Acer Aspire TimelineU M5-481TG Troubleshooting

Your computer screen dims or turns off while the computer is still running.

Your laptop may have an automatic setting that dims your screen after a certain amount of time. This could occur if you are not actively using your computer, and the computer is putting itself to sleep in order to save battery power. To fix this, go to your Control Panel menu, find power options and then sleep settings. You can adjust the automatic sleep or battery saver time there.

If your entire computer including the screen is shutting down, your laptop could be overheating. Try to use the laptop on a flat surface or with an additional fan to see if the problem is solved. If you do not have an extra fan, clean your computer fans using compressed air. If using compressed air to clean your fans does not work, you may need to replace your computer fans. To learn how to do this, see our guide on replacing fans here.

If the laptop is shutting down, there could be an issue with your battery. Try plugging your laptop into your charger to see if this keeps the computer screen on. If the issue only occurs when running off of battery power on your laptop, you might need to replace your battery. See our guide on how to replace your battery here.

Your screen backlight could also be a culprit. You can tell if there is a backlight issue if the screen takes on a different color hue, flickers or if you can hear a buzzing from the screen. If you suspect the issue is due to the backlight, you may need to replace the screen,

If your computer is on, but the screen is completely black, you may need to remove the Solid State Drive (SSD) card. See our guide on how to remove the SSD card here.

You have difficulty hearing the sounds coming from your computer.

Test the audio through your computer speakers and headphones separately. Distorted sound only coming through the headphones indicates that the headphones themselves may not be working or the audio jack may be faulty. If the audio breaks up or cuts in and out, the audio jack could be loose and needs to be fully inserted into the computer.

If audio is distorted through the computer speakers, the audio driver may be corrupt. Search for the Control Panel in the start-up menu. In the Control Panel, click on the sound icon. Make sure that the speakers are not muted. Click on the speakers to see if there is an error message about them not working. The speakers, or entire audio drive, may need to be enabled, configured or updated. See our guide on replacing the audio drive here.

You are trying to type but your keys are sticking, cannot be pressed down or will not respond.

Your keys may be sticky or stuck and that could mean that the keys need to be cleaned or replaced. To fix this, you will need to remove the keys and clean them or check to make sure there is not anything trapped beneath them causing them to stick. To remove your keys, insert a flat screwdriver or your finger and pull up gently on the key until it comes loose. Once you have cleaned them or removed any trapped material, you can click the keys back into place.

There could be an issue with the keyboard connection to the computer. In this case, you will need to replace the keyboard. To figure out how to do this, see our guide here.

Computer shuts down suddenly or battery life seems to decrease faster than the claimed time amount.

If the computer seems unable to retain its charge, the port where the power adapter is plugged into may need to be cleaned. Try dusting the port where the charger is plugged into with compressed air.

Excessive use may cause power adapter to become strained. Try using a different power adapter for better battery results.

The battery could be cracked or damaged from repeated contact with hard surfaces or corroded from the leakage of acid within the computer. If the computer is leaking any fluid or shows signs of rusting on the bottom, use our guide on replacing the battery here.

You are unable to get the power button to work or the computer shows no sign of powering up.

Plug in the charger (also known as the power adapter) into the computer. If the charging light on the computer does not turn on when the charger is plugged in, then the charger is faulty. Consider purchasing a replacement charger.

Try connecting the laptop to its charger, even it is fully charged. If the laptop only turns on when the charger is plugged in, regardless of charging time, the battery is faulty. See our guide on replacing the battery here.

You cannot hear your fans going and your laptop is getting very hot and turns off or stops working.

Try to use the laptop on a flat surface or with an additional fan to see if the problems is solved. If you do not have an extra fan, you will want to clean your computer fans using compressed air. If using compressed air to clean your fans does not work, you may need to replace your computer fans. To learn how to do this, see our guide on replacing fans here.

If cleaning the fans from both the outside of the computer and the inside of the computer does not work, the fans or vents may need to be replaced. To replace the fans or vents, see our guide here.