PrintThis document pertains to HP and Compaq Notebook PCs with Windows 7.
The maximum capacity of a battery changes over time. Because of this change in battery capacity, the charge level indicator in Windows might not show 100% charged. To know the condition of your battery, use the steps in this article to test your battery and calibrate it if necessary. Calibrating the battery resets the battery gauge to accurately display the charge level in Windows. In this article, two methods of testing and calibrating the battery are explained. Also, a manual method for calibrating the battery is presented.
Testing and Calibrating the battery using HP System Diagnostics (preferred method)
To test the battery using the HP System Diagnostics, start with the computer off and unplugged from the power. Use the following instructions to test the battery:
- Unplug the power cord and turn off the computer.
- Press the power button to turn on the computer.
- Press the Esc key immediately when seeing the HP or the Compaq logo screen.The Start Up menu appears.
- Press F2 to select F2 System Diagnostics .
- Select Battery Test from the list of diagnostic tests.
NOTE:If your battery is fully charged, the battery test screen might not appear. - Plug in the power cord.
- Click Start Battery Test on the Battery Test page.The Battery Test page shows Test in progress and the Estimated Time Remaining.When the test completes, one of the messages and suggested actions from the following table displays:
Status Message Suggested action OK The battery is functioning properly The battery does not need calibration. Read the remainder of the message for more information. Calibrate The battery is functioning correctly, but it needs to be calibrated. Read and respond to the message that appears. If the option to use the HP battery auto calibration feature displays, this is preferred. Otherwise, click Learn How to Calibrate your Battery for the steps to calibrate your battery. NOTE:Battery calibration might take several hours to complete and is best performed during long periods when the computer is not in use.Weak
or
Very WeakThe battery is functioning correctly, but due to normal aging of the battery, the battery life between charges is now significantly shorter than when it was new. The battery should be replaced to get the most working time out of your battery. If your computer is within its warranty period, you can Contact HP (in English) to verify if your battery is covered under the warranty. Replace The battery is reporting a failure and needs to be replaced as soon as possible. Replace the battery. If your computer is within its warranty period, you can Contact HP (in English) to verify if your battery is covered. No Battery A battery is not detected. A battery is not installed or detected in the battery compartment. If a battery is installed, remove the battery and inspect the pins to see if there is dirt or other foreign matter blocking the connection. Fully insert a battery into the compartment if a battery was not inserted and you want to test the battery in that compartment. Unknown HP Battery Check was unable to access the battery. Remove and reinsert the battery. You might need to download and install all the updates from HP Support Assistant.
Testing and calibrating the battery using HP Support Assistant
HP Battery Check is a utility in HP Support Assistant that provides a simple but accurate test of the battery.
To use the HP Support Assistant to check and calibrate the battery, follow the instructions in this section:
- Click Start
, type HP Support Assistant
in the Search
field, and select HP Support Assistant
from the list. - On the HP Support Assistant window, click Troubleshoot , and then click Power, Thermal, and Mechanical .
- If the battery check option appears, go to step 4. If it is not available, perform the following steps:
- Start HP Support Assistant, click Maintain , and then click Refresh to activate the maintenance tools.
- When Refresh is complete, exit HP Support Assistant.
- Restart HP Support Assistant and run Battery Check.
- Click Battery Check to examine your battery and display the results of your battery status check.
HP Battery Check results
The results of the battery status check, and the suggested actions, are listed below.
NOTE:Make sure the AC adaptor is connected and let the battery charge while the computer is turned on for at least 30 minutes before testing it to see valid results.
The battery is functioning correctly but needs to be calibrated.
Read and respond to the message that appears. If the preferred option, the HP battery auto calibration feature, displays then use it. Otherwise, click the option to learn how to calibrate your battery.
NOTE:Battery calibration might take several hours to complete and is best performed during long periods of time when the computer is not in use.
The battery is reporting a failure.
Replace the battery as soon as possible. You can purchase a battery at
Shop HP
.
NOTE:If a Failure ID is not shown (as the image below), the battery has been depleted through usage and is not covered in or out of warranty.
The battery is reporting a failure and needs to be replaced.
If a 24-character failure ID is displayed, you need to replace the battery.
You can
Contact HP
to verify if your battery is covered.
The battery is reporting a failure and needs to be replaced. The battery is out of warranty.
If a Warranty ID REOOW is displayed, the battery needs to be replaced. A replacement battery may be purchased by clicking the option under the failure ID. You may also purchase a new battery by clicking,
Shop HP
or from an HP Authorized Service Provider.
NOTE:If your product is within the warranty period (according to the store receipt),
Contact HP
(in English) to verify your warranty coverage.
The battery is reporting a failure and needs to be replaced.
Further investigation is required to determine the warranty status of the battery. Please contact
Shop HP
, or an HP Authorized Service Provider to request a replacement battery.
The battery is functioning correctly, but due to normal aging of the battery, the battery life between charges is now significantly shorter then when it was new.
The battery should be replaced to get the most working time out of your battery. If your computer is within its warranty period, you can
Contact HP
(in English) to verify if your battery is covered under the warranty.
A battery is not detected.
If there is a battery installed, remove the battery and inspect the pins to see if there is dirt of other foreign matter blocking the connection. Fully insert a battery into the compartment if a battery was not inserted and you want to test the battery in that compartment.
HP Battery Check was unable to access the battery.
Remove and reinsert the battery. You might need to download and install all the updates from HP Support Assistant.
Calibrating the battery manually
Manually calibrating the battery requires four steps: fully charge the battery, discharge or drain the battery, recharge the battery, and then run the battery test. This calibrates the battery so the battery gauge accurately displays the level of charge.
NOTE:When possible, use HP System Diagnostics (described above) to test the battery and get calibration instructions. The following instructions are for a manual method that works with most battery types.
Step 1: Charge the battery
- Plug in the power cord.
- Charge the battery to a full charge.
- When the battery is fully charged, proceed.
Step 2: Discharge the battery
- Disconnect the power cord.
- Shutdown the computer.
- Press the power button to start the computer.
- Press the Esc key when the HP or Compaq logo screen appears. You might have to try this more than once to see the Startup menu. If Windows opens, shut down the computer and start again.
- Press F2 to select F2 System Diagnostics in the Startup Menu .
- Click Hard Disk Test .
- Leave the computer on and allow the battery to fully discharge while doing the Hard Disk Test.NOTE:You are doing the Hard Disk Test only to drain or discharge the battery, not to get the results of the test. The battery discharges and the computer turns off before the test results display.
Step 3: Recharge the battery
- Plug in the power cord to charge the battery.
- Charge the battery to a full charge, 99%-100%.
- Check the battery charge. Turn on the computer and start Windows normally. Mouse over the battery icon in the system tray.NOTE:The battery continues to charge with the computer on or off.
- After reaching a full charge, keep the computer attached to the power cord for (at least) 2.5 hours.NOTE: If you plug in your power cord and immediately run the HP Battery Check, you might get a false failure showing the battery is bad. If the battery is in a low charge state (at less than 3%) you might also get a false reading.
Step 4: Run the battery test
- Ensure that the power cord is plugged in.
- Press the power button to start the computer.
- Press Esc on the keyboard when the HP or Compaq logo screen appears.
- Press F2 to select F2 System Diagnostics in the startup menu.
- Click Battery Test .
- Click Start Battery Test on the Battery Test page.The Battery Test page shows Test in progress and displays the Estimated Time Remaining.The results of the battery test display on the Battery Test page. If the battery is calibrated, the Battery Test reports PASSED .If the battery status is “Calibrate”, run the battery test again. If the battery does not calibrate a second time it might need to be replaced. Purchase a new battery by contacting Shop HP .
