Nitro16 (AN16-42-R5A3) crackling, scratching at internal speaker when notebook is charged via USB-C

meistercraft

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased this laptop: Acer Nitro16 (AN16-42-R5A3)

• Ryzen R7-8845HS
• 16GB
• 1TB SSD
• Geforce RTX4070
• Windows 11 Home

I have encountered a curious problem:

The notebook comes with a 250-watt power adapter. When the laptop is charged with this adapter or is running on battery, the sound is without any issues.

However, when I connect a 60-watt PD powerbank or a 60-watt PD power adapter to the USB PD port, Windows naturally informs me that it is charging "slowly." Nevertheless, it switches to "power adapter" mode. So far, so good.

But in this configuration, I constantly experience significant crackling or scratching noises (as if the speakers are extremely overdriven) through the internal speakers.

Normal listening is not possible.

I have tested with various power banks, cables, and power adapters.

There is no problem with external BT speakers; everything works perfectly.

I understand that a 60-watt power adapter is not "compliant," but I am puzzled by the error pattern. What does the crackling or scratching of the speakers have to do with charging via USB?

I have already uninstalled the Acer software and installed a "fresh" Windows. The same problem persists. It seems to be a hardware issue.

Has anyone else observed this?

[Edited the thread to add model number to the title]

eGomes

Hi @meistercraft,

Have you checked that the UEFI firmware of your Nitro AN16-42 is updated to the latest available version (1.26)?

https://www.acer.com/us-en/support/product-support/Nitro_AN16-42/downloads?suggest=AN16-42;0

kaithy09

thank you for sharing

meistercraft

thank you for your answer. yes BIOS Version is 1.26

update: i tried with an 100Watt USB PD Power adapter (U-Green), same issue.

it works only with the original 250 Watt PowerAdapter

btw, that scratching is only during a (internet) stream, like youtube or netflix.

if i play an videofile local from ssd or usb no sound problems (during loaading with an powerbank or a 65Watt Power adapter)

meistercraft

yes, firmware is version 1.26.

meanwhile i found out, that the issue also happend if i use a third-party 100watt usb power adpater, mainly i'm streaming a video (youtube,netflix). if a video file lokal on SSD the sound is ok (no scratching)

also . if the notebook in battery mode and i'm running a game (for example Anno1800, late game, cpu usage 80%, GPU 60% ) the sound ist also scratching (but not so often).

summary:

1. notebook plugged on orginial power adapter , all ok . no scratching in all scenarias

2. notebook loading with 100Watt USB PD power charger , scratching permanently during watching video streams (youtube,netflix)

3. notebook in battery mode and high usage, scratching every 1-2 minutes

4. using external speakers (connected with BT) - no scrachting at all