GPS Does Not Work on Dell Pro Rugged 13 RA13250 or Dell Pro Rugged 14 RB14250

Summary: Learn what to do when the GPS does not work, and Device Manager is missing the u-blox Universal GNSS and the GPS USB Serial Port entries.

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Symptoms

The GPS may stop working on a Dell Pro Rugged 13 RA13250 or Dell Pro Rugged 14 RB14250. When Device Manager is checked, the u-blox Universal GNSS and the GPS USB Serial Port entries are missing. The example image below shows the entries that are missing when this issue occurs. Under Ports, GPS USB Serial Port (COMx) is missing. In this example, x changes to a numerical COM port assignment. In the example image, it is COM3. Under Sensors, u-blox Universal GNSS is missing.
GPS USB Serial Port (COM3) and u-blox Universal GNSS 

Affected Platforms:

  • Dell Pro Rugged 13 RA13250
  • Dell Pro Rugged 14 RB14250

Cause

The Enable Dedicated GPS Radio setting in the BIOS is not selected.
Enable Dedicated GPS Radio 

Resolution

  1. Press F2 at computer startup to enter the BIOS Setup menu.
  2. Turn ON the Advanced Setup to show advanced settings.
  3. Go to Integrated Devices.
  4. Under Miscellaneous Devices, select the Enable Dedicated GPS Radio option.
    Selecting Enable Dedicated GPS Radio in the BIOS
  5. Click APPLY CHANGES.
    APPLY CHANGES 
  6. In the confirmation prompt, click OK to apply the changes.
    Clicking OK at the prompt 
  7. Click EXIT in the lower-right corner to reboot the computer.
    Exit button 
Note: If the Admin Password is locked, unlock it before proceeding.
  1. Click the Admin Password button.
    Admin Password button 
  2. Enter the admin password.
  3. Click OK.
    Admin password and OK button 

Affected Products

Dell Pro Rugged 13 RA13250, Dell Pro Rugged 14 RB14250
Article Properties
Article Number: 000323549
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 15 Sept 2025
Version:  3
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