Brand: Dell
Category: Other
Document Type: Manual
Language: EN
Manual for PN579X
Uploaded: Sept. 12, 2025, 4:29 a.m.
Manual Publish Date: 2018-04
Warranty Information
Dell-branded products carry a 1-year limited hardware warranty.
Basic Operation
The Dell Premium Active Pen PN579X allows for digital writing and drawing on compatible devices. Key operations include:
- Tip: Use to move the pointer, write, draw, and select objects.
- Bottom Barrel Button: Can be used for erasing or customized via the Active Pen Control Panel.
- Top Barrel Button: Opens the context menu or performs a right-click, and can be customized.
- Top Button: Programmable to launch specific applications like Ink Workspace, Screen Sketch, or Sticky Notes, and can be used for presentation navigation (next/previous slide).
- Inking Modes: Supports both Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP) and Wacom Active Electrostatic (AES) modes, switchable via button combination.
- Pairing: Connects to devices via Bluetooth for functionality.
- Active Pen Control Panel: Software to customize button functions, pressure sensitivity, and tilt sensitivity.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Problem | Possible causes | Possible solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Pen does not work. | Battery is installed incorrectly. Battery is out of charge. |
Ensure the battery is correctly installed. Replace the battery. For more information, see Installing the battery. |
| Pen is not functioning properly with the Notebook. | Pen could be using a mode that is not compatible with the Notebook. | Switch the Inking mode if Notebook is not detecting Inking Cursor when the pen is near the screen, see Inking Mode Switching. |
| Pen does not write and the barrel buttons do not work. | Battery is either incorrectly installed or out of charge. | Replace the battery. For more information, see Installing the 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, twice, or for 1.5 seconds does not open the desired application. | The desired application is not installed or not supported. | Ensure that the desired application is installed and in the list of available applications in Active Pen Control Panel. See Using Active Pen Control Panel. |
| Pen is not paired with your device. | - | Ensure the pen is paired with your device. For more information, see Pairing with a Bluetooth device. |
| Tilt support function does not work. | Function not supported by application. | Tilt support function is application dependent. Use another application that supports this function. |
| Unable to pair the pen with your device. | Unsupported device. Bluetooth driver on your device is outdated. |
Dell Premium Active Pen works only with Dell devices. 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. | Battery may be out of charge. | Change the battery. See Installing the battery. |
| Pressing and holding the top button or pressing the top button twice in succession does not wake up 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 PN579X on Dell website for a list of supported devices. |