SupportAssist -Is this a 'Free Dell Support App' or Not?

Question

I have a Dell Inspiron 2020 Desktop running Windows 10 64-bit.  Since Windows Security Update KB4284835 was installed on 6/13/18, SupportAssist does not work.  Only get message 'SupportAssist is not responding.'  Is there a fix for this problem?

RoHe · Accepted Answer

SupportAssist is a free tool that Dell installs on PCs to help keep them up-to-date, but it isn't essential. You can always go to the Support page for your specific model and look for updated drivers etc, based on the version numbers (not the dates) when compared to the drivers currently installed on the system.

Lots of users have been reporting issues with Dell's SupportAssist after some of the recent Microsoft updates. Dell has suggested uninstalling SupportAssist in Windows and then rebooting. Then download the latest version of SA and install the new one.

Keep in mind that Dell doesn't support Win 10 on the Inspiron 2020 (Only Win 7, 64-bit)) so that might be part of the problem @Tinymorsel is having. But Win 10 is supported on the 3668 so try uninstalling/reinstalling the app and see if that helps.

FJ-N-TX · Answer

Same issue with my 6 month old Inspiron i-3668. My PC gives the same (not responding) fault message (rest of Assist is basically grayed out, so you can only close the Support Assist App). My PC had been running ok, maybe a little slower than fresh out of the box, but still no real problems. Heck, I never even noticed the Support Assist Icon or even knew it existed until I got a Dell flyout window on the lower right corner about 10 days ago that read something about 'Dell Support Assist- Dell needs to update Support Drivers'. Well that message started the entire issue for me. My constant attempts to get Support Assist to work including even trying rebooting or shutting down my PC to see if that would get Support Assist to work. Today I even tried logging into my Dell Account and from the Dell.com Support menu I tried to run Support Assist directly from Dell itself and watched a bunch of videos. Well, finally got Support Assist started on Dell.com. Cleared Step #1 'Confirming Support Assist installed', then it went on to Step #2 'Gathering your device information', then proceeded to Step #3, but after about 5 minutes it froze up while running Step #3 'Running Your System Tests--and said please try again'. Just a frustrating loop created by Dell. Not sure if Support Assist is a 'free' service on ALL recent Window 10 PCs or if it is really just a way to get consumers to feel that they need to now pay to purchase a Dell Premium Support plan by calling the 'Dell Sales Department'. Does anyone know if this is actually a free support tool? Please post a reply. Thanks.

Tinymorsel · Answer

Thanks, @RoHe.  On another SupportAssist board, I read a suggestion to uninstall/reinstall SA.  So I did … twice.  First go, I got same result.  But second time was charms.  Ran SA and did a complete scan.  Hopefully, it will complete to function properly. (At least until the next Windows update is installed.)

AAAH1 · Answer

It work. Thanks for the help.

amarajohsan · Answer

It's not a big issue because I also had the same problem with window 10 on my laptop that time I got help from a problem with playback device skype official website. It gave nice instructions to solve the problem.

Buckwheat307 · Answer

@FJ-N-TX​ Thank you for taking the time to write your review.  It was very helpful to me in deciding to download the Support Assist App.  If it is mostly for newer machines, I am not in that club.  Also, all the trouble you are having makes me want to stay away.  Thanks again. Buckwheat 307 P.S.  I almost never get on the site.

Buckwheat307 · Answer

@Buckwheat307​ I am replying to myself.  I forgot to mention:  I like Dell.  What do the rest of you feel about it?

chemist895 · Answer

In November, I purchased a new XPS 8960 and have encountered recurring issues with SupportAssist and connectivity. Both the Ethernet and Wi-Fi fail to work intermittently. Dell attempted to resolve the SupportAssist issue remotely twice, but they were not able to make it work. Their best solution is to reinstall the OS, for which I would have to pay to have the software reinstalled. As this is a brand new computer, SupportAssist should have worked correctly from the start, indicating a poor quality control from whoever is checking this PC's. I believe that I should not have to incur additional costs for a computer that has had issues since day one.

SupportAssist for PCs

SupportAssist -Is this a "Free Dell Support App" or Not?

Was this post helpful?