Brand: Dell
Category: Other
Document Type: Manual
Language: EN
Manual for PN557W
Uploaded: Nov. 21, 2025, 8:11 p.m.
Manual Publish Date: 2016-12
Warranty Information
Dell-branded products carry a 1-year limited hardware warranty.
Powering the Pen:
- The AAAA battery powers the tip and barrel buttons.
- Coin-cell batteries power Bluetooth and top button quick-launch features.
- Tip: Move the pointer, write, draw, select objects.
- Bottom Barrel Button: Press and hold to erase. Functionality can be customized via the Active Pen Control Panel.
- Top Barrel Button: Opens context menu or performs a right-click. Functionality can be customized via the Active Pen Control Panel.
- Bluetooth-pairing light: Blinking white indicates pairing mode; solid white indicates pairing complete.
- Top Button: Press and hold for pairing mode (3.5 seconds), press and release to open OneNote, double press for screenshot, press and hold or double press to wake device.
- Press and hold the top button for 3.5 seconds to enable pairing mode.
- Search for "Bluetooth" in Windows, go to Settings, and pair "Dell PN557W Pen".
- Download and install from www.dell.com/support/home for button customization and pressure sensitivity adjustments.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Problems | Possible causes | Possible solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Pen does not work. | Batteries are installed incorrectly. | Ensure the batteries are correctly installed. For more information, see Installing batteries. |
| Batteries are out of charge. | Replace the batteries. For more information, see Installing batteries. | |
| Pen does not write and the barrel buttons do not work. | AAAA battery is either incorrectly installed or out of charge. | Replace the AAAA battery. For more information, see Installing the AAAA battery. |
| Default functions for the barrel buttons do not work. | Functions not supported by application. | Test the barrel buttons in OneNote or another application that supports these features. |
| Pressing the top button once does not open OneNote. | OneNote is not installed. | Ensure OneNote is installed on your device. |
| Pen is not paired with your device. | Ensure the pen is paired with your device. For more information, see Pairing with a Bluetooth device. | |
| Coin-cell batteries may be out of charge. | Change the coin-cell batteries. For more information, see Installing coin-cell batteries. | |
| Pressing the top button twice in succession does not capture screenshot. | Coin-cell batteries were replaced and the pen was not paired again with your device. | Remove the pen from the list of Bluetooth devices and re-pair it with your device. For more information on pairing the pen with your device, see Pairing with a Bluetooth device. |
| Unable to pair the pen with your device. | Windows update KB2968599 is not installed on your device. | Install the Windows update KB2968599 from the Microsoft website. |
| Unsupported device. | Dell Active Pen works only with Dell devices. | |
| Bluetooth driver on your device is outdated. | Install the latest Bluetooth driver for your device. | |
| Pen shows as Not Connected under Bluetooth devices list. | Pen is not paired correctly with your device. | Install the latest Bluetooth driver for your device. Remove the pen from your Bluetooth list and pair it again. For more information on pairing the pen with your device, see Pairing with a Bluetooth device. |
| Bluetooth-pairing light does not turn on. | Coin-cell batteries may be out of charge. | Change the coin-cell batteries. For more information, see Installing coin-cell batteries. |
| Pressing and holding the top button or pressing the top button twice in succession does not wake the computer or tablet from connected standby. | Your computer or tablet may not support the connected standby feature. | Ensure to use this feature on computers and tablets that support the connected standby feature. Search PN557W on Dell website for a list of supported devices. |