It's a burning phone

[Captain_Morgan]

I am getting the slow blinking light when trying to charge sometimes and the phone is hot. I noticed what sometimes helps is not only killing unused processes but clearing the memory swap for that program (If this is what usage app does).

This should almost be a automatic function since charging the phone should take priority over all other processes and apps). Maybe with priority:

1. phone too hot while charging,
2. send that suspend signal to all running processes, except maybe the clock and any timers,
3. if process does not suspend kill it,
4. for killed process clean swap,
5. dim screen,
6. if bluetooth is on turn off,
7. if wifi is on turn off (keep alive mobile connection if that was on),
8. exceptions to the above rules for processes related to streaming video or audio over wifi, bluetooth, usb, lan,
9. set all networks connected to metered connection,
10. set wifi if still connected to power save mode, is there such a thing for bluetooth?
11. finally limit any remaining running processes to 5% CPU.

etc

[carlosgonz]

Well the Librem 5 it is a Hot and Cold phone by design(first in world) because the all terrain Freescale CPU it get hot a lot because the powerful cpu, but at the same time the dedicated-monitor-and-frame-plus-paste get cold the phone fast. Of course the L5 can be more cooler when the free-software got more optimized and adapted.
So if the red light it blink for temperature the phone will get cold by waiting time.
Like’s
Hot to Convergence Mode = Docked
Cold to Personal Mode = Undocked
Most mobile device is designed to block the temp to outside by using a dedicated and closed unlinux cpu plus materials also including the pinephones slightly.
L5 is diferent.

[carlosgonz]

The fake 85C bug seems gone on linux-5.16.18.

[williamtries]

On the same topic of a burning phone, I disassembled my Librem 5 to fix something else but did not replace the thermal paste on the CPU. It was hot before, but since the reassemble the metal ring around the side of the phone is burning. I suspect I should attempt another tear down and replace the thermal paste with some top tier paste. Has anyone done this, and if so, was it worthwhile? Thanks!

[OpojOJirYAlG]

Ive not done this, however I would point out that thermal paste will improve heat transfer from the chip to the heat sink, it should have no meaningful impact on the heat transfer away from the metal ring out to the environment. I would suspect the heat transfer to said ring from the cpu is working fine as it is getting so hot and rather you desire a way to improve airflow over the phone itself.

[williamtries]

This makes sense. The heat I’m feeling is proof that the thermal paste is working. In the end, I found that the heat is tolerable when I’m running on battery or the battery is at full charge. I avoid using the phone while it is charging. That is when it gets hottest. Thanks again!

[Quarnero]

@williamtries

The heat I’m feeling is proof that the thermal paste is working.

Another hot summer day is coming, but @williamtries you forgot to mention status of: WiFi/BT card, as related:

@linmob

Remember to switch off WiFi/BT when you’re not requiring it.

And it is way less about thermal paste (important factor but not the main/critical one within/related to the Librem 5), IMHO. It is about power supply (source) used over there as/while when the Librem 5 reaches 5.00V it stops charging its battery! Yes I still need some time to be 100% sure, but when the BPP-L503 under 50% of its rated capacity (4.20V related one) Librem 5 uses/recharges internally its battery with 4.75V (or to be precise compliant power supply or powerbank in usage outputs 4.75V, as I might show within another post of mine). Actually I’ve noticed this for many months ago but I was unjustly disregarding (ignoring) that fact (therefore this post of mine relatively late in time ):

With the WiFi/BT HKS off:

Also and if someone is wondering at all on why used tester is showing UNKNOWN code/protocol (when WiFi card out of the related circuit) it is because BPP-L503 battery is out of the charging loop (just my guess, as of now) and Librem 5 runs purely from the attached powerbank. For those living within or not far away from Italy, like @fiacco, it is available from here: https://www.sbsmobile.com/ita/en/fast-charge/620-pocket-power-bank-8000-mah-lcd-8018417262241.html.

Yet I do not mind or recommend directly to take here presented 8000mAh one as it takes way too many hours to be recharged over its micro USB (input) port. Please consider newer generation ones, as much better choice (with upgraded but still compliant quality that your Librem 5 is desperately looking for): https://www.sbsmobile.com/ita/en/fast-charge/1662-fast-charge-powerbank-10000-mah-2-usbs-8018417293931.html.

As sbsmobile shows us here: https://www.sbsmobile.com/ita/198250-thickbox_default/fast-charge-powerbank-20000-mah-2-usbs.jpg. 20000mAh one with the USB 1A port integrated (+ USB-C input) is available for purchase as well, car chargers … (might buy one to proof that, but I do not plan to do this any time soon).

RELATED NOTE: Preferably/only use, please, with Librem 5, USB-A output port in black (not the blue one) that is “marked” with 5V/1A. As I unofficially observed from my side USB 1A output provides current of 4.75V/1.45A throughout/when BPP-L503 under 50%.

NOTE II: With the WiFi HKS off (meaning WiFi connected and in use) Librem 5 consumes more power when its screen off, as shown (in order to be compered with the initial, very first picture attached here containing word UNKNOWN).

P.S. If someone wandering on why I wrote this post it is to proof that there are no heating issues in excess, whatsoever, if we are not (of course not) technically making Librem 5 “life” (when on) poor/misery! For example (as tip): recharge your Librem 5 battery when its capacity percentage around 40%−50%. Furthermore, someone might even leave it connected if 100% compliant power supply, like the Anker PowerPort Atom PD 2 − A2029, used after red LED light off (as this puts BPP-L503 battery out of power supply circuit, after 4.20V reached, please take a look at sensors command output, as attached above, I think as no “tricks” over original PureOS installation applied, and therefore cannot overcharge it). Use only quality charging cables (even if there is no queue for the 24AWG/2C ones any more), adjust “things” toward Librem 5 usage, not against it (or buy right away another smartphone ). And not to forget, I like my Librem 5 too (even more than yours)! Thanks Purism!

[bschubs]

I did not receive my librem5 yet, so I can not test or adjust them to the librem5 and the used screensaver on the librem5.

But on my desktop computer I had a similar problem: my wife always uses firefox to watch a cpu consuming weather page (with much advertising). I asked her to stop this when she leaves the computer, but she often forgets it. And while I have many other kvms running on this computer for example vdr for tv, calibre for epub, asterisk for phone, the firefox process of my wife eats all the cpu. So I have written a script that solves the problem:

in my wifes .config/lxsession/LXDE/autostart I have added the line:

@/usr/local/bin/my-xscreensaver-watch &

And /usr/local/bin/my-xscreensaver-watch basically looks like:

xscreensaver-command -watch | while read input; do
  case "$input" in
     UNBLANK*)
        ( set -x
          pgrep -U $USER firefox | xargs -r kill -cont
          set +x
        ) >>/tmp/log.$USER 2>&1
        ;;
      LOCK*) 
        ( set -x
          pgrep -U $USER firefox | xargs -r kill -stop
          set +x
        ) >>/tmp/log.$USER 2>&1
        ;;
      esac

Maybe this can be adjusted and be useful on the librem5.

[veleno]

So is it ok although it’s discomfort in my hand?
It’s really burning!
Nothing dangerous that could damage my beloved L5?

Thank you

[FranklyFlawless]

It should be okay, but I suggest turning the Librem 5 off for a period of time until it is cool to the touch, then you can comfortably operate it again.

[dos]

Is this with an external screen connected? I’d recommend having some kind of airflow around the phone when docked, even a tiny USB fan nearby helps tremendously. It will still work fine without it, but judging from your screen you’re already within thermal throttling territory so things may get slower at this point.

If it’s not docked, then it’s quite hot for a normal usage. Unless you’ve been compiling things for extended periods of time or kept the phone under warm blanket I’d look whether there’s some rogue process keeping the CPU busy all the time in the background.

[amarok]

Could @veleno 's bumper/case be preventing the heat from escaping through the frame?

[dos]

Oh yeah, I’d definitely not use a bumper case when the phone’s docked. It’s exactly the opposite of what I was suggesting above with the fan

[veleno]

No screen connection, just L5! Thank you for suggestion: if it happens again, I’ll check which process cause it and I’ll post screenshot/pic here!
Thank you

[veleno]

ok! found that system process is locked on 100% and RAM and Swap 99,9%
L5 hot and unresponsive (I tried to open terminal and digit: sudo kill -9 (system pid)) to see what would happened but L5 totally unresponsive! I had to switch off it forcing pressing power button.
Hope this can help you to understand the problem!
Thank you, Dos

[lllibrem5]

Concur. The same problem. it does take over 4h to charge that device. it cools down after it’s charged. It looses charge rapidly does not last 4h much. Is that normal for a phone? librem5
I was wondering why that was laying in box, husband was exited. and then not. Well… I’m trying to be polite to developers here but I’m really perplexed how was this product release to market in such a state.

[dos]

In my experience, the phone takes about 4h to charge and lasts on battery about 4-6h when under constant active usage, 12h when idle and 20h when suspended (with the modem active, under reasonable signal coverage). “It looses charge rapidly does not last 4h much” does not sound normal.

[lllibrem5]

This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.

[Captain_Morgan]

i have noticed similar behaviour when memory runs out phone gets hot anecdotally, i added another swapfile, only disadvantage is that phone UI is less responsive as more and more swap is filled, ideally it should prioritize OS UI, network, and currently interacted with app processes on internal memory and move the rest to swap, i have a feeling it does not make any distinctions

[veleno]

I hope Purism will fix it in crimson (hope to see this upgrade before I become old and die, so before 40sh years )