Dell Active Pen Models: Identification, Control Panel, and Fixes

Summary: Discover nine Dell Active Pen models, identify your pen, install the Control Panel, and troubleshoot issues. Learn more about compatibility and troubleshooting steps.

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Instructions

Dell Active Pen

This article describes how to identify the Dell Active Pen model, install the Control Panel (if available), and troubleshoot issues.

There are nine Dell Active Pen models: PN556W, PN557W, PN338M, PN579X, PN350M, PN5122W, PN7522W, PN771M, and PN7320A.

Note: For System Compatibility information, use the Pen Support Center Links below.
Table 1: Dell Active Pen Identification Matrix
Pen Picture
PN556W PN556W Dell Active Pen
PN557W PN557W Dell Active Pen
PN338M PN338M Dell Active Pen
PN579X PN579X Dell Active Pen
PN350M PN350M Dell Active Pen
PN5122W Dell Pro Plus Active Pen PN5122W
PN7522W Dell Pro Premium Active Pen PN7522W

 

Note: The Dell PN771M Active Pen was sold with Inspiron 7300, 7306, 7500, and 7506 2-in-1 Black Edition laptops. It cannot be purchased separate from these laptops. The following link can be used to find more information and troubleshooting steps for the Dell PN771M Active Pen.

The Dell PN7320A Active Pen was only sold for the Latitude 7320 Detachable laptop. For more information about the Dell PN7320A Active Pen and troubleshooting steps, go to the PN7320A Active Pen User Guide.

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Dell Active Pen Model

Go through the following steps to identify the pen model:

Does the pen have a clip?

  • Yes
    • ➤ Is the color of the pen dark gray?
      • ✔ Yes => Pen model is PN556W.
      • ✔ No => Pen model is PN338M.
  • No
    • ➤ Is the color of the pen gray?
      • ✔ Yes
        • ➤ Is there a USB Type-C charging port on the pen?
          • ✔ No => Pen model is PN5122W.
          • ✔ Yes => Pen model is PN7522W.
      • ✔ No
        • ➤ Is there a date code on the pen?
          • ✔ No => Pen model is PN579X.
          • ✔ Yes
            • ➤ Is the date code of the format MIXXX? Example: Dell Active Pen Date Code
              • ✔ Yes => Pen model is PN557W.
              • ✔ No => Pen model is PN350M.

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See the following Dell Knowledge Base articles for information about your Active Pen PN579X:

See the following Dell Knowledge Base articles for information about your Active Pen PN557W:

See the following Dell Knowledge Base articles for information about your Active Pen PN556W:

See the following Dell Knowledge Base articles for information about your Active Pen PN338M:

See the following Dell Knowledge Base articles for information about your Active Pen PN350M:

See the following Dell Knowledge Base articles for information about your Dell Pro Plus Active Pen PN5122W:

See the following Dell Knowledge Base articles for information about your Dell Pro Premium Active Pen PN7522W:

From the list, select your Active Pen to be taken to its drivers page (which opens in a new tab or Window). Then follow the instructions below to download and install the Dell Active Pen Control Panel software.

  1. Touch or click download to the right of Dell Active Pen Control Panel (Windows 10 RS2 -Creators Update and up).
    Note: When you are running Windows 8 (8.1), touch or click download to the right of the Dell Active Pen Control Panel file.
  2. Touch or click the up arrow to the right of Save in the banner at the bottom of the screen, and then select Save as.
  3. Ensure that Downloads is selected in the column on the left.
  4. Touch or click Save.
  5. Touch or click Run in the banner at the bottom of the screen.
  6. The installation process begins (the User Account Control window may appear, if so touch or click Yes), and then follow the prompts.

See the Dell Active Pen User's Guide for your Active Pen on how to use the Dell Active Pen Control Panel software. The guide is on the Manual tab, under Style in the Electronics and Accessories section. For more information, see Dell Knowledge Base article Manuals and Documentation for your Dell Product for information about downloading and viewing manuals.

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Affected Products

Dell Active Pen - PN338M, Dell Active Pen PN350M, Dell Active Pen - PN557W, Dell Active Pen - PN579X, Dell Active Pen - PN556W, Dell Pro Plus Active Pen PN5122W, Dell Pro Premium Active Pen PN7522W, Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 DB04250 , Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 DB04255, Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 DB06250, Dell Pro 13 Plus PB13250, Dell Pro 14 Plus PB14250, Inspiron 13 5378 2-in-1, Inspiron 13 5379 2-in-1, Inspiron 7300 2-in-1, Inspiron 7306 2-in-1, Inspiron 7370, Inspiron 7373 2-in-1, Inspiron 13 7378 2-in-1, Inspiron 7386 2-in-1, Inspiron 7390 2-in-1, Inspiron 7391 2-in-1, Inspiron 5400 2-in-1, Inspiron 5406 2-in-1, Inspiron 14 5410 2-in-1, Inspiron 5481 2-in-1, Inspiron 5482 2-in-1, Inspiron 14 5485 2-in-1, Inspiron 5490, Inspiron 5491 2-in-1, Inspiron 7405 2-in-1, Inspiron 7415 2-in-1, Inspiron 14 7420 2-in-1, Inspiron 14 7425 2-in-1, Inspiron 14 7430 2-in-1, Inspiron 14 7435 2-in-1, Inspiron 14 7440 2-in-1, Inspiron 14 7445 2-in-1, Inspiron 15 5578 2-in-1, Inspiron 15 5579 2-in-1, Inspiron 15 5582 2-in-1, Inspiron 5591 2-in-1, Inspiron 7500 2-in-1 Black, Inspiron 7500 2-in-1 Silver, Inspiron 7506 2-in-1, Inspiron 7570, Inspiron 7573 2-in-1, Inspiron 15 7579 2-in-1, Inspiron 7586 2-in-1, Inspiron 7590 2-in-1, Inspiron 7591 2-in-1, Inspiron 16 7620 2-in-1, Inspiron 16 7630 2-in-1, Inspiron 16 7635 2-in-1, Inspiron 16 7640 2-in-1, Latitude 3120, Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Latitude 5285 2-in-1, Latitude 5289 2-in-1, Latitude 5290 2-in-1, Latitude 7200 2-in-1, Latitude 7210 2-in-1, Latitude 7220 Rugged Extreme Tablet, Latitude 7285 2-in-1, Latitude 3330, Latitude 3340, Latitude 3390 2-in-1, Latitude 5300 2-in-1 Chromebook, Latitude 5300 2-in-1, Latitude 5310 2-in-1, Latitude 5320, Latitude 5330, Latitude 5340, Latitude 5350, Latitude 7310, Latitude 7320, Latitude 7320 Detachable, Latitude 7330, Latitude 7340, Latitude 7350 Detachable, Latitude 7350 2-in-1 (End of Life), Latitude 7389 2-in-1, Latitude 9330, Latitude 7400 2-in-1, Latitude 7410 Chromebook, Latitude 7410, Latitude 7420, Latitude 7430, Latitude 7440, Latitude 7450, Latitude 9410, Latitude 9420, Latitude 9430, Latitude 9440 2-in-1, Latitude 9450 2-in-1, Latitude 9510, Latitude 9520, Latitude 5420, Precision 5470, Precision 5480, Precision 5490, Precision 5530 2 in 1, XPS 13 7390 2-in-1, XPS 13 9310 2-in-1, XPS 13 9315 2-in-1, XPS 13 9365 2-in-1, XPS 15 9575 2-in-1 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000126601
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 02 Jul 2025
Version:  26
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