Acer Aspire V5-131-2629 Troubleshooting

User cannot connect his or her laptop to the internet via a wifi connection:

When attempting to connect to a secure wireless network, check to make sure the password you are using to access the connection is correct. Be mindful of appropriate capitalization as wifi networks are case sensitive.

In the following order, click “Start”, “Control Panel”, “View Network Status and Tasks”, “Change Adapter Settings". Right-click "Wireless Network Connection" and select "Disable" from the menu. Wait until the wireless icon turns gray, then right-click "Wireless Network Connection" and click "Enable" to reset the adapter.

Click on the “Start” Menu on the bottom left corner of the screen. Select the “Turn off Computer” option, and click “Restart” on the drop down menu.

Occasionally wireless adapters die. Often these adapters cannot be repaired and must be replaced. See wireless card replacement tutorial here.

The laptop will not turn on when depressing the power button.

Are the power cord and battery in proper working order? If not see “Laptop won’t charge” troubleshooting guide below.

Has the device recently powered down due to overheating? If so, see “laptop overheating” troubleshooting guide below.

If you do not find any problems with the power supply, battery or overheating, a faulty internal component may be causing the issue — a broken or damaged motherboard, for example, or damaged charging circuits, a faulty video card, RAM or other hardware. If you suspect that an internal component is causing the issue, the computer may need to be disassembled and repaired.

The laptop seemingly cannot hold a charge

To make sure the laptop is actually plugged in, check the AC adapter brick and verify that any removable cords are fully inserted. Try plugging the power cord into a different outlet to see if you've got a short or a blown fuse. Also inspect the power cord by feeling along the length of the cord, flexing it as you go, to check for any kinks or breaks in the wire. Check the ends for any broken connections, such as plugs pulling loose or spots that may be damaged.

Clean out the connector port by inserting a clean, dry toothpick into the opening and gently scraping away any debris. After you have cleaned out the connector, plug the power cord back in.

Remove battery from underside of your laptop by locating the battery compartment directly below the hinges. Depress the toggling button to unlock the battery, and remove carefully, making sure not to force any parts. Inspect and gently wipe down all visible connections on the battery and in the docking area. Replace the battery in its compartment and power on your device. 

If none of the above solutions works, you may have to purchase a new battery for your Acer V5-131 laptop. Battery replacement is a simple procedure, and follows the same steps as “check battery connections” guide above.

The screen may have unresponsive pixels or be completely black.

If there is an actual break in the screen or the screen simply isn’t turning on when the laptop is powered on, then the screen is most likely broken. To replace a broken screen, follow this guide.

If there are areas of the screen that are not updating regardless of change in background, then there are likely dead pixels. Dead pixels can sometimes be fixed by flashing multiples colors over the affected area. There are websites to help with this such as http://www.jscreenfix.com.

The laptop is hot to the touch, and has trouble doing basic functions

Disassemble the computer to allow access to the cooling unit.  A complete guide can be found at this link, Acer Aspire V5-571 Cooling System Replacement.  Clean the surface carefully with isopropyl alcohol and a fine cloth.  After, use a soft and fine brush to clean the fan and the cooler unit.  Make sure to be as delicate as possible as to not rupture any part of these units.

Most laptops suck in cooling air through their bottoms. Uneven surfaces, like a blanket, pillow, or your lap, obstruct Acer laptops air flow. After cooling is impaired, heat builds up, Acer laptop surfaces get hot, the temperature of sucked in cooling air increases, and eventually the laptop is overheating.  Make sure to allow enough space between where the fan collect cool air and the surface you are using.

If you like to continuously have your laptop charging, a dying battery may be your issue.  Since a turned off computer is using barely any battery, this deteriorates the battery’s life span.  If you believe you battery may be on its deathbed, a complete replacement guide can be found at this link, Acer Aspire V5-122P-0889 Battery Replacement.