Power issues

Battery will not charge

  1. Ensure an AC power adapter (the same model as originally provided with the device) is connected to mains power.

  2. Ensure the device is plugged in to the AC power adapter from the previous step.

  3. Turn on the device and log in to your account.
    1. Does the battery state of charge show that it is charging?

      1. YES: Proceed to the next question.

      2. NO: Plug the AC adapter into a different mains outlet and retest. If other devices are able to charge on the same outlet, the current power supply may be faulty. Purchase a new power supply from the shop. Alternatively, contact the Support department (support@puri.sm) with your order number and testing results and await further instructions.

    2. Does the battery charge percent increase over time?

      1. YES: There appears to be no issue.

      2. NO: Proceed to the next step.

  4. Document which LEDs illuminate (if any).

  5. Plug the AC power supply into a different socket, measuring the voltage if possible.
    1. Does the battery charge percent increase over time?

      1. YES: The current power supply appears faulty. Purchase a new power supply from the shop. Alternatively, contact the Support department (support@puri.sm) with your order number and testing results and await further instructions.

      2. NO: Proceed to the next step.

  6. Try using another charger with the same specifications as the AC power supply originally provided with the device (if one is available).
    1. Does the battery charge percent increase over time?

      1. YES: The original power supply appears faulty. Either use the AC power supply from this step, or purchase a new power supply from the shop. Alternatively, contact the Support department (support@puri.sm) with your order number and testing results and await further instructions.

      2. NO: Proceed to the next step.

  7. Remove the rear cover.

  8. Disconnect the battery connector and leave the device idle for 6 hours.

  9. Connect the battery connector.

  10. Turn on the device and log in to your account.
    1. Does the battery charge percent increase over time?

      1. YES: The battery appears faulty. Purchase a new battery. Alternatively, continue to the next step.

      2. NO: Proceed to the next step.

  11. Contact the Support department (support@puri.sm). Provide them your order number and testing details and request an RMA.

Device will not power on

Problem: Pressing the power button on the Librem 14 has no effect.

Diagnostic:

  1. Ensure an AC power adapter (the same model as originally provided with the device) is connected to mains power.

  2. Ensure the device is plugged in to the AC power adapter from the previous step.
    1. Does the device power on when the power button is pressed?

      1. YES: There appears to be no issue.

      2. NO: Proceed to the next step.

  3. Document which LEDs illuminate (if any).

  4. Document whether the fan spins up when you press the power button.

  5. Remove AC power.

  6. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
    1. Does the device power on?

      1. YES: The current power supply appears faulty. Purchase a new power supply from the shop. Alternatively, contact the Support department (support@puri.sm) with your order number and testing results and await further instructions.

      2. NO: Proceed to the next step.

  7. Attach AC power.

  8. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
    1. Does the device power on?

      1. YES: Finished.

      2. NO: Proceed to the next step.

  9. Remove the rear cover.

  10. Disconnect the battery connector.

  11. Reattach the rear cover (no need to screw it down).

  12. With no AC power applied, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
    1. Does the device power on?

      1. YES: Screw down the rear cover. Contact the Support department (support@puri.sm). Provide them your testing details and await further instructions.

      2. NO: Proceed to the next step.

  13. Remove the rear cover.

  14. Remove and reinsert the RAM module.

  15. Ensure that the module is fully inserted and that the clips have fully seated.
    1. Does the device power on?

      1. YES: Screw down the rear cover. Finished.

      2. NO: Proceed to the next step.

  16. Contact the Support department (support@puri.sm). Provide them your order number and testing details and request an RMA.

Connecting USB-C while the system is off does not initiate charging

Problem:

Librem 14 v1-01: Some mainboards do not start charging automatically if USB-C is plugged in while the system is off.

Note

  • Librem 14 v1-01: Some mainboards contain a footprint for R839 but the component was (correctly) not populated, so they do not have this problem.

  • Librem 14 v1-02: These mainboards do not have R839 and therefore are not affected.

The problem relates to U47, a 3.3 V regulator that temporarily supplies the USB-C port controller from the power supply’s initial 5 V output. The R835-R839 voltage divider doesn’t rise high enough to turn on U47 from the initial 5 V supply. Tapping the power key briefly powers the USB-C port controller from the system battery, and it quickly enables 20 V output from the power supply. Removing R839 allows U47 to operate, enabling the USB-C port controller and allowing the system to charge.

Solution:

As a workaround, tap the power key to initiate the EC. (You do not need to hold the power key to turn on the system; a quick tap is sufficient.)

Remove resistor R839 to correct the issue:

Librem 14 R839 resistor location