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Tinkerer
Hi all,
Thank you for all the feedback provided on this matter, please keep in mind that the backlight automatically turning off 30 seconds after the last keystroke, is a power saving feature (mostly found in our newer models) as part of our effort to meet Energy Star7.0, Acer is unable to offer a support path to override or modify this feature if your model is not eligible for the following BIOS update:
Model | BIOS v. | Date | Download Link |
Aspire T7000 | 1.25 | 2019/03/20 | |
Aspire A715-72G | 1.25 | 2019/03/20 | |
Predator PH315-51 | 1.25 | 2019/03/20 | |
Aspire A717-72G | 1.25 | 2019/03/20 | |
Nitro AN515-52 | 1.25 | 2019/03/20 | |
Nitro AN515-53 | 1.25 | 2019/03/20 | |
Predator PH317-52 | 1.25 | 2019/03/20 |
Model | BIOS v. | Date | Download Link |
Nitro AN515-42 | 1.13 | 2019/03/08 |
BIOS changes example:
Note: This thread will be now closed and this reply will be marked as the solution.
Best Regards,
Acer-Manny
FAQ & Answers
No, that feature is not available in this model.
Acer Predator PT516-51s Performance Results - UserBenchmark
Tinkerer
I don't want to request a feature, I want just to turn one off basically, namely the clock that is ticking down and then disables the keyboard backlight. How can I disable this, because I have to write long hours and get distracted by this "flickering" keyboard a lot. Also when I start typing I often first hit the wrong key because I can't see the right one.
Unfortunately, the setting to keep the keyboard backlight switched on is not available.
Acer Predator PT516-51s Performance Results - UserBenchmark
Tinkerer
so how to fix it then?
I can't type with this 700€ machine undisturbed. That is a basic task 200€ Chromebooks are able to do. Is a hack available, and if not how can I file a official complaint with all the other unsatisfied customer best? Any tips?
Because there are a lot of people that don't like to search for a lamp every time they write long texts because the keyboard back light needs to be turned off to stop "flickering" disturbingly. That shouldn't be necessary, people are rightfully disappointed on this one.
It's a power saving feature but I understand your frustration with it, you may contact Acer Support centre about it and they may be able to provide a solution.
http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/
Acer Predator PT516-51s Performance Results - UserBenchmark
Tinkerer
the guy from tech on the support line had no solution. I now wrote a mail with my arguments and ask to give it to the decision maker. Worst case I have to give the machine back because they do nothing. Best case they give a programmer some hours to fix this for them. Let's see ...
Acer Predator PT516-51s Performance Results - UserBenchmark
Tinkerer
Tinkerer
Please Acer do the right thing for this laptop as many were on sale recently via Best Buy, and you will have a lot of customers unsatisfied.
Personally, I was chosing between the Aspire 5 and the Zenbook. Aspire 5 was better value option but might switch to Asus because of these issues... 14 days left for return, wonder how many Open Box units BestBuy will have; not a good look Acer.
Cheers!
Tinkerer
The weird thing is, the F8 key looks like it might be a keyboard backlight toggle. (See attached.)
But it doesn't actually toggle anything -- the keyboard backlight still times out after 30 seconds. Any idea what this particular F8 key is supposed to do?
Tinkerer
It's a power saving feature to preserve the battery life for laptops, you can use F8 button to switch off back light when you use the laptop in bright surroundings, you have to press Fn+F8 to switch off/on.
Acer Predator PT516-51s Performance Results - UserBenchmark
I am using Nitro 5 AN515-43, and found a solution for the Keyboard back light.
-> Open NitroSense application (default app for Fan control), if you don't have it please download from the Acer website & install the latest version, if it is supported for your machine.
-> Go to Settings (Click on the gear icon you find on top right corner).
-> You will find Keyboard Setting there, just below that "Backlight off after 30 Seconds" -> just Disable this option and you are good to go.
-> To increase the backlight brightness press Fn + F10
-> To decrease the backlight brightness press Fn + F9
-> You're Welcome :-)
Tinkerer
I had a Thinkpad where Windows 10 interfered with the keyboard lights, turned them on and off according to room brightness, but I can't find that setting on my Acer.