Acer Predator PHN16-72 Frequent BSODs, mostly on idle, cpu related, underclocking hard-disabled

Acer Predator PHN16-72 i9-14900HX/RTX 4060/16GB RAM

After reinstalling some 3rd party apps and moving some files over, from my old Razer laptop, I started getting 1-2 BSODs per month, I think related to gaming, Hypervisor and EasyAntiCheat seemed to be the culprit (Hypervisor BSOD error code, EasyAntiCheat and Hypervisor listed in errors Event Viewer). After disabling some of the hypervisor and virtual machine settings, updating my BIOS and Chiptset drivers, and removing some bloatware, BSODs became a lot more frequent. While in programs like FL Studio or Chrome, there would be a BSOD, maybe one per day. After that, I had been getting very frequent BSODs, with multiple happenning in a row shortly after startup.

This is where I started looking at the minidump files, showing FLTMGR.SYS and FILEINFO.SYS, and a few others. I would log on, press the windows key and try to search eventviewer, and get a BSOD. If I would wait a few minutes and idle, and then try to use it normally, it would crash while looking at a minidump or eventviewer. I ended up disabling SearchIndexer.exe, which stopped the BSODs on boot or when pressing windows key.

Currently, I have been opening a steam game after boot and having it on in the background which quells the issue, so its making me think this is a CPU clocking or voltage issue. Any time I close the game and continue work in other programs, programs start to crash and then it eventually blue screens again. Minidumps point to intel and windows drivers/programs.

So far:

- I ran the windows memory diagnostic, no issues there

- Checked for any new driver updates, and have already installed latest BIOS and Chipset

- Ran the system file checker command, it said it found corrupted files and fixed them, still got a crash

- Ran Windows in Safe Mode, no crash there

- Turned off intel VTX and VTD in BIOS

- Tried to run "Fix problems using Windows Update" tool, It crashed after reboot, another FLTMGR.SYS BSOD, and undid the update, error code 0xC1900101 Win11 Ver24H2, no minidump, re-ran this tool, successfully updated, problem still persists

- Disabled the Windows Search Indexer service, SearchIndexer.exe, which stopped some of the BSODs shortly after boot.

-Disabled many of the Acer bloatware services

-Changed the minimum processor state to 65% in power options, although i'm not sure this does anything

I've been trying to research some posts around this type of BSOD, as well as problems around my Acer machine. I've seen culprits relating to overclocking, faulty memory, and hardware compatability issues. Given this is a new machine and manufacturer-built, hardware compatability is probably not the issue? I've tried to look into the overclocking, as this machine has a crazy cpu with new core tech and efficiency buffs, and I can't troubleshoot that issue because clocking and power settings are hard-disabled by Acer; no settings in BIOS and it can't be accessed by Throttlestop. I've seen drivers be a culprit, and have seen a troubleshooting method around the Driver Verifier tool, but I am hesitant to try changing boot modes and doing full dump gathering, as this could take a while or brick the machine.

I opened a support ticket to send in my device to have Acer look at it, but I am worried they are just going to do a hard reset with a new SSD and send it back without doing anything else and the issue is still going to happen.

TLDR, I think its a cpu overclocking issue where the cpu is factory set to overclocked and transitioning to a low-power state is unstable and causes program crashes and BSODs. Changing clock speed and voltage is hard-disabled in BIOS, no access even from adv settings menu. Let me know if i've missed anything or if there are any solutions. If anyone wants to take a look at minidumps, let me know.

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

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StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/722466/acer-predator-phn16-72-frequent-bsods-mostly-on-idle-cpu-related-underclocking-hard-disabled

You have done everything that is humanly possible for your Predator PHN16-72 i9-14900HX/RTX 4060/16GB RAM, this laptops i9-14900HX cpu has had a cpu microcode "MCU to 0x129" update in bios 1.14 version, which fixes "incorrect voltage requests to the processor that are causing elevated operating voltage." Intel's analysis shows that the root cause of stability problems is caused by too high voltage during operation of the processor. And if you have bios 1.16 installed then that update should have been applied.

If you haven't been to the Microsoft community for the BSOD fltmgr.sys error see their solution there for this error and try that out. As and otherwise you have attempted to fix everything that can be humanly possible and from now on its trial and error that will solve those problems.

Just as an example, I know that this laptop is not the same as your 14th Gen i9 cpu, I'm using the older PHN16-71 i5-13500HX cpu /RTX4050/updated to 64GB DDR5-4800MT/s CL40 RAM and I've never ever had one BSOD problems since new with this laptop like you have had and this laptops last 1.18 bios version also has had a cpu microcode fix and my cpu microcode is version 0x35 and the laptop is running perfectly.

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

Alder1212

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1331605#Comment_1331605

Thanks for the comment, it brings me a little bit of peace hearing someone else tell me I've done everything possible, as I've been putting hours into researching this.

I just checked my microcode revision number and I am on 0x129. Seems like the only sure way around this issue is to change voltage and clock speeds, but everything is locked in the BIOS. I might look into a way to install a different BIOS or if that is even possible with an Acer laptop.

Also one more question, is it worth it to send it in to Acer for repair? It seems like them just doing a clean boot on a new SSD (if that's all they do) wont fix this problem.

SAM91

Hello Sir, I have the same exact model, and I am facing the same issue, especially in Performance or Turbo mode. Balanced mode still give some errors but much less frequently.

Only solution until now, is to go to Windows Power Settings in Windows 11, and change the power mode to Best Power Efficiency which will drastically lower CPU temps and make it more stable.

Try this and let me know. If this fixes your issue then we know that this is a common issue in this model, and it is a shame from Acer that this have not been addressed yet.

sebesbal

Hello, I think I have the same problem. Do you have any update on the situation?

Axxo

To resolve frequent Blue Screens of Death (BSODs) on your Predator PHN16-72, first try simple troubleshooting steps like restarting, checking for Windows and driver updates, and scanning for malware. If that fails, check your hardware by removing recent peripherals, testing your RAM with the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, and ensuring your system's performance modes in PredatorSense aren't causing the issue. For persistent BSODs, consider repairing system files with SFC/SCANNOW and the DISM command, disabling Fast Startup, or performing a System Restore.

1. Basic Troubleshooting
Restart your computer: to resolve temporary glitches.
Update Windows: to the latest version and install all available patches.
Run a virus scan: using Windows Defender or your antivirus software.
Uninstall recently installed software or hardware: that may be causing a conflict.
2. Hardware and Driver Checks
Disconnect all peripheral devices
and see if the BSODs stop, as one of them might be the cause.
Check your RAM
with the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to ensure it's functioning correctly.
Update all essential drivers,
especially for your graphics card and other key components, through Device Manager.
Check for faulty devices
in Device Manager, looking for devices with yellow exclamation triangles, and uninstall them if found.
3. Software and System File Checks
Start your system in Safe Mode: to see if it remains stable, indicating a problematic program or driver.
Use the SFC (System File Checker) tool: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run sfc /scannow to repair corrupted system files.
Run the DISM command: In an administrator Command Prompt, run DISM.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth to fix corrupt system images.
Disable Fast Startup and Hibernate: in your power settings, as these features can sometimes cause issues.
4. Advanced Steps & System Restoration
Review your PredatorSense settings, as aggressive performance modes can sometimes lead to BSODs.
Perform a System Restore: to revert your system to a previous point in time when it was working correctly.
Check for overheating: by ensuring your laptop's fans are working correctly, especially when gaming.
-----------------------------------------
If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Like" and then "Answered".

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