Knowledge request: Holding power button 30 seconds resets laptop - how?

Question

Hi all,

Please excuse my lack of computer knowledge / prowess. I'm an average user so don't have deep understanding of laptop hardware, software, physics, engineering, etc.

TL;DR - my computer couldn't turn on as normal until I held the power button down for 30 seconds. What? How? Why?

I have an Inspiron 5491. I had it plugged in all night but when I tried to turn on my laptop, it didn't turn on.

I went through the basic ID10T troubleshooting issues - plugs, adapter, etc. No issues there. I even held the power button down longer than I usually do (5-10 seconds) but that didn't work.

So, I ended up calling Dell service tech because I feared the laptop was wrecked (and I was still under warranty anyway). The tech told me to unplug the laptop and then hold the power button down for 30 seconds. Lo and behold it turned on. I believe, on the tech's end, they didn't see any issues either.

So, got a few questions which I'm hoping to get answers to (even though I am computer illiterate, feel free to use technical language if you need to - I am cool with looking words up, etc.):

What, conceivably, could have happened to my laptop? I would like to know this so I can avoid doing it again.
What happens in the laptop when I hold the power button down for 30 seconds, instead of 5 seconds?
Any specific reason why I had to unplug the laptop before trying to turn it on?

Thanks, in advance, for your answers and/or links to the answers.

jphughan · Accepted Answer

@Mapletran I'm not sure exactly what happened to get your laptop into that state, but holding the Power button down for 5 seconds is meant to force your computer OFF when it's running, in case it's locked up or something. It sounds like your laptop was ALREADY off. In that case, I haven't ever heard the guidance to hold the Power button down for 30 seconds, but if that somehow causes the system to electronically disconnect its internal battery, then loss of that power source (plus the fact that you had its charger disconnected) would allow any electrical charge stored in any capacitors within the system to completely drain. If you've ever had somebody tell you to, "Unplug your device, wait 10-15 seconds, and then plug it back in," that 10-15 seconds is to allow capacitor drain to occur. You might also have seen some devices with lights on them where if you unplug the device, the light will either stay on for a few extra seconds or gradually fade out rather than immediately losing power, even though the device in question doesn't have a battery. That again is capacitor drain.

Just as a fun fact, some laptops even have a setting in their BIOS Setup to disconnect the internal battery, which can be a good and convenient safety measure before opening your system up and replacing components. Otherwise, you either have to physically disconnect the battery (which can be difficult with certain laptop designs) or just risk working on a system that's still receiving power. The system is set up to reconnect its battery the next time you attach its charger.

DELL-Cares · Accepted Answer

Good Day. I have not heard back from you yet. Do reach out to us in case you require further assistance from Dell, until then we shall be archiving the case at our end. ^MP

Inspiron

Knowledge request: Holding power button 30 seconds resets laptop - how?

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