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8081
December 1st, 2019 09:00
XPS 8300 8500 8700 Power Switch Failure and Solution
I have had an XPS 8500 since 2013, which continues to work well apart from issues with the power switch.
Recently it would not start without repeated clicks or double clicks of the power button. Examination of power switch module, under the top cover, revealed a simple momentary switch, which is just pushed into place with two wires soldered to it, not physically attached to a circuit board.
The switch is 6mm x 6mm and my best match was one 7mm tall. These switches usually have four pins, a closer look at the original shows one from each side have been removed, so I did likewise. Soldered the wires to the new switch, refitted and all now works perfectly.
The switch, 'black tactile 7mm switch SW085' from bitsbox.co.uk was £0.19 plus £1.90 for UK postage.
I hope this post helps anyone else suffering from this commom problem, with a simple low cost fix.
sewing1243
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70 Posts
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April 7th, 2020 18:00
baggym,
Hopefully you will see this reply.
I had assumed that the switch was of an off the shelf variety. How much of a problem was it to get the old switch to come out of the switch assembly? Was the fact that the new switch has a different style plunger a problem (the original switch is rectangular and open in the middle)?
baggym
3 Posts
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April 9th, 2020 05:00
Hi,
Removal of the old/original switch is straightforward, as it is a tight push fit into a plastic carrier.
The plunger is not an issue as contact is only made with the top surface. It is likely that the original switch sourced by Dell was a keyboard switch, very cheap and plentiful. The slot in the switch is where a keyboard key would fit in.
The picture below is the switch removed from the carrier to measure for a replacement.
Hope this helps.
sewing1243
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April 10th, 2020 12:00
I went ahead and ordered some switches from a vendor on ebay (had to buy 20 of them, but they're very inexpensive). I had purchased a couple of the complete switch assemblies from sellers on ebay a while back because I have both an XPS8500 and an XPS8700 and didn't want to have a "dead" PC sitting around waiting for parts, so I have the extra assemblies to "experiment" with.
My personal experience has been the switch failing to function on the 8700 (it doesn't get powered on and off very often) but not the 8500 (which is turned on and off almost every day). I suspect that lack of use has more effect that a lot of use. I had to replace the switch assembly in the 8700 just the other day because I turned the PC off so I could open it up and clean the dust out and it wouldn't turn back on. I've found that spraying some electronic component cleaner around the switches physical opening (where the plunger enters the switch's body) seems to make the switched work again, but I'm not sure how long that "fix" will last.
I suspect the switch Dell (or their jobber) used is actually a illuminated switch body, just with out the LED mounted in that slot. I'm not sure if they bought switches with LEDs mounted and then removed them, or if they were able to purchase them that way. I searched on a number of electronic component sales websites for a similar switch but I never found one like it that wasn't an illuminated switch.
Thanks for the info. Hopefully it will help others with the same issue.
JanOnt
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November 15th, 2020 09:00
Hi I'm having the same issue on XPS 8500 power on/off switch - works about 5% of the time if I'm lucky. I've been able to get the side panel off easy, ensured the power cables from the on switch to the mother board are seated well. Not sure of the steps to get the top panel off to access the power on switch. If you could please kindly let me know the steps you took to get to the power on switch? 1. Do I need the side panel off first ? 2. Do I need to take the front panel off secondly (seems I tried, but could only get left side loose - its a pain)? 3. Lastly as the other two are off the box, then I need to remove the top panel? I'm really unsure what are the steps to get to the power on switch. Thank you Jan
baggym
3 Posts
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November 15th, 2020 13:00
Hi,
Take the side panel off first, allowing access to the release tabs for the front panel and the top cover. Remove the front bezel first. There are four tabs on the left side, which should be pulled outwards to release them from the chassis and then the bezel will swing out and release.
Next remove the top cover. There is a plastic release tab in the centre of the top of the chassis, pull this down and push the top cover forward towards the front of the PC to release the cover.
Now you will have access to the switch and LED assembly, to which the power switch is just a push fit.
Trust this helps, regards, baggy
Bmdd
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April 30th, 2022 17:00
Hi, my XPS 8700 also stopped powering on. When I press the power supply diagnosis button the light turns green and the fan goes on; and the power button turns amber. I opened up the case (with much difficulty) and see the power button assembly. The power button is down and does not seem to move. Is it a plunger button or just activated by touch? Does the power button turning amber when I press the PS diagnostic button mean the button, power supply, or something else is bad? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks. P.S. I am ready to move on from this PC, but have pictures and other things I would like to recover.