Why do Dell owners have so many problems?

TraderGary · Tuesday at 5:21 PM

KevTech said:
I doubt that as they do not make the motherboards.

Insyde is the biggest firmware vendor when it comes to laptops these days. HP, Dell, and Lenovo non-ThinkPad laptops outside of China use InsydeH2O UEFI firmware. AMI is the biggest in Desktops.

Dell and other OEM have a license so they customize said firmware for their needs.

After they customize the firmware they change the name so it says Dell in the bios screen instead of Insyde or AMI.

Dell designs its laptop and desktop motherboards, but it does not manufacture them. The physical boards are built by contract manufacturers such as Foxconn and ASUS, following Dell’s engineering specifications.

cheaterslick · Tuesday at 5:35 PM

glasskuter said:
As far as laptops, I think they would have to be looked at differently because we see so many complaints around power/sleep with laptops that do not exist on most PCs because PCs do not use modern standby. @Try3 and I both know what a nightmare modern standby caused early on. Heck, it was Denis's own testing that helped the rest of us figure it out.
At first there appeared to be more Dells being sold with modern standby issues because it seemed more were being built using it. But now on average I'd bet it's evened out.

Yeah, I don't think it's unique to Dell laptops. I think it's just the sh!tty way Microsoft designed it. They've made it so confusing now that I disabled all that anyway. I mean "Hibernate"? "Modern Standby"? "Sleep"? Don't need any of that.

I remember disabling hibernate as far back as XP because the machine would never wake up when I touched the mousepad or keyboard. So I just turned it off and saved some HD space ignoring it. I routinely turned it off anytime I bought a new machine because I knew that feature just wasn't very reliable, and the one in Windows 11 is no exception.

That also includes going into Device Manager and making sure all the Power Management tabs were unticked.

Don't get me wrong, if Dell screws up, I'll be the first to complain, but so far I haven't had any problems with them for the last few years now. Knock on wood.

Bradavon · Tuesday at 6:32 PM

Laptops/Desktops by all manufacturers have issues. Even the magic company, Apple. I've never heard of or experienced Dell in particular standing out with issues. You'll find online issues with all laptop/desktop manufacturers (including Apple).

Having never owned one, it's a strange thread to start. People can't give concrete answers to hypothetic questions.

Bradavon · Tuesday at 6:36 PM

cheaterslick said:
I remember disabling hibernate as far back as XP because the machine would never wake up when I touched the mousepad or keyboard. So I just turned it off and saved some HD space ignoring it. I routinely turned it off anytime I bought a new machine because I knew that feature just wasn't very reliable, and the one in Windows 11 is no exception.

It isn't intentional for Hibernate to wake up the PC. You have to press the Power button for Hibernate to turn on the PC. This is because after putting Windows in a hibernated state, it turns off the PC.

It's not designed to work when pressing the Touchpad or Keyboard. This is how Sleep Mode works, which isn't turning off the PC. Hibernate isn't a form or Sleep. It's always worked this way: Hibernate = Power Button / Sleep = Touchpad/Keyboard.

I've always found it reliable for decades until a week or so ago (it shuts down when hibernating), which is why I'm here. So, I'm not going to say it's always never unreliable. Until this I've always found it very reliable. But it's not designed to work by pressing Touchpad or the Keyboard.

TraderGary · Tuesday at 7:20 PM

Bradavon said:
It isn't intentional for Hibernate to wake up the PC. You have to press the Power button for Hibernate to turn on the PC. This is because after putting Windows in a hibernated state, it turns off the PC.

It's not designed to work when pressing the Touchpad or Keyboard. This is how Sleep Mode works, which isn't turning off the PC. Hibernate isn't a form or Sleep. It's always worked this way: Hibernate = Power Button / Sleep = Touchpad/Keyboard.

I've always found it reliable for decades until a week or so ago (it shuts down when hibernating), which is why I'm here. So, I'm not going to say it's always never unreliable. Until this I've always found it very reliable. But it's not designed to work by pressing Touchpad or the Keyboard.

I've got a new Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 like you have and a new Dell XPS Laptop DA16270. I've only used default Modern Standby with which I've never had a problem. More than likely that's because I followed instructions and never put a laptop in my closed backpack without shutting it down first.

pseymour · Tuesday at 8:42 PM

Aye, on Dells at least, if you close the lid with the AC adapter plugged in, it goes into connected standby and will keep trying to do updates and such, likely overheating in a bag. Before you close the lid, disconnect AC. That goes into network disconnected standby, so nothing happens in your bag.

HeavyHemi · Tuesday at 9:19 PM

Until about a year ago, I was using a 2006 Dell Latitude D620 updated to Windows 10 32Bit. I was mostly just using it as a simple streaming device for Spotify, Amazon Music etc... but as their apps got heavier, performance tanked. It still ran perfectly fine.

cheaterslick · Tuesday at 9:42 PM

Bradavon said:
It isn't intentional for Hibernate to wake up the PC. You have to press the Power button for Hibernate to turn on the PC. This is because after putting Windows in a hibernated state, it turns off the PC.

It's not designed to work when pressing the Touchpad or Keyboard. This is how Sleep Mode works, which isn't turning off the PC. Hibernate isn't a form or Sleep. It's always worked this way: Hibernate = Power Button / Sleep = Touchpad/Keyboard.

I've always found it reliable for decades until a week or so ago (it shuts down when hibernating), which is why I'm here. So, I'm not going to say it's always never unreliable. Until this I've always found it very reliable. But it's not designed to work by pressing Touchpad or the Keyboard.

I was illustrating that was the case beginning 15 years ago with XP. I haven't really fooled around with it due to the complaints I've been reading over the years. Plus, I used to re-encode video and audio file queues and I didn't want the machine to go to sleep or hibernate while doing that. I simply adapted my computer habits around it.

I also remember the power button that didn't work and having to unplug it and then remove the battery (laptops had removable batteries back then) in order to reset it and power it back up. Yes, that brings back some memories about XP, Vista and Windows 7.

Bree · 2026-07-29T06:39:09-0400

pseymour said:
Aye, on Dells at least, if you close the lid with the AC adapter plugged in, it goes into connected standby and keep trying to do updates and such, likely overheating in a bag. Before you close the lid, disconnect AC. That goes into network disconnect standby, so nothing happens in your bag.

I don't like Modern Standby, a couple of my Dells have it. I like all my laptops to sleep when I close the lid, then turn off completely after 20 minutes by hibernating. A few settings can make my Modern Standby machines behave just like all the rest.....

Bree said:
I like all my laptops to sleep when I close the lid, then hibernate after 20 minutes if I don't return. Hibernation consumes zero power.

Your first step should be to re-enable hibernation, and in 'Control Panel > Power options > Choose what closing the lid does' click on 'Change settings that are currently unavailable'. Now turn off 'Fast Startup' and turn on 'Show in Power menu' for Hibernate.

Now you can set it to hibernate from the Start menu's power button. If you want to hibernate after after a set time, as I do, then there are a few more steps to take. I first set out how I did that here:

How to disable Modern Standby? I want regular Sleep again! - post #9

andrew129260 · 2026-07-29T08:15:23-0400

I love hibernate. I use it all the time on my desktop and it works fine.

For me it's the quickest way to get back up and running with all my stuff I have open.

I then restart once a week usually on a friday or so to prevent issues.

The windows sign in option to auto save and relaunch my restartable apps when I sign back in doesnt work enough for all the things I have open.

HTA · 2026-07-29T16:34:31-0400

kelper said:
But I read that Dells use propriety hardware, firmware and BIOS. Does that not mean that are not modular in the sense of being industry standard and therefore easier to repair? I am not trying to be argumentative, just curious.

Modular as in the components are easy to replace for repair. What @TraderGary wrote is very informative.

dacrone · 2026-07-29T17:09:40-0400

This thread is great

Marie SWE · 2026-07-29T17:16:24-0400

kelper said:
Why do Dell owners have so many problems?
Or something else?

Just because they are Dellaware about things. :winkt:

DJNelson · 2026-07-29T18:16:17-0400

On the bright side, Dell laptops are usually very easy to repair. As long as they continue to be unreliable, you'll never be broke if you learn how to fix them....

Bradavon · 2026-07-29T18:31:24-0400

TraderGary said:
I've got a new Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 like you have and a new Dell XPS Laptop DA16270. I've only used default Modern Standby with which I've never had a problem. More than likely that's because I followed instructions and never put a laptop in my closed backpack without shutting it down first.

@TraderGary As I understand it, correct me if I'm wrong here, modern standby is a form of Sleep Mode and the default form of Sleep Mode on Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (haven't changed it). So, I've never had a problem with it too. I'm unclear which instructions you're referring to. I'm also unclear what you mean by closed backpack, could be American specific slang though

I'm rather aware hibernate is generally disapproved of, so causes judgement but an official feature in Windows 11 25H2 to it remains. I'm also unclear what the purpose of your post.

Ultimately it was just a comment. Let's not be petty hay.

Bradavon · 2026-07-29T18:38:05-0400

cheaterslick said:
I was illustrating that was the case beginning 15 years ago with XP. I haven't really fooled around with it due to the complaints I've been reading over the years. Plus, I used to re-encode video and audio file queues and I didn't want the machine to go to sleep or hibernate while doing that. I simply adapted my computer habits around it.

I also remember the power button that didn't work and having to unplug it and then remove the battery (laptops had removable batteries back then) in order to reset it and power it back up. Yes, that brings back some memories about XP, Vista and Windows 7.

@cheaterslick Fair enough dude. That does sound plain annoying and would cause me to not want to repeat it. It was so nicer though when you could remove batteries. I still prefer being able to remove the battery from my Galaxy S4. Off, spare pre-charged battery, on, job done.

Bree · 2026-07-29T18:58:51-0400

Bradavon said:
As I understand it, correct me if I'm wrong here, modern standby is a form of Sleep Mode and the default form of Sleep Mode on Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (haven't changed it). So, I've never had a problem with it too. I'm unclear which instructions you're referring to. I'm also unclear what you mean by closed backpack, could be American specific slang though

A backpack is just a a type of rucksack. https://www.sportsdirect.com/luggage/backpacks-and-rucksacks
Put a modern standby PC in one, zip it up, and if/when it start up while in the bag it may well overheat.
More on the issues with modern standby here:

TraderGary · 2026-07-29T21:29:56-0400

Bradavon said:
@TraderGary As I understand it, correct me if I'm wrong here, modern standby is a form of Sleep Mode and the default form of Sleep Mode on Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (haven't changed it). So, I've never had a problem with it too. I'm unclear which instructions you're referring to. I'm also unclear what you mean by closed backpack, could be American specific slang though

By closed backpack I simply meant a backpack that is zipped up and closed with no free airflow to my laptops.

Bradavon said:
I'm rather aware hibernate is generally disapproved of, so causes judgement but an official feature in Windows 11 25H2 to it remains. I'm also unclear what the purpose of your post.

I was just chatting. I thought I would let you know my experience with the same model of Microsoft Laptop you're using.

Bradavon said:
Ultimately it was just a comment. Let's not be petty hay.

Me too!

spapakons · 2026-07-30T02:43:45-0400

kelper said:
But I read that Dells use propriety hardware, firmware and BIOS. Does that not mean that are not modular in the sense of being industry standard and therefore easier to repair? I am not trying to be argumentative, just curious.

Yes, Dell desktops use proprietary towers, PSU and motherboards that cannot be easily upgraded. But so does HP, Lenovo and other manufacturers. The CPU, RAM, SSD and discrete GPUs in both laptops and desktops are not proprietary, but hard to track after some years. It is not easy to find used CPU or used dGPU for a laptop as it is for a desktop PC. So if you decide to upgrade it after some years, your options are limited. It is easy to upgrade the RAM or SSD, but not that easy to find a compatible CPU and dGPU. This is true for all brands, not only Dell. One thing I hate in Dell is that you cannot just buy a universal charger. It will switch the laptop on but not charge the battery! You have to buy a genuine Dell charger to be fully functional and this usually costs more than a 90W universal charger with multiple tips that fits most brands.

Stigg · 2026-07-30T02:47:49-0400

Maybe it has something to do with Dell owners.

Why do Dell owners have so many problems?

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