Acer EX215-32 User manual

USER’S MANUAL

2 -
© 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Extensa 15
Covers: EX215-32 / EX215-54 / EX215-54G
This revision: September 2021
Register your Acer product
If your new device runs on Windows OS, you may have had your
product registered automatically while you start up your device with
Windows OS.
Log in at www.acer.com/myproducts with the email address you
registered for Windows OS to review your product record. (Reset your
password if you do not know it.)
If the record is not found, please follow the steps below to register.
1. Ensure you are connected to the Internet.
2. Go to www.acer.com/register-product.
3. Sign in or sign up for an Acer ID.
4. Enter S/N or SNID of your device to register it.
Important
This manual contains proprietary information that is protected by
copyright laws. The information contained in this manual is subject to
change without notice. Some features described in this manual may not
be supported depending on the Operating System version. Images
provided herein are for reference only and may contain information or
features that do not apply to your computer. Acer Group shall not be
liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained in this
manual.
Model number: _________________________________
Serial number: _________________________________
Date of purchase: ______________________________
Place of purchase: ______________________________
The terms HDMI and HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface, and the HDMI Logo are
trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. in the United States
and other countries.

Table of contents - 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
First things first 5
Your guides ............................................. 5
Basic care and tips for using your
computer.................................................. 5
Turning your computer off........................... 5
Taking care of your computer ..................... 6
Taking care of your AC adapter .................. 7
Cleaning and servicing................................ 7
Guidelines for safe battery usage ............... 8
Internal battery....................................... 10
Your Acer notebook tour 11
Screen view ......................................... 11
Keyboard view ..................................... 12
Left view .............................................. 13
USB 3.2 Gen 1 information ....................... 13
Right view ............................................. 14
Base view ............................................. 15
Using the keyboard 16
Lock keys............................................... 16
Special keys .......................................... 16
Hotkeys.................................................. 17
The Windows OS Desktop 19
Tips and hints for using Windows.......... 20
Where are my apps?................................. 20
Can I turn off notifications? ....................... 20
How do I check for Windows updates?..... 20
Where can I get more information?........... 20
Using the Precision Touchpad 21
Touchpad gestures................................ 21
Changing touchpad settings .................. 23
Recovery 24
Creating a file history backup ................ 24
Backing up your wireless and LAN
drivers.................................................... 27
Restoring your computer ....................... 27
Reset this PC and keep my files ............... 27
Reset this PC and remove everything ...... 31
Using a Bluetooth connection 35
Enabling and disabling Bluetooth .......... 35
Enable Bluetooth and add a device .......... 35
Connecting to the Internet 37
Connecting to a wireless network.......... 37
Connecting to a wireless LAN................... 37
Connecting with a cable......................... 41
Built-in network feature ............................. 41
Bluelight Shield 42
Securing your computer 44
Using a computer security lock.............. 44
Using passwords ................................... 44
Entering passwords .................................. 45
BIOS utility 46
Boot sequence....................................... 46
Setting passwords ................................. 46
Power management 47
Saving power ......................................... 47
Battery pack 49
Battery characteristics ........................... 49
Charging the battery ................................. 49
Optimizing battery life ............................... 50
Checking the battery level......................... 51
Battery-low warning .................................. 51
Traveling with your computer 52
Disconnecting from the desktop ............ 52
Moving around ....................................... 52
What to bring............................................. 53
Universal Serial Bus (USB) 55
Video and audio connectors 56
Connecting a monitor............................. 56
Headphones and microphone................ 56
HDMI 57
Frequently asked questions 59
Requesting service ................................ 61
Troubleshooting ..................................... 62
Troubleshooting tips.................................. 62
Error messages......................................... 62
Internet and online security 64
First steps on the net ............................. 64
Protecting your computer.......................... 64
Choose an Internet Service Provider........ 64
Network connections................................. 66
Surf the Net!.............................................. 67
Internet security software.......................... 68

Getting started...
In this section you will find:
• Useful information on caring for your computer and your health
• Where to find the power button, ports and connectors
• Windows 11 interface overview
• Tips and tricks for using the touchpad and keyboard
• How to create recovery backups
• Guidelines for connecting to a network and using Bluetooth
• Information on using Acer’s bundled software

First things first - 5
FIRST THINGS FIRST
We would like to thank you for making this Acer notebook your choice
for meeting your mobile computing needs.
Your guides
To help you use your Acer notebook, we have designed a set of
guides:
First off, the Setup Guide helps you get started with setting up your
computer.
The Quick Guide introduces you to the basic features and functions
of your new computer. For more on how your computer can help you
to be more productive, please refer to the User’s Manual.This guide
contains detailed information on such subjects as system utilities, data
recovery, expansion options and troubleshooting.
Once you have connected to the internet, you can download updates
for your computer from: http://go.acer.com/support
1. The link will open the Acer Support webpage.
2. Scroll down to Drivers and Manuals and search for your model by
pasting in or manually entering the serial number, SNID, or
product model.
3. From this page you can also download and install the Acer
identification utility that will automatically detect your computer’s
serial number and SNID and allow you to copy it to the clipboard.
4. Once you have found your product model, any updates, or
documents will be listed.
Basic care and tips for using your computer
Turning your computer off
To turn the power off, do any of the following:
• Use the Windows shutdown command: Press the Windows key or
select the Windows Start button, select Power > Shut down.

6 - First things first
• Right-click the Windows Start button > Shut down or sign out >
Shut down.
If you need to power down the computer for a short while, but don’t
want to completely shut it down, you can put it to Sleep by doing any
of the following:
• Press the power button.
• Press the sleep hotkey.
• Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button, select
Power > Sleep.
• Right-click the Windows Start button > Shut down or sign out >
Sleep.
Taking care of your computer
Your computer will serve you well if you take care of it.
• Only use the adapter provided with your device, or an Acer-
approved adapter to power your device.
• Do not expose the computer to direct sunlight. Do not place it near
sources of heat, such as a radiator.
• Do not expose the computer to temperatures below 0º C (32º F) or
above 50º C (122º F).
• Do not subject the computer to magnetic fields.
• Do not expose the computer to rain or moisture.
• Do not spill water or any liquid on the computer.
• Do not subject the computer to heavy shock or vibration.
• Do not expose the computer to dust or dirt.
• Never place objects on top of the computer.
• Do not slam the computer display when you close it.
• Never place the computer on uneven surfaces.
Note
If you cannot power off the computer normally, press and hold the power
button for up to ten seconds to shut down the computer. If you turn off the
computer and want to turn it on again, wait at least two seconds before
powering up.

First things first - 7
Taking care of your AC adapter
Here are some ways to take care of your AC adapter:
• Do not connect the adapter to any other device.
• Do not step on the power cord or place heavy objects on top of it.
Route the power cord and any cables away from where people walk.
• When unplugging the power cord, do not pull on the cord itself but
pull on the plug.
• The total ampere ratings of the equipment plugged in should not
exceed the ampere rating of the cord if you are using an extension
cord. Also, the total current rating of all equipment plugged into a
single wall outlet should not exceed the fuse rating.
Cleaning and servicing
When cleaning the computer, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the computer.
2. Disconnect the AC adapter.
3. Use a soft, moist cloth. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
If your computer is dropped or visibly damaged, or does not work
normally, please contact your nearest authorized Acer service center.

8 - First things first
Guidelines for safe battery usage
Precautions when charging batteries
The useful lifespan of a battery is adversely affected by the following
behavior:
• Constantly charging the battery/device when already at full capacity.
• Charging the battery/device at temperatures above 35 °C (95 °F) or
below 0 °C (32 °F).
To prevent damage, follow these precautions:
• Stop charging the battery once it reaches 100% capacity; regularly
or frequently charging a fully charged battery for an extended period
of time may cause battery deformation or damage. We recommend
that you recharge the device when the battery level drops below
70% capacity.
• Do not charge battery in temperatures above 35 °C (95 °F) or below
0 °C (32 °F). Charging in abnormally high or abnormally low
temperatures can cause battery deformation or damage.
• The charging port must be clean and free from debris and should
only be used with Acer charging equipment. Use of a non-Acer
battery or charging equipment can cause damage to the product
and will void the warranty.
• If you plan to store the device for a long period of time, turn-off the
device, remove AC power and store the product at room
temperature (0 °C - 35 °C) in a dry (humidity: 45% - 80%), well-
ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight, high temperatures and high
humidity. Do not leave your device’s battery completely discharged
for a long period of time; this may cause battery deformation or
damage. We recommend that the battery is checked and charged to
approximately 50% capacity every 6 months.
Warning
When using a charging cart or a small space to simultaneously charge
or operate multiple devices , the area must be well- ventilated and the
temperature kept between 0 °C (32 °F) to 35 °C (95 °F) and battery
charging must be stopped when 100% capacity is reached.
Continuous charging can cause deformation or damage to the battery/
device.

First things first - 9
• ONLY CHARGE THE BATTERY IN A CLEAN, WELL VENTILATED
AREA.
Precautions when replacing the battery
Improper replacement or mishandling could damage the battery,
cause overheating, result in injury, and risk fire or explosion.
• Device with built-in battery: A built-in battery must be replaced by an
authorized service center. Do not attempt to replace or remove the
battery by yourself.
• Device with removable battery: The battery should only be replaced
with parts approved by Acer. Do not replace the battery with any
parts other than approved ones.
This notebook uses a Lithium-based battery. Do not use it in a humid,
wet or corrosive environment. Do not put, store or leave your product
in or near a heat source, in a high temperature location, in strong
direct sunlight, in a microwave oven or in a pressurized container, and
do not expose it to temperatures over 50 °C (122 °F).
Failure to follow these guidelines may cause the battery to leak acid,
become hot, explode or ignite and cause injury and/or damage. Do
not pierce, open or disassemble the battery. If the battery leaks and
you come into contact with the leaked fluids, rinse thoroughly with
water and seek medical attention immediately. For safety reasons,
and to prolong the lifetime of the battery, charging will must not occur
at temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) or above 35 °C (95 °F).
The full performance of a new battery is achieved only after two or
three complete charge and discharge cycles. The battery can be
charged and discharged hundreds of times, but it will eventually wear
out. When the operation time becomes noticeably shorter than
normal, check an authorized reseller to purchase a new battery.
Warning
Batteries may explode if not handled properly.
Do not disassemble or dispose of batteries in fire.
Do not short external contacts, crush, puncture or otherwise tamper
with batteries. Keep batteries away from children.
Follow local regulations when disposing of used batteries.

10 - First things first
Use the battery only for its intended purpose. Never use any charger
or battery that is damaged. Do not short-circuit the battery. Accidental
short-circuiting can occur when a metallic object such as a coin, clip or
pen causes direct connection of the positive (+) and negative (-)
terminals of the battery. (These look like metal strips on the battery.)
This might happen, for example, when you carry a spare battery in
your pocket or purse. Short-circuiting the terminals may damage the
battery or the connecting object.
The capacity and lifetime of the battery will be reduced if the battery is
left in hot or cold places, such as in a closed car in summer or winter.
Always try to keep the battery between 15°C and 25°C (59°F and
77°F). A device with a hot or cold battery may not work temporarily,
even when the battery is fully charged. Battery performance is
especially limited in temperatures well below freezing.
Do not dispose of batteries in a fire as they may explode. Batteries
may also explode if damaged. Dispose of batteries according to local
regulations. Please recycle when possible. Do not dispose as
household waste.
Wireless devices may be susceptible to interference from the battery,
which could affect performance.
Internal battery
• Do not attempt to replace a built-in rechargeable battery, battery
replacement must be done by an Acer- authorized repair facility.
• Recharge the battery by following the instruction included in the
product documentation.
Note
Please refer to www.acer.com for battery shipping documents.

Your Acer notebook tour - 11
YOUR ACER NOTEBOOK TOUR
After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Setup Guide, let us
show you around your new Acer computer.
Screen view
2
3
1
#Icon Item Description
1Microphone Internal digital microphone for sound
recording.
2Webcam
Web camera for video
communication.
A light next to the webcam indicates
that the webcam is active.
3Screen Displays computer output.

12 - Your Acer notebook tour
Keyboard view
1
2
3
#Icon Item Description
1Keyboard
For entering data into your computer.
See "Using the keyboard" on page
16.
2Touchpad
Touch-sensitive pointing device.
The touchpad and selection buttons
form a single surface.
Press down firmly on the touchpad
surface to perform a left click.
Press down firmly on the lower right
corner to perform a right click.
3Power button Turns the computer on and off.

Your Acer notebook tour - 13
Left view
1 2 3 4
#Icon Item Description
1DC-in jack Connects to an AC adapter.
2Ethernet (RJ-45)
port
Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/
1000-based network.
Pull the lip down to open the port fully.
3HDMI port Supports high-definition digital video
connections.
4USB port Connects to USB devices.
USB 3.2 Gen 1 information
• USB 3.2 Gen 1 compatible ports are blue.
• Compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 1 and earlier devices.
• For optimal performance, use USB 3.2 Gen 1 certified devices.
• Defined by the USB 3.2 Gen1 specification (SuperSpeed USB).

14 - Your Acer notebook tour
Right view
123 4
#Icon Item Description
1
Power indicator Indicates the computer’s power
status.
Battery indicator
Indicates the computer’s battery
status.
Charging: The light shows amber
when the battery is charging.
Fully charged: The light shows blue
when in AC mode.
2Headset/speaker
jack
Connects to audio devices (e.g.,
speakers, headphones) or a headset
with microphone.
3USB port Connects to USB devices.
4Kensington lock
slot
Connects to a Kensington-compatible
security lock.

Your Acer notebook tour - 15
Base view
1
2
3
#Icon Item Description
1Ventilation and
cooling fan
Allows the computer to stay cool.
Do not cover or obstruct the
openings.
2Speakers Deliver stereo audio output.
3Battery reset
pinhole
Simulates removing and reinstalling
the battery.
Insert a paperclip into the hole and
press for four seconds.

16 - Using the keyboard
USING THE KEYBOARD
The keyboard has full-sized keys, a numeric keypad, separate cursor,
lock, Windows, special keys and hotkeys.
Lock keys
The keyboard has lock keys which you can use to turn keyboard
functions on and off.
Special keys
Your computer’s keyboard includes keys that activate special
functions. The function of each key is clearly marked with an icon.
Lock key Description
Caps Lock When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters
typed are in uppercase.
NumLk
(Numeric Lock)
When Num Lock is on, the keypad is in numeric
mode. The keys function as a calculator (complete
with the arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /). Use this
mode when you need to do a lot of numeric data
entry.
Scr LK
(Scroll Lock)
When Scroll Lock is on, the screen moves one line
up or down when you press the up or down arrow
keys respectively. Scroll Lock does not work with
some applications.
Icon Function Description
Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep mode.
Flight mode Turns on / off the computer's network
devices.
Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness.
Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.

Using the keyboard - 17
Hotkeys
To activate hotkeys, press and hold the Fn key before pressing the
other key in the hotkey combination.
Display toggle
Switches display output between the
display screen, external monitor (if
connected) and both.
Display off Turns the display screen backlight off to
save power. Press any key to return.
Touchpad toggle Turns the built-in touchpad on and off.
Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.
Volume down Decreases the sound volume.
Volume up Increases the sound volume.
Scr LK Scroll Lock Turns Scroll Lock on or off.
Pause
Break Pause / Break Sends a Break Command.
Pg Up Page up Scrolls up a page in a document.
Pg Dn Page down Scrolls down a page in a document.
Home Home Scrolls to the beginning of a document.
End End Scrolls to the end of a document.
Icon Function Description
Hotkey Icon Description
Fn + F1-F12 Activate the F1 to F12 keys.
Fn + Jump to the next media file.
Fn + Return to the previous media file.
Fn + Play or pause a selected media file.

18 - Using the keyboard
Fn + Stop playing the selected media file.
Hotkey Icon Description
Note
To swap the hotkey and special function of the F1 to F12 keys, change the
function key setting in the BIOS (to open the BIOS press F2 when starting
your computer, then select the Main menu and change Function key
behavior to Function keys).
(Specifications vary depending on model.)

The Windows OS Desktop - 19
THE WINDOWS OS DESKTOP
#Item Description
1 Settings Changes the apps settings for your
computer.
2Start Launches apps, through Pinned,
Recommended, or All apps.
3Search Types in the texts to search on your
computer and the Internet.
4 Task View Allows to switch between running
applications and add the virtual desktop.
5 Widgets Provides the weather, news, stocks, and
sports information.
6 Power Shut down, sleep or restart your computer.
7 Quick settings
Displays the situation of network
connection, battery level and sound
setting. You can toggle quick actions to
instantly adjust or open settings.
8 Notification Displays the notifications and calendar.
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20 - The Windows OS Desktop
Tips and hints for using Windows
We know this is a new operating system that will take some getting
used to, so we've created a few pointers to help you get started.
Where are my apps?
Move your cursor to the lower center of the screen and click search
icon, start typing the name of the app you would like to open.
How do I make an app appear on Start?
If you're in all apps list and you want to make an app appear on Start,
right-click an app and select Pin to Start.
How do I remove an app from Start?
Right-click an app to select it and select Unpin from Start to remove
the app from Start.
How do I make an app appear on my taskbar?
If you're in all apps list and you want to make an app appear on the
taskbar, right-click an app and select More > Pin to taskbar.
Can I turn off notifications?
Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button and select
Settings > System > Notifications. From here you can enable/
disable notifications for all of your apps or choose which apps to
enable/disable.
How do I check for Windows updates?
Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button > Settings
> Windows Update. Select Advanced options to configure the
settings.
Where can I get more information?
For more information please visit the following pages:
• Windows 11 information: support.microsoft.com/Windows
• Support FAQs: support.acer.com