m15 R4, power adapter not detected

The usual cause of an adapter not being detected, or only intermittently being detected, is a bad DC plug on the adapter or a bad DC jack in the system.  Either should be covered by the warranty;  contact Dell for service (most probably, they'll send you a replacement adapter first and if that does not solve the problem, replace the DC jack).

Thanks @ejn63,

I’m quite certain it’s not the adapter, we’ve tried with 3 different adapters on several separate wall outlets, so I’m inclined to think it is motherboard related.

I was hoping it may have been something else but does not look like it. 

Thank you again. 

Just wanted to provide an update. 

Dell technician/subcontractor replaced the motherboard on Monday. 

Not only did Dell send a refurbished motherboard for a 5-6 week old product, to add insult to injury, new motherboard has issues other than the one it replaced to fix. 

The USB port on the left side of the laptop is not working and neither any of the lighting, including the keyboard backlighting. 

Needless to say, after another frustrating 70+ minutes on the phone with Dell support, they’re rushing the parts needed and another tech will be stopping by tomorrow. 

I can stomach a refurbished replacement part for what is practically a brand new product (the laptop was less than 6 weeks old when the motherboard decided to take a trip to the great beyond). But having the replacement cause more problems is simply unacceptable. 

When I inquired about why they’re using refurbished replacement parts on an almost brand new computer, their answer is that their refurbished products go through a “rigorous testing and quality assurance program”. You’ve got to be kidding me!

Right now, Dell is 0 for 0 on both QA/QC accounts. A 6 week old motherboard gave up the ghost and stopped detecting power adapter, and the replacement is not even working properly. QA/QC my anatomical parts. 

I thought it was removable the dc jack? Check the motherboard if any cable says DC jack.

Thanks, but Dell just keeps sending out new motherboards. 

in fact, the service stop that was supposed to happen on Wednesday has not happened till now. They canceled around midday Wednesday without any explanation and the new tech is busy dropping screws into my open laptop and then sharing it to get it loose. Honestly, I have very little confidence in whomever dell is subcontracting these on-site service and having watched this tech over the last hour, I’m kicking myself for not returning rhe laptop for a refund. Total of 4 lost workdays and counting. 

Ok. 

One literally cannot make this . 

everything got replaced, finally USB port works, keyboard backlighting works, tron/helo (whatever it is called) lighting works, the logo at the back of the lid does not. 

Now they’re sending a whole screen and hinge assembly to be replaced. I can NOT convey how frustrated I am with the whole thing. I have a 7 week old computer (delivered 5/25), and it’s been out of commission for 4 full work days. 

They provide sending the whole thing to their factory depot for an overhaul, but they’re not providing a loaner, nor are they telling me what I am to do a full week without a computer that is relied upon for work. I guess I’m supposed to take time off from work!?!?!?

I had the same led issue with my 15 r2, my dad disassembled it and reseated the cable for the led logo and it fixed the issue.

Thanks, Can you tell me where to find this cable? The way it was told to us by Dell phone support, it is one single wire harness with one connection that takes care of all lighting including KB backlight, power button, trim and lid alien head lights. And since everything except the alien head on the lid lights up, they’re telling the kid light itself is the culprit.

I think when I read the service manual that it says the display cable that connects everything including the logo led to the board so basically replacing that should fix it or the actual board for the logo is dead. I'd try asking for a replacement laptop completely. So basically you'll have a new one instead of a.refurbished one.

Thanks,

I've already asked them that this is not acceptable, nor reliable, but they just keep saying “no”. It looks like they’d rather keep replacing parts as trouble comes along and do not care about making it right. 

up till now, I had;

two motherboard replacements,

a usb board replacement 

a wiring harness replacement and 

I’m due for a whole hinge/monitor assembly replacement on a laptop that is NOT even TWO months old. 

Horrible, horrible QA and support from Dell.

The part they don’t seem to understand, or do not care is, this is a “test” case laptop for us, and as the tester, if my impressions are favorable, the whole advanced user base in my company (200+ users), will be going from Precision laptops to Alienware even with the significant price increase associated with the change.