The power button on Dell XPS laptops sits at the top-right area, often built into the keyboard or a side edge depending on the model.
You bought a slim XPS and now you can’t spot the switch. You’re not alone. Dell tucks the switch into clean lines, and many models hide a fingerprint reader inside that same key. This guide shows the exact places to check, quick ways to wake the machine, and what to do if a press doesn’t work.
Fast Answer By Model Family
Most recent 13-inch units place the switch on the keyboard deck at the top-right corner, level with the Delete key. Many 15- and 17-inch units use the same spot. A few trims move it to a right-side edge. The sections below give model-specific cues and fixes if the switch feels dead.
Identify Your Exact Model
Flip the laptop and check the small label on the bottom case for the Service Tag. You can enter that code on Dell’s site to pull up the exact manual and photos for your unit. That page lists ports, keys, and a “Views” section that points to the switch. It takes guesswork out of the process.
Dell XPS 13: Typical Spots And Telltales
On late-gen 13-inch machines, the switch doubles as a fingerprint reader. It looks like a round or square key in the top-right corner of the keyboard deck. Press once to start or wake. A white LED ring or tiny light under the key may blink during boot. Dell’s setup notes for a recent 13-inch line show this exact step—connect power, then press that key on first boot (setup guide).
Signs you’re touching the right control:
- Top-right key above Backspace or next to Delete.
- Fingerprint reader icon or a subtle ring.
- LED activity when you press.
Dell XPS 15 And 17: What’s Different
These sizes often mirror the 13-inch layout. The switch sits on the keyboard deck at the top-right. Many trims also combine the fingerprint reader with this key. A few older or special configs put the control on a side edge. If you don’t see a marked key on the deck, glance at the right side near the hinge for a small round button. Dell’s spec pages for the 15-inch line even note that the reader is built into the switch.
Power Key Behavior And Quick Checks
Press once and wait a few seconds. Hold for ten seconds only when the system is frozen and you need a force shut-down. If nothing happens, try these quick checks before digging deeper:
- Connect the AC adapter. New units ship in a low-charge state.
- Try a different outlet or a known good charger.
- Watch for any LED blink. Even a brief flash shows the key is live.
- Remove external devices and press again.
Close Variant: Finding The Power Button On A Dell XPS — Model Cues And Photos
Not every trim looks the same. Here’s how to spot the switch on common lines:
XPS 13 9300 And 9310
Look to the top-right of the keyboard deck. The round key there starts the machine and often reads your fingerprint as you press. Dell’s setup notes tell you to plug in the adapter and press that key on first boot. If a press does nothing on day one, connect power for a few minutes, then try again.
XPS 15 9510
The switch sits at the top-right of the deck and includes the fingerprint reader. If you see a small square or round cap with a faint line icon, that’s the spot. A short press wakes or starts the machine. Dell’s documentation even states that the reader is located on the switch for this model.
XPS 17 9710
Again, top-right of the keyboard deck on most units. Press once to start. If you can’t find it on the deck, check the right edge near the hinge for a small button.
What The Fingerprint Reader Means
On many trims, the switch doubles as the reader. Touch once and the system both powers and signs you in. If you enrolled your print during setup, a single tap takes you from dark screen to desktop. If the reader misses, press and hold a second longer or enter your PIN.
When A Press Doesn’t Work
Switch feels dead? Work through a short ladder of fixes. Start at the top and stop when the machine starts.
1) Give It Fresh Power
Connect the Dell adapter to a wall outlet, then to a Thunderbolt/USB-C port with the lightning bolt icon. Leave it on charge for ten minutes. New batteries may arrive drained from shipping. Try the switch again.
2) Try A Hard Reset
Unplug the adapter. Hold the switch for ten seconds to cut power. Wait a few heartbeats, plug the adapter back in, and press once.
3) Check For Sleep Or Hibernation
Tap the key once. If the keyboard backlight flickers but the screen stays dark, the unit may be asleep. Close the lid, wait ten seconds, open, and press again. You can also hold the key for ten seconds to force a full shut-down, then press once to boot.
4) External Display Test
Connect a monitor to a Thunderbolt/USB-C port or HDMI (on trims that have it). Press the key again. If the external display wakes, adjust brightness or display output on the laptop screen.
5) Still No Response?
With the adapter connected, leave the machine charging for twenty minutes, then try again. If there’s no sign of life, contact Dell.
Ways To Turn It On Without Touching The Button
Some setups let you start the laptop with the lid or a charger:
- Power On By AC: On many modern boards you can enable power on when AC is connected. This option lives in the BIOS on some models.
- Wake On USB: A USB keyboard or mouse can wake a sleeping system when allowed in Windows.
- Open The Lid: Certain trims wake when you lift the lid.
These options vary. If you need them, look in the BIOS or Windows power settings.
Make The Button Do What You Expect
Windows lets you pick what happens when you press the switch. You can set it to sleep, hibernate, shut down, or do nothing. To set it up:
- Open Power Options in Control Panel.
- Select “Choose what the power buttons do.”
- Pick an action for “When I press the power button.”
- Save changes.
If you want a reference from Dell on these steps, see the short help page on configuring the power button behavior here.
Power LED And Feedback
LED behavior helps you tell what the unit is doing. A steady light during boot shows the board is alive. A slow blink can mean sleep. No light at all points to low charge or a deeper fault. When you press the switch, watch the front edge and the key itself. Any flicker is a good sign.
Care Tips For The Power Key
Treat it like any other switch. Short, firm presses work best. Keep dust out of the gap around the key. Don’t hammer it during a freeze; one press, then wait. If the cap is wobbly or sticks, contact support before it gets worse.
Model-By-Model Location Hints
The table below groups popular trims and where to look first. If your exact model isn’t listed, the nearest size line usually matches.
| Model | Likely Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| XPS 13 9300 / 9310 | Top-right of keyboard deck | Often includes a fingerprint reader in the key. |
| XPS 15 9510 | Top-right of keyboard deck | Reader built into the switch on many units. |
| XPS 17 9710 | Top-right of deck; some trims use right edge | If not on deck, check the right side near the hinge. |
| Newer XPS 16 9640 | Top-right of keyboard deck | Deck key often doubles as the reader. |
Safety Notes About Forced Shutdowns
Hold the switch for ten seconds only when the laptop is frozen. This cuts power and can stop updates or unsaved work. Use it as a last step during a crash. For a frozen screen with fans still spinning, wait a minute before trying the hold press. If the issue repeats often, run a health check and update drivers.
When You Should Contact Dell
Reach out if the switch feels loose, the cap falls off, or there’s no LED activity even with the adapter connected. Also reach out if the unit powers on but shuts off the moment you release the key. These signs point to a board, battery, or switch fault that needs parts.
Helpful Links From Dell
For step-by-step setup on a 13-inch unit, see Dell’s setup notes for that line (XPS 13 9310 setup). For power behavior changes, Windows steps on Dell’s help pages show where to set “When I press the power button” (Me and My Dell). Both pages are short and clear.
Bottom Line
The switch on these laptops favors clean design over big labels. Start with the top-right of the keyboard deck, then scan the right edge near the hinge. Use the tips above to wake a stubborn unit, and adjust Windows so a press does exactly what you want.