linux keyboard backlight in acer predator helios neo 16

stigman93

Hello

I have Predator Helios Neo 16 laptop and im using linux on it.

Specs:

i9-14genHX, nvidia 4070

OS: Arch Linux with Gnome Desktop

Everything works just fine except some small things which i can't find any solution or i dont know how to define a problem correctly. Ok so this is what im looking for a solution:

1. Is there no support for a Variable refresh rate?

i enabled experimental feature but i dont have this option available in settings

2. Keyboard backlight. On other laptop which i have before, when i was changing keyboard brightness, norification (OSD) was shown on screen and i also have an option in quick settings to change it with slider but i dont have this option anymore in this new acer laptop. Is there any way to enable this?

3. Battery threshold limit charging. On asus laptops is available a module to set charging limit for example to load battery till 80% and then stops to extend battery life. I can't find anything to do this on linux.

Is there any solution for these issues?

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/727983/linux-keyboard-backlight-in-acer-predator-helios-neo-16

Hi stigman93,

On your first two questions:

1️⃣ Variable Refresh Rate on Linux (Arch + GNOME)

• Native VRR (Adaptive‑Sync / FreeSync) on Linux is still a mix of kernel, driver, and compositor support.
• On NVIDIA GPUs, you’ll need a proprietary driver that supports G‑SYNC Compatible / Adaptive‑Sync under Xorg or Wayland — on GNOME, VRR is only starting to land in newer Mutter versions, and is still behind experimental flags.
• Check:
  • nvidia-settings → X Server Display Config → enable G‑SYNC Compatible where possible.
  • GNOME ≥ 46 with mutter.experimental-features=variable-refresh-rate (you’ve enabled it — but monitor EDID and driver handshake still decide if it shows up).
  • For troubleshooting, try a simple VRR‑capable monitor under a clean Xorg session to see if the option appears.
• Sometimes, enabling VRR in Gamescope (via Steam) can bypass compositor limitations.

2️⃣ Keyboard Backlight Controls in GNOME

• The missing on‑screen display (OSD) and quick‑settings slider usually mean your new laptop’s keyboard backlight interface isn’t exposed through the standard Linux backlight class or GNOME’s UPower integration.
• Things to try:
  • Test manual control via /sys/class/leds/*kbd_backlight*/brightness (values typically 0–3).
  • Install brightnessctl or kbdlight to bind it to hotkeys.
  • Some Acer models need the acer-wmi kernel module loaded with proper DMI whitelisting — check lsmod | grep acer_wmi and dmesg for errors.
  • If acer-wmi doesn’t expose the backlight, the hardware may only report it over ACPI vendor calls; in that case, a quirk in the kernel/driver would be needed, which means filing a bug with acpi_call details.

Regarding the Asus 80% battery charge limiting option, Acer no longer provides this in the the latest programs or disabled that option in the firmware. There is nothing to be gained limiting battery charging, battery "Longevity" is a myth, you should leave the power adapter plugged in 24/7 and keep the battery fully charged at all times. Not only does battery charge limiting to 80% reduce battery backup with up to 2 hours completely defeating the purpose having maximum backup for a mobile device in case of emergencies but it adversely affects Windows Modern Standby protocol but also BIOS power settings (S0-S4) to a point some laptops may not wake from suspend mode.