Issues with predator helios 300 (fan buzzing, keyboard enter key, heat and freezing scroll)

Hello
I am having quite a few issues with my Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52 bought about 2 weeks ago.
The cpu fan makes a quiet low pitched buzz when the rpms are below 2000. This is my first gaming laptop so I don't know if this is something which is to be expected or if there is a fault.
The enter key on the bottom right of the keyboard sticks. There is friction with the key on the case when I push it down.
The fans speed up and cpu temps go to 60 C sometimes when I'm web browsing which is unusual.
The touchpad scroll on chrome freezes sometimes. The screen had frozen a couple of times as well but this issue stopped after I updated the graphics drivers.
Are other users experiencing this issue as well? If so please let me know on this thread.
I can return this computer but I need to know if this is a common issue to decide if I should swap it out for the same laptop or get a different one. I read a review commenting on the build quality of the acer predator helios 300 and I wonder if I would get similar issues again if I bought another one of these laptops.

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V4RM4

Hey @Fdg ,
Since your laptop is within warranty, I highly recommend you to just reset your laptop, install all the required updates and try again. The enter key issue is not common and sounds a bit odd, if typing it really seems to be causing an issue, you could replace it for another one. The heating is most probably because the thermal paste might not have been properly applied on the CPU, which can lead to heating up even while small tasks such as browsing or playing a song, which could also be reason for fan buzzing. Like I said, if things don't seem well after the reset, go ahead and get it replaced. It's always better be happy than be sorry.

Good luck bud!

sri369

Fdg said:

Hello
I am having quite a few issues with my Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52 bought about 2 weeks ago.

NOT COMMON
The cpu fan makes a quiet low pitched buzz when the rpms are below 2000. This is my first gaming laptop so I don't know if this is something which is to be expected or if there is a fault.
The enter key on the bottom right of the keyboard sticks. There is friction with the key on the case when I push it down.
The touchpad scroll on chrome freezes sometimes. The screen had frozen a couple of times as well but this issue stopped after I updated the graphics drivers.

COMMON - happens at times based on usage - chrome is a heavy browser
The fans speed up and cpu temps go to 60 C sometimes when I'm web browsing which is unusual.

Since you mentioned this is a new one, I would recommend getting this replaced. I am suspecting hardware issues with respect to the fans and enter key.

xapim

I support 100% on what @sri369 said above if it was just freezing and thermal issues its one thing but brand new and hardware issues it's a completely different issue contact you nearest acer support center for a repair/possible replacement

Deejay_tech

Fdg said:

Hello
I am having quite a few issues with my Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52 bought about 2 weeks ago.
The cpu fan makes a quiet low pitched buzz when the rpms are below 2000. This is my first gaming laptop so I don't know if this is something which is to be expected or if there is a fault.
The enter key on the bottom right of the keyboard sticks. There is friction with the key on the case when I push it down.
The fans speed up and cpu temps go to 60 C sometimes when I'm web browsing which is unusual.
The touchpad scroll on chrome freezes sometimes. The screen had frozen a couple of times as well but this issue stopped after I updated the graphics drivers.
Are other users experiencing this issue as well? If so please let me know on this thread.
I can return this computer but I need to know if this is a common issue to decide if I should swap it out for the same laptop or get a different one. I read a review commenting on the build quality of the acer predator helios 300 and I wonder if I would get similar issues again if I bought another one of these laptops.

chrome is known to increase cpu utilisation, this could be the reason for high temps spurts. visit the same page with the MS edge browser and see if the temps rise as much. post back your observation.

re: enter key friction, either some debris has got stuck between the plastic cap of enter key and the kb body or the alignment has gone bad. can be rectified by removing the cap and refixing it back properly.

Fdg

Deejay_tech said:

Fdg said:

Hello
I am having quite a few issues with my Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52 bought about 2 weeks ago.
The cpu fan makes a quiet low pitched buzz when the rpms are below 2000. This is my first gaming laptop so I don't know if this is something which is to be expected or if there is a fault.
The enter key on the bottom right of the keyboard sticks. There is friction with the key on the case when I push it down.
The fans speed up and cpu temps go to 60 C sometimes when I'm web browsing which is unusual.
The touchpad scroll on chrome freezes sometimes. The screen had frozen a couple of times as well but this issue stopped after I updated the graphics drivers.
Are other users experiencing this issue as well? If so please let me know on this thread.
I can return this computer but I need to know if this is a common issue to decide if I should swap it out for the same laptop or get a different one. I read a review commenting on the build quality of the acer predator helios 300 and I wonder if I would get similar issues again if I bought another one of these laptops.

chrome is known to increase cpu utilisation, this could be the reason for high temps spurts. visit the same page with the MS edge browser and see if the temps rise as much. post back your observation.

re: enter key friction, either some debris has got stuck between the plastic cap of enter key and the kb body or the alignment has gone bad. can be rectified by removing the cap and refixing it back properly.

how do i remove it and refix it?

Fdg

Deejay_tech said:

Fdg said:

Hello
I am having quite a few issues with my Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52 bought about 2 weeks ago.
The cpu fan makes a quiet low pitched buzz when the rpms are below 2000. This is my first gaming laptop so I don't know if this is something which is to be expected or if there is a fault.
The enter key on the bottom right of the keyboard sticks. There is friction with the key on the case when I push it down.
The fans speed up and cpu temps go to 60 C sometimes when I'm web browsing which is unusual.
The touchpad scroll on chrome freezes sometimes. The screen had frozen a couple of times as well but this issue stopped after I updated the graphics drivers.
Are other users experiencing this issue as well? If so please let me know on this thread.
I can return this computer but I need to know if this is a common issue to decide if I should swap it out for the same laptop or get a different one. I read a review commenting on the build quality of the acer predator helios 300 and I wonder if I would get similar issues again if I bought another one of these laptops.

chrome is known to increase cpu utilisation, this could be the reason for high temps spurts. visit the same page with the MS edge browser and see if the temps rise as much. post back your observation.

re: enter key friction, either some debris has got stuck between the plastic cap of enter key and the kb body or the alignment has gone bad. can be rectified by removing the cap and refixing it back properly.

This is a powerful gaming laptop, it should cut through web browsing like butter without much cpu utilisation.
I've had the enter key issue since buying the laptop so I doubt that it has anything to do with debris.

Fdg

In fact the temperature issue could be to do with a low fan speed when coolboost is off. The low rpms could be leading to poor ventilation.
When coolboost is on this doesn't happen.

Deejay_tech

Fdg said:

Deejay_tech said:

Fdg said:

Hello
I am having quite a few issues with my Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52 bought about 2 weeks ago.
The cpu fan makes a quiet low pitched buzz when the rpms are below 2000. This is my first gaming laptop so I don't know if this is something which is to be expected or if there is a fault.
The enter key on the bottom right of the keyboard sticks. There is friction with the key on the case when I push it down.
The fans speed up and cpu temps go to 60 C sometimes when I'm web browsing which is unusual.
The touchpad scroll on chrome freezes sometimes. The screen had frozen a couple of times as well but this issue stopped after I updated the graphics drivers.
Are other users experiencing this issue as well? If so please let me know on this thread.
I can return this computer but I need to know if this is a common issue to decide if I should swap it out for the same laptop or get a different one. I read a review commenting on the build quality of the acer predator helios 300 and I wonder if I would get similar issues again if I bought another one of these laptops.

chrome is known to increase cpu utilisation, this could be the reason for high temps spurts. visit the same page with the MS edge browser and see if the temps rise as much. post back your observation.

re: enter key friction, either some debris has got stuck between the plastic cap of enter key and the kb body or the alignment has gone bad. can be rectified by removing the cap and refixing it back properly.

This is a powerful gaming laptop, it should cut through web browsing like butter without much cpu utilisation.
I've had the enter key issue since buying the laptop so I doubt that it has anything to do with debris.

re: enter key, it could be due to misalignent.
take it to the service centre and get it rectified there . most probably they will do it on the spot.

re: temps spurt in chrome, as i said try with edge browser the same page, chrome is known to sometimes increase the cpu utilisation which can momentarily increase the cpu temp for a short duration.

you can also consider repasting the cpu / gpu from the service centre.

or you can opt for replacement if you wish, but what gurantee is there the replaced unit will not be a used or repaired unit.?

if otherwise your laptop is working fine then get the enter key properly fixed and cpu repasted. ( both minor issues)

sri369

Deejay_tech said:
or you can opt for replacement if you wish, but what gurantee is there the replaced unit will not be a used or repaired unit.?

If he is in the US, he has to be given a "brand new" unit, typically when he is within the 2 weeks timeframe. He cannot be given a refurb. Also, in most places, between 2 and 4 weeks, they allow for exchange to a different make/model without any penalty.

Fdg

As it is a new unit which I may end up returning, I have not insured it with a plan separate from home insurance. What measures are taken to ensure that the laptop will stay safe if I send it in for repair? Does Acer insure the delivery box when I send over the laptop?

Fdg

Deejay_tech said:

Fdg said:

Deejay_tech said:

Fdg said:

Hello
I am having quite a few issues with my Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52 bought about 2 weeks ago.
The cpu fan makes a quiet low pitched buzz when the rpms are below 2000. This is my first gaming laptop so I don't know if this is something which is to be expected or if there is a fault.
The enter key on the bottom right of the keyboard sticks. There is friction with the key on the case when I push it down.
The fans speed up and cpu temps go to 60 C sometimes when I'm web browsing which is unusual.
The touchpad scroll on chrome freezes sometimes. The screen had frozen a couple of times as well but this issue stopped after I updated the graphics drivers.
Are other users experiencing this issue as well? If so please let me know on this thread.
I can return this computer but I need to know if this is a common issue to decide if I should swap it out for the same laptop or get a different one. I read a review commenting on the build quality of the acer predator helios 300 and I wonder if I would get similar issues again if I bought another one of these laptops.

chrome is known to increase cpu utilisation, this could be the reason for high temps spurts. visit the same page with the MS edge browser and see if the temps rise as much. post back your observation.

re: enter key friction, either some debris has got stuck between the plastic cap of enter key and the kb body or the alignment has gone bad. can be rectified by removing the cap and refixing it back properly.

This is a powerful gaming laptop, it should cut through web browsing like butter without much cpu utilisation.
I've had the enter key issue since buying the laptop so I doubt that it has anything to do with debris.

re: enter key, it could be due to misalignent.
take it to the service centre and get it rectified there . most probably they will do it on the spot.

re: temps spurt in chrome, as i said try with edge browser the same page, chrome is known to sometimes increase the cpu utilisation which can momentarily increase the cpu temp for a short duration.

you can also consider repasting the cpu / gpu from the service centre.

or you can opt for replacement if you wish, but what gurantee is there the replaced unit will not be a used or repaired unit.?

if otherwise your laptop is working fine then get the enter key properly fixed and cpu repasted. ( both minor issues)

I spoke to Acer support, they said that they do not do same day repairs. I live in the UK.

Fdg

I read another article discussing coil whine on laptops, but I would assume that this noise is different from that because it only happens when the fan speeds are low.

Fdg

I think a 15 inch laptop would be more portable than my 17 inch one. Maybe I should just return it.
Do I get charged for warranty repairs?

Fdg

I had a freezing screen but that issue has stopped since updating the graphics drivers. I suspect that it was an issue to do with dgpu utilisation.

Fdg

I was thinking of wedging out the enter key with a card but I don't know how to realign keys so it is probably better for me to leave it to an expert.

xapim

As i said above the best solution it's to return it to the store where you purchased it and ask for a replacement

Fdg

xapim said:

As i said above the best solution it's to return it to the store where you purchased it and ask for a replacement

This product was bought as a gift by someone who lives far away and so I wont be able to return it on my own. I will have to wait for them to help me out with this. I am thankful that Costco has a 3 month returns policy on electronics.
The CPU temperature went up to 60 C when I was using the edge browser, so this is not an issue with chrome.

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