The pen wouldn't launch from app on the desktop or turn on manually for me either, You need to launch it through their website, it's a rollover button top right on the website page 'Launch Leapfrog Connect' the pen then auto turns itself on!

I'm having the same problem with mine but on the faq on the leap frog connect i read that the product was defective and to contact customer support with it

Same problem wouldn't turn on after charging in my pc usb socket....connected it to a mains usb charger, it fired right up again

We bought this item..Lead Frog Leap Reader Pen for our grandson as a teaching tool..but..we could never get to to turn on,let alone operate! Returning it to the store..Not At All Happy With This Product!

This is the third Leapfrog toy we are getting and 2 out of 3 have been junk. I wouldn't buy this brand at all but it was a christmas present so we got it. I could not get it to work on one of our computers (windows 8), but on the other one (much older computer) eventually it worked. In fact I was pressing the on/off button like mad as I was getting quite frustrated with it and it came on. Their application is very poor with no feedback what it is doing, it gives no sign that the toy is plugged in even though it is, then all of a sudden after about 3 minutes it decides to cooperate - very frustrating. And all this for what?? so that I can install some story and a song. Why cant it come with these things preloaded and ready to go?? Leapfrog is an evil company.

Awful product. Simply not fit for purpose. Had several of the frequently seen issues. Spent a significant amount of time following all advice on the official help and this forum. It should not be this difficult to use a product aimed at small children. Very frustrating. Very disappointed daughter. My advice - get a refund!