.
It may have been looking for a -dV/dt signal for NiMH and then hit an safety voltage trigger after not detecting that. I wouldn’t mess with them (dead Li-ions) too much or worry about it honestly. If you charge healthy cells of supported chemistry, the charger will likely work just fine 
thats likely the max for ni cells.
if you restart it will assume they are li and treat them accordingly.
i have very slowly charged low cells like yours and gotten a few very good ones but most will be junk.
slow as in 50ma to 3.5v then charge as usual.
tp4056 with rprog changed to around 15k.
Use a block of Sal Ammoniac with a hot iron to clean the tip for re-tinning.