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Installation Guide - TLP Configuration for ThinkPad E14 Gen 6

Step-by-step guide to install and configure TLP for optimal power management.

📋 Prerequisites

Required Hardware

  • ✅ Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6 (Intel)
  • ✅ Intel Core Ultra 5 125U (or similar Core Ultra Series 1)

Required Software

# Arch Linux / Manjaro
sudo pacman -S tlp

# Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt install tlp

# Fedora
sudo dnf install tlp

# Optional but recommended
sudo pacman -S powertop intel-gpu-tools  # Arch

🚀 Quick Installation

Method 1: Automated Installation (Recommended)

# 1. Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/Fennek115/tlp-thinkpad-e14-gen6.git
cd tlp-thinkpad-e14-gen6

# 2. Create backup of existing configuration
sudo cp /etc/tlp.conf /etc/tlp.conf.backup
sudo mkdir -p ~/tlp-backup-$(date +%Y%m%d)
sudo cp -r /etc/tlp.d ~/tlp-backup-$(date +%Y%m%d)/ 2>/dev/null || true

# 3. Run installation script
sudo ./install.sh

# 4. Verify installation
sudo tlp-stat -s

Method 2: Manual Installation

# 1. Download .conf files from GitHub

# 2. Create configuration directory if it doesn't exist
sudo mkdir -p /etc/tlp.d

# 3. Copy each file manually
sudo cp 10-ac-performance.conf /etc/tlp.d/
sudo cp 20-battery-saver.conf /etc/tlp.d/
sudo cp 30-ultra-powersave.conf /etc/tlp.d/
sudo cp 40-battery-care.conf /etc/tlp.d/

# 4. Apply configuration
sudo tlp start

✅ Post-Installation Verification

1. Verify TLP is Active

sudo tlp-stat -s

Expected output:

tlp = enabled, last run: ...
Power profile = balanced/AC (or low-power/BAT)
Power source = AC (or battery)

2. Verify CPU Configuration

sudo tlp-stat -p | grep -E "(energy_performance|max_perf|no_turbo|hwp_dynamic)"

On AC you should see:

energy_performance_preference = balance_performance [EPP]
max_perf_pct = 100 [%]
no_turbo = 0
hwp_dynamic_boost = 1

On Battery you should see:

energy_performance_preference = power [EPP]
max_perf_pct = 80 [%]
no_turbo = 1
hwp_dynamic_boost = 0

3. Verify NMI Watchdog

cat /proc/sys/kernel/nmi_watchdog

Should show: 0

4. Verify Battery Thresholds

sudo tlp-stat -b | grep threshold

Expected output:

charge_control_start_threshold = 75 [%]
charge_control_end_threshold = 80 [%]

🔧 Additional Configuration

Disable Conflicting Services

TLP may conflict with other power management services:

# Check if they're active
systemctl status power-profiles-daemon
systemctl status laptop-mode-tools

# If active, disable them
sudo systemctl stop power-profiles-daemon
sudo systemctl mask power-profiles-daemon

Load ThinkPad ACPI Module

For battery thresholds to work:

# Check if loaded
lsmod | grep thinkpad_acpi

# If not loaded
sudo modprobe thinkpad_acpi

# To load automatically on boot
echo "thinkpad_acpi" | sudo tee /etc/modules-load.d/thinkpad.conf

🎯 First Use

Test Automatic Mode Switching

  1. With charger connected:

    sudo tlp-stat -p | grep energy_performance
# Should show: balance_performance

  2. Disconnect charger:

    # Wait 2-3 seconds
sudo tlp-stat -p | grep energy_performance
# Should show: power

  3. Reconnect charger:

    # Wait 2-3 seconds
sudo tlp-stat -p | grep energy_performance
# Should show: balance_performance

If this works, everything is perfect! ✅

Test Ultra Power-Saver Mode

# Activate power-saver mode
sudo tlp power-saver

# Verify
sudo tlp-stat -p | grep max_perf
# Should show: max_perf_pct = 50 [%]

# Return to automatic mode
sudo tlp start

Test Battery Threshold Bypass

# Force full charge to 100% (temporarily ignores thresholds)
sudo tlp fullcharge BAT0

# Check it's charging
sudo tlp-stat -b | grep "State"
# Should show: Charging

# After reaching 100%, thresholds automatically restore

🐛 Troubleshooting

Problem: TLP won't start or shows errors

Solution 1: Check conflicts

systemctl status power-profiles-daemon
sudo systemctl mask power-profiles-daemon

Solution 2: Review logs

journalctl -u tlp.service -b

Solution 3: Verify file syntax

sudo tlp-stat -c

Problem: Battery thresholds don't work

Solution:

# Verify module is loaded
lsmod | grep thinkpad_acpi

# If not, load it
sudo modprobe thinkpad_acpi

# Check support
sudo tlp-stat -b | grep "supported"

Problem: High power consumption

Diagnosis:

# See what's consuming power
sudo powertop

# Verify active configuration
sudo tlp-stat -c

# View CPU
sudo tlp-stat -p | head -20

Possible causes:

  1. Background applications
  2. Screen brightness too high
  3. Configuration not applied correctly

📊 Monitoring

Recommended Tools

# Powertop - real-time power consumption
sudo powertop

# TLP Stats - TLP statistics
sudo tlp-stat -s  # general status
sudo tlp-stat -p  # CPU
sudo tlp-stat -b  # battery
sudo tlp-stat -d  # disks

# intel_gpu_top - monitor GPU
sudo intel_gpu_top

# htop/btop - processes
htop

🔄 Updates

If you update configuration from GitHub:

# Go to repo directory
cd tlp-thinkpad-e14-gen6

# Backup current configuration
sudo cp -r /etc/tlp.d ~/tlp-backup-$(date +%Y%m%d)

# Pull changes
git pull

# Copy new files
sudo cp tlp.d/*.conf /etc/tlp.d/

# Apply
sudo tlp start

🗑️ Uninstallation

To revert to original configuration:

# Restore from backup
sudo cp ~/tlp-backup-DATE/tlp.conf /etc/tlp.conf
sudo cp -r ~/tlp-backup-DATE/tlp.d /etc/

# Or delete custom files
sudo rm /etc/tlp.d/10-ac-performance.conf
sudo rm /etc/tlp.d/20-battery-saver.conf
sudo rm /etc/tlp.d/30-ultra-powersave.conf
sudo rm /etc/tlp.d/40-battery-care.conf

# Apply defaults
sudo tlp start

✅ Installation Checklist

  • TLP installed
  • Backup of original configuration created
  • .conf files copied to /etc/tlp.d/
  • power-profiles-daemon disabled
  • TLP enabled and started
  • Configuration applied
  • Successful AC verification
  • Successful BAT verification (disconnect charger)
  • NMI watchdog = 0
  • Battery thresholds configured
  • Ultra power-saver mode tested
  • Power consumption monitored with powertop

📞 Support

If you have problems:

  1. Check Troubleshooting section
  2. Review Command Cheatsheet
  3. Consult official TLP documentation
  4. Open an issue on GitHub with:
    • Output of sudo tlp-stat -s
    • Output of sudo tlp-stat -p
    • Problem description

Last updated: 2026-02-16