Dell S2721Q/S2721QS Monitor

User’s Guide

Model: S2721Q/S2721QS
Regulatory model: S2721Qb
 NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make
better use of your computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss
of data if instructions are not followed.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage,
personal injury, or death.

Copyright © 2020-2022 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other
trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their
respective owners.

2022 - 05

Rev. A02
Contents

Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
About your monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Package contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Product features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Identifying parts and controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Front view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Back view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Bottom view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Resolution specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Supported video modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Preset display modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Electrical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Physical characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Environmental characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Pin assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
LCD monitor quality and pixel policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Ergonomics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Handling and moving your display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Maintenance guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Cleaning your monitor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Setting up the monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Connecting the stand - S2721Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Connecting the stand - S2721QS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Connecting your monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Connecting the HDMI and power cables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

  │  3
 Connecting the DisplayPort (DP to DP) cable (optional) and
power cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Organizing your cables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Turning on your monitor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Securing your monitor using Kensington lock (optional). 37
Removing the monitor stand - S2721Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Removing the monitor stand - S2721QS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
VESA wall mounting (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Operating the monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Power on the monitor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Using the front-panel controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Front-panel button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Accessing the menu system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
OSD warning message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Setting the maximum resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Requirements to view or playback HDR content . . . . . . . 63
Using the tilt, swivel, and vertical extension . . . . . . . . . . 64
Tilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Swivel (S2721QS only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Vertical extension (S2721QS only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Rotating the display (S2721QS only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Rotate clockwise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Rotate counterclockwise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Adjusting the rotation display settings of your system . . 67
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Self-test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Built-in diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Common problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

4  │ 
 Product specific problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Speakers Specific Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
FCC notices (U.S. only) and other regulatory
information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Contact Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
EU product database for energy label and product
information sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

  │  5
Safety instructions
CAUTION: Use of controls, adjustments, or procedures other than
those specified in this documentation may result in exposure to shock,
electrical hazards, and/or mechanical hazards.
• Place the monitor on a solid surface and handle it carefully. The screen is
fragile and can be damaged if dropped or hit sharply.
• Always be sure that your monitor is electrically rated to operate with the AC
power available in your location.
• Keep the monitor in room temperature. Excessive cold or hot conditions can
have an adverse effect on the liquid crystal of the display.
• Do not subject the monitor to severe vibration or high impact conditions. For
example, do not place the monitor inside a car trunk.
• Unplug the monitor when it is going to be left unused for an extended period
of time.
• To avoid electric shock, do not attempt to remove any cover or touch the
inside of the monitor.

6  │  Safety instructions
About your monitor
Package contents
Your monitor ships with the components shown in the table below. If any
component is missing, contact Dell. For more information, see Contact Dell.
NOTE: Some items may be optional and may not ship with your monitor.
Some features may not be available in certain countries.
NOTE: If you are connecting a stand that you purchased from any other
source, follow the set up instructions that were included with the
stand.
Component image Component description
Display

Stand riser:
a. S2721Q
b. S2721QS

Stand base:
a. S2721Q
b. S2721QS

About your monitor  │  7

 VESA™ screw cover
(S2721Q only)

Power cable (varies by

country)

HDMI cable

• Quick Setup Guide

• Safety, Environmental,
and Regulatory
Information

Product features
The Dell S2721Q/S2721QS monitor has an active matrix, Thin-Film Transistor
(TFT), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and LED backlight. The monitor features
include:
• 68.47 cm (27 in.) viewable area (measured diagonally).
3840 x 2160 (16:9) resolution, plus full-screen support for lower resolutions.
• Supports AMD FreeSync™, with a refresh rate of 60 Hz and a rapid response
time of 4 ms gray to gray in Extreme mode*.
• Color gamut of 99% sRGB.
• Digital connectivity with DisplayPort and HDMI.
• S2721Q: Tilt capability.
• S2721QS: Tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustment capabilities.
• Dual built-in speakers.
• Removable stand and Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA™)
100 mm mounting holes for flexible mounting solutions.
• Plug and play capability if supported by your system.

8  │  About your monitor

 • On-Screen Display (OSD) adjustments for ease of set-up and screen
optimization.
• Supports Picture by Picture (PBP) and Picture in Picture (PIP) Select mode.
NOTE: When PIP/PBP is activated, AMD FreeSync™ (in AMD Radeon™
software) is disabled.
• Power and OSD buttons lock.
• Security lock slot.
• < 0.3 W in Standby Mode.
• Optimize eye comfort with a flicker-free screen and low blue light feature.
• S2721QS: The Monitor uses Low Blue Light panel and is compliant with TÜV
Rheinland (Hardware Solution) at factory reset or default setting. This built-in
low blue light solution reduces hazardous blue light emissions by adjusting
display parameters, without sacrificing true-to-life colors.
WARNING: The possible long-term effects of blue light emission from
the monitor may cause damage to the eyes, including eye fatigue,
digital eye strain, and so on. ComfortView (S2721Q) and ComfortView
Plus (S2721QS) features are designed to reduce the amount of blue
light emitted from the monitor to optimize eye comfort.
*The 4 ms gray-to-gray mode is achievable in the Extreme mode to reduce visible
motion blur and increased image responsiveness. However, this may introduce
some slight and noticeable visual artifacts into the image. As every system setup
and every user's needs are different, we recommend that users experiment with
the different modes to find the setting that is right for them.

About your monitor  │  9

Identifying parts and controls
Front view
S2721Q

S2721QS

Label Description Use

1 Function buttons For more information, see Operating
the monitor.
2 Power On/Off button (with To turn the monitor on or off.
LED indicator)

10  │  About your monitor

Back view
S2721Q

Back view with monitor stand

S2721QS

Back view with monitor stand

Label Description Use

1 VESA mounting holes (100 mm Wall mount monitor using VESA-
x 100 mm - behind attached compatible wall mount kit (100 mm x
VESA Cover) 100 mm).

About your monitor  │  11

 2 Barcode, serial number, and Refer to this label if you need to
Service Tag label contact Dell for technical support.
The Service Tag is a unique
alphanumeric identifier that enables
Dell service technicians to identify
the hardware components in your
monitor and access warranty
information.
3 Stand release button Releases stand from the monitor.
4 Regulatory label Lists the regulatory approvals.
5 Cable-management slot Use to organize cables by inserting
them through the slot.

12  │  About your monitor

Bottom view
S2721Q

Bottom view without monitor stand

S2721QS

Bottom view without monitor stand

Label Description Use

1 Security-lock slot Secures the monitor with security lock
(based on Kensington (security lock not included).
Security Slot)
2 Power connector Connect the power cable (shipped with your
monitor).

About your monitor  │  13

 3 HDMI port (HDMI 1) Connect your computer with the HDMI cable
(shipped with your monitor).
4 HDMI port (HDMI 2) Connect your computer with the HDMI cable
(shipped with your monitor).
5 DisplayPort Connect your computer with the DisplayPort
cable.
6 Line-out port Connect your speakers.
NOTE: This port does not support
headphones.
7 Speakers Provides audio output.

14  │  About your monitor

Monitor specifications

Model S2721Q S2721QS

Screen type Active matrix - TFT LCD
Panel technology IPS
Aspect ratio 16:9
Viewable image
Diagonal 684.7 mm (27 in.)
Width (active area) 596.7 mm (23.49 in.)
Height (active area) 335.7 mm (13.21 in.)
Total area 200301.8 mm2 (310.47 in.2)
Pixel pitch 0.1554 x 0.1554 mm
Pixel per inch (PPI) 163
Viewing angle
Vertical 178° (typical)
Horizontal 178° (typical)
Luminance output 350 cd/m² (typical)
Contrast ratio 1300 to 1 (typical) 1000 to 1 (typical)
Faceplate coating Anti-Glare treatment of the front polarizer (Haze 25%,
3H)
Backlight White LED edgelight system
Response time 8 ms gray to gray in Normal mode
5 ms gray to gray in Fast mode
4 ms gray to gray in Extreme mode*
*The 4 ms gray-to-gray mode is achievable in the
Extreme mode to reduce visible motion blur and
increased image responsiveness. However this may
introduce some slight and noticeable visual artifacts into
the image. As every system setup and every user's needs
are different, we recommend that users experiment with
the different modes to find the setting that is right for
them.

About your monitor  │  15

Color depth 1.07 billion colors
Color gamut sRGB 99% (typical)
Connectivity • 1 x DisplayPort version 1.2
• 2 x HDMI ports version 2.0
• 1 x audio line-out port
Border width (edge of monitor to active area)
Top 7.4 mm
Left/Right 7.4 mm/7.4 mm
Bottom 21.6 mm
Adjustability
Tilt -5° to 21° -5° to 21°
Swivel Not applicable -30° to 30°
Pivot Not applicable -90° to 90°
Height adjustable Not applicable 110 mm
stand
Built-in speakers 2 x 3 W sound output
Dell Display Manager Easy Arrange and other key features
compatibility
Security Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)

Resolution specifications

Model S2721Q/S2721QS
Horizontal scan range 130 kHz to 137 kHz (automatic)
Vertical scan range 40 Hz to 60 Hz (automatic)
Maximum preset resolution 3840 x 2160 at 60 Hz

Supported video modes

Model S2721Q/S2721QS
Video display capabilities (HDMI 480p, 480i, 576p, 576i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p,
& DisplayPort) QHD, UHD

16  │  About your monitor

Preset display modes

HDMI display modes

Display mode Horizontal Vertical Pixel clock Sync
frequency frequency (MHz) polarity
(kHz) (Hz) (Horizontal/
Vertical)
720 x 400 31.47 70.08 28.32 -/+
VESA, 640 x 480 31.50 60.00 25.20 -/-
VESA, 640 x 480 37.50 75.00 31.50 -/-
VESA, 800 x 600 37.90 60.30 40.00 +/+
VESA, 800 x 600 46.90 75.00 49.50 +/+
VESA, 1024 x 768 48.40 60.00 65.00 -/-
VESA, 1024 x 768 60.00 75.00 78.80 +/+
VESA, 1152 x 864 67.50 75.00 108.00 +/+
VESA, 1280 x 1024 64.00 60.00 108.00 +/+
VESA, 1280 x 1024 80.00 75.00 135.00 +/+
VESA, 1600 x 900 60.00 60.00 108.00 +/+
VESA, 1600 x 1200 75.00 60.00 162.00 +/-
VESA, 1920 x 1080 67.50 60.00 148.50 +/+
2048 x 1280 78.90 59.90 174.30 +/+
2560 x 1440 88.79 59.95 241.50 +/-
3840 x 2160 135 60 594 +/-

About your monitor  │  17

DP display modes
Display mode Horizontal Vertical Pixel clock Sync
frequency frequency (MHz) polarity
(kHz) (Hz) (Horizontal/
Vertical)
720 x 400 31.47 70.08 28.32 -/+
VESA, 640 x 480 31.50 60.00 25.20 -/-
VESA, 640 x 480 37.50 75.00 31.50 -/-
VESA, 800 x 600 37.90 60.30 40.00 +/+
VESA, 800 x 600 46.90 75.00 49.50 +/+
VESA, 1024 x 768 48.40 60.00 65.00 -/-
VESA, 1024 x 768 60.00 75.00 78.80 +/+
VESA, 1152 x 864 67.50 75.00 108.00 +/+
VESA, 1280 x 1024 64.00 60.00 108.00 +/+
VESA, 1280 x 1024 80.00 75.00 135.00 +/+
VESA, 1600 x 900 60.00 60.00 108.00 +/+
VESA, 1600 x 1200 75.00 60.00 162.00 +/-
VESA, 1920 x 1080 67.50 60.00 148.50 +/+
2048 x 1280 78.90 59.90 174.30 +/+
2560 x 1440 88.79 59.95 241.50 +/-
3840 x 2160 133.313 60 533.25 +/-

NOTE: This monitor supports AMD FreeSync™.

18  │  About your monitor

Electrical specifications

Model S2721Q/S2721QS
Video input signals HDMI 2.0/DisplayPort 1.2, 600 mV for each differential
line, 100 Ω input impedance per differential pair
AC input voltage/ 100 VAC to 240 VAC / 50 Hz or 60 Hz ± 3 Hz / 1.5 A
frequency/current (typical)
Inrush current • 120 V: 30 A (Max.) at 0°C (cold start)
• 240 V: 60 A (Max.) at 0°C (cold start)
Power consumption • 0.2 W (Off mode)1
• 0.2 W (Standby Mode)1
• 28.8 W (On mode)1
• 52 W (Max.)2
• 21.88 W (Pon)3
• 68.48 kWh (TEC)3

1
As defined in EU 2019/2021 and EU 2019/2013.
2
Max brightness and contrast setting.
3
Pon: Power consumption of On mode as defined in Energy Star 8.0 version.
TEC: Total energy consumption in kWh as defined in Energy Star 8.0 version.
This document is informational only and reflects laboratory performance. Your
product may perform differently, depending on the software, components and
peripherals you ordered and shall have no obligation to update such information.
Accordingly, the customer should not rely upon this information in making
decisions about electrical tolerances or otherwise. No warranty as to accuracy or
completeness is expressed or implied.
NOTE: This monitor is ENERGY STAR certified.
This product qualifies for ENERGY STAR in the factory
default settings which can be restored by “Factory Reset”
function in the OSD menu. Changing the factory default
settings or enabling other features may increase power
consumption that could exceed the ENERGY STAR specified
limit.

About your monitor  │  19

Physical characteristics

Model S2721Q S2721QS

Signal cable type • Digital: HDMI, 19 pins
• Digital: DisplayPort, 20 pins (cable not supplied)
NOTE: Dell monitors are designed to work optimally with the video cables that
are shipped with your monitor. As Dell does not have control over the different
cable suppliers in the market, the type of material, connector and process used to
manufacture these cables, Dell does not guarantee video performance on cables
that are not shipped with your Dell monitor.
Dimensions (with stand)
Height 453.4 mm (17.85 in.) • Extended:
510.1 mm (20.08 in.)
• Compressed:
400.1 mm (15.75 in.)
Width 611.6 mm (24.08 in.) 611.6 mm (24.08 in.)
Depth 186.8 mm (7.35 in.) 174.7 mm (6.88 in.)
Dimensions (without stand)
Height 364.6 mm (14.35 in.) 364.6 mm (14.35 in.)
Width 611.6 mm (24.08 in.) 611.6 mm (24.08 in.)
Depth 55.4 mm (2.18 in.) 55.4 mm (2.18 in.)
Stand dimensions
Height 176.0 mm (6.93 in.) • Extended:
403.1 mm (15.87 in.)
• Compressed:
364.8 mm (14.36 in.)
Width 257.2 mm (10.13 in.) 257.0 mm (10.12 in.)
Depth 186.8 mm (7.35 in.) 174.7 mm (6.88 in.)
Weight
Weight with packaging 8.1 kg (17.86 lb) 9.2 kg (20.28 lb)
Weight with stand 5.6 kg (12.35 lb) 6.4 kg (14.11 lb)
assembly and cables

20  │  About your monitor

Weight without stand 4.7 kg (10.36 lb) 4.7 kg (10.36 lb)
assembly (For wall mount
or VESA mount
considerations - no
cables)
Weight of stand assembly 0.7 kg (1.54 lb) 1.5 kg (3.31 lb)

Environmental characteristics

Model S2721Q/S2721QS
Compliant standards
• ENERGY STAR certified monitor
• RoHS-compliant
• TCO certified displays
• BFR/PVC-reduced monitor (excluding external cables)
• Arsenic-free glass and Mercury-free for the panel only
Temperature
Operating 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
Non-operating • Storage: -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
• Shipping: -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
Humidity
Operating 10% to 80% (non-condensing)
Non-operating • Storage: 5% to 90% (non-condensing)
• Shipping: 5% to 90% (non-condensing)
Altitude
Operating 5,000 m (16,404 ft) (maximum)
Non-operating 12,192 m (40,000 ft) (maximum)
Thermal dissipation • 177.43 BTU/hour (maximum)
• 95.54 BTU/hour (typical)

About your monitor  │  21

Pin assignments

DisplayPort connector

Pin 20-pin side of the

number connected signal cable
1 ML3 (n)
2 GND
3 ML3 (p)
4 ML2 (n)
5 GND
6 ML2 (p)
7 ML1 (n)
8 GND
9 ML1 (p)
10 ML0 (n)
11 GND
12 ML0 (p)
13 GND
14 GND
15 AUX (p)
16 GND
17 AUX (n)
18 Hot Plug Detect
19 Re-PWR
20 +3.3 V DP_PWR

22  │  About your monitor

HDMI connector

Pin 19-pin side of the

number connected signal cable
1 TMDS DATA 2+
2 TMDS DATA 2 SHIELD
3 TMDS DATA 2-
4 TMDS DATA 1+
5 TMDS DATA 1 SHIELD
6 TMDS DATA 1-
7 TMDS DATA 0+
8 TMDS DATA 0 SHIELD
9 TMDS DATA 0-
10 TMDS CLOCK+
11 TMDS CLOCK SHIELD
12 TMDS CLOCK-
13 CEC
14 Reserved (N.C. on device)
15 DDC CLOCK (SCL)
16 DDC DATA (SDA)
17 DDC/CEC Ground
18 +5 V POWER
19 HOT PLUG DETECT

About your monitor  │  23

LCD monitor quality and pixel policy
During the LCD Monitor manufacturing process, it is not uncommon for one or more
pixels to become fixed in an unchanging state which are hard to see and do not
affect the display quality or usability. For more information on Dell Monitor Quality
and Pixel Policy, see www.dell.com/pixelguidelines.

Ergonomics
CAUTION: Improper or prolonged usage of keyboard may result in
injury.
CAUTION: Viewing the monitor screen for extended periods of time
may result in eye strain.
For comfort and efficiency, observe the following guidelines when setting up and
using your computer workstation:
• Position your computer so that the monitor and keyboard are directly in front
of you as you work. Special shelves are commercially available to help you
correctly position your keyboard.
• To reduce the risk of eye strain and neck/arm/back/shoulder pain from using
the monitor for long periods of time, we suggest you to:
1. Set the distance of the screen between 20 to 28 in. (50 - 70 cm) from your
eyes.
2. Blink frequently to moisten your eyes or wet your eyes with water after
prolonged usage of the monitor.
3. Take regular and frequent breaks for 20 minutes every two hours.
4. Look away from your monitor and gaze at a distant object at 20 feet away
for at least 20 seconds during the breaks.
5. Perform stretches to relieve tension in the neck, arm, back, and shoulders
during the breaks.
• Make sure that the monitor screen is at eye level or slightly lower when you
are sitting in front of the monitor.
• Adjust the tilt of the monitor, its contrast, and brightness settings.
• Adjust the ambient lighting around you (such as overhead lights, desk lamps,
and the curtains or blinds on nearby windows) to minimize reflections and
glare on the monitor screen.
• Use a chair that provides good lower-back support.
• Keep your forearms horizontal with your wrists in a neutral, comfortable
position while using the keyboard or mouse.

24  │  About your monitor

 • Always leave space to rest your hands while using the keyboard or mouse.
• Let your upper arms rest naturally on both sides.
• Ensure that your feet are resting flat on the floor.
• When sitting, make sure that the weight of your legs is on your feet and not on
the front portion of your seat. Adjust your chair's height or use a footrest if
necessary to maintain a proper posture.
• Vary your work activities. Try to organize your work so that you do not have to
sit and work for extended periods of time. Try to stand or get up and walk
around at regular intervals.
• Keep the area under your desk clear of obstructions and cables or power
cords that may interfere with comfortable seating or present a potential trip
hazard.
monitor screen at or
below eye level

monitor and
keyboard
positioned
directly in front
of the user

wrists relaxed
and flat

feet flat on the

floor

About your monitor  │  25

Handling and moving your display
To ensure the monitor is handled safely when lifting or moving it, follow the
guidelines mentioned below:
• Before moving or lifting the monitor, turn off your computer and the monitor.
• Disconnect all cables from the monitor.
• Place the monitor in the original box with the original packing materials.
• Hold the bottom edge and the side of the monitor firmly without applying
excessive pressure when lifting or moving the monitor.

• When lifting or moving the monitor, ensure the screen is facing away from you
and do not press on the display area to avoid any scratches or damage.

• When transporting the monitor, avoid any sudden shock or vibration to it.

26  │  About your monitor

 • When lifting or moving the monitor, do not turn the monitor upside down while
holding the stand base or stand riser. This may result in accidental damage to
the monitor or cause personal injury.

Maintenance guidelines
Cleaning your monitor
CAUTION: Read and follow the Safety instructions before cleaning the
monitor.
WARNING: Before cleaning the monitor, unplug the monitor power
cable from the electrical outlet.
For best practices, follow the instructions in the list below when unpacking,
cleaning, or handling your monitor:
• To clean your anti-static screen, lightly dampen a soft, clean cloth with water.
If possible, use a special screen-cleaning tissue or solution suitable for the
anti-static coating. Do not use benzene, thinner, ammonia, abrasive cleaners,
or compressed air.
• Use a lightly-dampened, warm cloth to clean the monitor. Avoid using
detergent of any kind as some detergents leave a milky film on the monitor.
• If you notice white powder when you unpack your monitor, wipe it off with a
cloth.
• Handle your monitor with care as a darker-colored monitor may get scratched
and show white scuff marks more than a lighter-colored monitor.
• To help maintain the best image quality on your monitor, use a dynamically
changing screen saver and turn off your monitor when not in use.

About your monitor  │  27

Setting up the monitor
Connecting the stand - S2721Q
NOTE: The stand is not factory-installed.
NOTE: The following instructions are applicable only for attaching the
stand that was shipped with your monitor. If you are attaching a stand
that you purchased from any other source, follow the set up
instructions that were included with the stand.
To attach the monitor stand:
1. Follow the instructions on the flaps of packaging box to remove the stand
from the top cushion that secures it.
2. Remove the VESA cover, stand base, and stand riser from the packaging
cushion.

28  │  Setting up the monitor

3. Align and place the stand riser on the stand base.
4. Open the screw handle at the bottom of the stand base and turn it clockwise
to secure the stand assembly.
5. Close the screw handle.

6. Open the protective cover to access the VESA slot on the display.

7. Align and insert the stand assembly bracket into the groove on the back of the
display until it locks in place.

Setting up the monitor  │  29

 8. Install the VESA screw cover.

9. Place the monitor in an upright position and lift the protective cover from the
monitor.

30  │  Setting up the monitor

Connecting the stand - S2721QS
NOTE: The stand is not factory-installed.
NOTE: The following instructions are applicable only for attaching the
stand that was shipped with your monitor. If you are attaching a stand
that you purchased from any other source, follow the set up
instructions that were included with the stand.
To attach the monitor stand:
1. Follow the instructions on the flaps of packaging box to remove the stand
from the top cushion that secures it.
2. Remove the stand base and stand riser from the packaging cushion.

3. Align and place the stand riser on the stand base.

4. Open the screw handle at the bottom of the stand base and turn it clockwise
to secure the stand assembly.
5. Close the screw handle.

Setting up the monitor  │  31

 6. Open the protective cover to access the VESA slot on the display.

7. Attach the stand assembly to the display.

a. Align and slide the tabs on the stand riser into the VESA slot.
b. Press the stand down until it snaps into place.

32  │  Setting up the monitor

8. Hold the stand riser with both hands firmly and lift the monitor. Then place
the monitor in an upright position on a flat surface.
NOTE: Hold the stand riser firmly when lifting the monitor to avoid any
accidental damage.

9. Lift the protective cover from the monitor.

Setting up the monitor  │  33

Connecting your monitor
WARNING: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,
follow the Safety instructions.
NOTE: Dell monitors are designed to work optimally with Dell supplied
inbox cables. Dell does not guarantee the video quality and performance
when using non-Dell cables.
NOTE: Route the cables through the cable-management slot before
connecting them.
NOTE: Do not connect all cables to the computer at the same time.
NOTE: The images are for the purpose of illustration only. Appearance
of the computer may vary.
To connect your monitor to the computer:
1. Turn Off your computer and disconnect the power cable.
2. Connect the HDMI or DisplayPort cable from your monitor to the computer.

Connecting the HDMI and power cables

S2721Q

S2721QS

34  │  Setting up the monitor

Connecting the DisplayPort (DP to DP) cable (optional) and power cable
S2721Q

S2721QS

Organizing your cables

S2721Q S2721QS

After attaching all necessary cables to your monitor and computer, (See
Connecting your monitor for cable attachment,) organize all cables as shown
above.

Setting up the monitor  │  35

Turning on your monitor
S2721Q

S2721QS

36  │  Setting up the monitor

Securing your monitor using Kensington lock (optional)
The security lock slot is located at the bottom of the monitor (see Security-lock
slot).
For more information on using the Kensington lock (purchased separately), see the
documentation that is shipped with the lock.
Secure your monitor to a table using the Kensington security lock.
S2721Q

S2721QS

NOTE: The image is for the purpose of illustration only. Appearance of

the lock may vary.

Setting up the monitor  │  37

Removing the monitor stand - S2721Q
NOTE: To prevent scratches on the LCD screen when removing the
stand, ensure that the monitor is placed on a soft, clean surface.
NOTE: The following instructions are applicable only for removing the
stand that was shipped with your monitor. If you are removing a stand
that you purchased from any other source, follow the set up
instructions that were included with the stand.
To remove the stand:
1. Place the monitor on a soft cloth or cushion.
2. Press the dimple on the VESA cover to release it from the back of the display.

3. Using a long screwdriver, push the release latch located in the gap just above
the stand.
4. Once the latch is released, slide the stand assembly away from the monitor.

38  │  Setting up the monitor

Removing the monitor stand - S2721QS
NOTE: To prevent scratches on the LCD screen when removing the
stand, ensure that the monitor is placed on a soft, clean surface.
NOTE: The following instructions are applicable only for removing the
stand that was shipped with your monitor. If you are removing a stand
that you purchased from any other source, follow the set up
instructions that were included with the stand.
To remove the stand:
1. Place the monitor on a soft cloth or cushion.
2. Press and hold the stand release button at the back of the display.
3. Lift the stand assembly up and away from the monitor.

Setting up the monitor  │  39

VESA wall mounting (optional)
S2721Q

S2721QS

(Screw dimension: M4 x 10 mm).

Read the instructions that shipped with the VESA-compatible wall mounting kit.
1. Place the display on a soft cloth or cushion on a stable flat table.
2. Remove the monitor stand. (See Removing the monitor stand - S2721Q and
Removing the monitor stand - S2721QS.)
3. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the four screws that secure the display
back cover.
4. Install the mounting bracket from the wall mounting kit to the display.
5. Mount the monitor on the wall. For more information, see the documentation
that shipped with the wall mounting kit.
NOTE: For use only with UL or CSA or GS-listed wall mount bracket
with minimum weight or load bearing capacity of 18.8 kg (S2721Q/
S2721QS).

40  │  Setting up the monitor

Operating the monitor
Power on the monitor
Press the Power button to turn On the monitor.

Using the front-panel controls

Use the control buttons on the front of the monitor to adjust settings.

The following table describes the front-panel buttons:

Front-panel button Description
1 Use this button to choose from a list of preset color
modes.
Shortcut key/
Preset Modes
2 To directly access the Volume adjustment slider.

Shortcut key/
Volume

Operating the monitor  │  41

 3 Use the MENU button to launch the On-Screen
Display (OSD). See Accessing the menu system.
Menu
4 Use this button to exit the OSD main menu.

Exit
5 To turn the monitor on or off.
Solid white light indicates that the monitor is turned
Power on and functioning normally. Blinking white light
(with power light indicates that the monitor is in Standby Mode.
indicator)

Front-panel button
Use the buttons on the front of the monitor to adjust the image settings.

Front-panel button Description

1 Use the Up button to adjust (increase ranges) items in
the OSD menu.
Up
2 Use the Down button to adjust (decrease ranges) items
in the OSD menu.
Down
3 Use the OK button to confirm your selection.

OK
4 Use the Back button to go back to the previous menu.

Back

42  │  Operating the monitor

Using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu
Accessing the menu system
NOTE: If you change the settings and then either proceed to another
menu or exit the OSD menu, the monitor automatically saves those
changes. The changes are also saved if you change the settings and
then wait for the OSD menu to disappear.

1. Press the button to launch the OSD menu and display the main menu.

2. Press the and buttons to move between the setting options. As you
move from one icon to another, the option name is highlighted. See the
following table for a complete list of all the options available for the monitor.

3. Press the or or button once to activate the highlighted option.

NOTE: The directional buttons (and the OK button) displayed may
differ according to the menu you’ve selected. Use available buttons to
make your selection.

4. Press the and buttons to select the desired parameter.

5. Press to enter the submenu and then use the directional buttons,
according to the indicators on the menu, to make your changes.

6. Select the button to return to the main menu.

Operating the monitor  │  43

 Icon Menu and Description
Submenus
Brightness/ Use this menu to activate Brightness/Contrast
Contrast adjustment.

Brightness Brightness adjusts the luminance of the backlight.

Press the button to increase the brightness and

press the button to decrease the brightness (min.
0 / max. 100).
NOTE: Manual adjustment of Brightness is disabled
when Smart HDR is activated and HDR content is
displayed.
Contrast Adjusts the Brightness first, and then adjust the
Contrast only if further adjustment is necessary.

Press the button to increase the contrast and

press the button to decrease the contrast (min. 0
/ max. 100).
The Contrast function adjusts the degree of
difference between darkness and lightness on the
monitor screen.

44  │  Operating the monitor

Input Source Use the Input Source menu to select between the
different video signals that may be connected to your
monitor.

DP Select the DP input when you are using the

DisplayPort (DP) connector. Press the button to
confirm the selection.
HDMI 1 Select the HDMI 1 input when you are using the
HDMI connector. Press the button to confirm the
selection.
HDMI 2 Select the HDMI 2 input when you are using the
HDMI connector. Press the button to confirm the
selection.
Auto Select Turning on the function allows you to scan for
available input sources.
Reset Input Resets your monitor input settings to the factory
Source settings.

Operating the monitor  │  45

 Color Use Color to adjust the color setting mode.

Preset Modes Allows you to choose a preset mode from the list.
S2721Q

S2721QS

46  │  Operating the monitor

Preset Modes • Standard: Loads the monitor's default color
settings. This is the default preset mode.
• ComfortView: For S2721Q only. Decreases the
level of blue light emitted from the screen to make
viewing more comfortable for your eyes.
WARNING: The possible long-term effects of
blue light emission from the monitor may
cause personal injury such as digital eye
strain, eye fatigue and damage to the eyes.
Using monitor for extended periods of time
may also cause pain in parts of body such as
neck, arm, back and shoulder. For more
information, see Ergonomics.
• Movie: Loads color settings ideal for movies.
• FPS: Loads color settings ideal for First-Person
Shooter (FPS) games.
• RTS: Loads color settings ideal for Real-Time
Strategy (RTS) games.
• RPG: Loads color settings ideal for Role-Playing
Games (RPG).
• Warm: Presents colors at lower color
temperatures. The screen appears warmer with a
red/yellow tint.
• Cool: Presents colors at higher color
temperatures. The screen appears cooler with a
blue tint.
• Custom Color: Allows you to manually adjust the
color settings.
Use the arrow buttons to adjust the three colors
(R, G, B) values and create your own preset color
mode.

Operating the monitor  │  47

 Input Color Allows you to set the video input mode to:
Format • RGB: Select this option if your monitor is
connected to a computer (or media player) using
the DisplayPort or HDMI cable.
• YPbPr: Select this option if your media player
supports only YPbPr output.

Press the button to confirm the selection.

Hue This feature can shift the color of the video image to
green or purple. This is used to adjust the desired
flesh tone color. Use or to adjust the hue from
'0' to '100'.
NOTE: Hue adjustment is available only when you
select Movie, FPS, RTS, or RPG preset mode.
Saturation This feature can adjust the color saturation of the
video image. Use or to adjust the saturation
from '0' to '100'.
NOTE: Saturation adjustment is available only
when you select Movie, FPS, RTS, or RPG preset
mode.
Reset Color Resets your monitor’s color settings to the factory
settings.

48  │  Operating the monitor

 Display Use the Display menu to adjust images.

Aspect Ratio Adjusts the image ratio to Wide 16:9, 4:3, or 5:4.
NOTE: The feature is disabled when PIP/PBP is
activated.
Sharpness This feature can make the image look sharper or
softer.

Use or to adjust the sharpness from '0' to

'100'.
Response Time Allows you to set the Response Time to Normal,
Fast, or Extreme.
Dark Stabilizer The feature improves the visibility in the dark gaming
scenarios. The higher the value (between 0 to 3), the
better visibility in dark area of the display image.
NOTE: The feature is disabled when Smart HDR or
PIP/PBP is activated.

Operating the monitor  │  49

 Smart HDR The Smart HDR (High Dynamic Range) feature
enhances the display output by optimally adjusting
contrast and the ranges of color and luminosity to
resemble true-to-life visuals. The default setting is
Off. You may set the Smart HDR mode to:
• Desktop: Suitable for using the monitor with a
desktop computer.
• Movie HDR: Suitable for the playback of HDR
video content.
• Game HDR: Suitable for playing HDR-compatible
games. It displays more realistic scenes and makes
the gaming experience immersive and
entertaining.
NOTE: When the monitor is processing HDR
content, Preset Modes and Brightness will be
disabled.
NOTE: The feature is disabled when PIP/PBP is
activated.
Reset Display Resets all display settings to the factory preset
values.

50  │  Operating the monitor

PIP/PBP This function brings up a window displaying image
from another input source.

Sub-Window
Main Window HDMI 2
DP HDMI 1
DP
HDMI 1 X
HDMI 2 X

NOTE: The images under PBP mode will be

displayed at the center of the split windows.

Operating the monitor  │  51

 PIP/PBP Mode Adjusts the PIP/PBP (Picture in Picture/Picture by
Picture) mode to PIP or PBP. You can disable this
feature by selecting Off.

PIP
II

I
PBP

I II
PIP/PBP (Sub) Select between the different video signals that may
be connected to your monitor for the PIP/PBP sub-
window. Press the button to confirm the
selection.
PIP Size Adjusts the PIP sub-window size.
NOTE: The option is available only when the PIP
mode is activated.

52  │  Operating the monitor

 PIP Location Adjusts the position of the PIP sub-window.

Use or to browse and to select Top-Right,

Top-Left, Bottom-Right, or Bottom-Left.

Press the button to confirm the selection.

NOTE: The option is available only when the PIP
mode is activated.
Video Swap Select to swap videos between main window and
sub-window in PIP/PBP mode. Press the button
to confirm the selection.
Audio Allows you to set the audio source from the main
window or the sub-window.
Contrast (Sub) Adjust the contrast level of the picture in PIP/PBP
mode.

Use to increase the contrast and use to

decrease the contrast.
Audio

Volume Allows you to set the volume level of speakers.

Use or to adjust the volume level from '0' to

'100'.
Speaker Allows you to turn on or off the speaker function.
Reset Audio Select this option to restore default audio settings.

Operating the monitor  │  53

 Menu Select this option to adjust the settings of the OSD,
such as, the languages of the OSD, the amount of
time the menu remains on screen, and so on.

Language Sets the OSD display to one of the eight languages

(English, Spanish, French, German, Brazilian
Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, or
Japanese).
Transparency Select this option to change the menu transparency
by pressing the and buttons (min. 0 / max.
100).
Timer Sets the length of time the OSD will remain active
after the last time you pressed a button.

Use or to adjust the slider in 1 second

increments, from 5 to 60 seconds.

54  │  Operating the monitor

 Lock With the control buttons on the monitor locked, you
can prevent people from accessing the controls. It
also prevents accidental activation in multiple
monitors side-by-side setup.

• Menu Buttons: All Menu/function buttons

(except the Power button) are locked and not
accessible by the user.
• Power Button: Only the Power button is locked
and not accessible by the user.
• Menu + Power Buttons: Both the Menu/
function & Power buttons are locked and not
accessible by the user.
The default setting is Disable.
Alternative Lock Method [for Menu/function
buttons]: You can also press and hold the Menu/
function button next to the Power button for 4
seconds to set the lock options.
NOTE: To unlock the button(s), press and hold the
Menu/function button next to the Power button for
4 seconds.
Reset Menu Resets all OSD settings to the factory preset values.

Operating the monitor  │  55

 Personalize

Shortcut Key 1 Allows you to choose a feature from Preset Modes,

Shortcut Key 2 Brightness/Contrast, Input Source, Aspect
Ratio, Smart HDR, PIP/PBP Mode, or Volume
and set it as a shortcut key.
Power Button Allows you to set the power LED indicator on or off
LED to save energy.
Fast Wakeup The default setting is Off. Selecting On may prevent
the monitor from going into Standby mode.

Pressing any button (except the button) on the

front panel of the monitor may also wake up the
monitor after it goes into Standby mode.
Reset Resets all settings under the Personalize menu to
Personalization the factory preset values.

56  │  Operating the monitor

 Others Select this option to adjust the OSD settings, such as
DDC/CI, LCD Conditioning, and so on.

Display Info Displays the monitor's current settings.

DDC/CI DDC/CI (Display Data Channel/Command Interface)
allows your monitor parameters (brightness, color
balance, and etc.) to be adjustable via the software
on your computer. You can disable this feature by
selecting Off. Enable this feature for best user
experience and optimum performance of your
monitor.

Operating the monitor  │  57

 LCD Helps reduce minor cases of image retention.
Conditioning Depending on the degree of image retention, the
program may take some time to run. You can enable
this feature by selecting On.

Service Tag Displays the service tag of your monitor. This string is
required when you look for phone support, check
your warranty status, update drivers on Dell's
website, etc.
Reset Others Resets all settings under the Others menu to the
factory preset values.
Factory Reset Restore all preset values to the factory default
settings. These are also the settings for ENERGY
STAR® tests.

58  │  Operating the monitor

OSD warning message
When the monitor does not support a particular resolution mode, you will see the
following message:

This means that the monitor cannot synchronize with the signal that it is receiving
from the computer. See Monitor specifications for the Horizontal and Vertical
frequency ranges addressable by this monitor. Recommended mode is 3840 x 2160.
NOTE: The message may be slightly different according to the
connected input signal.
You will see the following message before the DDC/CI function is disabled:

When you adjust the Brightness level for the first time, the following message
appears:

NOTE: If you select Yes, the message will not appear next time when
you intend to change the Brightness setting.

Operating the monitor  │  59

When you change the default setting of power saving features for the first time,
such as Smart HDR or Fast Wakeup, the following message appears:

NOTE: If you select Yes for either of the features mentioned above, the
message will not appear next time when you intend to change the
settings of these features. When you perform a factory reset, the
message will appear again.
When Smart HDR is activated and you try to change the preset mode, the
following message appears:

You will see the following message before the Lock function is activated:

NOTE: The message may be slightly different according to the selected

settings.

60  │  Operating the monitor

When the monitor goes into Standby mode, the following message appears:

Activate the computer and wake up the monitor to gain access to the OSD.
NOTE: The message may be slightly different according to the
connected input signal.
The OSD functions only in the normal operation mode. If you press any button other
than the power button during the Standby mode, the following message will appear
depending on the selected input:

Activate the computer and the monitor to gain access to the OSD.
NOTE: The message may be slightly different according to the
connected input signal.
If either HDMI or DisplayPort input is selected and the corresponding cable is not
connected, a floating dialog box as shown below appears.

NOTE: The message may be slightly different according to the

connected input signal.

Operating the monitor  │  61

When Factory Reset is selected, the following message appears:

See Troubleshooting for more information.

Setting the maximum resolution

NOTE: The steps may vary slightly depending on the version of
Windows you have.
In Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1:
1. For Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 only, select the Desktop tile to switch to
classic desktop.
2. Right-click on the desktop and click Screen Resolution.
3. If you have more than one monitor connected, ensure that you select
S2721Q/S2721QS.
4. Click the Screen Resolution dropdown list and select 3840 x 2160.
5. Click OK.
In Windows 10 and Windows 11:
1. Right-click on the desktop and click Display settings.
2. If you have more than one monitor connected, ensure to select S2721Q/
S2721QS.
3. Click the Display Resolution dropdown list and select 3840 x 2160.
4. Click Keep changes.
If you do not see 3840 x 2160 as an option, you must update your graphics driver to
the latest version. Depending on your computer, complete one of the following
procedures:
If you have a Dell desktop or laptop:
• Go to https://www.dell.com/support, enter your service tag, and download
the latest driver for your graphics card.

62  │  Operating the monitor

If you are using a non-Dell computer (laptop or desktop):
• Go to the support site for your computer and download the latest graphic
drivers.
• Go to your graphics card website and download the latest graphic drivers.

Requirements to view or playback HDR content

(1) Through Ultra BluRay DVD or Game consoles
Ensure the DVD player or Game console is HDR capable, such as Panasonic
DMP-UB900, Xbox One S, and PS4 Pro.
(2) Through a PC
Ensure the graphics card used is HDR capable, i.e., it has a HDMI2.0a (with HDR
option) compliant port and HDR graphics driver is installed. HDR capable
application program must be used, such as Cyberlink PowerDVD 17, Windows 10
Movies & TV app.
NOTE: To download and install the latest graphics driver that supports
HDR content playback on your Dell desktop or laptop, see https://
www.dell.com/support/drivers.
NVIDIA
For a full range of HDR capable NVIDIA graphics cards, see www.nvidia.com.
Ensure to download driver that supports Full Screen Playback mode (e.g. PC
games, UltraBluRay players), HDR on Win 10 Redstone 2 OS: 381.65 or later.
AMD
For a full range of HDR capable AMD graphics cards, see www.amd.com. Read
the HDR driver support information and download the latest driver.
Intel (Integrated Graphics)
HDR capable processor: CannonLake or later
Suitable HDR player: Windows 10 Movies & TV app
Operating System (OS) with HDR support: Windows 10 Redstone 3
Driver with HDR support: see downloadcenter.intel.com for the latest HDR
driver
NOTE: HDR playback through OS (e.g. playback of HDR in a window
within desktop) requires Windows 10 Redstone 2 or later with
appropriate application program such as PowerDVD 17. Playing back
protected content will require appropriate DRM software and/or
hardware, e.g. Microsoft Playready™. For support information, see
https://www.support.microsoft.com.

Operating the monitor  │  63

Using the tilt, swivel, and vertical extension
NOTE: The following instructions are applicable only for attaching the
stand that was shipped with your monitor. If you are attaching a stand
that you purchased from any other source, follow the set up
instructions that were included with the stand.
With the stand attached to the monitor, you can adjust the monitor for the most
comfortable viewing angle.

Tilt
S2721Q S2721QS

NOTE: The stand is not installed at the factory when shipped.

Swivel (S2721QS only)

64  │  Operating the monitor

Vertical extension (S2721QS only)
NOTE: The stand extends vertically up to 110 mm. The figure below
illustrates how to extend the stand vertically.

Rotating the display (S2721QS only)

Before you rotate the display, ensure it is completely extended vertically and
completely tilted up to avoid hitting the bottom edge of the monitor.

Operating the monitor  │  65

Rotate clockwise

Rotate counterclockwise

NOTE: To use the Display Rotation function (Landscape versus Portrait

view) with your Dell computer, you require an updated graphics driver
that is not included with this monitor. To download the graphics driver,
go to www.dell.com/support and see the Download section for Video
Drivers for latest driver updates.
NOTE: In the Portrait mode, you may experience performance
degradation when using graphic-intensive applications, such as 3D
gaming.

66  │  Operating the monitor

Adjusting the rotation display settings of your system
After you have rotated your monitor, you need to complete the procedure below to
adjust the Rotation Display Settings of your system.
NOTE: If you are using the monitor with a non-Dell computer, you need
to go the graphics driver website or your computer manufacturer
website for information on rotating the 'contents' on your display.
To adjust the Rotation Display Settings:
1. Right-click on the desktop and click Properties.
2. Select the Settings tab and click Advanced.
3. If you have an ATI graphics card, select the Rotation tab and set the
preferred rotation.
4. If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, click the NVIDIA tab, in the left-hand
column select NVRotate, and then select the preferred rotation.
5. If you have an Intel® graphics card, select the Intel graphics tab, click
Graphic Properties, select the Rotation tab, and then set the preferred
rotation.
NOTE: If you do not see the rotation option or it is not working
correctly, go to www.dell.com/support and download the latest driver
for your graphics card.

Operating the monitor  │  67

Troubleshooting
WARNING: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,
follow the Safety instructions.

Self-test
Your monitor provides a self-test feature that allows you to check whether your
monitor is functioning properly. If your monitor and computer are properly
connected but the monitor screen remains dark, run the monitor self-test by
performing the following steps:
1. Turn Off both your computer and the monitor.
2. Unplug the video cable from the computer.
3. Turn On the monitor.
The floating dialog box should appear on-screen (against a black background), if the
monitor cannot sense a video signal and is working correctly. While in self-test
mode, the power LED remains white. Also, depending upon the selected input, one
of the dialogs shown below will continuously scroll through the screen.

or

4. This box also appears during normal system operation, if the video cable
becomes disconnected or damaged.

68  │  Troubleshooting
 5. Turn Off your monitor and reconnect the video cable; then turn On both your
computer and the monitor.
If your monitor screen remains blank after you use the previous procedure, check
your video controller and computer, because your monitor is functioning properly.

Built-in diagnostics
Your monitor has a built-in diagnostic tool that helps you determine if the screen
abnormality you are experiencing is an inherent problem with your monitor, or with
your computer and video card.

To run the built-in diagnostics:

1. Ensure that the screen is clean (no dust particles on the surface of the
screen).
2. Press and hold Button 4 for about 4 seconds until a pop menu appears.

3. Use Button 1 or Button 2 to select the diagnostic tool and use Button 3
to confirm. A gray test pattern appears at the beginning of the diagnostic
program.
4. Carefully inspect the screen for abnormalities.
5. Press Button 1 again to change the test patterns.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to inspect the display in red, green, blue, black, white,
and text screens.
7. Press Button 1 to end the diagnostic program.

Troubleshooting  │  69
Common problems
The following table contains general information about common monitor problems
you might encounter and the possible solutions:

Common What you Possible solutions

symptoms experience
No Video/Power No picture • Ensure that the video cable
LED off connecting the monitor and the
computer is properly connected and
secure.
• Verify that the power outlet is
functioning properly using any other
electrical equipment.
• Ensure that the power button is
pressed fully.
• Ensure that the correct input source is
selected in the Input Source menu.
No Video/Power No picture or no • Increase brightness & contrast
LED on brightness controls via OSD.
• Perform monitor self-test feature
check.
• Check for bent or broken pins in the
video cable connector.
• Run the built-in diagnostics.
• Ensure that the correct input source is
selected in the Input Source menu.
Poor Focus Picture is fuzzy, • Eliminate video extension cables.
blurry, or ghosting • Reset the monitor to factory settings.
• Change the video resolution to the
correct aspect ratio.
Shaky/Jittery Wavy picture or • Reset the monitor to factory settings.
Video fine movement • Check environmental factors.
• Relocate the monitor and test in
another room.

70  │  Troubleshooting
Missing Pixels LCD screen has • Cycle power On-Off.
spots • Pixel that is permanently Off is a
natural defect that can occur in LCD
technology.
• For more information on Dell Monitor
Quality and Pixel Policy, see Dell
support site at: www.dell.com/
pixelguidelines.
Stuck-on Pixels LCD screen has • Cycle power On-Off.
bright spots • Pixel that is permanently off is a
natural defect that can occur in LCD
technology.
• For more information on Dell Monitor
Quality and Pixel Policy, see Dell
support site at: www.dell.com/
pixelguidelines.
Brightness Picture too dim or • Reset the monitor to factory settings.
Problems too bright • Adjust brightness & contrast controls
via OSD.
Geometric Screen not • Reset the monitor to factory settings.
Distortion centered correctly
Horizontal/ Screen has one or • Reset the monitor to factory settings.
Vertical Lines more lines • Perform monitor self-test feature
check and determine if these lines are
also in self-test mode.
• Check for bent or broken pins in the
video cable connector.
• Run the built-in diagnostics.

Troubleshooting  │  71
Synchronization Screen is • Reset the monitor to factory settings.
Problems scrambled or • Perform monitor self-test feature
appears torn check to determine if the scrambled
screen appears in self-test mode.
• Check for bent or broken pins in the
video cable connector.
• Restart the computer in the safe
mode.
Safety Related Visible signs of • Do not perform any troubleshooting
Issues smoke or sparks steps.
• Contact Dell immediately.
Intermittent Monitor • Ensure that the video cable
Problems malfunctions on & connecting the monitor to the
off computer is connected properly and is
secure.
• Reset the monitor to factory settings.
• Perform monitor self-test feature
check to determine if the intermittent
problem occurs in self-test mode.
Missing Color Picture missing • Perform monitor self-test feature
color check.
• Ensure that the video cable
connecting the monitor to the
computer is connected properly and is
secure.
• Check for bent or broken pins in the
video cable connector.
Wrong Color Picture color not • Change the settings of the Preset
good Modes in the Color menu OSD
depending on the application.
• Adjust R/G/B value under Custom
Color in the Color menu OSD.
• Change the Input Color Format to
RGB or YPbPr in the Color menu
OSD.
• Run the built-in diagnostics.

72  │  Troubleshooting
Image retention Faint shadow • Set the screen to turn off after a few
from a static from the static minutes of screen idle time. These can
image left on the image displayed be adjusted in Windows Power
monitor for a long appears on the Options or Mac Energy Saver setting.
period of time screen • Alternatively, use a dynamically
changing screensaver.

Product specific problems

Common What you Possible solutions

symptoms experience
Screen image is too Image is centered • Check the Aspect Ratio setting in the
small on screen, but Display menu OSD.
does not fill entire • Reset the monitor to factory settings.
viewing area
Cannot adjust the OSD does not • Turn Off the monitor, unplug the power
monitor with the appear on the cord, plug it back, and then turn On
buttons on the screen the monitor.
front panel • The OSD menu may be locked. Press
and hold the Menu/function button
next to the Power button for 4
seconds to unlock (for more
information, see Lock).
No Input Signal No picture, the • Check the signal source. Ensure the
when user controls LED light is white computer is not in the power saving
are pressed mode by moving the mouse or pressing
any key on the keyboard.
• Check whether the signal cable is
plugged in properly. Re-plug the signal
cable if necessary.
• Reset the computer or video player.
The picture does The picture cannot • Due to different video formats (aspect
not fill the entire fill the height or ratio) of DVDs, the monitor may display
screen width of the screen in full screen.
• Run the built-in diagnostics.

Troubleshooting  │  73
Speakers Specific Problems

Common What you Possible solutions

symptoms experience
No sound coming Cannot hear any • Turn Off the monitor, unplug the
from the speakers sound monitor power cord, replug it, and then
turn On the monitor.
• Check the audio cable connection is
connected correctly to the audio line-
out port of the computer.
• Unplug the audio cable from the audio
line-out port.
• Reset the monitor to factory settings.

74  │  Troubleshooting
Appendix
WARNING: Safety instructions
WARNING: Use of controls, adjustments, or procedures other than
those specified in this documentation may result in exposure to shock,
electrical hazards, and/or mechanical hazards.
For information on safety instructions, see Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory
Information (SERI).

FCC notices (U.S. only) and other regulatory information

For FCC notices and other regulatory information, see the regulatory compliance
website located at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

Contact Dell
For customers in the United States, call 800-WWW-DELL (800-999-3355).
NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find
contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell
product catalog.
Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service
options. Availability varies by country and product, and some services may
not be available in your area.
• Online technical assistance — www.dell.com/support/monitors
• Contacting Dell — www.dell.com/contactdell

EU product database for energy label and product information

sheet
S2721Q: https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/qr/344898
S2721QS: https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/qr/346947

Appendix  │  75