Member Avatar for CountryWench

My Dell Latitude D630 power button stopped working after I had removed the keyboard to replace it. Turns out the one sent to me was incorrect, so I put the old keyboard back on to wait for a new one. I put the power button cover strip back on and gave the laptop to my daughter for homework. Later, when it was hibernating, she pushed the button, the laptop would not come up. I tried also, no response. I removed the cover strip and touched the power button, it worked. But next time we tried, the button did not turn it on, removed strip and again turned it on. Upon examining the strip, I thought I may have damaged it by so much handling. Ordered and received new power button cover strip, installed, doesn't work. Now I am really puzzled. Can't find useful info on web.

Any helpful advice would be much appreciated! I have a new keyboard on the way, could that solve the issue? I really thought the new strip would do it. Still need the new keyboard because I have several permanently damaged keys and I'm trying to breathe life into this poor old computer---no $ for new one.

Thanks for any help!

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Practical diagnostic checklist and low-risk fixes for a Dell Latitude D630 whose power-button cover strip will not actuate the internal switch. Builds on the observations from and the suggestions by and ; the guidance below focuses on what to inspect and simple repairs that have the highest chance of success.

Safety note and tools

  • Power completely removed (battery + AC) and work on a non-conductive surface.
  • Helpful tools: small Phillips, plastic pry/spudger, tweezers, a multimeter (optional), small non-conductive shims (paper, thin plastic, heat-shrink scrap).

Recommended checklist

  • If the internal microswitch itself registers when pressed, treat the problem as mechanical (actuator/alignment) rather than electrical.
  • Remove the top bezel/palmrest to expose the strip and button assembly (follow the D630 service manual for screw order). Inspect the underside of the plastic strip for its locating pegs/nubs, and check that those pegs line up directly above the microswitch. Look for a missing foam spacer or a damaged retention clip.
  • Reseat and inspect the small ribbon/connector that links the power-button board to the motherboard. Check the microswitch with a meter for continuity while pressing; replace the tiny board if the switch fails.
  • Common field fixes: add a thin non-conductive shim under the actuator nub (folded paper or a scrap of heat-shrink) to increase travel; use a small non-permanent glue-dot or double-sided tape to keep the strip seated if a clip is broken. Avoid metal shims or conductive adhesives.
  • If plastic clips or the actuator are broken, the usual permanent fix is replacement of the small power-button board or the palmrest assembly (salvage parts from other D630 units are common).

Final notes

  • Start with alignment and a harmless shim — those two items solve most “strip not pressing switch” cases. If uncertainty remains about disassembly or solder-level repairs, a repair shop or a donor D630 for parts is the safest route.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for caperjack

usually a small clip holding down the strip, you didn't do what i did to mine and broke the clip did you ,my strip was damaged to and i tried another from similar laptop , i cant get it to work,gave up trying

Member Avatar for rubberman

I also have a D630, but never had this problem. Why not remove the button cover and access the actual button switch directly, since that seems to work? IE, remove the bezel that covers the buttons, bluetooth chip, and stuff, remove the button itself, and then directly access the real switch.

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