Inspiron 3020 compatibility

Compatibility list has all the validated systems that have been tested to work with the device.  After the writer released in 2015, newer computer systems have not been tested to add to the list.  Since it is a standard USB DVD writer, it should be expected to work with most systems including non-Dell.

Inspiron 3020 is a newer computer model and may not have been updated to compatibility list but it should work with the DW316.

Be cautious of using a CD or DVD that does not have its own auxilliary power. I plugged a portable CD player into a Inspiron 7506 and the 7506 became DEAD. I went through the automated support plus a Dell tech individual that had me duplicate the testing procedure which was supposed to shut off power but I suspect does not always work. Then they said they would send a motherboard then said it would be about 3 weeks. Then said they were cancelling my order today as I had not contacted them further, uh, I was waiting for the part.  As the computer is/was used in business and has a tax program keyed to the computer we had to pay the accounting software company to unlock it to an alternative, a Lenovo. About 1 day after the move and circa 10 days after initial Dell contact, the DEAD Dell magically started when I plugged it in for umpteenth time.  Possibly any residual battery power had bled off. 
My guess is the Inspiron 7506 and maybe other new Dells are not up to powering anything mechanical. This was the 2nd time for this PC, the 1st time I think was due to attempting to back up to a USB with portable laptop drive but that time the motherboard was replaced. In future if I need to hook up a mechanical device like a DVD player I will hook it via  my HDD Docking Station which has its own power supply.  
Next time I may keep a mouse plugged in and or solid state USB in attempt to kill any residual power quicker.
I had not cancelled the mother board order as I am concerned that this last 2 days of working may have been a temporary reprieve.