Acer Chromebook White Screen

Acer Chromebook White Screen

Jacob Mehnert and 1 contributor
Last updated on

Before diving into more advanced troubleshooting, let's start with some basic checks:

  • Restart Your Chromebook: A simple restart can sometimes clear up temporary display issues. Press the Refresh and the Power Button simultaneously to restart your Chromebook.
  • Check for Loose External Connections: If using an external monitor, ensure the cable connecting your Chromebook to the monitor is securely plugged in. If you display content on the external screen but not on your attached screen, the issue is with your Chromebook's physical hardware.

Causes

1

If you can barely see the content on your Chromebook's screen, the issue is likely caused by your device's settings. Thankfully, you can change a few different display settings to restore the normalcy of your device's screen.

  1. Adjust your Brightness settings. All Acer Chromebooks have built-in controls for adjusting contrast, often associated with brightness settings. To adjust Brightness, try looking for the following:
    • Click on the clock in the taskbar.
    • Find the brightness icon (usually a sun or similar symbol).
    • Click on the icon to open the brightness and contrast settings.
    • Adjust the contrast slider to find a setting that works for you.
  2. Accessibility Setting: ChromeOS offers accessibility settings that include options for adjusting contrast. To access these settings:
    • Click on the clock in the taskbar.
    • Click on the Gear-shaped "settings" icon.
    • Scroll down and click on Accessibility in the left sidebar.
    • Look for settings related to how your display looks or how contrast is handled.
  3. Check Chrome Flags: Chrome offers experimental features through its flags settings. While these settings are not recommended for inexperienced users, they can sometimes resolve display issues. To access Chrome flags:
    • Open the Chrome browser.
    • In the address bar, type chrome://flags/ and press Enter.
    • Carefully review and experiment with available flags. Be cautious and change settings one at a time.
2

ChromeOS might be experiencing issues with the operating system that might be causing problems with your built-in display.

  • Ensure that your Chromebook's operating system is up to date. Go to Settings > About Chrome OS > Check for Updates. Install any available updates.
  • Recover your Operating System. If updating your device does not restore sound to your Chromebook, you can try to use a Recovery USB. You can create a recovery USB using the instructions here. This will factory reset your device and wipe any data on the device's internal storage, so be sure to move any data on the device to either an external USB storage device or to Google Drive.
3

If your Acer Chromebook works with an external display but not with the attached display, it suggests damage to the screen. To check if the display might be faulty, follow these steps.

  1. Power off your Chromebook. Be sure to remove any peripherals or power sources.
  2. Carefully inspect the internal display for physical damage. This includes any significant or small cracks or any liquid damage. Checking from different angles can help spot hairline cracks as they catch in the light.

If the screen is damaged, the best solution is to replace it. Use the appropriate guide for your specific Chromebook. If you cannot find any damage to your display, then chances are the display cable might be experiencing complications. Read on.

4

In most Acer Chromebooks, the internal display is located beneath the display bezel. A cable sends signals to the LCD panel from the logic board. If this cable is disconnected or damaged, the display may not work.

  • Ensure that the internal display is securely connected to the motherboard via the display cable. This will involve some dismantling—check out a relevant Chromebook guide to see how to get inside your Chromebook. Ensure the display cable is securely plugged into the LCD panel and motherboard. If the cable appears loose, reconnect it carefully. After reconnection, test the display to see if the content appears correctly on the LCD panel.
  • Perform a visual inspection of the display cable. If no visible damage is apparent, thoroughly examine the display cable connections. Check both the end of the display and the point where the display cable connects to the motherboard. Look for any signs of damage, such as burns or indications of liquid damage. If any damage is found, try to source a new display cable and replace it.

If you don't find any issues during the display and display cable inspection, proceed to the final section for further troubleshooting.

5

Suppose your Acer Chromebook displays only a white screen even after following the troubleshooting steps mentioned earlier. In that case, there is a high likelihood of a problem with the motherboard or the surrounding components.

  1. Ensure that your device's CPU is adequately cooled. Specific Acer Chromebook models, such as the C712 Series, have encountered problems with cooling fan failure caused by the daughterboard's ribbon cable becoming disconnected from the motherboard. If you have recently reinstalled your heatsink, double-check that it is correctly attached to your CPU and that the CPU has the appropriate amount of thermal paste applied. Proper cooling is essential to prevent overheating and ensure optimal performance.
  2. Remove any accumulated dust or debris from the internal components of your device. It is crucial to maintain proper airflow within your device. Dust or debris can hinder the cooling process, potentially causing issues with the operating system. Regularly cleaning the internals of your device helps prevent excessive heat generation and ensures optimal performance.
  3. Reset your device's BIOS Settings. To reset your motherboard's BIOS settings, you can try uninstalling and then reinstalling the CMOS battery. By doing so, any stored settings or configurations that may have become corrupted will be cleared, and the system will start with default settings. This helps eliminate potential conflicts or misconfigurations that could be causing the issue you're experiencing.
  4. Verify that the RAM module is installed correctly and functioning properly. If the RAM module is not properly seated, it can result in display issues. Try re-inserting the RAM module, ensuring it is securely in place. Alternatively, you can consider replacing the RAM module with the same type to eliminate any potential RAM-related problems.
  5. Perform a thorough visual inspection of the circuit boards for any signs of burns or damaged components. If you observe any visible damage, such as burns or parts that appear to be physically damaged, the board likely needs to be replaced, especially if it's the board carrying the display cable connector. In our store, you can find motherboard and daughterboard components for select Chromebook models.

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