Certain Inspiron and Vostro Laptops Need the Power Button Held down to Power on When They Are on Battery Power

Summary: This article provides information about Certain Inspiron, and Vostro laptops cannot power on when the power button is pressed while on battery power.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Symptoms

Powering On Inspiron and Vostro Laptops

When certain Inspiron and Vostro laptops are on AC adapter power, you can briefly press the power button to power the laptop on. But, if the AC adapter is removed and the laptop is on battery power. You must hold the power button down for more than one second to power the laptop on.


Affected Models:

  • Inspiron 3500
  • Inspiron 3501
  • Inspiron 3511
  • Inspiron 3520
  • Inspiron 3521
  • Vostro 3400
  • Vostro 3401
  • Vostro 3420
  • Vostro 3500
  • Vostro 3501
  • Vostro 3510
  • Vostro 3520

Cause

The laptop is designed for this behavior.

Resolution

There is no issue with the laptop, and this is working as designed.

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Affected Products

Inspiron 3501, Inspiron 15 3511, Inspiron 15 3520, Inspiron 15 3521, Inspiron 3500, Vostro 3400, Vostro 3401, Vostro 3420, Vostro 3500, Vostro 3501, Vostro 15 3510, Vostro 3520
Article Properties
Article Number: 000195353
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 07 Nov 2025
Version:  7
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