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Dell Inspiron 11 (3180) Usage and Troubleshooting Guide

Summary: Learn how to use and troubleshoot issues related to LCD, drivers, webcam, Windows, input devices, networking and more on your Inspiron 11 (3180).

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

Dell Inspiron 11 (3180)

Quick Links

Getting Started with your Dell Computer Inspiron 3180 Setup, Specifications and Service Manual Find your Service Tag and Express Service Code Inspiron 3180 Drivers and Downloads Warranty & Support Services

For help with issues such as: wired and wireless networking, Windows, mouse, touchpad, keyboard, LCD, webcam and downloading drivers, refer to an expanding section below.

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For specifications, browse to the Inspiron 3180 Online Manual Page, and then touch or click PDF to the right of Inspiron 11 3000 Setup and Specifications (refer to the Specifications section).

For port locations, browse to the Inspiron 3180 Online Manual Page, and then touch or click PDF to the right of Inspiron 11 3000 Setup and Specifications (refer to the Views section).

To view or download the Service Manual, browse to the Inspiron 3180 Online Manual Page, and then touch or click PDF to the right of Inspiron 11 3000 Service Manual.

To locate your Service Tag or Express Service Code, browse to the Where is the Service Tag located? page.

For how-to's and troubleshooting information on Wired and Wireless networking, browse to the Dell Networking and Wireless Support Center.
 

To turn the wireless antenna off or on, press and hold the Fn key, and then press the PrtScr key (repeating this will toggle the wireless antenna off and on).

For more information on how to turn the wireless antenna on and off on a Dell Computer, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article How to Turn the Wireless Antenna On and Off on a Dell Computer.

  • Using the SupportAssist application provides automatic computer updates and detects issues that will be resolved for you. Let us take the effort out of maintaining your Dell Computer or Tablet. For more information about SupportAssist, browse to the SupportAssist for Home PCs page.
     
  • To run online hardware diagnostics to make sure your hardware is working correctly, refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article Resolve Hardware Issues With Integrated and Online Diagnostics (SupportAssist ePSA, ePSA, or PSA Error Codes). The article explains how to access the hardware diagnostics and the different kinds of test available for your Dell computer or tablet.  
    NOTE: The diagnostics will either fix the problem automatically, or it will guide you through the steps to resolve the problem. When the diagnostic identifies a failing part, depending on the failing part, we will immediately start the process for a free in-warranty replacement part.
     
  • When the computer cannot access the Internet, you can run the built-in diagnostics (ePSA) on your computer. For more information, refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article Resolve Hardware Issues With Integrated and Online Diagnostics (SupportAssist ePSA, ePSA, or PSA Error Codes).

This section covers the Microsoft Windows operating system that is installed on your computer; select the tabs below to find out more information.


For help using Microsoft Windows, refer to the Dell Windows Support Center. You will need to select the operating system you need help with.


When the computer stops responding or you are troubleshooting slow performance issues, perform the following steps:

  1. Press the Power button for at least 15 seconds to make sure the computer turns off.
  2. Disconnect all external peripherals including the keyboard, mouse, and external monitor. Peripherals also include external storage devices such as flash drives, USB devices, printers, cards etc.
  3. Press the Power button to see if the computer turns on and boots up correctly. If not, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article Computer Does Not Turn on, or is Stuck on the Dell Logo Screen.
  4. When the computer does boot up correctly, download and install SupportAssist. For more information on how to obtain and install SupportAssist, browse to the SupportAssist for PCs and tablets page.
  5. Perform system maintenance on your computer, for more information refer to Dell Knowledge Base article Optimization and Maintenance of Microsoft Windows or Troubleshooting Slow Performance Issues.
  6. Start connecting external peripherals one at a time, and check to see if the computer continues to respond.


This link takes you to the Dell Knowledge Base article Microsoft Windows Locks Up or an Error Occurs.

 


For information on the drivers available, browse to the Inspiron 3180 Drivers Page.

This article provides information on how to download drivers for Dell computers, How to Download and Install a Driver.

This section covers the hardware that is installed on your computer; select the tabs below to find out more information.


Refer to the following Dell Knowledge Base articles for information on how to use or troubleshoot mouse, keyboard or touchpad issues.


For information on how to turn the touchpad on or off, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article Disabling or Enabling the Touchpad on a Dell Laptop.


Refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article Troubleshooting Touchscreen Issues in Microsoft Windows, for information on resolving Touchscreen issues.

When you experience a situation in which the computer does not start at all or if it does turn on (lights turn on and fans are spinning), but the computer does not show any image, listen for a series of beeps during start-up.

When beeping codes are heard, refer to (Table 1) to help troubleshoot the issue with your computer.
Beeps Description Possible Cause
1 BIOS ROM checksum in progress or failure System board failure, covers BIOS corruption or ROM errors.
2 No Memory (RAM) detected Memory or Memory slot failure. Confirm that the memory module is installed properly.
3
  • chipset Error (North and South bridge error, DMA/IMR/Timer error)
  • Time-Of-Day Clock test failure
  • Gate A20 failure
  • Super I/O chip failure
  • Keyboard controller test failure
 System board failure
4 Memory read / write failure Memory failure
5 Real Time Clock (RTC) power fail CMOS battery failure
6 Video BIOS test failure Video subsystem failure
7 CPU Cache test failure Processor failure
Table 1: Repetitive Beep Codes
NOTE: The beep sound will only be audible if a speaker is connected to the audio line-out connector on the computer.

For additional help with your computer, please Contact Technical Support.

When the Battery LED does not blink with an Amber/White pattern, perform the following steps:
  1. Press the power button for at least 15 seconds to make sure the computer turns off.
  2. Disconnect all external peripherals including the keyboard, mouse and external monitor. Peripherals also include external storage devices such as flash drives, USB devices, printers, cards, etc.
  3. Remove the A/C adapter from the computer and unplug the A/C adapter from the electrical outlet.
  4. Make sure the connections on the power cord and A/C adapter are firmly pressed together.
  5. Insert the A/C into the computer and a good electrical outlet (not on a surge protector or power strip).
  6. Press the Power button to see if the computer turns on and boots up correctly. If not, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article Computer Does Not Turn on, or is Stuck on the Dell Logo Screen.
  7. Start attaching devices one at a time and testing to see if the computer will turn on.

 


There are times when changes to the settings in the System Setup (BIOS) prevent the computer from booting into Windows or connect to the Internet. Setting the BIOS back to its defaults may help fix these issues.
 

  1. Reboot the computer.
  2. When you see the Dell logo during POST, press the F2 key to enter the setup screen.
  3. On the BIOS (System Setup) screen, click Restore Settings or Load Defaults (whichever is listed).
  4. Make sure BIOS Defaults is selected or confirm to load the defaults (when offered) and click OK.
  5. Click Exit.
  6. Confirm exiting, when offered.

Your computer will restart at this time.

This section covers the hardware that is installed on your computer; select the tabs below to find out more information.


For information on troubleshooting a laptop LCD Screen, refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article Troubleshooting a Laptop LCD Screen That is Black, Blank or Hard to See.


For help with resolving USB port issues, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article How to resolve USB port issues.


For information about and help with resolving Hard Drive issues, refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article Understanding and Troubleshooting Your Hard Drive.

 

For information about and help with resolving Power and Battery issues, refer to the Battery Support site.


For information about and help with resolving Audio issues, refer to the Speakers and Headphones Support site.

This section covers the software that may be installed on your computer; select the tabs below to find out more information.


The Dell Windows Backup Media and Recovery Options page provides information about backing up your Windows Operating System as well as recovery options for when Windows does and does not start correctly.

The Dell Download Center provides information about software you may have bought and software that is already installed on your computer, such as Dell Backup Solutions and Dell SupportAssist for PCs and tablets.

Some of the software sold at the time of purchase has to be downloaded once you receive your computer. You can download and install those programs by using Dell Digital Delivery, for more information refer to the following links:

A free PDF reader (Acrobat Reader DC) is available for free from Adobe. This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies You will need this program to view any PDF files such as the Quick Start Guides or Owner's Manuals. This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies

This article provides help with Microsoft Office programs, A Guide to the various Microsoft Office programs available on your Dell PC.

  • The Skype software can be downloaded from the Skype website. This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies This website also offers instructional videos on how to use the Skype program.
 
  • To uninstall Skype, perform the following steps:
    1. Close Skype and make sure it is not running in the background.
    2. In the Search bar type appwiz.cpl
    3. Touch or click on appwiz.cpl (Control panel item) to open the Programs and Features window.
    4. Touch and hold or right-click on Skype from the list and select either Remove or Uninstall.
    5. Reboot your computer and check to make sure the application has been uninstalled.

 


To access the Dell Security and Virus Support Page click on the following link:

Your computer will come pre-installed with an Anti-virus program. For more information refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article Useful Information about the Third Party Anti-virus programs that ship with a Dell PC.

More information about Viruses, Spyware and Malware can be found at the following links:

Cause

Not Applicable

Resolution

Not Applicable

Affected Products

Inspiron 11 3180
Article Properties
Article Number: 000124675
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 08 Mar 2024
Version:  4
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