On most Acer laptops, the CMOS battery sits on the motherboard under the bottom cover; some models hide it beneath the keyboard or on the board’s rear.
The tiny RTC cell preserves BIOS time and settings. The exact spot varies by model, yet the search follows a repeatable path. This guide maps the common locations, shows safe opening steps, and lists post-swap checks. You’ll also see notes for laptops that use a cabled pouch with a two-pin plug.
Quick Orientation: What You’re Looking For
The CMOS or RTC battery in many Acer notebooks is a CR2032-size cell. Newer designs often package it in a small vinyl pouch with a two-pin connector; older boards may use a bare coin in a plastic clip. Expect it near memory, storage, speakers, or the fan shroud.
On mainstream clamshells, you’ll reach it by removing the base cover. On some thin models, it sits on the reverse side of the board. Gaming lines tend to keep it near the fan or RAM slots.
Where You’ll Find It On Popular Acer Lines
Aspire Series
Most units place the cell on the top side of the motherboard, reachable once the bottom case comes off. Look for a yellow or blue pouch with a tiny plug. Some slim models hide it under the board, so the keyboard deck must lift after unplugging internal cables. iFixit guides for Aspire V5 and E1 families show both layouts.
Nitro And Helios Gaming Lines
These laptops favor serviceability. After taking off the base, check the fan edge and RAM area first. Many builds route a two-wire lead from a shrink-wrapped cell toward a header near the heat pipes. Some variants tuck the cell beside the M.2 slot under tape.
Swift And Spin Ultraportables
Thin frames trade easy access for compact routing. If you don’t see a coin or pouch on first glance, expect a board flip. Take photos so every ribbon returns to the right socket.
A Near-Match Keyword Heading: CMOS Battery Spot On Acer Laptops
Follow this field guide before you reach for a screwdriver.
1) Confirm That You Need To Open The Case
Signs point to the RTC cell: clock drifts, BIOS settings reset, or a checksum message. Try a BIOS reset. If the issue returns after a full shutdown and AC removal, the cell likely needs service.
2) Prep And Power Down
Shut down and unplug. Hold the power button for 15 seconds. If the main battery is user-removable, pop it out; if internal, you’ll unplug it after opening the base. Work on a clean table. A plastic spudger and a PH0 driver handle most steps.
3) Remove The Bottom Case
Remove all visible Philips screws. Some units hide one under a label or a foot. Slide a plastic card along the seam to free clips. Lift from the hinge side last.
4) Disconnect The Main Battery
Before touching the RTC cell, pull the main battery connector. With the pack off-line, the board stays quiet while you work.
5) Spot The RTC Cell
Scan near RAM, the M.2 bay, the fan shroud, and speaker chambers. Look for a coin-size pouch with a red-black lead, or a bare coin in a clip. If nothing matches, the cell may sit under the board.
6) If The Cell Sits On The Top Side
Unplug the tiny connector by rocking it evenly. Peel back any tape that anchors the pouch. If the cell sits in a clip, slide it out with a nylon tool. Fit the new cell with the same polarity, seat the connector, and retape the lead.
7) If The Cell Sits Under The Board
Photograph every cable. Free the Wi-Fi, keyboard, touchpad, and display ribbons. Lift the board along the I/O edge and flip like a book. Swap the cell, route the lead as before, then reconnect ribbons in reverse order.
8) Reassemble And Reset
Reconnect the main battery, close the base, and install screws. Power on, enter BIOS, set date and time, and restore boot settings. Cold boot once more to confirm the settings hold properly.
Model Examples That Show Real-World Placement
Acer guidance notes the use of CR2032-class cells in many models. Repair guides illustrate where makers tuck the part on specific boards. Start here:
- Acer’s article on CMOS battery replacement outlines the part type and general steps. CMOS battery replacement.
- Model-specific steps on iFixit, like the Nitro 5 guide that shows a cabled pouch by the fan. Nitro 5 CMOS replacement.
Tips That Cut Guesswork
Look For These Visual Cues
Pouch color stands out against black boards. Yellow and blue are common. The two-pin plug is tiny; a slow, even pull frees it. A bare clip often sits near the RAM or M.2 slots. If you see black fabric tape across a small dome, that’s often the pouch.
Know When A Board Flip Is Likely
If your first pass shows no coin or pouch, the cell may live underneath. Ultraportables with thin shells use this layout. Plan extra time, and keep paste on hand if the heatsink must come up.
Mind Warranty And Safety
Opening the shell can void coverage in some regions. If your unit is within its service window, check the service terms first. Skip metal pry tools near traces. Keep liquids off the bench. If a ribbon won’t seat, stop and re-align it.
Common Questions Answered
Can I Replace A Cabled Pouch With A Bare Coin?
Not directly. The cabled pack includes welded tabs, a lead, and a plug. Buy a like-for-like pack or rebuild the pouch with the same cell type. Match voltage and connector orientation, and insulate the work.
What Battery Type Do These Laptops Use?
Most use a 3-volt CR2032 form factor. Some designs ship with rechargeable ML-class cells in a pouch. Check the label on the original pack before ordering. If the sticker is missing, search by model number with “RTC battery.”
Will A Dead RTC Cell Stop The Laptop From Booting?
It can cause resets or a hang at logo screens when time or device data fails. Replacing the cell restores stable timekeeping and keeps your boot order intact.
Step-By-Step: Fast Access On Service-Friendly Models
- Back up files, then shut down and unplug.
- Remove base screws and lift the cover with a plastic card.
- Disconnect the main battery.
- Find the pouch or clip-in coin near RAM, M.2, or fans.
- Unplug or unclip the cell and fit the new one.
- Tape the lead so it can’t brush a fan.
- Reconnect the main battery, reassemble, and set BIOS time and date.
When A Full Board Lift Makes Sense
If your model hides the cell under the board, weigh the task against your comfort level. A shop can swap it. If you choose DIY, label screws and stage cables so they return to their lanes.
Table: Likely Location By Acer Family
| Acer Line | Common Battery Style | Typical Access |
|---|---|---|
| Aspire (mainstream) | CR2032 pouch with 2-pin lead | Under base cover; near RAM or M.2 |
| Nitro / Helios | Pouch with lead, taped by fan | Under base cover; easy reach |
| Swift / Spin | Pouch or clip-in coin | Often on board underside; board lift |
After The Swap: Settings To Check
Enter BIOS on start. Set time and date. Confirm SATA or NVMe mode. If you boot from an external drive or a second SSD, restore that order too. Save, shut down, and start once more to verify persistence. If settings still reset, reseat the connector and test with AC removed again.
Parts, Specs, And Sourcing Notes
Buy name-brand cells with fresh date codes. For pouch packs, match the connector and wire order. If stock is scarce, you can rebuild a pack by transplanting a fresh coin into the wrapper, then sealing with Kapton or equivalent tape. If you rebuild, double-check polarity with a meter before you plug in.
Troubleshooting After Replacement
If the clock still slips or the laptop forgets boot order, check three things. First, make sure the new cell is fresh; low shelf life can mimic a bad install. Second, reseat the tiny plug; half-seated pins can pass just enough current to hold time while plugged in but fail after a long shutdown. Third, update BIOS from Acer’s driver page for your model.
Seeing a BIOS password prompt? Swapping the coin does not clear a user-set password on many boards. That safeguard is by design. You’ll need the set password or maker help. Avoid shorting random pads on the board; that move can end the motherboard.
Safety, ESD, And Disposal
Unplug AC and disconnect the main pack. Ground yourself on a metal case screw. Sort screws by zone. Don’t pierce or solder a coin cell; use tabbed cells or premade leads. Recycle the old coin through an e-waste drop box.
Find Model-Specific Docs Fast
Search your exact model plus “Lifecycle Extension Guide” to find official PDFs with board layouts and disassembly order. Pair that with a photo guide that matches your chassis for clear landmarks.
Proof And References
Acer guidance confirms the use of CR2032-class cells in many systems and warns about damage from incorrect installs. iFixit’s Nitro 5 steps show the pouch-lead style and the path to reach it behind the base panel. Links above open in new tabs for convenience. Screens may vary slightly by revision, so follow photos and notes from your exact guide.