Inspiron 3650, solid amber light on power switch

No one can help you unless you post the exact PC model and version of Windows. :Idea:

Sorry, it's an Inspiron 3650 with Windows 10.

Unplug the system, hold the power button for 30 sec, and then try powering up again.

If you still see a solid amber LED, the first suspect is the mainboard - replace the board.  That should solve the problem.  If it doesn't, replace the power supply.

Do you hear fans and drive spin up?

What happens if you press the power supply test button on rear of PC (#5 on page 3, here)?

When was last time you replaced the motherboard battery? Before buying any hardware, you might want to clear BIOS by removing the mobo battery and pressing/holding the power button for ~30 sec. Then install a fresh CR2032 battery (~$2) and see if it boots now. Check the Service Manual for instructions to replace the battery.

Note: Always power off, unplug, and press/hold power button for ~15 sec before opening the case.

Hi RoHe,

I got the same issue (solid amber light on, no video and no beeping). The fans spin up and I can open the CD tray. When I press the power supply test button, green light is on, indicating the PSU is functioning. I tried your solution but it does not work, any other suggestions? Thanks!

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@tarrry wrote:

Hi RoHe,

I got the same issue (solid amber light on, no video and no beeping). The fans spin up and I can open the CD tray. When I press the power supply test button, green light is on, indicating the PSU is functioning. I tried your solution but it does not work, any other suggestions? Thanks!

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Did you try any of my other suggestions, like clearing BIOS and replacing the motherboard battery..?

Oh yes, I've tried that also. The computer worked just fine the same day and was in sleep mode, and I just could not get it back to work. I have tried different suggestions that I can find online, and the amber light was always on. Does this indicate there's a hardware issue (e.g., motherboard)? I just wanted to make sure there is really a hardware issue before replacing any parts or buying a new one. Thanks a lot for your help!

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@tarrry wrote:

Oh yes, I've tried that also. The computer worked just fine the same day and was in sleep mode, and I just could not get it back to work. I have tried different suggestions that I can find online, and the amber light was always on. Does this indicate there's a hardware issue (e.g., motherboard)? I just wanted to make sure there is really a hardware issue before replacing any parts or buying a new one. Thanks a lot for your help!

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Back up...are you also talking about an Inspiron 3650?

An amber power button suggests a hardware problem but always doesn't prove it.

Strip it down to bare essentials. Power off, unplug and press/hold power button for ~15 sec. Keep track of what cable and PCI-e card etc goes where and disconnect all internal drives, except boot drive, remove all add-in PCI-e cards, including add-in video card -assuming you have an add-in video card, remove memory module from memory slot #2, farthest from the CPU -assuming you have a module in that slot, and carefully reseat the memory module in slot #1, closest to CPU. Carefully reseat connectors from power supply to motherboard, CPU fan connector, etc.

Now reset BIOS by removing the motherboard battery and pressing/holding power button for ~30 sec. Then reinstall the battery, close the case and connect mouse and keyboard to rear USB ports, and connect monitor to one of the onboard video ports, HDMI or VGA, whichever one your monitor supports. See if it boots now.

If still no boot, remove the remaining RAM module and substitute the other one into that same slot, assuming you have a second module and see if it boots now. If you only have one RAM module, remove it, clear BIOS by pulling and reinstalling the battery again. Connect mouse, keyboard and monitor and try to boot. You should hear 2 (or  possibly 4) beeps from the tower. If no beeps, suspect motherboard failure...

Yes, mine is an Inspiron 3650. I did what you suggest, and by removing both RAM module, the amber light is still on without beeping. So I suspect it's a motherboard failure. Anyways, thanks a lot for your suggestions and I really appreciate your help!

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@tarrry wrote:

Yes, mine is a Inspiron 3650. I did what you suggest, and by removing both RAM module, the amber light is still on without beeping. So I suspect it's a motherboard failure. Anyways, thanks a lot for your suggestions and I really appreciate your help!

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Did you clear BIOS by doing the "battery thing" after removing both RAM modules? And did you connect mouse, monitor and keyboard before trying to boot?

If PC is under warranty, contact Dell Tech Support ASAP. Have Service Tag handy if you contact them.

If it's not under warranty, you can contact Dell's Out of Warranty Repair Service for an estimate to fix it. Then decide if it's worth fixing or putting the money toward a new PC. 

If your files aren't backed up externally, you can put this hard drive into an external drive enclosure that connects to another PC by USB to rescue your files...

@3650- We need more details on how you got into this situation.

What "both" did you replace?

Did you recently do a BIOS or drivers update?

What happens if you press the power supply test button on rear of PC?

The more you tell us, the more likely somebody can help...

I've replaced both.

Did the power off and hold power buitton routine.

Same amber light.

Now what?

This whole process really helped me. Even after buying new power supply computer wasn’t turning on until I reset multiple times and reset memory module. Finally after memory module flipping I got my pc responding.

thank you very much for easy trick. 

My PC (i3650-11561RED) popped off while running, the made a loud clicking noise. Scared the living daylight out of me.