Dell Active Pen

PN557W
User’s Guide

Regulatory Model: PN556W

Notes, cautions, and warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make
better use of your product.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or
loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage,
personal injury, or death.

Copyright © 2016 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other
trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be
trademarks of their respective owners.

2016 - 12

Rev. A00
Contents
What’s in the box...........................................................5

Features.........................................................................7

Setting up your Dell Active Pen..................................... 9

Installing batteries..................................................................................... 9
Installing the AAAA battery..................................................................9
Installing the coin-cell batteries..........................................................10
Removing the coin-cell battery holder............................................... 12
Pairing with a Bluetooth device................................................................12

Active Pen Control Panel..............................................14

Installing Active Pen Control Panel...........................................................14
Using Active Pen Control Panel............................................................... 15
System Application: Microsoft Windows 10 Anniversary,
Windows Ink Workspace.................................................................... 17

Holding the Dell Active Pen.......................................... 18

Troubleshooting........................................................... 19

Specifications.............................................................. 22

Getting help and contacting Dell..................................23

Self-help resources................................................................................. 23
Contacting Dell........................................................................................23

Statutory information.................................................. 25
Warranty.................................................................................................25

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Regulatory statement.................................................. 26
FCC notices (U.S. only) and other regulatory information.......................26

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What’s in the box

Figure 1. Contents in the box

1 Dell Active Pen 2 lanyard

3 coin-cell batteries (2) 4 AAAA battery
5 manuals

NOTE: For warranty purpose, note down the PPID number on the box or
retain the box.

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Figure 2. Noting down the PPID number

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Features

Table 1. Features and functionality of the product

Feature Functionality
1 Tip Move the tip over a touch screen to move the
pointer. Enables you to write, draw, and select
objects.
2 Bottom barrel button Press and hold this button and move the tip
over the area you want to erase. To change the
functionality of this button, see Active Pen
Control Panel.
3 Top barrel button Press this button to open the context menu or
perform a right-click. To change the
functionality of this button, see Active Pen
Control Panel.
4 Bluetooth-pairing light Blinking white light indicates the pairing mode is
enabled. A solid white light indicates the pairing
is complete. For information on pairing the pen
with a Bluetooth device, see Pairing with a
Bluetooth device.
5 Top button
• Press and hold for 3.5 seconds to enable
pairing mode.
• Press and release to open OneNote.
NOTE: This feature works even when
your device screen is locked.
• Press twice in succession to capture a
screenshot.
• Press and hold or press twice in succession
to wake up your computer or tablet from
connected standby mode.

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 NOTE: This feature is only available
on devices that support connected
standby feature.
• In presentation mode, press and hold to go
to the next slide and press twice at short
intervals to go to the previous slide.
NOTE: This feature is only available
after installing the Active Pen Control
Panel. For instructions on installing
the Active Pen Control Panel, see
Installing Active Pen Control Panel.

The new Active Pen Control Panel enables the

top button to be programmed to launch specific
applications listed in the content menu, the
default applications launched from the top
button are:

• Single Press — Launch OneNote

• Double Press — Screen Sketch
• Long Press — Launch Cortana

NOTE: These functions are available only

in Windows 10 and Windows 10
Anniversary.
NOTE: These functions are available only
after installing the Active Pen Control
Panel. For instructions on installing the
Active Pen Control Panel, see Installing
Active Pen Control Panel.

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Setting up your Dell Active Pen
Installing batteries
Dell Active Pen uses one AAAA battery and two coin-cell batteries.
The AAAA battery provides power for the tip and the barrel buttons. The coin-cell
batteries provide power for Bluetooth functionality and top button quick-launch
features.

Installing the AAAA battery

CAUTION: Incorrectly installing the AAAA battery may damage the pen.

1 Remove the top cover from the pen.

Figure 3. Removing the top cover

1 pen 2 top cover

2 Insert the AAAA battery into the pen with the positive side facing in.

Figure 4. Installing the AAAA battery

1 pen 2 AAAA battery

3 Replace the top cover to the pen.

Figure 5. Replacing the top cover

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Installing the coin-cell batteries
CAUTION: Incorrectly installing the coin-cell batteries may damage the pen.

NOTE: Pairing information is lost when you remove the coin-cell batteries.
To pair the pen with your device, see Pairing with a Bluetooth device.

1 Remove the top cover from the pen.

Figure 6. Removing the top cover

1 pen 2 top cover

2 Remove the coin-cell battery holder.
NOTE: For more information, see Removing the coin-cell battery
holder.

Figure 7. Removing coin-cell battery holder

1 top cover 2 coin-cell battery holder

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3 Insert the coin-cell batteries with the negative side facing in.

Figure 8. Installing the coin-cell batteries

1 coin-cell batteries (2) 2 battery holder

4 Replace the coin-cell battery holder.

Figure 9. Replacing the coin-cell batteries holder

5 Replace the top cover.

Figure 10. Replacing the top cover

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Removing the coin-cell battery holder
Table 2. Removing the coin-cell battery holder by hand

Using your fingertips, unscrew the coin-

cell battery holder from the top cover.

Figure 11. Removing the coin-cell battery

holder by hand

Table 3. Removing the coin-cell battery holder with tools.

If you face difficulties in

removing the coin-cell
battery holder using
fingertips, use a coin or a
flat-head precision
screwdriver.

Figure 12. Removing the

coin-cell battery holder by
hand Figure 13. Removing the
coin-cell battery holder
using a screwdriver

Pairing with a Bluetooth device

NOTE: You can use Dell Active Pen only with selected Dell computers and
tablets. For the list of supported devices, see www.dell.com.

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 NOTE: If the pen is already listed under Bluetooth devices, remove the pen
from the list before pairing with your device.

1 Press and hold the top button for 3.5 seconds to enable pairing mode.
The Bluetooth-pairing light starts blinking to confirm the pairing mode is enabled.

Figure 14. Turning on Bluetooth

2 In Windows Search, type Bluetooth.

3 From the list that appears, tap or click Bluetooth Settings.
4 Ensure that the Bluetooth is enabled.
5 From the list of devices, tap or click Dell PN557W Pen→ Pair.
NOTE: If Dell PN557W Pen is not listed, ensure pairing mode is enabled
on the pen.
6 Confirm the pairing process on both pen and device.
The Bluetooth-pairing light turns solid white for few seconds to indicate the
pairing is complete and then the light turns off. After the pen and a device are
paired, they connect automatically when bluetooth is enabled and they are within
the bluetooth range.

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Active Pen Control Panel
You can customize the buttons on your pen, change pressure sensitivity, and so on,
using Active Pen Control Panel.

Installing Active Pen Control Panel

To install Active Pen Control Panel:

1 Turn on the computer or tablet.

2 Go to www.dell.com/support/home.
3 Under the Browse for a product section, tap or click View products.
4 Tap or click Electronics & Accessories.
5 Tap or click Styli.
6 Tap or click Dell Active Pen PN557W.
7 Tap or click Drivers & downloads.
8 Tap or click Drivers for OS Deployment.
9 Under Active Pen Control Panel, tap or click Download.
10 Save the file.
11 After the download is complete, open the file and follow the instructions on the
screen to install the Active Pen Control Panel.

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Using Active Pen Control Panel

Figure 15. Active Pen Control Panel

Table 4. Dell Active Pen features

Top Pen Button Select Enable Presentation Mode to use the button to
navigate through a PowerPoint presentation.
Top Barrel Button Enables you to select one of the following functions
when you click the button:

• Context Menu(right-click) (enabled by default)

• Erase (press and hold to erase)

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 • Page up
• Page down
• Copy
• Paste
• Undo
• Redo

NOTE: Select Enable barrel buttons while

hovering to enable the selected Top Barrel
Button function while hovering the tip over the
screen without the tip touching the screen.

Bottom Barrel Button Enables you to select one of the following functions
when you click the button:

• Erase (press and hold to erase) (enabled by default)

• Context Menu (right-click)
• Page up
• Page down
• Copy
• Paste
• Undo
• Redo

NOTE: Select Enable barrel buttons while

hovering to enable the selected Top Barrel
Button function while hovering the tip over the
screen without the tip touching the screen.

Pen Tip Options Move the slider to change your pen sensitivity.

NOTE: Click Go to Microsoft Pen Control Panel for more configuration

options.
NOTE: When the Active Pen Control Panel is opened it sets the default
configuration for the button press features. Closing the Active Pen Control
Panel enables other applications to set the default configuration for the Dell
Active Pen features.

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System Application: Microsoft Windows 10 Anniversary,
Windows Ink Workspace
Change the Active Pen Control Panel software context menu settings for Single
Press, Double Press and Long Press to Defined by System. . This sets Microsoft Ink
Workspace as the default configuration for button press features.

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Holding the Dell Active Pen
Hold the Dell Active Pen as you hold a pencil or pen. Adjust the grip so that you can
use the barrel button easily. Ensure not to accidentally press the barrel buttons while
drawing or positioning the Dell Active Pen.

Figure 16. Using the Dell Active Pen hand position

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Troubleshooting
NOTE: You can use Dell Active Pen only with selected Dell computers and
tablets. For a list of supported devices, see www.dell.com.
Table 5. Dell Active Pen troubleshooting

Problems Possible causes Possible solutions

Pen does not work.
• Batteries are installed • Ensure the batteries
incorrectly. are correctly installed.
For more information,
see Installing batteries.

• Batteries are out of • Replace the batteries.

charge. For more information,
see Installing batteries.

Pen does not write and AAAA battery is either Replace the AAAA battery.
the barrel buttons do not incorrectly installed or out For more information, see
work. of charge. Installing the AAAA
battery.
Default functions for the Functions not supported Test the barrel buttons in
barrel buttons do not by application. OneNote or another
work. application that supports
these features.
Pressing the top button
• OneNote is not • Ensure OneNote is
once does not open installed. installed on your
OneNote. device.

• Pen is not paired with • Ensure the pen is

your device. paired with your
device. For more
information, see
Pairing with a
Bluetooth device.

• Coin-cell batteries may • Change the coin-cell

be out of charge. batteries. For more
information, see

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Problems Possible causes Possible solutions

Installing coin-cell
batteries.

• Coin-cell batteries • Remove the pen from

were replaced and the the list of Bluetooth
pen was not paired devices and re-pair it
again with your device. with your device. For
more information, see
Pairing with a
Bluetooth device.

Pressing the top button Windows update Install the Windows

twice in succession does KB2968599 is not installed update KB2968599 from
not capture screenshot. on your device. the Microsoft website.
Unable to pair the pen
• Unsupported device. • Dell Active Pen works
with your device. only with Dell devices.

• Bluetooth driver on • Install the latest

your device is Bluetooth driver for
outdated. your device.

Pen shows as Not Pen is not paired correctly

• Install the latest
Connected under with your device. Bluetooth driver for
Bluetooth devices list. 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 Coin-cell batteries may be Change the coin-cell

does not turn on. out of charge. batteries. For more
information, see Installing
coin-cell batteries.
Pressing and holding the Your computer or tablet Ensure to use this feature
top button or pressing the may not support the on computers and tablets
top button twice in connected standby that support the
succession does not wake feature. connected standby

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Problems Possible causes Possible solutions
up the computer or tablet feature. Search PN557W
from connected standby. on Dell website for a list of
supported devices.

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Specifications
Table 6. Dell Active Pen specifications

Model PN557W

Length 160.59 mm (6.32 in)

Diameter 9.50 mm (0.37 in)

Weight 20 g (0.044 lb)

Wireless Bluetooth Smart Low Energy 4.0

Wireless operating range 10 m (32.80 ft)

Pen tip detectable height 5 mm to 10 mm (0.20 in to 0.39 in)

Batteries • AAAA non-rechargeable battery
• 319 coin-cell batteries (2)

Supported operating system • Windows 8.1 with the latest updates

installed
• Windows 10
• Windows 10 Anniversary

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Getting help and contacting Dell
Self-help resources
You can get information and help on Dell products and services using these online
self-help resources:
Table 7. Getting help and contacting Dell

Information about Dell products and www.dell.com

services

Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 Dell Help & Support app

Windows 10 Get started app

Windows 8.1 Help + Tips app

Accessing help in Windows 8.1 and In Windows search, type Help and
Windows 10 Support, and press Enter.

Online help for operating system www.dell.com/support/windows

Troubleshooting information, user www.dell.com/support

manuals, setup instructions, product
specifications, technical help blogs,
drivers, software updates, and so on

Contacting Dell
To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues, see
www.dell.com/contactdell.

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 NOTE: Availability varies by country and product, and some services may
not be available in your country.

NOTE: If you do not have an active internet connection, you can find
contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell
product catalog.

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Statutory information
Warranty
Limited warranty and return policies
Dell-branded products carry a 1-year limited hardware warranty. If purchased
together with a Dell system, it will follow the system warranty.
For U.S. customers:
This purchase and your use of this product are subject to Dell’s end user agreement,
which you can find at www.dell.com/terms. This document contains a binding
arbitration clause.
For European, Middle Eastern and African customers:
Dell-branded products that are sold and used are subject to applicable national
consumer legal rights, the terms of any retailer sale agreement that you have entered
into (which will apply between you and the retailer) and Dell’s end user contract
terms.
Dell may also provide an additional hardware warranty—full details of the Dell end
user contract and warranty terms can be found by going to www.dell.com, selecting
your country from the list at the bottom of the “home” page and then clicking the
“terms and conditions” link for the end user terms or the “support” link for the
warranty terms.
For non-U.S. customers:
Dell-branded products that are sold and used are subject to applicable national
consumer legal rights, the terms of any retailer sale agreement that you have entered
into (which will apply between you and the retailer) and Dell’s warranty terms. Dell
may also provide an additional hardware warranty—full details of Dell’s warranty
terms can be found by going to www.dell.com, selecting your country from the list at
the bottom of the “home” page and then clicking the “terms and conditions” link or
the “support” link for the warranty terms.

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Regulatory statement
FCC notices (U.S. only) and other regulatory
information
For FCC notices and other regulatory information, see the regulatory compliance
website located at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:

1 This device may not cause harmful interference.

2 This device must accept any interference received including interference that
may cause undesired operation.

CAUTION: Changes or modifications on this unit that are not expressly

approved by the party responsible for compliance which could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B
digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Shielded cables must be used with this unit to ensure compliance with the Class B
FCC Limits.

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