22deg C
Primary_Voltage: 16362mV
Primary_Current: 0mA
Primary_DesignVoltage: 14600mV
Primary_Status: 192
Primary_CellVoltage1: 4089mV
Primary_CellVoltage2: 4091mV
Primary_CellVoltage3: 4093mV
Primary_CellVoltage4: 4090mV
Primary_SerialNumber: 37887 02/03/2018
Primary_ManufacturerName: 133-42-6E-A
Primary_BatteryCTNumber: 6GGSKC4GWAGSVU
Primary_Warranty: 1
Primary_CalibrationType: 3
Primary_ChargeControl: Supported
Primary_TempCharge: True
Primary_ChargeTest: False
Primary_ChargeCapacity: 23
Primary_TempAlarm: False
Primary_DeepDischarge: False
Primary_FullCharge: True
Primary_FullChargeStatus: False
Primary_BatteryCharge: True
Primary_DesignCycleCount: 1000

Thanks for any help,

Ron

[RonEvo]

Further to my post above. I'm wondering if I've posted in the wrong forum? I thought it was a test of hardware, so posted here. But maybe my question is software forum, as I'd like a software report explained a little please?

[Garp_senchau]

@RonEvo, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

BIOS Error 601 = “Primary Battery Low”

I suggest you refer to this guide for troubleshooting the issue: HP Notebook PCs - 601 or 60X error is displayed on a black screen | HP® Support

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

[RonEvo]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, Garp_Senchau.

My laptop still shows the 601 message, that Primary Battery is low; a fortnight after I replaced the coin battery on the motherboard!

I have already done what the link you gave suggests. On updating the BIOS, something seems to have gone wrong & altered something, so BIOS couldn't find the hard drive. But I've reinstalled the latest BIOS from a USB, then the laptop found the hard drive once I enabled Legacy Boot option in the BIOS.

Note the lines Primary_FullChargeCapacity: 672mAh, & Primary_RemainingCapacity: 673mAh in my HP Hardware Diagnosis report. That looks like the Primary battery is fully charged??

So I think something in BIOS or UEFI has been corrupted, giving an incorrect message of coin battery low.

[Hawks_Eye]

@RonEvo 

Garp_Senchau is away for now; however, I'm Hawks_Eye, and I'll be happy to help you out! 

It sounds like you've gone through quite a bit of troubleshooting already! 

The fact that your Primary_FullChargeCapacity and RemainingCapacity are nearly identical suggests the battery is holding charge correctly, yet the 601 error persists. This could indeed point to a BIOS or UEFI corruption, especially since updating the BIOS initially caused the system to lose track of the hard drive.

You might find this HP support article helpful, as it explains how the 601 error is triggered and suggests BIOS updates as a potential fix. Additionally, this HP Community thread discusses similar cases where users experienced persistent battery warnings even after replacing components.

If the issue persists, you could try:

1. Resetting the BIOS to Default Settings – Sometimes, a corrupted BIOS setting can cause misreadings.
2. Running HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI – This might help confirm whether the battery is actually faulty or if it's just a misreported error.
3. Performing a Battery Calibration – This process can sometimes reset incorrect battery readings.

There's also a helpful video guide that walks through troubleshooting 601 errors, including battery replacement and BIOS resets. 

Let me know if any of these steps help!

Thanks,

Hawks_Eye

[RonEvo]

Excellent suggestions Hawks_Eye. I'll carry them out in the next few days.

It's an old laptop, & I think BIOS doesn't lose settings when laptop is off & external power also off overnight. So I was thinking of just ignoring the 601 message.

I'll post what happens.

[Garp_senchau]

Hey @RonEvo, 

Thank you for your response

Please follow the steps shared earlier and those in the guide. Let us know how it goes afterward, and if you run into any issues, we’ll be happy to assist further!

Regards,

[RonEvo]

I agree with your post Hawks_Eye. Thanks for the links you gave. I'd already done most suggestions, but did some again to make sure.

1. I re-installed the latest BIOS update. This still left my changes [to Boot Option], so I reset to default settings & once again laptop couldn't find the eMMC drive. I enabled Legacy Option in BIOS Configuration, & laptop boots into Windows again.
2. I updated than ran HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI Battery test & saved the result. Primary = Very Weak (70), Primary Logic State = Very Weak, Charge State = N/A, Remaining Capacity 9.79 WHr (96%).
3. Power Reset made no difference [held down power button for 30 seconds with removeable battery & power adapter both disconnected].
4. Ran powergfg/battery & saved result. Design Capacity = Full Charge Capacity, Capacity Remaining over the last 3 days was 86% or higher. Also an app called BetteryMon shows primary battery as fully charged.
5. BIOS change I made + date & time are saved even after laptop turned off & power adapter off overnight.
6. In Device Manager, uninstalled ACPI Compliant Control Method under Battery & restarted. Low battery message on startup still.
7. There are firmware updates available for my laptop
8. I can't see how to calibrate the battery. No option after Hardware Diagnosis test.
   
   I note programs are available to edit etc UEFI, but I have no experience of such. Or is there a HP test to check UEFI?
   I'm thinking the old laptop is going OK, so why not keep using it as is, ignoring the low Primary Battery message?
   Thanks for any ideas please,
   Ron

[Garp_senchau]

Hey @RonEvo,

Thank you for your response

 My colleague @Hawks_Eye is currently out, but don't worry – I’ll be taking over and making sure we get this sorted for you.

Thank you for the detailed follow-up and for running through all the troubleshooting steps. Based on your description, it sounds like you’ve done a thorough job of addressing the issue. I completely understand your thinking—especially if the laptop is functioning normally aside from the persistent 601 error. However, let me offer a few more considerations:

BIOS/UEFI Issue

It sounds like the BIOS might be misreading the battery, especially since you’re still getting the 601 error even after BIOS updates. You can try using the HP BIOS Update or Recovery, which might fix any BIOS corruption.

Reference:

HP Consumer Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) (Windows) | HP® Support

HP Notebook PCs - Recovering the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) | HP® Support

Battery Calibration

You couldn’t find the calibration option, but you can manually calibrate the battery by:

Charging it to 100%.

Letting it fully drain (until the laptop shuts off).

Charging it back to 100%.

This helps reset battery readings.

Reference: HP Notebook PCs - Testing and calibrating the battery (Windows) | HP® Support

Firmware Updates

Make sure to check for any new firmware updates for your laptop using HP Support Assistant. Sometimes updates fix issues like this.

Ignoring the Error

If the laptop is working fine otherwise, it’s okay to ignore the 601 message for now. Just keep an eye on the battery’s health in case something changes.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

[RonEvo]

Thanks for your detailed ideas, Garp_senchau. Unfortunately the 601 error continues.

What I've tried after your message is:

1. BIOS Update again. I tried Device Manager > Firmware > System Firmware > Drivers > update. Result = Already have the latest drivers.

Downloaded latest BIOS file, disabled net security & ran the update. Still have 601 battery message on startup.

2. Did a hard reset. Still 601 message.

3. Recover BIOS. Still 601 message & can't find eMMC hard drive. I enabled Legacy Support in Boot Options in BIOS, & boots into Window after 601 error message.

 4. Tested battery by HP PC Hardware Diagnosis UEFI. Result = Very Weak (71). As explained in earlier posts, I think this is a false reading.

5. Firmware updates on HP website for my model laptop didn't work. Result = SSID is NOT matching, or not applicable to my laptop.

I didn't calibrate the battery. The option didn't come up after the Hardware Diagnosis UEFI. The manual method you mentioned seems for the main battery, not the internal Primary Battery?

I'm thinking ignoring the 601 Primary Battery error is all I can do. So far so good anyway ignoring it.

Cheers, Ron