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
    2014-04-07T19:17:59+00:00

    I just had this happen to me, and I held the power button down for 10 seconds with no response, so I held if for 20 seconds.  The Dell logo appeared and eventually a notification that an update was 100% complete, "do not turn off computer".  I guess it was just the update causing the issue, because it is working normally again. 

    My updates today were for Windows Defender and Malicious Software Removal tool.  I see I get updates all the time and this is the first time I have noticed this behavior.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-09T17:05:02+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. 

    Thanks for your help. Now my wife can use her tablet.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-09T17:14:20+00:00

    You're welcome, I'm just glad to help people so they don't get stuck like I did :) :)

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-04-10T14:28:09+00:00

    Thanks for the help, mine tends to do this occasionally if it has been asleep for a while. I tend to just completely discharge it, then reboot it when it is back up to full charge.

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