Acer Helios Neo 16 (i9-13900HX) overheating for no reason — Turbo Boost stuck ON even when Idle

bohdanfursa2006

Hi everyone,
I’m facing a really frustrating issue with my Acer Helios Neo 16 (i9-13900HX + RTX) and wanted to share my experience, along with what I’ve already tried.

💻 Specs:

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
CPU: Intel i9-13900HX
GPU: RTX (disabled for testing)
No undervolting (XTU locked)
Windows 11
All drivers and BIOS updated
PredatorSense installed (used for fan control)

🔧 Background:

I’ve been using this laptop for 5 months.

First 3 months at home (stable electricity) – everything was fine.
Then I moved to a student dorm with bad electrical infrastructure (power surges, unstable voltage).
For a month, the laptop worked okay. But now in month 5, it’s acting insane.

⚠️ The problem:

Even while idle or doing light tasks (like browsing in Chrome), the CPU randomly spikes to 90°C+.
The fans don’t ramp up fast enough (unless forced manually via PredatorSense).
It’s like the BIOS is stuck in "full power" mode.
If I don’t manually turn fans to 100%, the laptop becomes a furnace.
It’s impossible to undervolt (Intel locked it on new BIOS + Acer firmware).
BIOS has no manual fan control or performance tweaks.

🛠️ What I’ve tried:

Disabled RTX GPU completely.
Cleaned temp files, reinstalled Windows, checked drivers.
Used ThrottleStop and XTU to:
- Limit Turbo Boost Power (PL1/PL2).
- Limit Max Turbo Boost (to 30W or 60W).
Tried Windows Power Plans (Eco, Balanced, High Perf.).
Set Max Processor State to 99% (disables Turbo).
Created custom power profiles.

Nothing helps consistently. Sometimes the CPU behaves normally after ~5 mins of sitting hot, then cools down. Sometimes not.

🧪 My theory:

This problem started after long exposure to bad power conditions. I suspect the BIOS or EC firmware got "confused" or stuck in some weird loop where it thinks high power is always needed.

Even if the CPU is cold and idle — it boosts to 4.5 GHz and 90°C without reason.

💡 I believe a stable voltage (via UPS or AVR/stabilizer) would fix this, but I’m currently living in a dorm where that’s not an option.

🧯 Temporary fix (my workaround):

I disabled Short Turbo Boost (set to 0W).
Capped Long Boost to 30–45W.
Forced fan speed to 100% via PredatorSense.
CPU now sits at ~2.9–3.2 GHz, temps around 65–75°C.
Still not great, but usable.

🆘 Request for help:

Is there any way to reset or reflash EC firmware safely?
Any hidden fan/voltage BIOS settings I’m missing?
Anyone else experienced this with i9 Acer laptops in bad power environments?

Thanks in advance 🙏
I’d really appreciate advice — or confirmation that I’m not the only one with this behavior.

🔧 I just want my laptop to stop pretending it’s a rocket engine every time I open Chrome.

Accepted answers

All comments

bohdanfursa2006

Hello,

I’m experiencing a consistent overheating issue with my Predator Helios Neo 16 (PHN16-71), equipped with an Intel Core i9-13900HX and BIOS version v1.18.

The issue appears immediately after startup and is especially noticeable in the BIOS. The CPU frequency ramps up to 4800–5100 MHz with voltages between 1.30–1.40V while idle, and CPU package temperatures quickly reach 77–90°C. The fans do not ramp up proportionally, and sometimes stay relatively quiet.

In Windows, idle temperatures fluctuate between 65–70°C, with short spikes up to 90°C under light loads. This behavior was not present when I first started using the laptop. When I was in another location with better electrical stability, the BIOS temperature never exceeded 60°C, which suggests this is not a hardware issue, but possibly EC firmware or BIOS logic related.

What I have tried:

Resetting BIOS to default settings
Setting Windows power plan to limit max CPU usage to 99%
Reinstalling Windows and all drivers from Acer’s official support page
Monitoring the system using HWMonitor, AIDA64, and PredatorSense
Testing both with and without PredatorSense installed

My concern:

This problem began after some time of usage and seems to have been triggered or worsened after updating to BIOS v1.18. The CPU behaves as if it is permanently in turbo mode. The behavior normalizes only after a few minutes or remains unstable depending on the power source.

Request:

Is there a known issue with BIOS v1.18 for PHN16-71?
Is there a way to control PL1/PL2 (power limits) in BIOS or PredatorSense?
Can a firmware or EC controller update be provided to address this?

I can provide HWMonitor logs, screenshots, and video recordings of the BIOS behavior on request.

Thank you.

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/725295/overheating-and-high-voltage-in-bios-helios-neo-16-phn16-71-bios-v1-18f

Hi, did you upgrade Windows11 to version 24H2 and installed PredatorSense from the Microsoft Store? Try that.

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/725295/overheating-and-high-voltage-in-bios-helios-neo-16-phn16-71-bios-v1-18f

Your Predator Neo model PHN16-71 (which I also have the PHN16-71-50JG model with the i5-13500HX model cpu) and by updating to the version 1.18 has the included bios version 1.10 that has the cpu microcode fix version 0x35 for the Intel 13th Gen cpu instability problems which your i9-13900HX cpu should also have.

Be aware that your i9-13900HX cpu high temps only run momentarily and its cpu/gpu fans cool these components down to the cpu designed temp which could reach the max deigned temp of 110°C as this is an allowable and safe monetary temps that these cpu's are designed for.

What I've found out on my PHN16-71-50JG / i5-13500HX / RTX4050 model with the oem 16GB total DDR5-4800MT/s CL40 ram is that by upgrading the ram capacity to 64GB 2x 32GB DDR5-4800MT/s CL40, see Crucial ram upgrade guide, I used their 64GB kit DDR54800MT/s CL40 type ram which is what I upgraded my PHN16-71 to (btw, your i9-13900HX cpu can run DDR5-5600MT/s CL46 type ram) also be aware that these laptops have also been update to even 96GB and their max capacity of 128GB ram capacities and they work, so 64GB is not the lowest ram that these laptops can run at! As increasing the ram on my laptop, has stopped my laptop from overworking as it runs allot cooler with the extra ram that stops this laptop from overprocessing its cpu and creating heat, so consider this upgrade also.

The below Predator Sense temps are from my laptop running for about 4 hours doing normal tasks as an example for you. Btw I only run this laptop on its NVidia gpu and not the Intel cpu graphics, so consider doing that also as this makes the laptop run cooler also..

This is also after 4 hours the my 1TB boot drive with the Samsung 990 Pro + Heatsink M.2 SSD drive temp

Also consider upgrading to a faster and quicker Gen 4 x4 lane M.2 SSD with a heatsink, so that the boot drive runs cooler, as that is what I also did by upgrading to the Samsung 990 Pro NVMe + Heatsink which fits to this laptop and you can close the back lid, which also reduces this laptop from overworking and to make it run cooler. Try all these updates as its working for my laptop and this laptop runs allot cooler for me to what it did with the oem 16GB ram on my PHN16-71-50JG model laptop with the i5-13500HX / RTX4050. Good luck and hope all this helps you out further.

For your information, the below tables are the Acer service guide tested PHN16-71 cpu and gpu temps in its minimum and maximum test environments, so expect the below temps and what your cpu temps is designed for, as these temps are safe to run without damaging the cpu or gpu.

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

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/725363/acer-helios-neo-16-i9-13900hx-overheating-for-no-reason-turbo-boost-stuck-on-even-when-idle

Have you updated the bios to version 1.18, as your 13th gen cpu has an Intel design flaw that make these cpu's overheat, its essential that the bios in these laptop is updated. If your PHN16-71-xx model is under the Acer 12 months standard warranty then get Acer Tech Support in your country to check your laptop out as it might have faulty sensors and that is why the fans don't turn on to compensate the cpu/gpu temps or the board is faulty and needs replacing. Also, those temps that you are experiencing are not high as this laptops is designed at Turbo mode like below, for the cpu to reach 110°C before an OS shutdown like in the Acer tested chart below.

Your Predator Neo PHN16-71 with the i9-13900HX cpu RTX gpu reaching 90°C (which is not high for these laptops) the fans should automatically compensate for that temp spikes, these cpu's are designed for these high temps also. Btw, I'm using the same PHN16-71 model laptop with the i5-13500HX cpu / RTX4050 and I've upgraded the ram to 64GB and whenever I do any gaming and/or editing, I found that with more ram the laptop seems to operate cooler, so consider increasing ram capacity to reduce the laptops processing and to generate higher temps spikes. Also and if you have unsittable power, use a surge protector power board so that your laptop gets stable power or the power gets turned off whenever there is a power surge. Good luck and hope this helps you out.

Below is what my Predator Sense is set to and at the Balanced setting, I've got my laptop set to use only the NVidia gpu and the fans always increase their rpm when temps reach 90°C or to a higher mark to compensate and reduce cpu and gpu temps in gaming and video editing.

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

bohdanfursa2006

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1342710#Comment_1342710

Hey Steven, thanks for your reply earlier. I’ve finally managed to find a consistent solution after trying almost everything else — and it turned out to be much simpler than I expected. I enabled Turbo mode in Predator Sense and left it on permanently. That fixed the issue entirely.

What happens in Turbo mode is that the fans start spinning earlier, even during idle. Unlike Balanced or Performance modes, where the fans wait too long and let the CPU spike to 90°C, Turbo mode keeps the airflow constant. Because of that, the CPU now sits at around 60–67°C in idle instead of jumping to 90+ for no reason. Surprisingly, even the CPU clock stays lower in Turbo — I’ve seen it sitting around 1.5 to 2.2 GHz when the system is idle, which never happened before. It’s cool, stable, and I no longer get heat building up around the Numpad area.

I haven’t had to undervolt, limit turbo boost, or cap PL1/PL2 anymore. Turbo mode just does the job, even in poor electrical conditions like the ones in my dorm. So if anyone else is facing similar overheating with no load, I’d definitely recommend leaving Turbo mode always on — it sounds counterintuitive, but it works.

Thanks again, just wanted to share this in case it helps someone else.

bohdanfursa2006

I’ve finally managed to find a consistent solution after trying almost everything else — and it turned out to be much simpler than I expected. I enabled Turbo mode in Predator Sense and left it on permanently. That fixed the issue entirely.

What happens in Turbo mode is that the fans start spinning earlier, even during idle. Unlike Balanced or Performance modes, where the fans wait too long and let the CPU spike to 90°C, Turbo mode keeps the airflow constant. Because of that, the CPU now sits at around 60–67°C in idle instead of jumping to 90+ for no reason. Surprisingly, even the CPU clock stays lower in Turbo — I’ve seen it sitting around 1.5 to 2.2 GHz when the system is idle, which never happened before. It’s cool, stable, and I no longer get heat building up around the Numpad area.

I haven’t had to undervolt, limit turbo boost, or cap PL1/PL2 anymore. Turbo mode just does the job, even in poor electrical conditions like the ones in my dorm. So if anyone else is facing similar overheating with no load, I’d definitely recommend leaving Turbo mode always on — it sounds counterintuitive, but it works.

Thanks again, just wanted to share this in case it helps someone else.

Axxo

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 (i9-13900HX) overheating, even when not under heavy load, could be due to several factors including dust buildup, fan issues, or potentially even a BIOS problem. Addressing these potential issues with a combination of cleaning, checking fan functionality, and potentially adjusting power settings or updating the BIOS could help mitigate the overheating.

Possible causes and solutions:
Dust and Ventilation:
Dust accumulation on the cooling system (fans, heat sinks) can significantly hinder cooling performance. Ensure proper ventilation by keeping the laptop on a hard, flat surface and cleaning the air vents and fans regularly. Consider using a cooling pad to further improve airflow.

Fan Issues:
Check if both fans are functioning correctly. Inspect for any cracks, dents, or obstructions in the copper tubes connected to the fans.
Power Settings:
Adjust power settings to "Best Power Efficiency" in the Power & Battery settings. This can limit the CPU's performance and reduce heat output.

BIOS Update:
If the laptop is a recent model, updating the BIOS to the latest version might resolve stability and heating issues related to the CPU.
Thermal Paste:
In some cases, the thermal paste between the CPU and the heatsink may have dried out or degraded, causing overheating. Reapplying thermal paste can be a solution, but this is best left to professionals or those with experience in laptop hardware maintenance.

Killer WiFi and Predator Sense:
Try disabling the Killer WiFi app and the Predator Sense software temporarily, as they might be contributing to the issue.

Turbo Boost:
If Turbo Boost is enabled and causing high temperatures even at idle, consider disabling it in the BIOS or using a third-party tool to manage CPU power states.
Software Conflicts:
Certain software, especially pirated games, can sometimes be wrapped in malware that causes high CPU usage and overheating. It's recommended to scan for malware if you suspect this is the case.

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

BeanBaggies

HEY I KNOW YOU'VE SAID YOU SOLVED IT BUT IT'S A BAND AID SOLUTION.

BUT GUESS WHAT, I GOT THE PERMANENT SOLUTION, CHECK YOUR POWER ADAPTER IF IT HAS ONE OF THOSE 3 PRONGS TO 2 PRONGS ADAPTER IF IT DOES TAKE IT OFF AND USE THE BARE GROUND AND 2 PRONGS CABLE AND TEST IT OUT, BECAUSE MY FRIEND ALSO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE LITERALLY TROUBLESHOOTED EVERYTHING FROM SOFTWARE,BIOS,DRIVERS,GPU,RAM,SSD,OVERHEATING,FAN, AND IF GAME SIDED ISSUES. WHEN WE FINALLY STARTED WITH STABLE ELECTRITY THEORY BECAUSE WE TOO LIVE IN A STUDENT DORM WITH QUESTIONABLE POWER SOURCE. WE USED MY UPS 1200VA WITH A AVR BUT TO NO AVAIL, UNTIL I TOOK OFF THE POWER ADAPTER THINGY THEN BOOM FIXED.

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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