Lenovo ThinkPad X390 won’t boot while plugged in

[Matej]

Hello. I’m using Lenovo ThinkPad X390 Yoga (model type: 20NN002NMC). I have been using dual boot of the preinstalled Windows 10 x64 and Linux. I have tried the latest versions of Ubuntu and Debian. About 6 weeks ago, after updating the BIOS to N2LET76W 1.75 (https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/n2lur14w.txt) and the Intel Management Engine Firmware (12.0.67.1579), an issue arose.
When I boot to Ubuntu 20.04.1 (kernel 5.4.0-42-generic) using the Grub bootloader with active Secure Boot (fully supported), and then I turn the notebook off or restart it in Ubuntu, it won’t turn back on – it won’t POST, the screen is black, etc. After that time, I need to unplug the notebook from the power adapter, or remove it from the dock, and it will boot on battery. But it won’t boot while plugged in until it boots into Windows and is turned off/restart from it. After booting to Windows, it works fine while plugged in, until it is turned off in Ubuntu again. I have tried install recommend drivers and software..
It looks like a BIOS/Firmware error related to power management. I’m using the latest BIOS/Firmware updated via the official Lenovo software – Lenovo Vantage (bios version 1.76). Notebook was sent to Lenovo for repairs, the motherboard was replaced, yet the problem persists – hence thinking it’s BIOS/Firmware related.
Lenovo claims it’s Linux’s issue, even though the list it as officially supported (https://support.lenovo.com/sk/en/solutions/pd031426) and there refer me to the community. Lenovo stuff inform me too, that this issue may be related to requirements Windows 10 v2004.
Many thanks for your help.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 20.04
Package: linux-image-5.4.0-42-generic 5.4.0-42.46
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.4.0-42.46-generic 5.4.44
Uname: Linux 5.4.0-42-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.4
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: mato 1576 F.... pulseaudio
CasperMD5CheckResult: skip
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Wed Aug 5 11:36:45 2020
InstallationDate: Installed on 2020-08-02 (2 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS "Focal Fossa" - Release amd64 (20200423)
MachineType: LENOVO 20NN002NMC
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm-256color
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
 LANG=sk_SK.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcFB: 0 i915drmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-5.4.0-42-generic root=UUID=ca486d67-1377-47fb-93c3-cfb279657f9d ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-5.4.0-42-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-5.4.0-42-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.187.2
SourcePackage: linux
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 06/16/2020
dmi.bios.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.bios.version: N2LET76W (1.76 )
dmi.board.asset.tag: Not Available
dmi.board.name: 20NN002NMC
dmi.board.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.board.version: 0B98417 WIN
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Information
dmi.chassis.type: 31
dmi.chassis.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.chassis.version: None
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnLENOVO:bvrN2LET76W(1.76):bd06/16/2020:svnLENOVO:pn20NN002NMC:pvrThinkPadX390Yoga:rvnLENOVO:rn20NN002NMC:rvr0B98417WIN:cvnLENOVO:ct31:cvrNone:
dmi.product.family: ThinkPad X390 Yoga
dmi.product.name: 20NN002NMC
dmi.product.sku: LENOVO_MT_20NN_BU_Think_FM_ThinkPad X390 Yoga
dmi.product.version: ThinkPad X390 Yoga
dmi.sys.vendor: LENOVO

[Ubuntu Kernel Bot (ubuntu-kernel-bot)]

This change was made by a bot.

[AaronMa (mapengyu)]

It could not post BIOS logo on docking, right?

Could you try if Window block it from booting?
1, Power off laptop, and cold boot to Ubuntu;
2, plugin dock;;
3, Reboot from Ubuntu.

To check if it can boot BIOS.

[Matej (mato-z)]

If it plugged in, it does not display nothing (Lenovo logo, POST test etc), when I unplug the notebook from the power adapter, or remove it from the dock during starting process boot continue normal.
I Have checked it, but it can not boot BIOS until unplugged.

[AaronMa (mapengyu)]

Oh, I see.
It can not reboot from Ubuntu with plugin dock.

It probably because of the dock devices, what kind of dock?

Can it boot with power adapter only after power off from Ubuntu?

[Matej (mato-z)]

Not only dock I have the same problem with the power adapter too.

[Matej (mato-z)]

I have the same problem when I plugged my notebook only with original power adapter. So it will be probably issue between bios/firmware-kernel.

[AaronMa (mapengyu)]

Could you try set "optimized" = "enable" or "disable", then load default setting?

Meantime I will try find one to reproduce.

[AaronMa (mapengyu)]

https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/sk/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/thinkpad-x-series-laptops/thinkpad-x390-yoga/downloads/DS539544

There is a update of n2lul15w, please try it.

[AaronMa (mapengyu)]

The changelog contains several fix for hang at BIOS post:

- (Fix) Fixed an issue where system might hang at POST when attach USB C to DisplayPort
        Adapter cable.
- (Fix) Fixed an issue where WWAN device firmware update process might fail when
        Thunderbolt BIOS Assist Mode is set to Enabled.
- (Fix) Fixed an issue where system might hang at POST when USB Type-C Dock Gen2 is attached.
- (Fix) Fixed an issue where Accelerometer initialization might fail.
- (Fix) Fixed an issue where warning message might display at POST when TPM is disabled.

[Matej (mato-z)]

Thanks for your help. But I have installed Bios N2LET76W 1.76 (you can see it in bug description too) and I have the same problem. :-(

[Bin Li (binli)]

The BIOS of X390-yoga in my hand is N2LET26W (1.07), it couldn't upgrade directly.

$ sudo fwupdmgr update
No upgrades for X390-YOGA Thunderbolt Controller, current is 20.00: 20.00=same, 20.00=same
No releases found for device: Not compatible with firmware version 0.1.7, requires >= 0.1.64

[Matej (mato-z)]

Please upgrade to the latest version of bios N2LET76W 1.76 https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/sk/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/thinkpad-x-series-laptops/thinkpad-x390-yoga/downloads/DS539544 directly, you can use BIOS Update Utility for Linux (n2lul15w.zip) from this page or via Lenovo Vantage (Windows 10).

[Alex Delifer (alexdelifer)]

I came across this bug looking for a solution.

I can reproduce on 1.75 and now 1.76, W variant of the BIOS on my X390 Yoga i5 no vpro.

When you shutdown/reboot the laptop, everything shuts down like normal, but my FnLock and Mute keys stay lit and the screen is black no backlight. The computer wont power back on unless I disconnect any USB-C power sources then Ctrl-Alt-Delete or hold the power button down until it resets.

USB-C video/network dongles don't seem to affect it, nor does thunderbolt. Only power adapters cause it to hang. I tried both USB-C ports with my power adapter and they both do it.

I experience this on any Linux distro I try. From kernels 5.4 to 5.8, haven't tried further back.

For me the 1.76 release wasn't showing up in fwupdmgr so I manually installed it.

Simply download n2lul15w.zip from https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/sk/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/thinkpad-x-series-laptops/thinkpad-x390-yoga/downloads/DS539544 and unzip it.

Install the W variant with

$ sudo fwupdmgr install ./N2LET76W.cab

or the P variant (absolute persistence module must be disabled in the BIOS)

Install the W variant with

$ sudo fwupdmgr install ./N2LET76P.cab

The P or W is if you want the Absolute Persistence module to be force disabled (P).

[Matej (mato-z)]

Alex Delifer many thanks for your verification and confirmation this bug. I hope that fix will be release in short time.

[Alex Delifer (alexdelifer)]

I've downgraded to firmware 1.73 through the Gnome Firmware application.
The issue is not present on this version and I can reboot like a normal person. I suppose I can figure out if it's 1.74 or 1.75 that breaks it.

Not really sure where to report this, I don't think it's Ubuntu specific, I use Arch and only tried Ubuntu to see if the issue exists here, it doesn't seem to exist on Windows 10, or at least I didn't notice while I was running that earlier this month.

Maybe we should report here?
https://github.com/fwupd/firmware-lenovo-thinkpad

To be safe, I've been factory resetting the bios when flashing just in case something weird gets brought over.

[Matej (mato-z)]

I suppose that 1.75 breaks it. I have the same problem on Debian 10 Buster with kernel 4.19.0-10-amd64 too. So I also don't think it's Ubuntu specific... I have tried report it here, on kernel.org https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=208783 and on bugs.debian.org https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=967934...
I think that report it on https://github.com/fwupd/firmware-lenovo-thinkpad is good idea please try to report it there.

[AaronMa (mapengyu)]

Got feedback, it will be fixed by new EC.
Please wait for the new update.

[Matej (mato-z)]

AaronMa thank you for info. But what do you mean with "EC" please? And feedback from who?

[Matej (mato-z)]

Lenovo has released the new version of bios for Lenovo ThinkPad X390 - 1.78 https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/n2lul16w.txt but unfortunately this problem still persist. Do you have information about any progress please? :-(

[Matej (mato-z)]

It seems fixed in bios version 1.79 https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/n2lul17w.txt "Fix an issue where Linux system cannot restart or power on after system shutdown when AC adapter is attached." Many thanks for your help.