Acemagic AK1 Plus RGB lights stopped working after 15 months

[losgann]

Hello, I'm new here. Came across this forum while googling for solutions.

I got an Acemagic AK1 Plus RGB mini PC in November of 2023, and it worked great until a couple of weeks ago when I moved it to a new desk. I shut it down and unplugged everything before moving it, and once I got it all plugged in again on the other desk, it still boots up but the RGB lights never come on, and the LedControl app does nothing at all.

I did try filling out the support form on Acemagic's website, they replied saying to make sure I'm using the latest system and drivers, and gave me Google Drive links to download ZIP files of the current version of Windows 11 for the AK1 Plus, and a folder with 20+ drivers. They did not give me any instructions on what to do with these. I tried copying the windows files to a USB but it appears to not be bootable. I can create a bootable USB with the media creation tool from Microsoft, but then how do I get all the drivers from Acemagic's ZIP file to be part of it?

Or is it more likely that the RGB lights have gone kaput somehow and I don't actually need to reinstall Windows/figure out how to install all those drivers?

I'll be grateful for any help with this. I spent the last couple of hours googling but not finding any solutions.

[dragonpoo]

Hi losgann,

To clarify, your system is working properly, booting Windows and so on, correct? It's just the lights that are not working? Personally, I doubt this is a Windows issue, as the control software is lower-level than Windows drivers.

There's a bit of irony with this - most people in the forums complain that they want a way to shut off the lights, not get them back on again. However, I have an AMR5 with lights and I appreciate the glow to show me it's working.

I doubt it's a Windows issue, especially since you said it worked before you shut it down. I don't have this specific model but I would suggest some general troubleshooting. Try disconnecting the power, see if you can open up the system and find the CMOS battery, and unplug it for 30 seconds. (I did this for a different issue and was surprised it worked.)

One of the techs for the company, Barry, posted a video in this sub-forum about disassembling and unplugging the RGB lights: viewtopic.php?t=4424 - try doing this, then reconnect them and see if this helps.

[losgann]

Hi again! Sorry for the very late reply. I kept meaning to get back to this post and never quite made it.

I tried your suggestion about unplugging the CMOS battery for 30 seconds, and I also tried unplugging the RGB lights as shown in the video you linked to, but unfortunately neither solved the issue. I also opened a support ticket with Acemagic, who told me to reinstall Windows along with their drivers, and I've done that, but after all of this, the lights still don't work. I guess they must have failed or burnt out or something.

I too saw other posts from folks with this same mini pc looking to disable the RGB lights rather than turn them back on! Which kinda seemed to defeat the point, IMO, since there are so many other mini pcs without RGB lights. I bought this one specifically because I love RGB eye candy!

While the untimely death of the flashy delights is a tragic affair, apart from that, the machine is great. I've actually been impressed with how capable it is. More than I was expecting. So I still have a decent little computer regardless. I was just hoping there would be a way to get it back to 100%, but I'll take 95%...

[Suzz]

I just had the same problem with my acemagic i7 11700b, The lights are no big thing to me but It takes a few to start and the side lights come on but I am having trouble with my old monitor coming on too. not just on this machine so I doubt it was the reason for the lights. But what I am worried about it the fans, since the lights are not working and the start light is not working, changing the settings don't seem to be working either. And I installed a monitor for temps and at idle it is running 43 c or so. I only bought this because it being windows 11. My favorite machine is still just 7 and it is working perfectly, had it built in 2009 by velocity micro, my second one to replace an xp from them paid a bunch. but it died a couple a years later, and it was the mother board and sent it back twice and both times they could not find anything, then took it to a shop and they had it for a month and wiped my drive that I told them not too but gave it back cause they could not figure it out. And of course, everything was obsolete by then so just used the case and rebuilt it. But the reason I am sort of upset is when my old machine got much over 35 at idle, I worried. And that was a gaming machine. So has the op's machine had any other issues aside from the lights. I still use my old machine for stuff because it is so good, but I bought a bunch of stuff for this one to use for business and I don't trust it now. My old one is just so snappy, and I have a battery backup/ups on it that is still running for over 10 years. And just received a new one for this. i hate windows 11. I am old but was pretty tech savvy, but I find myself having to search for everything. Thank goodness that I at least know how to search at my age.

All after all that I would like to know is the op's machine still working or should I try something else? I just checked your model and it is not like mine, mine stands up and has lights on top, sides and the start button and it has a control on the start button that controls the fan silent auto and performance. But this was a problem on amazon reviews, but no one had any solutions, and I just got a reply from acemagic that maybe they could get me a partial refund unless I wanted to keep it...

[dragonpoo]

I just had the same problem with my acemagic i7 11700b, The lights are no big thing to me but It takes a few to start and the side lights come on ...

All after all that I would like to know is the op's machine still working or should I try something else? I just checked your model and it is not like mine, mine stands up and has lights on top, sides and the start button and it has a control on the start button that controls the fan silent auto and performance. But this was a problem on amazon reviews, but no one had any solutions, and I just got a reply from acemagic that maybe they could get me a partial refund unless I wanted to keep it...

Hey Suzz, welcome to the forum. The AK1 Plus is a N95 processor system, and your i7-11700b sounds closer to the AD15, TK11, or CK10 system. You're welcome to check in those forums for specific advise or issues. You'll want to clarify what model and issues you're seeing. And it already sounds like you've spoken to Customer Service at AceMagic. Honestly, these guys are decent to work with, so hopefully you figure out what's going on.