Kobo Forma: Battery drain and always shows as being charged

Mr. Nietzsche · 01-08-2023, 07:20 AM

Hi,

maybe some of you already experienced that problem and have a solution: Since a couple of days my Kobo Forma's battery icon shows the device as being charged via USB all the time. Sometimes also the white LED in the power button is lighting up permanently. At the same time the battery drains over night to totally empty if I don't keep it connected to a charger. The problem keeps persisting even after several factory resets.

I would be grateful for any advice what could be causing this.

Thanks!

enuddleyarbl · 01-08-2023, 09:08 AM

I've been talking about the sudden battery drain in the latest firmware thread:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...350800&page=13
But, that's just sudden drain. My icons are, theoretically, working fine. But, I assume this is related.

Mr. Nietzsche · 01-08-2023, 09:20 AM

Oh, thanks for the headsup. I too am using the 4.35 firmware even though the upgrade happenend. Any idea which firmware version is deemed to be not affected by this problem? Because then I would consider a downgrade.

enuddleyarbl · 01-08-2023, 09:24 AM

I had no battery issues with any prior firmware. So, I'd supposed .34 would work fine. I'm contemplating reverting as well, but I've got to figure out how to stop it from re-auto-updating.

Mr. Nietzsche · 01-08-2023, 10:47 AM

Downgraded to .34 and now watching out for the battery issue. My hopes are not high, since the battery dropped from 41 to 22 % in the last half hour.

Other weird stuff:
* The battery icon still indicates that the reader is getting charged all the time, even though if is not connected to anything.
* I am not able to get Kobo sync working with my Calibre Web instance anymore.
* Searching for new firmware updates yields no results, as if the reader is on the most recent firmware version.

enuddleyarbl · 01-08-2023, 12:30 PM

I'm trying 4.34 as well. If it doesn't help, I'll try a full, manual factory reset:

https://help.kobo.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017765853

You might have to try that as well. But, wait for someone smarter than me to confirm this.

Aleron Ives · 01-08-2023, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enuddleyarbl

I'm contemplating reverting as well, but I've got to figure out how to stop it from re-auto-updating.

There is a firmware patch that allows you to decline updates. Without the patch, you can never use Wi-Fi again (unless you want to block the update URL in your router).

milady133 · 01-09-2023, 10:32 AM

However, there must be something more apart from the firmware to create this problem, I'm not seeing it and I also have a Forma on 4.35 firmware version. I've noticed some days ago (a week or two) that the light on the screen wasn't shutting down when the e-reader went to sleep, but after a day or two with that problem, it solve itself 🤷*♀️

Mr. Nietzsche · 01-09-2023, 10:33 AM

Battery again was totally emptied after fully charging it and leaving it for the night without using it.

enuddleyarbl · 01-09-2023, 10:39 AM

That was with 4.34? Drat. Doesn't bode well for my foray back to 4.34. I suppose you could try a full, manual factory reset. But, you'll have to set everything back up and re-sideload all your books.

How old is your Forma?

Mr. Nietzsche · 01-10-2023, 07:12 AM

More weird stuff is happening.

So I did the battery drain test, the result of which I reported back yesterday. Afterwards I was not able to recharge the device. No matter what I did - connected to several power supplies or not - it just would turn of immediately. I had a similar issue a couple of days before but it resolved itself overnight when I had the Forma connected to a powerbank. This wouldn't work this time. Also the "It is shows to be charged all the time" icon changed to the opposite: Now it won't get charged, no matter what I do.

Tried to charge it since yesterday without any success. Today I opened my Forma and hooked its battery terminals directly up to my lab bench power supply. The device now would boot fine and show a full battery. That was expected. Unexpected was though that after disconnecting the power supply - lo and behold - it still kept showing a full battery. I was able to reboot it and it still showed a full charge.

I did the full manual reset. Right now the battery discharge seems to be somewhere in between normal and a little on the higher side. Still have to verify that. But I cannot recharge the Forma using the USB connector anymore. Also the device is not recognized anymore when I hook it up to my PC. I got the 5 Volts from the USB connector on the PCB though. By now I am pretty frustrated by this thing.

I bought the Forma in mid of 2019. And I probably already would have upgraded would there be a worthy successor that I could buy without compromises, since my Forma had to dead lines of Pixels since half a year. But unfortunately the Sage is pretty much a sidegrade compared to the Forma while having worse battery life and a considerably higher weight. Also I am reluctant to again spend 300 bucks for a reader that maybe again barely survives 3 years unscaved. The Libra 2 has a very pleasant price point but lacks that one inch of screen real estate which I guess I would miss when reading PDF magazines. And the Elipsa is probably a little to big and heavy. So no real easy upgrade option. I actually only want a Forma with USB-C and maybe a bigger battery

enuddleyarbl · 01-10-2023, 10:19 AM

I'm no help here, but I just wanted to say I pretty much agree with your last paragraph, above. In case I do have to replace my 1-1/2 year old Forma, I'd probably have to go with a Sage. But, I've been looking around and the Boox Leaf 2 looks interesting:

https://youtu.be/sCTDcmUfpfI

BTW: How did you open your Forma? Is there a video somewhere? Does its waterproofing survive? Could you upload or link to a photo showing the innards (and especially the battery)?

DNSB · 01-10-2023, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enuddleyarbl

BTW: How did you open your Forma? Is there a video somewhere? Does its waterproofing survive? Could you upload or link to a photo showing the innards (and especially the battery)?

The Forma opens like most other Kobo ereaders using a tool to release the plastic clips (I tend to use a guitar pick). The waterproofing is from a HZO coating on the electronics so will survive the opening unless you scrape it off. For images of the innards, you could check the FCC report for the Kobo N782 and check the internal photos entries.

Edit: downloaded and added the 2 PDF files of the photos to this message.

Burblebup · 01-11-2023, 01:49 AM

[QUOTE=But unfortunately the Sage is pretty much a sidegrade compared to the Forma while having worse battery life and a considerably higher weight. Also I am reluctant to again spend 300 bucks for a reader that maybe again barely survives 3 years unscaved. The Libra 2 has a very pleasant price point but lacks that one inch of screen real estate which I guess I would miss when reading PDF magazines. And the Elipsa is probably a little to big and heavy. So no real easy upgrade option. I actually only want a Forma with USB-C and maybe a bigger battery

[/QUOTE]

I think you should go for the Sage. While the battery could be a lot better, I probably get a couple of weeks on a charge with daily use, and USB-C means it takes next to no time to charge. Even if it's a bit heavier, it's still not that heavy, and it is noticeably faster than the Forma. Screen is nicer, too.

01-08-2023, 07:20 AM	#1
Mr. Nietzsche Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2019 Device: Kobo Forma	Kobo Forma: Battery drain and always shows as being charged Hi, maybe some of you already experienced that problem and have a solution: Since a couple of days my Kobo Forma's battery icon shows the device as being charged via USB all the time. Sometimes also the white LED in the power button is lighting up permanently. At the same time the battery drains over night to totally empty if I don't keep it connected to a charger. The problem keeps persisting even after several factory resets. I would be grateful for any advice what could be causing this. Thanks!

01-08-2023, 12:30 PM	#6
enuddleyarbl Guru Posts: 769 Karma: 1537886 Join Date: Sep 2013 Device: Kobo Forma	I'm trying 4.34 as well. If it doesn't help, I'll try a full, manual factory reset: https://help.kobo.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017765853 You might have to try that as well. But, wait for someone smarter than me to confirm this. Last edited by enuddleyarbl; 01-08-2023 at 12:38 PM.

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01-08-2023, 09:08 AM	#2
enuddleyarbl Guru Posts: 769 Karma: 1537886 Join Date: Sep 2013 Device: Kobo Forma	I've been talking about the sudden battery drain in the latest firmware thread: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...350800&page=13 But, that's just sudden drain. My icons are, theoretically, working fine. But, I assume this is related.

01-08-2023, 09:20 AM	#3
Mr. Nietzsche Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2019 Device: Kobo Forma	Oh, thanks for the headsup. I too am using the 4.35 firmware even though the upgrade happenend. Any idea which firmware version is deemed to be not affected by this problem? Because then I would consider a downgrade.

01-08-2023, 09:24 AM	#4
enuddleyarbl Guru Posts: 769 Karma: 1537886 Join Date: Sep 2013 Device: Kobo Forma	I had no battery issues with any prior firmware. So, I'd supposed .34 would work fine. I'm contemplating reverting as well, but I've got to figure out how to stop it from re-auto-updating.

01-08-2023, 10:47 AM	#5
Mr. Nietzsche Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2019 Device: Kobo Forma	Downgraded to .34 and now watching out for the battery issue. My hopes are not high, since the battery dropped from 41 to 22 % in the last half hour. Other weird stuff: * The battery icon still indicates that the reader is getting charged all the time, even though if is not connected to anything. * I am not able to get Kobo sync working with my Calibre Web instance anymore. * Searching for new firmware updates yields no results, as if the reader is on the most recent firmware version.

01-09-2023, 10:32 AM	#8
milady133 Groupie Posts: 188 Karma: 616200 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Spain Device: Kobo Forma, Hisense A5	However, there must be something more apart from the firmware to create this problem, I'm not seeing it and I also have a Forma on 4.35 firmware version. I've noticed some days ago (a week or two) that the light on the screen wasn't shutting down when the e-reader went to sleep, but after a day or two with that problem, it solve itself 🤷*♀️

01-09-2023, 10:33 AM	#9
Mr. Nietzsche Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2019 Device: Kobo Forma	Battery again was totally emptied after fully charging it and leaving it for the night without using it.

01-09-2023, 10:39 AM	#10
enuddleyarbl Guru Posts: 769 Karma: 1537886 Join Date: Sep 2013 Device: Kobo Forma	That was with 4.34? Drat. Doesn't bode well for my foray back to 4.34. I suppose you could try a full, manual factory reset. But, you'll have to set everything back up and re-sideload all your books. How old is your Forma?

01-10-2023, 07:12 AM	#11
Mr. Nietzsche Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2019 Device: Kobo Forma	More weird stuff is happening. So I did the battery drain test, the result of which I reported back yesterday. Afterwards I was not able to recharge the device. No matter what I did - connected to several power supplies or not - it just would turn of immediately. I had a similar issue a couple of days before but it resolved itself overnight when I had the Forma connected to a powerbank. This wouldn't work this time. Also the "It is shows to be charged all the time" icon changed to the opposite: Now it won't get charged, no matter what I do. Tried to charge it since yesterday without any success. Today I opened my Forma and hooked its battery terminals directly up to my lab bench power supply. The device now would boot fine and show a full battery. That was expected. Unexpected was though that after disconnecting the power supply - lo and behold - it still kept showing a full battery. I was able to reboot it and it still showed a full charge. I did the full manual reset. Right now the battery discharge seems to be somewhere in between normal and a little on the higher side. Still have to verify that. But I cannot recharge the Forma using the USB connector anymore. Also the device is not recognized anymore when I hook it up to my PC. I got the 5 Volts from the USB connector on the PCB though. By now I am pretty frustrated by this thing. I bought the Forma in mid of 2019. And I probably already would have upgraded would there be a worthy successor that I could buy without compromises, since my Forma had to dead lines of Pixels since half a year. But unfortunately the Sage is pretty much a sidegrade compared to the Forma while having worse battery life and a considerably higher weight. Also I am reluctant to again spend 300 bucks for a reader that maybe again barely survives 3 years unscaved. The Libra 2 has a very pleasant price point but lacks that one inch of screen real estate which I guess I would miss when reading PDF magazines. And the Elipsa is probably a little to big and heavy. So no real easy upgrade option. I actually only want a Forma with USB-C and maybe a bigger battery

01-10-2023, 10:19 AM	#12
enuddleyarbl Guru Posts: 769 Karma: 1537886 Join Date: Sep 2013 Device: Kobo Forma	I'm no help here, but I just wanted to say I pretty much agree with your last paragraph, above. In case I do have to replace my 1-1/2 year old Forma, I'd probably have to go with a Sage. But, I've been looking around and the Boox Leaf 2 looks interesting: https://youtu.be/sCTDcmUfpfI BTW: How did you open your Forma? Is there a video somewhere? Does its waterproofing survive? Could you upload or link to a photo showing the innards (and especially the battery)?

01-11-2023, 01:49 AM	#14
Burblebup Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Japan Device: Kobo Sage	[QUOTE=But unfortunately the Sage is pretty much a sidegrade compared to the Forma while having worse battery life and a considerably higher weight. Also I am reluctant to again spend 300 bucks for a reader that maybe again barely survives 3 years unscaved. The Libra 2 has a very pleasant price point but lacks that one inch of screen real estate which I guess I would miss when reading PDF magazines. And the Elipsa is probably a little to big and heavy. So no real easy upgrade option. I actually only want a Forma with USB-C and maybe a bigger battery [/QUOTE] I think you should go for the Sage. While the battery could be a lot better, I probably get a couple of weeks on a charge with daily use, and USB-C means it takes next to no time to charge. Even if it's a bit heavier, it's still not that heavy, and it is noticeably faster than the Forma. Screen is nicer, too.

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