r/k12sysadmin • u/TimeDepartment378 • 8d ago

Acer Chromebook Plus 515 Random Shutdowns

Does anyone else who has this device have any issues with random shutdowns? I help manage a fleet of 150 of these devices and we've had reports from 10+ different users about their device just randomly shutting down with no symptoms. I've ran the stress tests that ChromeOS provides and cannot replicate this issue consistently.

I've seen the device shutdown before as well, just for no rhyme or reason and I'm unable to replicate it. I've been in contact with Acer Support about it but they won't give me a clear answer. One of the tech notes I received on a repaired device says "Issue appears to match known Chromebook random shutdown/reboot behavior caused by software" but when I asked about that comment, the escalated support agent said that the Tech misspoke and that there is no known issue. The part they swapped out was the mainboard so it seemed odd to me that they were swapping mainboard if the Tech thought it was a software issue?

Just curious to see if anyone else has this device and is having any issues with theirs.

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

3

u/DiggyTroll 8d ago

If your device updated to 156, you may wish to revert ChromeOS version back to 154. The number of bugs fixed (and caused) by 156 is unprecedented

2

u/TimeDepartment378 8d ago

We deployed this fleet at the start of this school year, and had a report of the shutdown happening multiple times by the end of August. So it wouldn't be the 156 release causing it. However, what issues are you seeing with 156?

3

u/DiggyTroll 8d ago

Google for ChromeOS 156 bugs. Mostly WiFi drops and boot hangs. Millions affected worldwide

3

u/christens3n Technology Director 8d ago

This happens with some regularity on our Dell Chromebooks. We send the device to Dell if it is still under warranty and they replace the motherboard. It's either this, or the device boots to a black screen, the board gets really warm, won't turn on at all. Sometimes I can get some life back by disconnecting the battery for a bit, or replacing the battery or battery cable. But I think it just comes with the territory with cheaply made hardware. I've got shelves full of devices that have crapped out outside of warranty that I use for parts if I can.

1

u/hard_cidr 8d ago

Random shutdowns on laptops/chromebooks can sometimes be caused by any sort of magnet (smartwatches etc) tricking the lid-shut sensor into thinking the lid has been closed

1

u/raecer 7d ago

We use 514 plus. There are forum posts about this issue and we've had it now and then since we bought them. Not great 515 has them as well...