Aspire 5 A515-54G has no option to disable keyboard backlight timeout in BIOS v1.12

ThatOneGuy
ThatOneGuy Member Posts: 1 New User
edited October 2023 in 2020 Archives
As the title states my newly-purchased Aspire 5 A515-54G-70TZ does not have the BIOS option to disable the keyboard backlight 30-second timeout in the current BIOS (v1.12). Apparently many other Aspire laptops got this option added but this model does not have it in the "Main" section of the BIOS options.

This is a non-starter for me and defeats the purpose of the keyboard backlight. Will the option be added to the BIOS soon? Or should I just return the laptop now and look to another brand?

Thanks!

Best Answer

  • Manny-Acer_Retired
    Manny-Acer_Retired Newbie Posts: 4,453 Guru
    Answer ✓
    jimfitter said:
    DB22 said:
    I have the same machine and the same beef. How do we nag Acer to publish a BIOS upgrade that gives us control of the keyboard backlight?

    A BIOS update came and went, without a keyboard update. I keep giving bad reviews where I can, on this model, in various forums. Hopefully, the bad press gives someone the incentive to fix this. It really is frustrating to have to deal with this.
    aphanic said:
    What to know something funny guys? I also have an A515-54G, but mine sports the regular keyboard instead of the one with a backlight. I contacted support over here to see if they could sell me the piece (I'd exchange it) or if it was possible for me to send the laptop to them and pay not only the piece but also the labor to do the exchange (in the A515-54G the keyboard is kind of fused to the palmrest), but alas! Neither option is possible, or they're not used to requests like mine.

    It's a shame, I'd be willing to have the timeout lowered too, 30 seconds seem excessive.

    Oh! The irony! :disappointed:

    Anyway, best of luck guys, let's hope it's implemented in a newer release of the firmware.

    Hi all,

    Thank you for all the feedback provided on this matter, please keep in mind that the backlight automatically turning off 30 seconds after the last keystroke, is a power saving feature (mostly found in our newer models) as part of our effort to meet Energy Star7.0, Acer is unable to offer a support path to override or modify this feature if your model is not eligible for the following BIOS update:



    A "Keyboard Lighting Timeout" function has been implemented for the following models only: 

    Model

    BIOS v.

    Date

    Download Link

    Aspire T7000

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Aspire A715-72G

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Predator PH315-51

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Aspire A717-72G

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Nitro AN515-52

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Nitro AN515-53

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Predator PH317-52

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Model

    BIOS v.

    Date

    Download Link

    Nitro AN515-42

    1.13

    2019/03/08

    Download


    Note: Please keep in mind that this implementation (Main tab) will allow users to Disable the "Keyboard Lighting Timeout" option to have the Keyboard Backlight on at all times when on AC power only if the unit is on battery power, it will work as intended (automatically turning off 30 seconds after the last keystroke). You can check periodically for any drivers, manuals and BIOS updates here: Drivers&Manual official page

    Please follow the "Disable keyboard backlight timeout" instructions (FAQ):

    https://us.answers.acer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/61998#_ga=2.159783933.1374864991.1552488642-1045363774.1531752932

    BIOS changes example:


    Note: This thread will be now closed and this reply will be marked as the solution.


    Best Regards,

    Acer-Manny

Answers

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    >>>Will the option be added to the BIOS soon?>>>

    Define soon?

    Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • DB22
    DB22 Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer

    I have the same machine and the same beef. How do we nag Acer to publish a BIOS upgrade that gives us control of the keyboard backlight?
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    edited December 2019
    If enough people beef, it might get noticed sooner.
    Jack E/NJ

    [Edited link by moderator]

    Jack E/NJ

  • Karp-Acer_Retired
    Karp-Acer_Retired Member Posts: 2,599 Guru
    edited December 2019
    As the title states my newly-purchased Aspire 5 A515-54G-70TZ does not have the BIOS option to disable the keyboard backlight 30-second timeout in the current BIOS (v1.12). Apparently many other Aspire laptops got this option added but this model does not have it in the "Main" section of the BIOS options.

    This is a non-starter for me and defeats the purpose of the keyboard backlight. Will the option be added to the BIOS soon? Or should I just return the laptop now and look to another brand?

    Thanks!

    DB22 said:
    I have the same machine and the same beef. How do we nag Acer to publish a BIOS upgrade that gives us control of the keyboard backlight?
    Unfortunately we don`t have the option to disable the keyboard backlight timeout and Acer is not planning on adding the feature will to the BIOS. We can send your suggestion to our engineering, but we do not promise this will be done.

    For BIOS/Firmware update, you can always check on our drivers and manual page to check for any new drivers.
    minimizar para MAXIMIZAR.

    Descubra a mais recente e inovadora tecnologia que chegará no mercado, next@acer.
  • Jasiro
    Jasiro Member Posts: 1 New User
    Any news? Just bought new A515-54G and still this issue exists... should I return it or it will be fixed soon?

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    edited December 2019
    No news yet. The latest version is still 1.12.  Don't hold your breath waiting for another update. Might as well return it ASAP if it's that important to you before the vendor's returns policy expires. Jack E/NJ



    Jack E/NJ

  • Razorice
    Razorice Member Posts: 11

    Tinkerer

    Hey, same problem! Just got referred here to add my support to the problem. Hope they fix it soon...
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    Keep checking here like the rest of us users. https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support-product/7982?b=1
    We're not ACER employees. So maybe something might get done sooner if enough of you could send a flood of PMs to our  ACER-employee moderators with your 'hopes' . But no 100% guarantees from me.   :) Jack E/NJ


    Jack E/NJ

  • jimfitter
    jimfitter Member Posts: 13

    Tinkerer

    DB22 said:
    I have the same machine and the same beef. How do we nag Acer to publish a BIOS upgrade that gives us control of the keyboard backlight?

    A BIOS update came and went, without a keyboard update. I keep giving bad reviews where I can, on this model, in various forums. Hopefully, the bad press gives someone the incentive to fix this. It really is frustrating to have to deal with this.
  • aphanic
    aphanic Member Posts: 959 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    What to know something funny guys? I also have an A515-54G, but mine sports the regular keyboard instead of the one with a backlight. I contacted support over here to see if they could sell me the piece (I'd exchange it) or if it was possible for me to send the laptop to them and pay not only the piece but also the labor to do the exchange (in the A515-54G the keyboard is kind of fused to the palmrest), but alas! Neither option is possible, or they're not used to requests like mine.

    It's a shame, I'd be willing to have the timeout lowered too, 30 seconds seem excessive.

    Oh! The irony! :disappointed:

    Anyway, best of luck guys, let's hope it's implemented in a newer release of the firmware.
  • Manny-Acer_Retired
    Manny-Acer_Retired Newbie Posts: 4,453 Guru
    Answer ✓
    jimfitter said:
    DB22 said:
    I have the same machine and the same beef. How do we nag Acer to publish a BIOS upgrade that gives us control of the keyboard backlight?

    A BIOS update came and went, without a keyboard update. I keep giving bad reviews where I can, on this model, in various forums. Hopefully, the bad press gives someone the incentive to fix this. It really is frustrating to have to deal with this.
    aphanic said:
    What to know something funny guys? I also have an A515-54G, but mine sports the regular keyboard instead of the one with a backlight. I contacted support over here to see if they could sell me the piece (I'd exchange it) or if it was possible for me to send the laptop to them and pay not only the piece but also the labor to do the exchange (in the A515-54G the keyboard is kind of fused to the palmrest), but alas! Neither option is possible, or they're not used to requests like mine.

    It's a shame, I'd be willing to have the timeout lowered too, 30 seconds seem excessive.

    Oh! The irony! :disappointed:

    Anyway, best of luck guys, let's hope it's implemented in a newer release of the firmware.

    Hi all,

    Thank you for all the feedback provided on this matter, please keep in mind that the backlight automatically turning off 30 seconds after the last keystroke, is a power saving feature (mostly found in our newer models) as part of our effort to meet Energy Star7.0, Acer is unable to offer a support path to override or modify this feature if your model is not eligible for the following BIOS update:



    A "Keyboard Lighting Timeout" function has been implemented for the following models only: 

    Model

    BIOS v.

    Date

    Download Link

    Aspire T7000

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Aspire A715-72G

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Predator PH315-51

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Aspire A717-72G

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Nitro AN515-52

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Nitro AN515-53

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Predator PH317-52

    1.25

    2019/03/20

    Download

    Model

    BIOS v.

    Date

    Download Link

    Nitro AN515-42

    1.13

    2019/03/08

    Download


    Note: Please keep in mind that this implementation (Main tab) will allow users to Disable the "Keyboard Lighting Timeout" option to have the Keyboard Backlight on at all times when on AC power only if the unit is on battery power, it will work as intended (automatically turning off 30 seconds after the last keystroke). You can check periodically for any drivers, manuals and BIOS updates here: Drivers&Manual official page

    Please follow the "Disable keyboard backlight timeout" instructions (FAQ):

    https://us.answers.acer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/61998#_ga=2.159783933.1374864991.1552488642-1045363774.1531752932

    BIOS changes example:


    Note: This thread will be now closed and this reply will be marked as the solution.


    Best Regards,

    Acer-Manny

This discussion has been closed.