For anyone still needing a solution we found on the E5540s that if you go into BIOS > Power > USB PowerShare and toggle that option on that this issue is resolved completely. The suggestion by @AardvarkTech does work great, but it has to be changed for each dock that the system is connected to so in a hoteling environment still caused issues. UPDATE: Some of our machines are still having the issue after making this change, but it did fix it for some of them. We have just starting setting Windows to never sleep while connected to power and that resolves it completely. Answer from sradford09 on dell.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/dellxps › xps 14 9440 1 amber 8 white
r/DellXPS on Reddit: XPS 14 9440 1 amber 8 white
September 26, 2024 -
I was using my laptop (XPS 14 9440) and it completely froze and gave me an error code of 1 amber followed by 8 white. I have been searching for what this error code means, but dell has no information on it anywhere. Does anyone know what it means? Thanks
The laptop is less than 6 months old and should be under warranty still, but I’d like to know what the issue is before I contact dell about the issue.
EDIT: I have been having the issue more and more, and i am realizing that it is becuase dell might not have given it enough heat dissapation capabilities. I think the main way to avoid it is to make sure you save files often, and keep it cool. I also went into bios and changed the fan speed settings to as high as possible. If i have any updates i will share them asap. For reference, my laptop has these specs: intel ultra 7 155H, 64gb of ram, 2tb ssd, RTX 4050 laptop gpu, and the upgraded screen with touch
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A little late, but anyone who has this issue: hold the power button for about 20 seconds then power back on. Should power right up (if it blue screens just choose restart). Mine just did this exact thing and was worried I’d need a new motherboard, meanwhile it just overheated and must have tripped something.
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For me it was the wifi card that was damaged.
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For anyone still needing a solution we found on the E5540s that if you go into BIOS > Power > USB PowerShare and toggle that option on that this issue is resolved completely. The suggestion by @AardvarkTech does work great, but it has to be changed for each dock that the system is connected to so in a hoteling environment still caused issues. UPDATE: Some of our machines are still having the issue after making this change, but it did fix it for some of them. We have just starting setting Windows to never sleep while connected to power and that resolves it completely.
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Dell laptops use a combination of amber and white LED flashes to indicate specific system issues. The 1 amber and 8 white LED code has been observed across multiple models, including Latitude, XPS, and Dell Plus systems. While this code is not always listed in standard fault code references, it often points to a BIOS-related issue or, in some cases, a motherboard fault. Basic Troubleshooting Steps Connect the AC Adapter DirectlyIf your system is connected via a docking station, try powering it using a direct AC adapter. Some users have reported successful boot after switching from dock to direct power. Perform a Power DrainDisconnect all power sources, then press and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Reconnect the power and try turning the system on again. Update the BIOSIf the system boots, update the BIOS to the latest version. This has resolved the issue on several models: Dell Plus systems XPS systems Next Steps If the issue persists after these steps, it may indicate a motherboard failure or a deeper firmware conflict. We recommend contacting our support team for further assistance. You can use the Get Help Now chat feature located at the bottom right corner of this page. Or, you may reach out to a trusted technician for a hands-on diagnosis. Please see this video for additional general No Post Troubleshooting.
Unknown Error Code on Precision 5490
Howdy! I'm struggling with my one year old 5490. I have an issue where if I leave the laptop plugged in and asleep for a period of time (10 mins to 10 hours) the laptop will enter an er... More on dell.com
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July 2, 2025What does 2 amber 8 white blinks in my Dell Lattitude? 🥺
Reference Guide: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-au/000127927/a-reference-guide-for-latitude-notebook-and-tablet-diagnostic-indicators Indicates LCD Power Rail failure. Usually means replacing the displays ribbon cable. More on reddit.com
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October 16, 2024Latitude 5401 blinking 2 amber, 8 white
Hi, looking for a diagnostic code for a Latitude 5401 - it's blinking 2 amber then 8 white. Dell's diagnostic codes stop at 2 amber, 7 white. Thanks in advance! More on dell.com
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March 6, 2020Precision 5820, Error Code only blinking amber
Hmm, I don't see a 4-1 in the manual: https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/precision-5820-workstation/precision_5820_om_pub/preboot-blinking-power-button-codes?guid=guid-cedeb3b8-064b-41df-b883-a39456d89249&lang=en-us More on reddit.com
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October 31, 2023Dell
dell.com › support › kbdoc › en-us › 000285283 › dell-plus-systems-show-a-1-amber-and-8-white-led-error
Dell Plus Systems Show a 1 Amber and 8 White LED Error | Dell US
While using the systems listed below, you may get a back screen, or the system will stop responding if you are not connected to AC adapter power. The LED flashes 1 time amber and 8 times white.
Dell
dell.com › support › kbdoc › en-us › 000135030 › a-reference-guide-to-the-precision-mobile-diagnostic-indicators
A Reference Guide to the Precision Mobile Diagnostic Indicators | Dell US
First Group: The Battery LED blinks in Amber up to nine times then pauses for one and a half seconds before running the second group. Second Group: The Battery LED blinks in White up to nine times then pauses for three seconds before running the first group again.
Dell
dell.com › support › kbdoc › en-us › 000153002 › a-reference-guide-to-the-precision-workstation-diagnostic-indicators
A Reference Guide to the Precision Workstation Diagnostic Indicators | Dell US
The Diagnostic LEDs remain 1, 2, 3, 4, and placed on the front of the unit. Identify these desktops by their flat black and recessed Grill on the front face. Note: There are three types of color for the Power LED: Green, Blue, or White depending on the desktop model · Note: Diagnostic LEDs can be either Green or Amber depending on the model type, but are always either off, flashing, or solid on.
Dell
dell.com › support › manuals › en-us › precision-16-5690-laptop › precision-5690_owners_manual › system-diagnostic-lights
Precision 5690 Owner's Manual | Dell US
This section lists the system-diagnostic lights of your Precision 5690. NOTE:Blinking 3-3-3 LEDs on Lock LED (Caps-Lock or Num-Lock), Power button LED (without Fingerprint reader), and Diagnostic LED indicates failure to provide input during LCD panel test on Dell SupportAssist Pre-boot System Performance Check diagnostics. ... All fields are required unless marked otherwise. ... Sorry, our feedback system is currently down. Please try again later. Thank you for your feedback. Please provide ratings (1-5 stars).
Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › latitude
why was this closed. having same issue: 5540 1 Amber 8 White LED flashing, not listed in the list of fault codes | DELL Technologies
October 30, 2025 - System would consistently give 1 amber, 8 white blinks upon power up every morning. Had to press and hold dock power button to shut system down, then power it back up and it would boot.
Dell
dell.com › support › kbdoc › en-us › 000222604 › xps-13-9340-stops-responding-and-the-battery-status-led-flashes-1-amber-8-white
The Service LED on Some XPS Laptops Flash 1-Amber 8-White | Dell US
Learn about the service LED flashing 1-amber and 8-white on some XPS laptops.
Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › precision mobile workstations
Unknown Error Code on Precision 5490 | DELL Technologies
July 2, 2025 - Dell Knowledge Base article on 1 amber and 8 white LED error: Dell KB 000285283
Dell
dell.com › home › support home › product support › manuals
Precision 5490 Owner's Manual | Dell Suriname
precision-14-5490-laptop | Precision 5490 Owner's Manual | system-diagnostic-lights
Dell
dell.com › support › kbdoc › en-us › 000315373 › dell-pro-laptop-with-a-mipi-camera-displays-1-amber-and-8-white-flash-code-during-modern-standby
Dell Pro Laptop with a MIPI Camera Displays 1 Amber and 8 White Flash Code During Modern Standby | Dell US
The LED may flash one time amber and eight times white on a computer installed with a MIPI camera. Start the computer and test the MIPI camera Wake On Approach (WOA) function, the issue occurs when the computer enters modern standby.
Dell
dell.com › support › manuals › en-us › precision-14-5490-laptop › pre-5490_owners_manual › system-diagnostic-lights
Precision 5490 Owner's Manual | Dell US
precision-14-5490-laptop | Precision 5490 Owner's Manual | system-diagnostic-lights
Iss
iss-kb.iss.k12.nc.us › books › windows-devices › page › dell-diagnostic-led-blink-codes
Dell Diagnostic LED Bl... | ISS Tech Knowledge Base
For diagnostics pattern 2-amber, 8-white connect an external monitor to isolate between system board or graphics controller failure.
Dell
dell.com › support › kbdoc › en-us › 000131382 › no-post-on-latitude-5400-5500-7300-and-7400-with-a-2-amber-and-8-white-led-error-code
Startup Failure on a Latitude With a 2 Amber and 8 White LED Error Code | Dell US
An affected Latitude may experience no power-on self-test (POST) with a flash code error. Only a repeated 2 (amber) and then 8 (white) flash code are seen from the battery charge and status LED.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/dell › what does 2 amber 8 white blinks in my dell lattitude? 🥺
What does 2 amber 8 white blinks in my Dell Lattitude? 🥺 : r/Dell
October 16, 2024 - 120K subscribers in the Dell community. The unofficial subreddit for Dell Technologies
Dell
dell.com › support › manuals › en-us › latitude-14-5490-laptop › lat_5490_om › system-diagnostic-lights
Latitude 5490 Owner’s Manual | Dell US
For example, the power and battery-status light blinks amber two times followed by a pause, and then blinks white three times followed by a pause.
Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › laptops wiki
How to Fix the 1 White and 3 Amber Flashes Error on Dell Laptops | DELL Technologies
May 12, 2025 - The 1 white and 3 amber flashes error code on Dell laptops typically indicates a CMOS battery failure. This small battery on the motherboard helps retain BIOS settings.
Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › latitude
Latitude 5401 blinking 2 amber, 8 white | DELL Technologies
March 6, 2020 - The blinking pattern you’re observing (2 amber, 8 white) points to an LCD failure.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/dell › precision 5820, error code only blinking amber
r/Dell on Reddit: Precision 5820, Error Code only blinking amber
October 31, 2023 -
My 5820 blinks only amber in a 1-4-1 pattern. I can't make any sense of whats wrong with the device
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Hmm, I don't see a 4-1 in the manual: https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/precision-5820-workstation/precision_5820_om_pub/preboot-blinking-power-button-codes?guid=guid-cedeb3b8-064b-41df-b883-a39456d89249&lang=en-us
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Resurrecting this old post. Did you ever find out what the issue was? Mine is doing the exact same thing.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/dell › precision 5560 - 1 amber, 6 white
r/Dell on Reddit: Precision 5560 - 1 amber, 6 white
February 19, 2026 -
idk if I’m just stupid but I cannot find anywhere online that can help me decode what this means. idk if this code is model-specific but I see other models have this same pattern…. thought id give posting here a try! Previous issues include screen problems and battery re-adjustment, not sure if relevant. thank you to anyone who offers to help/comments !
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Mine needed a new battery. Symptoms included not booting unless plugged in. Mine is a 5760, and I don't remember the flash code but it was the first time orange was deployed.
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Graphics related A Dell Precision 5560 flashing 1 amber and 6 white lights indicates a Video BIOS failure or a serious video card/GPU error. This generally means the system cannot initialize the graphics component during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) . The computer will not boot and the screen will likely remain blank