Hi all,

Please excuse my lack of computer knowledge / prowess. I'm an average user so don't have deep understanding of laptop hardware, software, physics, engineering, etc.

TL;DR - my computer couldn't turn on as normal until I held the power button down for 30 seconds. What? How? Why?

I have an Inspiron 5491. I had it plugged in all night but when I tried to turn on my laptop, it didn't turn on.

I went through the basic ID10T troubleshooting issues - plugs, adapter, etc. No issues there. I even held the power button down longer than I usually do (5-10 seconds) but that didn't work.

So, I ended up calling Dell service tech because I feared the laptop was wrecked (and I was still under warranty anyway). The tech told me to unplug the laptop and then hold the power button down for 30 seconds. Lo and behold it turned on. I believe, on the tech's end, they didn't see any issues either.

So, got a few questions which I'm hoping to get answers to (even though I am computer illiterate, feel free to use technical language if you need to - I am cool with looking words up, etc.):

1. What, conceivably, could have happened to my laptop? I would like to know this so I can avoid doing it again.
2. What happens in the laptop when I hold the power button down for 30 seconds, instead of 5 seconds?
3. Any specific reason why I had to unplug the laptop before trying to turn it on?

Thanks, in advance, for your answers and/or links to the answers.