Acer Nitro 5 (i5-9300H, GTX 1660 Ti) turns on but no display — need help diagnosing.

Diagnosing the No-Display Issue on the Acer Nitro 5 (i5-9300H, GTX 1660 Ti)

If you’re experiencing a situation where your Acer Nitro 5 laptop powers on but fails to display anything on the screen, you’re not alone. Many users encounter similar issues, which can stem from various hardware or firmware problems. Below, we explore potential causes, diagnostic steps, and advice on how to proceed.

Understanding the Problem

In this scenario, the laptop exhibits the following behaviors:

• Keyboard backlight activates.
• Disk activity LED blinks.
• Fans spin up for around 10–15 seconds, then stop.
• Internal components such as CPU, GPU, RAM, and SSD heat up, indicating they are receiving power.
• The device remains powered on, but the display remains blank—no Acer logo, BIOS screen, or POST.
• Attempts to access BIOS through F2, Del, or other keys are unsuccessful.
• The issue persists whether the device is plugged in or running on battery.
• External monitors also show no output.

Troubleshooting Steps Already Attempted

• Reseating the RAM module, though limited by having a single stick.
• Performing an emergency power cycle by holding down the power button.
• Trying BIOS recovery hotkeys, with no response.

Potential Causes and Diagnostic Considerations

Given these observations, several possibilities emerge:

1. Corrupted BIOS Firmware

BIOS corruption can prevent the system from completing POST or displaying anything on the screen. If this is the case, BIOS recovery procedures may be necessary.

1. Memory Module Issues

Faulty or improperly seated RAM can cause startup issues. Testing with a different RAM stick or in different slots can help confirm this.

1. Graphics Card or GPU Failure

While the GPU warms up (indicating power), a fault could result in no display output. External monitor tests are useful here, but since they also show nothing, the issue might be more severe.

1. Motherboard or CPU Problems

Hardware failure within the motherboard or CPU can manifest as power-on but no display. Diagnosing this may require professional servicing.

Next Steps for Diagnosis

• Attempt BIOS Recovery: Many Acer laptops support BIOS crisis recovery modes. Consult the service manual or Acer’s support resources for specific procedures, such as using a USB BIOS recovery method.

• Test Memory Modules: If possible, swap in known-good RAM or test the existing