Dell Active Pen

PN557W
User’s Guide

Regulatory Model: PN556W

April 2023
Rev. A06
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.

© 2018-2023 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell Technologies, Dell, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its
subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.
 Contents

Chapter 1: What’s in the box......................................................................................................... 4

Chapter 2: Features...................................................................................................................... 5

Chapter 3: Setting up your Dell Active Pen....................................................................................6

Installing batteries............................................................................................................................................................... 6
Installing the AAAA battery......................................................................................................................................... 6
Removing the AAAA battery....................................................................................................................................... 6
Installing the coin-cell batteries..................................................................................................................................7
Removing the coin-cell battery holder..................................................................................................................... 8
Pairing with a Bluetooth device....................................................................................................................................... 8

Chapter 4: Active Pen Control Panel............................................................................................ 10

Installing Active Pen Control Panel................................................................................................................................10
Using Active Pen Control Panel...................................................................................................................................... 11

Chapter 5: Holding the Dell Active Pen........................................................................................ 13

Chapter 6: Specifications............................................................................................................ 14

Chapter 7: Troubleshooting......................................................................................................... 15

Chapter 8: Statutory information................................................................................................. 17

Chapter 9: Regulatory statement................................................................................................. 18

Chapter 10: Getting help and contacting Dell............................................................................... 19

Contents 3
 1
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.

Figure 2. Noting down the PPID number

4 What’s in the box

 2
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.
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 11.

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.

Features 5
 3
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

About this task

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

Steps
1. Remove the top cover from the pen.

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

3. Replace the top cover.

Removing the AAAA battery

About this task

NOTE: Perform the following procedure if there was an AAAA battery installed in the product.

Steps
1. Remove the top cover from the pen.

2. Remove the AAAA battery.

3. Replace the top cover.

6 Setting up your Dell Active Pen

Installing the coin-cell batteries
About this task

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

CAUTION: If the incorrect battery type is installed into the pen, there is a risk that the batteries may explode.

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.

Steps
1. Remove the top cover from the pen.

2. Remove the coin-cell battery holder from the top cover.

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

3. Install the coin-cell batteries into the coin-cell battery holder.

4. Replace the coin-cell battery holder.

5. Replace the top cover.

Setting up your Dell Active Pen 7

Removing the coin-cell battery holder
About this task

Table 2. Removing the coin-cell battery holder with tools.

Using a coin or a flat-head precision screwdriver, unscrew the
coin-cell battery holder from the top cover.

Figure 3. Removing the coin-cell battery holder with a

tool

Table 3. Removing the coin-cell batteries

NOTE: Perform the following procedure if there were
coin-cell batteries installed in the product.
Remove the coin-cell batteries from the coin-cell battery
holder.

Figure 4. Removing the coin-cell batteries

Pairing with a Bluetooth device

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

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

Steps
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 5. 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.

8 Setting up your Dell Active Pen

 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.

Setting up your Dell Active Pen 9

 4
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

About this task
To install Active Pen Control Panel:

Steps
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.

10 Active Pen Control Panel

Using Active Pen Control Panel

Figure 6. 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)
● 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

Active Pen Control Panel 11

Table 4. Dell Active Pen features (continued)
● 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.

12 Active Pen Control Panel

 5
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 that you
do not accidentally press the barrel buttons while drawing or positioning the Dell Active Pen.

Figure 7. Using the Dell Active Pen hand position

Holding the Dell Active Pen 13

 6
Specifications
Table 5. 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 11
Temperature
Stock —10°C to 55°C (14°F to 131°F)
Operating 5°C to 40°C (41°F to 104°F)
Humidity 30% to 80%
Others Not recommended to expose the pen
to alcohol or solvent solution (including
sanitizer)

14 Specifications
 7
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 6. Dell Active Pen troubleshooting

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 AAAA battery is either incorrectly Replace the AAAA battery. For more
buttons do not work. installed or out of charge. information, see Installing the AAAA
battery.

Default functions for the barrel buttons Functions not supported by application. Test the barrel buttons in OneNote or
do not work. another application that supports these
features.

Pressing the top button once does not ● OneNote is not installed. ● Ensure OneNote is installed on your
open OneNote. 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 ● Change the coin-cell batteries. For
charge. more information, see Installing coin-
cell batteries.
● Coin-cell batteries were replaced and ● Remove the pen from the list of
the pen was not paired again with Bluetooth devices and re-pair it with
your device. your device. For more information,
see Pairing with a Bluetooth device.

Pressing the top button twice in Windows update KB2968599 is not Install the Windows update KB2968599
succession does not capture screenshot. installed on your device. from the Microsoft website.

Unable to pair the pen with your device. ● Unsupported device. ● Dell Active Pen works only with Dell
devices.
● Bluetooth driver on your device is ● Install the latest Bluetooth driver for
outdated. your device.

Pen shows as Not Connected under Pen is not paired correctly with your ● Install the latest Bluetooth driver for
Bluetooth devices list. device. 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.

Troubleshooting 15
Table 6. Dell Active Pen troubleshooting (continued)
Problems Possible causes Possible solutions

Pressing and holding the top button Your computer or tablet may not support Ensure to use this feature on computers
or pressing the top button twice in the connected standby feature. and tablets that support the connected
succession does not wake up the standby feature. Search PN557W on Dell
computer or tablet from connected website for a list of supported devices.
standby.

16 Troubleshooting
 8
Statutory information
Warranty
Limited warranty and return policies
Dell-branded products carry a one 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.

Statutory information 17
 9
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.

18 Regulatory statement
 10
Getting help and contacting Dell
Contacting Dell
To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues, see www.dell.com/contactdell.
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.

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 services www.dell.com/support
Online help for operating system www.dell.com/support/windows
Troubleshooting information, user manuals, setup instructions, www.dell.com/support
product specifications, technical help blogs, drivers, software
updates, and so on

Getting help and contacting Dell 19