sfx14-41g-r1s6 doesn't boot and time is out of sync when it DOES boot, power light comes on and off

larpdownfail
larpdownfail Member Posts: 4 New User
edited January 7 in Swift and Spin Series

My swift x (sfx14-41g-r1s6) sometimes have a hard time booting both plugged in and not plugged in. When I press the power button, the blue light with a lightbulb sign comes up for 5 seconds and then turns off, and the computer doesn't respond. At the same time, when I do manage to get it booted, the system time is always out of sync, and I have to resync it manually. I've thought it to be a battery issue and have tried poking the battery reset button with a pin for 10 seconds. The problems persist. Any help is appreciated, as well as replacement battery recommendations.

[Edited the thread to add model name to the title]
[Edited the thread to add issue detail]

Answers

  • Puraw
    Puraw ACE, Member Posts: 13,555 Trailblazer
    edited January 6

    This sounds more like a CMOS battery and/or BIOS issue. I recommend sending your Swift X to Acer Services in your country to reset BIOS and replace the CMOS battery. The main battery should still be in good condition after only 2 years. If you are adventurous and the Acer warranty already expired, you can try this:
    Power drain + CMOS reset: Open the back of the laptop and disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard. Locate the CMOS module (with 2 twisted wires Red and Black under the WD SSD that you need to take out, see picture) and remove the coin battery. Shorten the +/- contacts inside the CMOS capsule for 2 seconds with a bended paperclip and put a new coin battery back with the + sign facing up, close the CMOS capsule. Next, press the Power Button on the keyboard for 10-15 seconds after that reconnect the battery cable to the motherboard. Close the laptop, plug-in the adapter and try to boot.

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 12,216 Trailblazer
    edited January 6

    Just some more information for you, your SFX14-41G 2021 model does NOT need a new battery as the battery should be brand new. If the above hard reset and shortening of the RTC/BIOS batteries +&- pins doesn't do anything then your Swift X has problems in its DC-IN port, main power rail circuitries or eDP plug and cable or even screen or keyboard which all these components need an experienced technician to analyze and test to find out where the exact problem(s) stems from and fix. Best is to NOT open the laptop and/or try to fix components yourself, as you will do more damage to your laptop.

    Just to throw my 2 cents worth in, as I do have experience with a newer Swift X which is pretty much an upgrade of your Swift X SFX14-41G and its the latest Swift X SFX14-51G - i7-1260P/RTX3050Ti 4GB/16GB LPDDR5 RAM/has a PCIe4x4 M.2 SSD boot slot but Acer decided to put a WD SN530 PCI3x4 M.2 SSD drive into, I think that they were saving money😁but anyway, its an excellent little portable laptop and it works perfectly. The only problem I've had with mine is that it refused to upgrade to Win-11 version 23H2 and then I had to do a Clean Install of this OS and now its works perfectly and I've never had the problems that you are having.

    If your laptop is under warranty send the SFX14-41G to Acer Tech Support and get them to fix it, don't open the laptop as you will void the warranty, if your laptop is off warranty and you have an experienced tech in your area then take it to them, as you can't fix this laptop yourself as its NOT a battery issue also. Good luck and hope this helps you put some more.

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,313 Trailblazer

    When you say the time is off, do you mean by an exact number, like one hour, or is it random?

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • Aaryan
    Aaryan Member Posts: 1 New User

    I've also replaced the CMOS battery in my Acer Swift X SFX14-41G-R1S6 and the issue still persists after a while, so at least for me, replacing the CMOS battery doesn't seem to do the trick (Warranty has also expired)

  • larpdownfail
    larpdownfail Member Posts: 4 New User
  • larpdownfail
    larpdownfail Member Posts: 4 New User
    edited January 18

    What[sensitive content] I had my laptop for two years now and the "battery should be brand new"? I wouldn't post here if my laptop is under warranty, would I?

    [Edited the thread to hide sensitive content]

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,313 Trailblazer

    Yes it does matter. If the time is off by some even number of hours it could be an issue with the time zone in your profile. If it's off by 17 seconds it's obviously not a time zone issue…

    Also, we get lots and lots of questions from people who are still in warranty, so we can't assume anything about your warranty status from the fact that you posted here.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • larpdownfail
    larpdownfail Member Posts: 4 New User

    I would know if it's a timezone issue. I can tell you concretely that it is not. It can be off from hours to days. I suggest laying out your logic when asking the question