Problems with XPS 13 2020 (9300)

10th gen i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, clean install of Windows 10 2004.

-Since installing the recent Intel Management Components Installer 2016.14.0.1555 my fan is running ALL THE TIME.  Previous to this, the fan RARELY ran.  I'm doing very "light" computing.  Have not changed my usage since the previous rare fan use.   I've been using the standard Dell balanced power plan and Optimized thermal management the whole time with no changes.

-I have always had problems with using external headsets plugged into the sound jack.  The system will only recognize that I am plugging something in the FIRST time.  If I unplug and re-plug in the headset than it will not recognize it.  Also, there is no way to select to use the microphone of the headset.  Only the laptop internal mics work.

As follow up to the fan issue, I noticed high CPU usage for the Intel Management and Security Application Local Management service.  It was stuck on "stopping" status.  I changed the service to "Disabled", rebooted and the fan was better.  Then I changed the service back to "Automatic", rebooted again and it seemed to be better now.  Not sure if this was related to the recent update to Intel Management Components Installer or not.

worse laptop ever at such a high price!

-I have always had problems with using external headsets plugged into the sound jack. The system will only recognize that I am plugging something in the FIRST time. If I unplug and re-plug in the headset than it will not recognize it. Also, there is no way to select to use the microphone of the headset. Only the laptop internal mics work.

==================

Possible fixes:

1. See here

https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/XPS-13-9300-REALTEK-AUDIO-DRIVER-PROBLEM/m-p/7631176/highlight/true#M64242

2. Try the new, recently-updated Dell driver .

And some workarounds:

a. Use a USB-Headset

b. Use a cheap $10 USB-Sound-Card-Dongle (and connect your analog headset to it).

Hi there! We haven't heard back from you in a while. If you still need assistance. Please contact us via Wechat. Thank you!

No luck fixing the microphone/headphone jack issues.  I uninstalled Waves Maxx, uninstalled all Realtek drivers and let the system re-install by itself. No change in behavior. The system will still only recognize a headphone the FIRST time it is plugged in.  If I unplug and then re-plug in it will not recognize until the laptop is restarted.  The microphone on the earphones is NEVER recognized.  Sound properties shows microphone jack as "not plugged in" even though it is.  I'm beginning to think there is a hardware issue with the jack.  For now I have ordered a set of USB C earphones and hope that works.

I have an 2020 XPS 9300 and I noticed the light below the keyboard kept flashing 3 amber 1 white. It was plugged in and charging. When I touched the laptop it was so hot  I couldn't hold it. I had just a day ago updated BIOS / firmware.  

My touchpad is completely unusable.  Mouse pointer jumps all over the screen and auto presses the mouse buttons when just being moved.  It completely locks up requiring a hard reboot.  Touchpad is not calibrated as the mouse pointer moves randomly around the screen.  This is a brand new Dell XPS 9300 Developer Edition that I have tried Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise and all have this issue with the touchpad.

System specifications* x64 operating systems.  Intel i5 1035G , 16GB memory , 256GB SSD.

Ubuntu 18.04, but have tried Ubuntu 20.04, Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise.  Have also installed Windows 10 Pro LTSC, Windows 10 Pro latest developer build.

I do not want to have the laptop completely take apart to replace/repair components, as before the work involved usually causes damage to the chassis like scratches, alignment issues and dents.  I would like to request an RMA and return the laptop.

Dell engineer came over today. Replaced both fans and the heat pipe, which was dented. See picture. The dented side was also loose, which was causing all the fan vibration noise i was hearing. I'm enjoying the silence finally after a month of daily rattling noises. Clearly a manufacturing issue. By the way the attached photo is not from me but found in while browsing. The dent is exaclty on the same side and location as on my system.

Hello, 

Is everything running fine now?

I'm thinking about doing the same thing as I'm tired of the recurrent issues that everyone is facing. Which Windows 10 version did you use to refresh the laptop? It doesn't seem that the dell XPS 13 9300 can handle the v2004 yet, and I can't find the v1909. If by chance you have a link to download the Windows 10 v1909 and make a recovery tool out of it, I'd appreciate it.

I totally agree, the support service of dell has been so useless so far. When I call them about the issues they told me it's a software issue and that they can't do anything about it, refusing to take responsibility and handle the problem... I regret to not have returned the laptop during the retractation time to buy a Macbook Pro instead...

Jojo (user from France)

I have the same problem in may new XPS 2020 FAN NOISE and heating its a model problem. I called dell tech after hours of troubleshooting. They want me to send my laptop to change the fans.

However, I thinking of returning the device and get my money back

What do you recommend from your experience to return it or fix it?

I got the final confirmation from Service after 4 week’s diagnostic that my xps is not repairable. So I returned it. I’m not going to buy xps 13 9300 again. Maybe 15” version doesn’t have the same issue. 

After running an insane amount of tests, I got a replacement devices. Guess what: The issues where the same. While configuring Windows right after the first boot (No Cortana, no this, not that), the fans started spinning and did not stop. I packed it back right away. As I did not get through with my RMA request with the online team (they wanted me to run another tons of tests), I called the Pro Support. It only took another three calls and 2 weeks and they finally agreed to take the device back. Puh. Tomorrow my Latitude 7300 will arrive (yep, no 7310, because brand new and I'm unsure..). Hopefully, this will do the job.

All problems I had combined:

• fans spinning loud and clear while idling
• fans spinning not that heavily as soon as running on battery
• incredible boot times
• less than 4 hours battery time
• display flickering
• sometimes dark display if laptops was in sleep mode (no difference, if suspended to RAM or Disc)
• lousy performance for an i7 ice-lake with 16 GB RAM
• touchpad, well, it's ok

All in all a strong no buy. Really sag, I like the design and concept.

Here my problems with the i5/16GB Ram/512GB hard drive XPS 9300 so far:

- Screen flickers. Anywhere from a few times a day to a few times an hour. 

- Bluetooth completely disappears - had to reinstall the driver, so far so good

- Windows Hello not initiating when computer is restarted - happens randomly. Have to enter PIN to start

- Random lags here and there. This laptop is slower than my old Surface Laptop (generation 1, i5-7th gen, 8GB Ram)

The product is clearly rushed and it has multiple software and hardware issues...