Latitude 5420

Question

We have a Dell Latitude 5420 which had a glitching display, now the display has totally died but can be viewed with via an external monitor. I'm getting the error code of 4 amber followed by 3 white from the power LED. I can't find any online resources which can confirm what is causing this fault/error codes. I've ordered a replacement LCD screen replacement cable in the first instance as it is the cheaper option.

Can anyone shine some light on what the error code is pointing to?

jlboz · Accepted Answer

Thanks for the info guys, but it turns out that it was just the Dell embedded display port cable that needed replacing.  The error code 4 amber followed by 3 is a not a BIOS or motherboard failure.

ejn63 · Answer

Will a screen test run?  Hold the D key through powerup to initiate.

jlboz · Answer

@ejn63​ yes, the screen test does run on the laptops screen (it runs through the various colours etc).

ejn63 · Answer

If the screen performs the self-test OK,  the screen is not the problem -- the mainboard is.

jlboz · Answer

Do you know what the error code is, as I can't find an explanation for it anywhere online (the 4 amber flashes then 3 white flashes)?

jlboz · Answer

I did find one explanation on Reddit, the user said.... 4-3 is a LCD Panel Failure

ejn63 · Answer

LCD failure is 2,7 or 2,8 -- depending on what has failed. The fact that the LCD does work standalone means it's getting power and is functional, which points toward a mainboard failure.

That's the part to replace -- not the screen.

petermuss · Answer

First step is to update the BIOS to the latest version -> https://dl.dell.com/FOLDER06198594M/1/Latitude_5420_5424_7424_Rugged_1.9.0.exe

here are all blink codes for 5420:

https://objects.icecat.biz/objects/mmo_89216616_1612518837_3359_44.pdf

For Blink code 4 amber 3 white see screenshot (part of the PDF)

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Latitude 5420

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