How to Troubleshoot Power Issues on a Dell Laptop

Before You Begin:

See the Computer Won't Turn On: Troubleshoot Power Issues library page for common fixes to power issues on your laptop.

This article provides advanced troubleshooting steps for resolving laptop power issues when common fixes fail. When the common fixes do not resolve the issue, we guide you back here for detailed troubleshooting steps to help resolve your laptop’s power problems.

Quick triage: which fix should I try?

Fixes

Fix 1: Run the LCD Built-in Self-Test (LCD-BIST)

Use when: The laptop seems to be on but the screen shows flickering, distortion, blurriness, horizontal or vertical lines, or faded color.

Why: LCD-BIST tells you whether the problem is the LCD panel itself or the video card (GPU) and computer settings.

Steps: See Dell Knowledge Base article for instructions on how to perform the test How to Test Your Dell Laptop Screen.

Fix 2: Run the System Board Built-in Self-Test (M-BIST)

Use when: The laptop will not power on and you suspect a system board (motherboard) fault. Available on supported Dell laptops only.

Before you start: Make sure the laptop is powered off.

Steps:

1. Press and hold both the M key and the Power button at the same time.
2. Watch the battery indicator LED.

Results:

Fix 3: Reset the Real-Time Clock (RTC)

Use when: The laptop has no power, does not POST, or has no video.

Steps: For instructions on how to reset the RTC, see Dell Knowledge Base article How to Reset the Real-Time Clock to Recover Your Dell Laptop.

Result: An RTC reset can recover a laptop from a no-power, no-POST, or no-video state.

Fix 4: Check the computer lights

Use when: You are not sure whether the laptop is receiving power.

Steps:

1. Press the power button. Check whether the power button LED glows steadily.
2. Press Caps Lock. Check whether the Caps Lock light responds.

Results:

• Neither light comes on: Follow "Computer Won't POST: POST Error on Laptops and Desktops" for common POST fixes, then try Fix 2 and Fix 3.
• Lights come on: The laptop has power. Run the LCD-BIST Fix 1 to check the screen.

Fix 5: Set screen brightness to maximum

Use when: The laptop might be on but the screen looks blank, especially in a well-lit room.

Why: Brightness set to its lowest level can make a working screen look off.

Steps:

In a well-lit environment, the computer might be on, but the screen could appear blank because the display brightness is set to its lowest level, making it seem like it is not turned on.
To adjust the display settings, perform the following steps:

1. Repeatedly press the Increase Brightness () key.
   NOTE: When nothing happens, try pressing and holding the Function () key, and then repeatedly press the Increase Brightness () key.

Result: If the screen brightens, the issue was the brightness setting.

Fix 6: Connect an external monitor

Connecting an external monitor bypasses your computer’s LCD and can help identify if there is an issue with the screen, which might be why the computer appears to be off.

For more information, see Dell Knowledge Base article How to Connect a Monitor to a Dell Computer.

Fix 7: Check for overheating

Use when: The laptop shuts off, will not start, or has been used on soft surfaces such as a pillow or sofa.

Why: Laptops have safety circuits that cut power when parts such as the CPU overheat. Blocked vents are a common cause.

Ensure all the air vents are unobstructed. Laptops have safety circuits that cut power if components, such as the CPU, overheat. Overheating often occurs when using the laptop on surfaces like pillows or sofas that block the vents. To prevent overheating, keep the computer on a hard or sturdy surface, and provide adequate clearance around the air vents.
Steps:

1. Disconnect the AC adapter.
2. Check the air vents on the computer for dust or debris.
   Vents may be located in various places depending on the computer model. See the User Manual for your Dell computer.
3. Use a can of compressed air to remove dust or debris from the air vents.
   CAUTION: Follow the instructions on the side of the compressed air can, as using compressed air incorrectly can damage your computer.
   CAUTION: Do not try to blow the dust off with your mouth, as the moisture can permanently damage electronic or electrical components.
   CAUTION: Do not use vacuum cleaners or blowers. Vacuum cleaners and blowers cause static and may damage electronic or electrical components inside your computer.

See the video and the instructions below on how to ensure that the air vents are clean.

For more information, see Dell Knowledge Base article Troubleshoot Dell Laptop Overheating Issues.

Fix 8: Look for signs of physical damage

Use when: The laptop has been dropped, had something heavy dropped on it, or had liquid spilled on it.

What to look for: Broken plastics, cracks, or a deformed case.

Why: Internal damage can prevent the laptop from powering on.

Cost: Repairs are your responsibility unless you have an active accidental damage policy. For out-of-warranty repair service, see Dell Knowledge Base article How to Arrange an Out of Warranty Repair on Your Dell Computer.

Fix 9: Check whether components were recently replaced

Use when: The laptop stopped working right after you added or replaced RAM, a drive (SSD/HDD), or another component.

Why: The new part may be faulty or incorrectly installed.

Steps: When you installed the component yourself, you may want to try to reinstall the component. See the User Manual for your Dell computer for detailed information about disassembly and reassembly.

Dell offers videos for some computers to help guide you through the replacement of parts such as the battery, Hard Drive (SSD), or keyboard. See our Support Video Library, once there, search for the videos by the model number of your computer.

For out of warranty repair service, see Dell Knowledge Base article How to Arrange an Out of Warranty Repair on Your Dell Computer.

Fix 10: Reseat the RAM

Use when: The laptop has been moved or jostled and will not power on, and you are comfortable opening it.

Why: RAM modules can occasionally work loose in a portable device.

Steps: See the User Manual for your Dell computer for detailed information about disassembly and reassembly.

Dell offers videos for some computers to help guide you through the replacement of parts such as the battery, Hard Drive (SSD), or keyboard. See our Support Video Library, once there, search for the videos by the model number of your computer.

For assistance with repair options', Contact Dell Technical Support.

Fix 11: Inspect the battery for swelling

Use when: You see any of these signs:

• The touchpad or keyboard is lifting.
• The laptop rocks on a flat surface (and the rubber feet are not broken or missing).
• The seams where the case and cover meet are uneven, or the enclosure is splitting.

Why: Dell laptops use lithium-ion batteries that can swell with age, number of charge cycles, or heat exposure. A swollen battery can physically damage the enclosure and prevent the laptop from powering on.

Action:

Have you noticed any of the following issues?

1. Touchpad or Keyboard lifting.
2. System rocking when placed on an even surface (not related to broken or missing feet).
3. Uneven seams where the case or cover parts meet (enclosure splitting).

Any damaged system components or swollen battery should be repaired or replaced before resuming use of the computer.

More information:

For assistance with repair or replacement options', Contact Dell Technical Support.

See Dell Library Page Handling swollen Lithium-ion batteries.

Fix 12: Replace the CMOS battery

Use when: The earlier fixes did not help and you are comfortable opening the laptop (most people have a technician do this).

Why: The CMOS battery is a small circular battery on the motherboard that powers the CMOS chip, which stores settings such as date and time, fan speed, and boot sequence. The BIOS needs these to load the operating system. A dead CMOS battery can prevent the laptop from powering on.

Steps: See the User Manual for your Dell computer for detailed information about disassembly and reassembly.

Dell offers videos for some computers to help guide you through the replacement of parts such as the CMOS battery. See our Support Video Library, once there, search for the videos by the model number of your computer.

For assistance with repair or replacement options', Contact Dell Technical Support.

Frequently asked questions

Why won't my Dell laptop turn on? Common causes include a system board fault, a drained or dead CMOS battery, loose RAM, overheating, a swollen battery, physical or liquid damage, or a faulty recently installed component. Use the triage table above to choose a fix.

How can I tell if my Dell laptop is off or just has a blank screen? Press the power button and Caps Lock Fix 4. If the lights respond, the laptop has power, so try Fix 1, Fix 5, and Fix 6.

What does M-BIST do? It tests the system board. Hold M and press the Power button while the laptop is off Fix 2.

Is it safe to use a laptop with a swollen battery? No. Repair or replace the battery before using the laptop again Fix 11.

Will Dell cover repairs for dropped or liquid-damaged laptops? Only if you have an active accidental damage policy. Otherwise repair costs are yours Fix 8.