Helios Neo 14 - NVIDIA RTX 4060 Not Detected / GPU Idle / Frequent Hangs and BSOD

In the last month, the system often hangs (starts from mouse and touchpad, while keyboard still functioning to reboot the system),

I think it happening during graphics switching tasks (GPU mode: automatic).

After a forced shutdown or restart on windows, the system shows a BSOD (blue screen).
When I reboot again and check Device Manager, the NVIDIA GPU is idle on Predatorsense, hide on Device Manager and not showed on Task Manager.

In Linux, I also get boot errors after hang and blackscreen:
nvidia-modeset: ERROR: GPU:0: Error while waiting for GPU progresssnd_hda_intel: Unable to change power state from D3cold to D0, device inaccessible

These issues happen on both Windows 11 and Ubuntu (dual-boot setup).

BIOS is up to date.

Driver on both system latest update.

I’ve Tried reinstall drivers using DDU on Windows.

Accepted answers

Yehezkiel

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1346335#Comment_1346335

After I changed the Power management mode to "Prefer maximum performance" in the NVIDIA Control Panel under Manage 3D settings, my system became much more stable—no crashes for several days.

This suggests the issue might not be hardware-related, but rather due to how the system handles graphics switching or power management.

Hopefully, Acer will release a BIOS update soon to address this behavior more effectively, so both performance and power efficiency can work as intended.

All comments

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/726440/helios-neo-14-nvidia-rtx-4060-not-detected-gpu-idle-frequent-hangs-and-bsod

Disable the Intel Arc graphics in your model PHN14-51bios and in its Predator Sense and run the laptop only on the NVidia RTX4060 gpu, as that is what I'm doing on my PHN16-71 and I've never ever had any problems.

Also install the NVidia App and do a scan and install the last NVidia driver version 576.88 which has just been released by NVidia and do a Custom Installation > Clean Installation of this new Game Ready driver as that will delete and clean out all the previous versions of the NVidia Game Ready drivers for the RTX4060 gpu which could also be causing the gpu detection problem(s) and the BSODs.

Try all that as it will work and you will not have any more problems. If you do and your PHN14-51 is under the Acer warranty, send your laptop back to Acer Tech Support as your laptop has a faulty gpu and the mainboard needs replacing with a new one, I suggest that you don't delay this as the mainboards on these new laptops are very expensive to replace and will cost more than what you paid for your PHN14-51 brand new. Good luck and hope this helps you out to solve this problem.

NVidia Game Ready driver options of Clean Installation

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

Yehezkiel

Thanks for the suggestion @StevenGen! I’ve already tried setting the GPU mode to NVIDIA Only, but unfortunately, it causes very slow responses on BIOS and very slow boot times on Ubuntu (probably due to compatibility issues with hybrid graphics or driver fallback).

On the Windows side, I’ve used DDU and performed a clean installation, but I chose the Studio Driver instead of the Game Ready version since I mainly use the laptop for modeling and deep learning, not gaming. Since switching to the Studio Driver, I also feel that the frequency of errors and BSODs has started to decrease, although the issue hasn’t fully disappeared yet.

My unit (PHN14-51) still has over 2 years of warranty, so I’m hoping this is just a compatibility issue that can be resolved through a future BIOS update, and I won’t need to reinstall or reconfigure everything. But of course, if the issue continues, I’ll contact Acer Tech Support before the warranty runs out.

Thanks again for your help — really appreciate it!

Axxo

The Helios Neo 14 with an RTX 4060 experiencing the NVIDIA GPU not being detected or remaining idle, especially during graphics switching, is a common issue. This can manifest as the GPU disappearing from Device Manager and Task Manager, or causing BSODs (Blue Screen of Death) after forced shutdowns or restarts. Troubleshooting steps include checking power settings, updating drivers (both BIOS and NVIDIA), and potentially reinstalling them using DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller).

Here's a more detailed breakdown of potential solutions:-
1. Check Power and Performance Settings:
Power Options:
Ensure the laptop is not in a power-saving mode that might be disabling the dedicated GPU.
Nvidia Control Panel:
In the NVIDIA Control Panel, review the 3D settings and power management mode. Setting it to "Maximum Performance" may force the GPU to be always on.
Predator Sense:
Verify that the GPU is not set to be idle in Predator Sense or other system monitoring tools.
2. Update Drivers and BIOS:
BIOS Update:
Check for the latest BIOS update for your specific Acer Helios Neo 14 model on Acer's support website.
NVIDIA Drivers:
Uninstall and reinstall the NVIDIA drivers, potentially using DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) for a clean installation.
Chipset Drivers:
Ensure chipset drivers are up to date, as they can impact GPU functionality.
3. Troubleshoot Further:
Hard Reset:
Try a hard reset by powering off the laptop, unplugging peripherals, holding the power button for 15 seconds, and then restarting.
Check Device Manager:
Confirm that the NVIDIA GPU is listed and enabled in Device Manager. If it's hidden, try enabling it.
Monitor Temperatures:
Use tools like MSI Afterburner or GPU-Z to monitor the GPU's temperature and ensure it's not overheating.
Contact Support:
If the problem persists, consider contacting Acer support for further assistance.
4. Potential Hardware Issues:
Overheating:
Overheating can cause the GPU to shut down or become unstable. Ensure adequate cooling and airflow.
Physical Damage:
If you suspect physical damage to the GPU, seek professional help for diagnosis and repair.
Faulty Components:
If other hardware components are faulty, it could also be impacting the GPU's performance.
-----------------------------------------

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

Yehezkiel

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1346300#Comment_1346300

Thanks for the insight, @Axxo ! I actually haven’t checked the power and performance settings in detail before, so I’ll definitely look into that now. I’ll monitor the crash frequency while checking and adjusting those settings and will post an update here once I see a clear trend. Appreciate the detailed breakdown, really helpful!

Yehezkiel

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1346335#Comment_1346335

After I changed the Power management mode to "Prefer maximum performance" in the NVIDIA Control Panel under Manage 3D settings, my system became much more stable—no crashes for several days.

This suggests the issue might not be hardware-related, but rather due to how the system handles graphics switching or power management.

Hopefully, Acer will release a BIOS update soon to address this behavior more effectively, so both performance and power efficiency can work as intended.