Skip to main content
Start a Conversation

Unsolved

mahadellpc

1 Rookie

 • 

22 Posts

41

January 20th, 2026 05:02

XPS 8960, Dell Optimizer 6.3 won't show dashboard, compatibility issue?

System Information:

  • Model: XPS 8960
  • Purchase Date: December 2023
  • Operating System: Windows 11 Pro Version 25H2
  • Dell Optimizer Version: 6.3.0.0 (Dell-Optimizer-Application_680N2_WIN64_6.3.0.0_A00.EXE)

Hello Dell Community,

I'm experiencing an issue with Dell Optimizer on my XPS 8960 desktop (purchased December 2023) and need assistance.

Problem: Dell Optimizer installs successfully and runs in the system tray, but the dashboard will not load when I click on it. The application appears to be running (visible in system tray and Task Manager), but no UI window appears.

What I've Already Tried:

  • Complete uninstall/reinstall (including using Revo Uninstaller to remove all traces)
  • Verified .NET 8 Desktop Runtime is installed (both x64 and x86 versions 8.0.23)
  • Confirmed Dell Tech Service is running
  • Reinstalled Dell SupportAssist (in case of shared component conflicts)
  • Verified Windows 11 Smart App Control is set to "Off"
  • Updated graphics drivers
  • Tried launching both as standard user and as administrator
  • Multiple clean reinstalls of Dell Optimizer

Question: Is there a known compatibility issue with Dell Optimizer 6.x and XPS 8960 systems from December 2023? I notice the official support documentation mentions Dell Optimizer 6.0+ is supported on systems launched after September 2024, but the software is listed as available for download on my XPS 8960 support page.

Are there any XPS 8960-specific fixes, firmware updates, or workarounds available? Or is Dell Optimizer simply not compatible with my system despite being offered for download?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

DELL-ChrisM2

Community Manager

 • 

818 Posts

January 20th, 2026 16:36

* Uninstall Dell Optimizer 6.3.0.0
* Restart the XPS 8960
* Install Dell Optimizer 6.2.1.0
* Restart the XPS 8960
* Does the dashboard work? If yes, don't use 6.3.0.0

mahadellpc

1 Rookie

 • 

22 Posts

January 20th, 2026 22:45

Hi @DELL-ChrisM2,

Thank you for the suggestion. I followed your instructions exactly:

Steps I took:

  1. Uninstalled Dell Optimizer 6.3.0.0 completely
  2. Restarted the XPS 8960
  3. Ran the Dell-Optimizer-Application_G3TR8_WIN64_6.2.1.0_A00.exe installer
  4. Restarted the XPS 8960

Result: Unfortunately, the dashboard still does not load. The same issue persists - the application runs in the system tray and appears in Task Manager, but clicking on it produces no UI window.

Unexpected finding: When I check "About" in the system tray icon, it shows:

  • Dell Optimizer
  • VERSION 6.3
  • © Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.

This is confusing because I specifically ran the 6.2.1.0 installer. It appears the installer may have automatically upgraded to 6.3, or there's something preventing the 6.2.1.0 version from actually installing on my system.

Questions:

  1. Is there a way to force the installation to remain at 6.2.1.0 and prevent automatic updates?
  2. Could there be a firmware or BIOS dependency that's causing version 6.2.1.0 to automatically update to 6.3?
  3. Are there any older versions (6.1.x or earlier) that might be compatible with my December 2023 XPS 8960?

I'm still wondering if this is a fundamental compatibility issue with my system's build date versus the Dell Optimizer 6.x series requirements.

Thank you for your continued assistance!

Was this post helpful?

View All

No Events found!

Top