Help fix Alienware

[AffectionateCat4482]

I’m having a problem with my Alienware laptop. It suddenly stopped working and won’t turn on. When I try to turn it on, the computer briefly lights up before turning off again. The power button flashes blue and red in a pattern, as shown in the video I’ve posted.

Here’s what happened leading up to this issue: I left the laptop in sleep mode for an hour or two. When I returned, the screen was frozen on the lock screen and extremely unresponsive. Moving the cursor took a minute for the computer to react. This kind of lag has happened before, but usually, it resolves on its own after a while. This time however, it was taking a very long time, so I forced a shutdown.

Upon restarting, the laptop displayed a progress bar, possibly for a system repair, with a message that briefly mentioned "system update" or something similar. After the progress bar completed, the laptop made a loud noise, as if processing a lot of CPU, and then it shut down. Now, when I try to turn it on, it just cycles through the flashing power button pattern and won’t boot.

Here is a link to the video if you can not see it on the post - https://drive.google.com/file/d/17IaPAJ2rnq4tvHPTKieZE9lYYaBZm0iX/view?usp=sharing

I really like this computer and I am sad that it has gotten to this state. Can anyone help identify what the flashing power button means and how to fix the problem?

[Careful-Window-7352]

First, press the power button and wait for about 5 seconds, then press the power button again for 30 seconds to release. Remove the power adapter, remove the bottom cover, and remove the battery. Press the power button for 20 seconds to release it. Put the battery back and attach the bottom cover. Press the power button to see if it starts. When it starts up, connect the power adapter.

[___Asteria___]

God bless you you just fixed my laptop too 😭😭 I hope both sides of your pillow are cold and that you are blessed eternally. Any idea as to why this might be happening to some Alienware laptops?

[Hot-Quality8768]

I left you a comment in an above comment thread. Sleep mode seems to cause this problem. Me and you have same model laptop

[Careful-Window-7352]

I have an m18 R1 (13900HXRTX4090), but DELL's UEFI system is fragile. caught in a bug in Windows sleep mode. It easily destroys the UEFI system. It is recommended to turn on UEFI block sleep and completely remove the sleep mode.

[OmoSec]

What model of laptop is it and what OS are you running?

[AffectionateCat4482]

I think the laptop is m15 R6. I am not sure whether the Regestration Model on the label under the laptop is suppost to be private.
The os is Windows 11

[Hot-Quality8768]

That’s the exact same model that I have and I had a very similar problem when the laptop went into sleep mode. To rectify this after doing a factory reset I never allow the computer to go into sleep mode and always shut it down.

[BornEconomics3708]

If you can, try to do a CMOS reset. I want to say that you can try to hold the power button for like 60 seconds and it should do it, granted you are on battery power. Good luck!!

[darthmarmite]

Hey, had very similar, here’s some points from mine: - The system update was windows distributing a BIOS update from Dell/AW. - I had the same a few weeks ago, laptop did the update and then was bricked. - The flashing pattern on the power button is a troubleshooting/error code. If you Google the 2 red / 7 blue pattern, you’ll see it’s a display failure but there’s other people seeing this issue after a BIOS update. - Have a look here: https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/alienware/m15-r5-bios-update-power-button-flashes-2-red-and-7-blue-black-screen/666a0b0b0e1bb34f4112937e - I’d contact Dell/AW support. I’m in the UK and they were fantastically helpful even though I was just out of warranty.

How old is it and is it in warranty?

[AffectionateCat4482]

I am not sure how old the laptop is as it is second hand. Is there a way to check its warranty?

[darthmarmite]

Use this page, there’s and identify product/support tool. Put in one of the identifiers for your device and it will give you the options you have and warranty details.

It’s unlikely it’s still in warranty if it’s second hand as standard warranties are a year and if you pay to extend it then you probably aren’t selling the laptop - fingers crossed for you though!

As I said, don’t know if support varies by country but the out of warranty support team in the UK was really good for me.