Very newish laptop won't turn on. Help

krnl said:

Help! I've only had this new Dell laptop for about a month. It won't turn on when I push the button on the right upper corner. The keyboard lights up for a couple of seconds, goes off, and then nothing else happens.

When I unplugged it and picked it up from where it was charging the machine was quite hot, but cooled off on the the desk where I moved it.

Spouse is on a trip. He left it charging so I could spend free time setting it up for MY preferences. (A real challenge since everything seems to be updating at once. That's the next call for help)

If only owned for a month, I assume you are covered on a very good warranty and more importantly for live help from wherever you got it. For example Costco has amazing concierge service if purchased from them. I would suggest reaching out to where ever you purchased the laptop. I hope you figure it out and someone here can help but strongly suggest you reach out to the seller.

wendy said:

If only owned for a month, I assume you are covered on a very good warranty and more importantly for live help from wherever you got it. For example Costco has amazing concierge service if purchased from them. I would suggest reaching out to where ever you purchased the laptop. I hope you figure it out and someone here can help but strongly suggest you reach out to the seller.

Thanks. That would be my preference too. Unfortunately, my husband ordered it for me from Dell without my input and he is not usually eager to seek out help or return stuff. Hence, any help from MOL experts would be wonderful. 

Especially if there's a way to start it before he returns tomorrow.

I assume you have access to another device that can connect to the Internet or you would not be able to make this post.  If you know the make and model number of the computer, you may be able to do an online search for an operating manual or an online discussion group that addresses what to do in the situation you describe.  It is unlikely that you are the only person to encounter this problem.  

ETA:  When the computer was left charging, was it connected to a surge protector?  If not, that could be the source of the problem, especially since you report that the computer was very hot.

I'm very uninformed about technical problems, but it seems to me that if the computer is hot, there is probably a problem in the charging system.  Don't plug it in again until you can resolve the problem.  (And check your smoke alarms.)

If it's only a month old - I would go back to dell or wherever you bought.  Here's the AI response - but sounds like a faulty hardware issue to me.  

🔹 Step 1: Check for overheating

If it was hot earlier, let it cool down completely (at least 15–20 minutes) before doing anything else.
Then make sure:

• It’s on a hard, flat surface (not a couch or bed).

• The air vents (on sides or bottom) aren’t blocked.

🔹 Step 2: Do a hard power reset

This often fixes the “lights on then off” issue.

1. Unplug the power adapter.

2. Disconnect all accessories (mouse, USB, SD card, etc.).

3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to fully discharge any residual power.

4. Plug the power adapter back in — but don’t connect anything else.

5. Try pressing the power button once.

If it powers on, let it fully boot, then check battery icon → if it’s not charging, we’ll handle that next.

🔹 Step 3: Check the charger

If nothing happens:

1. Verify the charging light (either on the side or next to the charging port).

   • Solid white/amber: charging properly.

   • Blinking amber: low battery or adapter fault.

   • No light: could mean a dead battery, bad adapter, or loose connection.

2. Try a different wall outlet or remove any surge protector.

🔹 Step 4: Bypass battery (if it’s a removable-battery model)

If your Dell has a removable battery:

1. Remove it.

2. Plug in the charger (battery out).

3. Try turning it on — if it works, the battery may be faulty.

If it’s a built-in battery, skip to the next step.

🔹 Step 5: Perform a “flea power drain” (for built-in battery models)

Some Dell laptops require this combo reset:

1. Unplug the adapter.

2. Hold the power button for 30–40 seconds.

3. Then, press and hold “Power + Fn” together for another 10 seconds.

4. Plug the charger in and press power again.

🔹 Step 6: If still dead

Try these indicators:

• Caps Lock or Power LED flashing pattern → tells you an internal error.

• Listen for fan or drive noise.
  If there’s none, it may be a motherboard or charging circuit fault — Dell support can replace under warranty (you said it’s only a month old).

Thanks everyone. I've already done #1 and #2 on Jamie' list and will try #3 and 5 as far as I can. My internet review solutions started  with #4 -- something well beyond my knowledge of this unit. I had planned to call Dell this afternoon, but now will wait till spouse returns. 

krnl said:

wendy said:

If only owned for a month, I assume you are covered on a very good warranty and more importantly for live help from wherever you got it. For example Costco has amazing concierge service if purchased from them. I would suggest reaching out to where ever you purchased the laptop. I hope you figure it out and someone here can help but strongly suggest you reach out to the seller.

Thanks. That would be my preference too. Unfortunately, my husband ordered it for me from Dell without my input and he is not usually eager to seek out help or return stuff. Hence, any help from MOL experts would be wonderful. 

Especially if there's a way to start it before he returns tomorrow.

I just logged into the support app on my Dell laptop and they list a technical support phone number of 1-800-624-9896. You might want to give them a call to see if they can help. Good luck!

Yay! #5 got it on!   

Now, three options:

Continue

bios set-up

Diagnostics

Which should I choose? 

It may be the power adapter. Spouse HS mumbled that they sent wrong one with his pc. I see a bunch of scrambled similar wires next to his laptop. I don't know if we have 2 wrong ones or one. 

THANKS 😍

Sounds good!

For #5 - the next step was to continue.

If it fails to boot normally, or if it shuts off again soon after, then restart it and pick “Diagnostics.”

That runs Dell’s built-in hardware check (takes about 10–15 minutes). It’ll tell us if the battery, fan, or motherboard sensors are acting up.

jamie said:

Sounds good!

For #5 - the next step was to continue.

If it fails to boot normally, or if it shuts off again soon after, then restart it and pick “Diagnostics.”

That runs Dell’s built-in hardware check (takes about 10–15 minutes). It’ll tell us if the battery, fan, or motherboard sensors are acting up.

I picked Continue, crossed my fingers, if it booted up and worked ok on the few apps I've been using. Thanks again.