The Dell Latitude 5450 is a 14 inch business laptop built for a working day, and one that will not start is usually a power-state problem, a failed update or a loose accessory, and Dell's own guidance for a laptop that does not power on gives a clear order. Check the adapter first: the Latitude 5450 charges over a USB-C or a barrel connector depending on the configuration, and a damaged cable, a loose connector or an adapter that is too weak gives a laptop that appears dead.
The checks in more detail
Look at the light near the charging port or at the front, try a different outlet and another cable or adapter, and make sure the connector is pushed fully in. Then drain the laptop of residual power: unplug the adapter and any dock, hold the power button for fifteen to thirty seconds, release, reconnect the adapter and press the power button again. This clears a laptop that has stopped in a low-power or hibernation state and is the single most successful step.
If it shows signs of life but does not boot, disconnect all accessories, because a dock, a USB drive or an external display can stall start-up on business laptops. Hold F12 at the Dell logo to open the one-time boot menu and run the built-in diagnostics, which test memory, drive and display and give an error code you can give to support. If Windows will not load after an update, the boot menu offers recovery tools such as Startup Repair, and a BIOS recovery by holding Ctrl and Esc may help.
Business laptops are often managed by an employer, with BitLocker encryption, so do not reset or reinstall without the company's approval, and keep the recovery key available. A black screen with fans running may mean a display fault, so try an external monitor. If the laptop starts normally with the battery removed, which is not possible on most Latitudes, the battery may be at fault. Contact Dell or your IT department with the service tag, which is on the base and in the BIOS.
Differential
Likely causes of “Dell Latitude 5450 will not turn on or start”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A power adapter or connector fault
What separates it The charge light is off
How to confirm Try another adapter, cable and outlet
- 2
A low-power state
What separates it The laptop is completely dark
How to confirm Drain residual power by holding the button
- 3
An accessory stalling start-up
What separates it It stops at the logo with a dock attached
How to confirm Disconnect everything
- 4
A failed update
What separates it Windows will not load
How to confirm Use the boot menu recovery tools
- 5
A hardware fault
What separates it Diagnostics report a fault
How to confirm Contact Dell or IT with the service tag
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The light behavior
- Whether it reaches the Dell logo
- Whether a dock is attached
- Whether the laptop is managed by an employer
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedCheck the adapter and port
ReversibleA loose connector looks like a dead laptop.
Drain residual power
ReversibleHold the power button for fifteen to thirty seconds.
Disconnect accessories
ReversibleDocks, drives and displays.
Run diagnostics
ReversibleF12 at the Dell logo.
Use recovery tools
ReversibleIf Windows will not load.
Contact support
ReversibleWith the service tag.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Business laptop
- It may be encrypted and managed.
- Diagnostics
- The boot menu offers built-in tests.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Contact your IT department if the laptop is managed
- !If diagnostics report a fault, contact Dell with the service tag
- !Do not reinstall without approval
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why will my Latitude not power on?+
A power fault, a low-power state or a stalled start-up.
How do I run Dell diagnostics?+
Press F12 at the logo and choose diagnostics.
Should I reinstall Windows?+
Not on a managed laptop without approval.
Where is the service tag?+
On the base and in the BIOS.