Why won't my Dell Venue 8 Pro Windows Tablet turn on?

Anonymous
2014-02-04T17:06:49+00:00

I was using my new Dell Venue 8 Pro Windows tablet with 32 GB (I got it this Christmas) when all of a sudden the screen went blank and turned this almost black color, with a slight glow to it. I tried turning it back on, pressing the power button and the Windows button, but it refused to respond. I plugged it into the charger and let it charge overnight, no change whatsoever. The screen still had a slight glow to it and it stayed blank no matter which buttons I pressed. I've tried unplugging it and plugging it in again, no response. The only thing that happens when I plug it into the charger is that the white battery light comes on. I tried plugging it into the computer, no difference. I had been sorting through eBooks in my virtual library on my tablet when the screen went blank on me, could this be a factor? Honestly, I have no idea what the cause for this odd behavior is, if anybody has some hints or ideas as to this problem, please respond to my question. I'm really at my wit's end! Thank you in advance, graceSGZ

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2014-02-05T22:23:50+00:00

Ok, so I searched up a bunch of help articles on the Microsoft site and the Dell site, and I found an online manual for my tablet. I finally got it to turn on by pressing and holding the power button for ten seconds and then another ten seconds. Based on my research, I'm guessing that somehow I managed to shut off the screen on my tablet without turning the tablet itself off, and that I shut it down. Because when I got it to turn back on, it was like I had shut it down, where I had to sign in and everything. Whatever the cause, I'm glad I fixed it, and I hope that if anybody else has this same problem,  my question and how I fixed it will help them too. 

UPDATE: If you're still having trouble, you can try scrolling through the comments; I have posted more detailed instructions in one of the comments. :)

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-03-13T05:32:06+00:00

    Thanks a lot mine did the same thing. It's working fine now. It shut down during an update.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-05T16:10:36+00:00

    The screen isn't broken, its just an issue most dell venue users will have over their first few days with teir new tablet

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    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-07T04:04:37+00:00

    Looks like the same thing is happening with me... I'm thinking that I'm doing something wrong here. But I can hear that it's on and I have the black screen. Looks like towards the bottom there is a little bit of light... 

    After holding for 10 seconds, how long is the pause before doing it again for 10 more seconds? I've been sitting here for 30 minutes with no luck:(

    Was the tablet already on or off when you held for 10 seconds?

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-04-07T05:03:58+00:00

    Usually for me, what happens is that I press the Windows button on the side of the tablet, but it doesn't immediately turn on like usual. A faint glowing light is coming from the screen, so I know it isn't off. Also, if I plug the tablet into the charger, a white light comes from the side, so I can see that it recognized being plugged in.

    At this point, I press the power button, which is the button next to the charger plug-in (just making sure the difference between the buttons is clear, in case you happen to be pressing the wrong one). I hold down the button really hard for the count of about ten full seconds, and usually I'll notice the screen go "off," or completely black. If I don't see this happening, or it doesn't go fully off, then I'll try holding the button down for another full ten seconds. It should go completely black now.

    My next step is to hold the button down once again for a couple seconds (it shouldn't take the full ten this time). Now I should see the screen power up and the Dell logo pop onto the screen, with a loading sign underneath it.

    A few different things could happen now: first, the lock screen could appear, and consequently, I can log into my Microsoft account and enter into my tablet. Second, I could see an installing updates alert, with the percent of how much updating is finished. If I see the installing updates notification, after the updates are complete, I might or might not see the Dell logo again, and then I should be able to log onto my tablet.

    I hope this walkthrough of my personal experience with this problem helps you guys with your difficulties in this area!

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