Predator Helios 300 Random Shutdowns

mabodoufu
mabodoufu Member Posts: 5 New User
I've had this laptop for about 2 months, and a week ago it started just shutting off randomly while I was playing games. I figured it was probably overheating, so I got an external fan, updated BIOS, and adjusted the power settings, and now it runs at lower temps but it still shuts down if I play any med-high spec games. I was monitoring the temps while playing VR today, and it stayed around 65-68 for maybe half an hour before shutting off, so I seriously doubt it's a temperature issue. However, I still don't know why this only happens during gameplay, and not during general browsing/internet use.

Any advice on what might be causing this issue?
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Answers

  • Red-Sand
    Red-Sand ACE Posts: 1,892 Pathfinder
    I have two things to suggest looking at.

    First press and hold the small pin hole reset (while your laptop is off and unplugged) and hold the button down for a solid 40 seconds then try using again.

    Second there is a door switch inside the RAM access door that if it isnt pressed down completely will shut down the laptop. I've heard of some members putting little pieces of tape on the RAM door press point to give it a bit more depth to ensure that button is pressed completely.

    Let me know how it goes.
    - Hotel Hero
  • mabodoufu
    mabodoufu Member Posts: 5 New User
    Thanks for the advice. I tried both of those, but the problem persists. The best way I can describe it is that it's overheating at around 70-75 C, which, from what I understand, is a very reasonable temperature for a heavy gaming session.

    My room only has a tower fan for cooling, so it can get pretty warm, but this problem also occurred when I brought my laptop to a friend's place who had better AC, so I don't think ambient temperature is the issue. Is it possible that my Predator Sense is just reporting false temperatures? The laptop itself doesn't feel as hot as older ones I've used while gaming, so I believe the temps are accurate, but I can't be sure.

    After making the adjustments I mentioned in my first post, it can run Overwatch at around 65 without shutting off anymore, but VR still shuts down after 10-20 minutes, which is kind of a bummer since that was the main reason I got this laptop, and it ran VR just fine for about 2 months after purchase. Any further advice would be greatly appreciated.
  • Red-Sand
    Red-Sand ACE Posts: 1,892 Pathfinder
    Please check your error logs or click your start button and type "reliability history" and see what the errors say at the time of shut down. 
    - Hotel Hero
  • mabodoufu
    mabodoufu Member Posts: 5 New User
    I checked the reliability history, and it says:

    Windows was not properly shut down.
    Description: The previous shutdown at [time] on [date] was unexpected

    It doesn't go into anymore detail than that. However, this error was listed twice, as usually when my computer shuts down like this, if I try turning it back on soon after, it'll turn on and off once or twice before starting up. (It never gets past a black screen; the keyboard lights and fan will just turn on and off once or twice before the laptop actually starts up.)
  • Red-Sand
    Red-Sand ACE Posts: 1,892 Pathfinder
    What tweaks have you done to your system?
    Undervolting etc.
    - Hotel Hero
  • mabodoufu
    mabodoufu Member Posts: 5 New User
    I lowered the maximum processor state in the power settings to 75%, and then followed this guide (which I think was actually made by you) for undervolting and various other tweaks in Throttlestop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1rs92CiYxU
    I also updated the BIOS from the Acer download page to 1.13

    All these changes lowered my average temperature, but didn't solve the shut-off problem. Also, all of these changes were made after the problem started happening.
  • Red-Sand
    Red-Sand ACE Posts: 1,892 Pathfinder
    What did you use to update your drivers?
    Describe your process plz.

    To explain: Acer creates their own hardware and as such uses custom drivers for their systems to perform properly.
    You may want to install Intel AHCI, Intel VGA and Intel chipset drivers from Acers driver downloads.

    Also try enabling experimental features in geforce experience then reboot *twice* and try again.
    - Hotel Hero
  • mabodoufu
    mabodoufu Member Posts: 5 New User
    I tried installing the 3 drivers you listed from the Acer download page and changing the geforce setting, and it seemed like it was fixed for a day, but I thought I'd give it time just to be sure, and sure enough, today it started shutting off again. Does this seem like a manufacturing issue that I'll need Acer to fix for me? 
  • sri369
    sri369 ACE Posts: 2,822 Pathfinder
    Please try disabling "quick startup" option under power settings.
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  • ChampMcB
    ChampMcB Member Posts: 1 New User
    Hi,

    Was a solution to this problem ever determined? I am experiencing the same issue - seems like the computer is overheating but temperatures are only around 75 - 80 degrees. This happens when playing a game like Overwatch or CS:GO, and happens faster if I increase the framerate in the game. I have tried getting a laptop cooling fan, undervolting, and the suggestions listed in this forum. 
  • palash_r
    palash_r Member Posts: 1 New User
    Did you guys figure out something or not it is happening to me also. Please help.
  • iamtib555
    iamtib555 Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer

    1 year and 3 months since ive had the laptop, its been constantly doing it eversince. Any solutions?
  • Suhaan
    Suhaan Member Posts: 4 New User
    Anyone Found the Solution of this Problem.Need Help
  • xapim
    xapim ACE Posts: 7,253 Pathfinder
    edited January 2020
    Suhaan this is an old thread please start a new one with your particular issue in order to get proper help

    Thanks


    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/11532543

    UserBenchmarks: Game 43%, Desk 61%, Work 40%
    CPU: Intel Core i5-7300HQ - 63.5%
    GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050-Ti (Mobile) - 41.9%
    SSD: WDC WDS200T2B0B-00YS70 2TB - 71.4%
    HDD: WD WD10SPZX-00HKTT0 1TB - 93.7%
    RAM: Kingston HyperX DDR4 2666 C15 2x16GB - 76.8%
    MBD: Acer Predator G3-572

    I'm not an Acer employee. (just here to help in the best way i can)
    If my answer fixed you issue please accept it for any other users who search for it would find it quickly thanks :)
    If you want to learn more about undervolting/optimizing windows join the Predator fb group and youtube channel:

    Owner/Admin (HOTEL HERO/Red-Sand/Opoka Opoka)
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/PredatorHelios300
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNJwGUHxSJ8FKqAhnOqQuAw
    Acer support:
    https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/service-contact
    http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/  


  • hecthorodinson
    hecthorodinson Member Posts: 2 New User
    hey, i have a predator triton 700, and it was shutting down randomly a lot, then i clean installed windows 10 and it stopped shuting down, after a week i wanted to change my keylighting and i remembered i forgot to install predator sense, the moment i installed it the pc shutdowns began to happen again, so i clean installed again and will never ever install predator sense again
  • hecthorodinson
    hecthorodinson Member Posts: 2 New User
    Suhaan said:
    Anyone Found the Solution of this Problem.Need Help
    yes, clean install windows from microsoft and don´t install predator sense.

    i have a predator triton 700, and it was shutting down randomly a lot, then i clean installed windows 10 and it stopped shuting down, after a week i wanted to change my keylighting and i remembered i forgot to install predator sense, the moment i installed it the pc shutdowns began to happen again, so i clean installed again and will never ever install predator sense again

  • Beersausage1990
    Beersausage1990 Member Posts: 1 New User
    still interested if there are other solutions to this, still having the same problem but tried the tape and the battery reset. but when im gaming ultra specs on farcry 5, it crashes after 20-30mins. while predator sense is at highspeed fan. hope to find out what else is the problem and the solutions. thanks!
  • MarsupialWolf0501
    MarsupialWolf0501 Member Posts: 1 New User
    I've had my predator helios 300 for 3 weeks now and yesterday I was playing valorant for an hour but it turned off even though it was plugged in. The turbo mode was even on. 

  • jcasa12
    jcasa12 Member Posts: 2 New User
    I have the same problem and in the process of trouble shooting my Helios 300

    ...try this
    Turn off your laptop,
    Remove the power cord
    power up your laptop
    Start your game
    Play your game for a few minutes
    Re install the power cord to your laptop

    so far my game/lap top does not shut down when I do this.

    What I have observed now is, when I run the "xbox console companion" the temperature of my SSD c: drive goes up to above 50 deg C and when I exit the "exit console companion" the temperature drops below 45 deg C.

    By default, that is, if you power up your laptop with the power cord is connected the "xbox console companion" will load up and run in the back ground when you run your game. you will notice a small dialog box appear with " Win + Alt + R" when you start your game.

    Also check the following
    > left click start
    > go to settings
    > go to Gaming (xbox bar, captures, game mode)
    > xbox game bar > xbox game bar > off
    > captures > back ground recoding > off
    >game mode > off

    I am still cheecking If I need to uninstall or adjust settings for the 'xbox console companion".

    hope this helps you











  • xapim
    xapim ACE Posts: 7,253 Pathfinder
    edited June 2020
    MarsupialWolf0501  Beersausage1990  hecthorodinson this is a dead 2 year old thread please open a new thread with your particular issues much have changed since then


    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/11532543

    UserBenchmarks: Game 43%, Desk 61%, Work 40%
    CPU: Intel Core i5-7300HQ - 63.5%
    GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050-Ti (Mobile) - 41.9%
    SSD: WDC WDS200T2B0B-00YS70 2TB - 71.4%
    HDD: WD WD10SPZX-00HKTT0 1TB - 93.7%
    RAM: Kingston HyperX DDR4 2666 C15 2x16GB - 76.8%
    MBD: Acer Predator G3-572

    I'm not an Acer employee. (just here to help in the best way i can)
    If my answer fixed you issue please accept it for any other users who search for it would find it quickly thanks :)
    If you want to learn more about undervolting/optimizing windows join the Predator fb group and youtube channel:

    Owner/Admin (HOTEL HERO/Red-Sand/Opoka Opoka)
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/PredatorHelios300
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNJwGUHxSJ8FKqAhnOqQuAw
    Acer support:
    https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/service-contact
    http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/