I have the same problem. Trying to find a solution for the powering up from battery connect for my Geige Counter project https://bgeigiezen.safecast.jp). Originally I build the board for M5Stack Core1 gray and all worked fine. However, for M5stack Core Black, it did not power up from DC. Then I could not get Core1 anymore and started to use Core 2 V1.0 and that powered up nicely on battery connect. But Core 2 V1.1 does not do that, anymore. Still trying to find ways without adding extra components like a delay cap/resistor on the Enable pin to get it started.
Please check if you have a Core V1.0 (axp192 PMU) or a Core 2 version 1.1 (axp2101 PMU) For me a Core 2 V1.0 powers up from DC connect. But Core2 V1.1 does not.
Regards,
Rob Oudendijk