XPS 8700, power button does not work

---

@Joe5319 wrote:

Is there a way to jump the power button and use the switch on the power supply to start the computer?

---

No, because the front "low voltage" power-switch also turns the computer OFF. If it's shorted-closed ... the computer starts for a few seconds and then turns off. That's what happens on my XPS-8300 if I hold-down the switch (I tested your idea).

This is how you start a computer without a working switch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuPZlliGqBw

You can also just install a working switch like @Kjwannabe did . Usually straight to the proper MB pins (or, if you know electronics ... possibly soldered to the back of the existing front panel).

Why not just replace the power button module with another one, according to instructions in the Service Manual?

I see these modules at eBay and other places for ~$20-$30, and there's always Dell Spare Parts at 800-357-3355. (Have Service Tag handy if you call them.)

I have the same problem.  Dell has been stalling me for three weeks saying it is "looking" for a switch.  In the meantime they push me to buy a new computer.  When I first called them I told them it seemed as though the switch wasn't working properly.  They replaced the mother board and charged me for that.  Now they believe it is the switch but claim there aren't any in their entire Dell network.  I have ordered one from ebay and now we'll see where we stand on whether they will refund my money for the mother board.

I have a comment to the world here: I spent almost 3000 . on a Dell XPS that has a power button that does not function. I am mad as you get. This is my second Dell in just two weeks-the first one came with a cracked screen. First their packaging is worthy of the biggest joke. Another topic-so I got this second one and it looked in one piece. All my stuff moved over, etc. and now the power button does nothing. I don't know if it is software, or a battery but I spent with supplies 3500. on this piece of **bleep**. Any ideas??? I am taking this back to the tech shop and see what they say. Then back to Best Buy and trade in for a HP. So sad, and costly. Anyone had this problem with the XPS 9570>thank you. MarileeJ

Hi to all, I have a week old XPS 9570 , the top of the line dell laptop and I push that little power button, and I have tried unplugging the power cord and then it might come on. To spend this much and the power doesn't come on, I play with it, turn it, do everything and maybe after thirty minutes it  might , to the point of tears , nothing makes that tiny little button work. So, I am taking it to my tech help and then  probably trade in for a lesser HP. So sad. I got this at Best Buy and this is number two. The first one came in with a cracked screen. Anyone else that sees this had a problem with a dead power button on supposed Dell's top of the line laptop??? thank you 

Marilee

@MarileeJThree posts on the same topic in a thread that's totally unrelated to your problem, and all within a few minutes is considered spamming. You don't even have a desktop but you posted in the Desktop forum...

How you even know the power button is the problem? Is the battery fully charged? Did you plug it into the charger, etc.

Since this is a laptop computer, it is possible the function of the power button is dependent on the options selected in the power plan, whether or not the laptop is running on battery or plug into AC power, whether or not the laptop is completely shutdown or in a sleep mode, etc. Also instead of gently pushing the power button you may have to push an hold the power button until the laptop responds. Just some possibilities to consider instead of assuming that the power button has failed to work.

The XPS 15 (9570) try removing charger and then holding power button to shut down.

Crashing in sleep is common.

It might not be turning on because its crashed in hibernation.

Same problem with my XPS 8700.  About 5 years old.  I'm almost sure its the power switch and there are solutions on the net. ( $22 to rebuild yours to $60 NEW ?)

I did first replace the OEM PS with a very robust one , seemed to fix the problem for a few weeks. Now it can take many times pressing and holdiing the button to start the XPS 8700

SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF BAD POWER SWITCHES ON THE 8500 THRU THE 8700 DELL DESKTOPS.  ANOTHER CHEAP DELL PROBLEM... E-510 HAD MANY MANY POWER SUPPLY AND SWITCH PROBLEMS.

I will eventually fix the switch , however there is a fast work around using the DELL BIOS settings.

Select POWER in the BIOS setup and where you have power on options, select ON for the state you want to computer to startup in when power is applied !

Since I already use a power console to turn on my various peripherals , I just plugged the XPS 8700 into that console.  Works 100% for quite a time now.  ( dont need to even touch that switch ) I have to turn on my various devices anyway so was thinking about using this option for awhile !  Other advantages is that your computer is disconnected from the power line when NOT in use and that isolates it from power line glitches and lightning !!

Yes it might put a little more strain on the coin BIOS battery , but have been turning off the power for over 5 years and the coin cell is still strong.

Good Luck,

Hank

Recently had the issue where pressing power button wouldn't turn on PC. PSU was working, as confirmed by pressing button on back of case. I could get PC to power on by unplugging everything (not just power cord), holding power button down for 20 seconds, plugging everything back in, and then pressing power button normally.

After doing this routine a few times, I replaced the CMOS battery and PC started up on first try.

Interestingly, when I measured the voltage of the old battery (original, and probably ~3-4 years old), it shows 3.1V. So maybe the issue wasn't the battery? It was definitely properly seated.

REAL CAUSE FOUND AND PROBLEM SOLVED.   I have a Desktop Dell 8700 computer for five years now and the Power Switch did not start from time to time.  Today it just quit and no matter how many times I re-tried, it still did not start the computer.  I read the earlier post, tried replace the CR-2032 battery, still did not work.  Then I removed the Top Cover (An additional note : User Manual does not mention there is a latch which needs to disengage from below in order to let the Top Cover slide and lift, try use finger to feel underneath the top cover to find it in the middle part and slightly move it down to disengage, Top Cover will slide forward very easily.) , and noted that the push button of the power switch on top of the Top Cover somehow gets stopped from moving down lower to engage the real switch mechanism in the Power Switch Module.  I tried to grind the plastic part at the Top Cover smaller, put Top Cover back and it worked once.  And somehow something still blocked the mechanism to properly press the switch in the Module unit.  Now I just do not use the Top Cover and use my finger or the end of a pen to press the switch at the Power Switch Module.  It works every time.  Definitely it is a combination of design problem and also the time effect on the plastic parts which make them no longer work together the same way when new.  Perhaps a designed failure on purpose to make us buy more new computers.  Anyway, if you don't mind the computer without the Top Cover on, you can permanently fix the problem.  By the way, the steel case at top has a few holes in it but should be OK to fend off most dust problem.  Just a little bit more vacuuming will do the trick.  Hope this helps.

MY FIX!!! Similar to previous post by dell8700owner, but can put the panel back on. OK, found one clear problem and a simple and free solution, assuming you have the same problem. Simply put, the power button "switch contacts" under the top cover have become week, or not making contact for whatever reason. Here is how you can test if you have the same problem. Unplug power supply. Remove primary side panel, then front panel (depress clips), then top panel by simply sliding it forward (popped right off). You can then see the underlying power button contact. For whatever reason, the exterior/main switch will no longer depress the underlying switch. To check if this is the problem, it might be safest to put the front and side cover back on while leaving the top panel off, then plug in power chord and try pressing the exposed "underlying" power button (i did it with panels off). Bam, it powered right on, no problem. Essentially, it was those two contact points becoming week. NOW, the actual free fix. I cut a small piece of single sided sticky felt-pads (as used on the bottom of chair legs, cut to size) and adhered it to one contact point. This allowed the two power button contacts to make a connection when pressing the power button. You could probably super glue a small piece of plastic to one of the contact ends, but I wanted to try something less invasive first, and it has worked so far. I might replace the actual switch eventually, but don't see the point yet since it is an older machine. Good luck

Try spraying the switch with contact cleaner, that worked for me.

You can buy replacement switch with wire harness on ebay.

I have an XPS 8700 that will not turn on with the power button.

Replaced the power supply and battery.  Still nothing when you press the power button.

Took it apart, removed the power button and tested the power button itself.

The power button is failing.  It only works if you push it from the side, not straight down as you would when it is in the case, and then only intermittently. 

Time to find a new microswitch.