AN515-57 Crashing When Plugged In

ZerothLaw

A few months ago I encountered an issue where my laptop would suddenly crash/bluescreen within a few minutes of turning on. After some experimentation, I noticed it only happend when it was plugged in; the laptop otherwise works fine on battery power. I took it to two different repair places and they weren't able to find any problem. One of them took out the RAM cards and put them back in, and the problem went away for a while, but now it started acting up again and I can't fix it. I've tried updating/reinstalling drivers and even tried disconnecting the battery completely to see if that was somehow the issue. No luck so far.

Any reccomendations on how to proceed? Has anybody had any similar problems?

Puraw

Are you using a USB-C charger or the power adapter (brick) with the DC barrel plug? If you are using a USB-C charger, make sure it is a tested laptop USB-C charger with a fixed heavy USB cable and at least 90-Watt output and that you don't have anything else connected to a USB-C port during charging (not supported).

The 2020 model was greatly improved in 2021 (same model number). Acer BIOS version 1.2 is brand new: https://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/BIOS/BIOS/BIOS_Acer_1.20_A_A.zip?acerid=638301861647497572&Step1=&Step2=&Step3=NITRO%20AN515-57&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=ACER&SC=PA_6

a_happy_laptop_user

Experiencing crashes only when the laptop is plugged in could indicate several potential issues. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the problem:

1. Power Adapter and Charging Port:

• Ensure that the power adapter is functioning correctly. Sometimes a faulty power adapter or charging port could cause instability when the laptop is plugged in. Try using a different power adapter or test the laptop with a known working one.
• Check the charging port on the laptop for any physical damage or debris that could be causing connection issues.

2. Overheating and Power Settings:

• Verify if the laptop is overheating when it's plugged in. Overheating due to inadequate cooling can lead to system crashes. Clean the laptop's vents and ensure proper airflow.
• Check the power settings to see if the laptop is running different settings when it's on battery versus when it's plugged in. Adjust power settings to a balanced or power-saving mode when connected to power to check if that makes a difference.

3. Hardware Diagnostics:

• Run hardware diagnostics. Most laptops have built-in diagnostics accessed by pressing a specific key during boot (usually F2, F10, or Del). Check for any hardware failures, particularly related to power supply or components.

4. Battery Issues:

• Although it might seem counterintuitive, faulty or failing batteries can sometimes cause issues when a laptop is plugged in. Try using the laptop without the battery installed and connected only to the power supply to see if the problem persists.

5. Windows Updates and System Files:

• Ensure your operating system is up to date with the latest Windows updates. Sometimes, system files or outdated drivers can cause instability. Update or reinstall the drivers, especially those related to power management.

6. System Restore or Reset:

• If the problem started recently, consider performing a system restore to a point before the issue began. If that doesn’t work, a system reset might help, but remember to back up your important data before doing so.

7. Professional Repair or Manufacturer Support:

• If the issue persists after trying these steps, it might be a more complex hardware issue. Seek professional help or contact Acer support to diagnose and potentially repair the laptop.

Important Note: As you've already sought help from repair shops, it might be beneficial to provide them with the specific information that the issue occurs only when the laptop is plugged in. This might help them focus on power-related components during their troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting laptop issues can be complex, and sometimes it requires a process of elimination. If none of the above steps resolve the problem, seeking further professional assistance might be necessary.