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Article Number: 000180662

Dell P3421W Monitor Usage and Troubleshooting Guide

Summary: Learn how to set up and use Dell P3421W monitor. Find troubleshooting instructions for common video or display issues

This article may have been automatically translated. If you have any feedback regarding its quality, please let us know using the form at the bottom of this page.

Article Content

Instructions

P3421W monitor product shot

Quick Links

Getting Started with your Dell P3421W Monitor Dell P3421W Monitor Setup, Specifications and Service Manual Dell Drivers & Downloads Warranty and Support Services Frequently asked questions

For help with video or display issues such as: no video or no display, blank or black screen, flickering, resolution or color issues, horizontal or vertical lines, etc. refer to an expanding section below.

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The key features of Dell P3421W monitor

The Dell P3421W monitor has an active matrix, Thin-Film Transistor (TFT), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and LED backlight. The monitor features include:

  • 86.72 cm (34.14 in.) viewable area (measured diagonally).
  • 3440 x 1440 (21:9) resolution, plus full-screen support for lower resolutions.
  • Digital connectivity with DisplayPort, USB Type-C and HDMI.
  • Single USB Type-C to supply power (PD 65 W) to a compatible notebook while receiving video & data signal.
  • The built-in KVM switch allows you to control up to 2 computers from a singleset of keyboard and mouse connected to the monitor
  • Ultrathin bezel minimizes the bezel gap in multimonitor usage, enabling easier setup with an elegant viewing experience
  • Supports Picture by Picture (PBP) and Picture in Picture (PIP) Select mode.
  • On-Screen Display (OSD) adjustments for ease of set-up and screen optimization.
  • Removable stand and Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) 100 mm mounting holes for flexible mounting solutions.
  • Tilt, swivel, height, and slant adjustment capabilities.
  • ≤ 0.3 W in Standby Mode.
  • Optimize eye comfort with a flicker-free screen.
Warning: The possible long-term effects of blue light emission from the monitor may damage your eyes, including eye fatigue or digital eye strain. ComfortView feature is designed to reduce the amount of blue light that is emitted from the monitor to optimize eye comfort.
Warning: Do not mount this monitor in vertical orientation due to the risk of damaging the monitor.

This section provides some specifications of the Dell P3421W monitor. To learn more about the specifications of Dell P3421W monitor, refer to the User's Guide at the Dell Manuals website.

Screen type
  • Active matrix - TFT LCD
Panel technology
  • In-Plane Switching Technology
Aspect ratio
  • 21:9
Viewable image
  • Diagonal 867.2 mm (34.14 in.)
  • Width (active area) 799.8 mm (31.49 in.)
  • Height (active area) 334.8 mm (13.18 in.)
  • Total Area 267773.04 mm2 (415.05 in.2)
Pixel pitch
  • 0.2325 mm x 0.2325 mm
Pixel per inch (PPI)
  • 109
Viewing angle
  • 178° (vertical) typical
  • 178° (horizontal) typical
Luminance output
  • 300 cd/m² (typical)
Contrast ratio
  • 1000 to 1 (typical)
Response time
  • 8 ms (Normal)
  • 5 ms (Fast)
Curvature
  • 3800R (typical)
Color depth
  • 1.07 billion colors
Connectivity
  • 1 x DisplayPort version 1.2 (HDCP 2.3)
  • 1 x HDMI port version 2.0 (HDCP 2.3)
  • 1 x USB Type-C upstream port (Alternate mode with DisplayPort 1.2, Power Delivery PD up to 65 W)*
  • 1 x SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen1) upstream port
  • 2 x SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen1) downstream port
  • 2 x USB 2.0 downstream port

Ensuring that your Dell monitor is set up properly. Assembling the monitor stand and setting up the monitor ergonomically. Connecting the cables and organizing them. These will only help make the viewing experience the best it possibly can be.

Attaching the stand

The standard monitor stand is detached when the monitor is shipped from the factory. To learn more about attaching the standard monitor stand. Refer to the Setting Up the Monitor section in the User's Guide of your Dell P3421W monitor.
To learn how to set up any other stand with a monitor, refer to the respective stand setup guide for setup instructions.

Caution: Do not remove the monitor from the packaging box before attaching the stand.
 
Note: The Dell P3421W monitor is very heavy; handle with extreme care. It is recommended to have two people to lift or move this monitor.

Ergonomics

Where you put your monitor is almost as important as what model you buy. The monitor should be directly in front of you, at an arm’s length away (between 20-40 inches from your eyes). The top edge of the screen at eye level when you are sitting comfortably. You may need to adjust your chair height or the height of the monitor to achieve this.

Connecting your monitor to the PC

To connect your Dell P3421W monitor to your PC:

  1. Turn off your PC and disconnect the power cable.
  2. Connect the DisplayPort, HDMI, or USB Type-C cable to the corresponding video or display port on the back of your PC.
    Note: Dell P3421W supports display over USB Type-C port with Alternate mode DP 1.4. Ensure that the USB Type-C on your PC supports Alternate mode DP 1.2 or above.

    To learn more about connecting your monitor to the PC, refer to the Dell knowledge-base article: How to Connect a Monitor to a Dell Computer

  3. Connect the USB upstream cable to the monitor and PC.

Dell P3421W monitor orientation must always be in landscape mode. This includes any wall-mounted monitors and monitors on a stand. In a multiple monitor setup, Dell P3421W should not be rotated either to 180° (landscape) or 90° (portrait).

Caution: Dell P3421W setup must comply to the recommended panel orientation and working angle only. Setting up the monitor in an orientation that is not recommended may damage the monitor and/or cause a safety hazard.

When setting up your Dell P3421W monitor, ensure that the monitor front panel buttons is on the bottom right.

Using the Tilt, Swivel, and Vertical Extension
Note: This is applicable for a monitor with a stand. When any other stand is bought, please refer to the respective stand setup guide for set-up instructions.
Warning: The monitor should not be rotated 180° (landscape). The monitor should not be orientated at 90° (portrait).

When you the toggle or press the joystick, the Menu Launcher appears to let you access the OSD main menu and shortcut functions, to select a function, move the joystick.

Learn more about using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu. Refer to the Operating Your Monitor section in the User's Guide of Dell P3421W monitor.

Note: Any changes that you make are automatically saved. Whenever you move to another menu item, exit the OSD menu, or wait for the OSD menu to automatically close.

Dell P3421W Front Panel Buttons
Figure 1: Dell P3421W Front Panel Buttons
Button Description
Button 1 To launch the On-Screen Display (OSD) main menu. See Accessing the menu system.
Button 2 When you move the joystick to the left or right to toggle between the shortcut functions, the selected item will be highlighted and shifted to the center position. Press the joystick to enter its submenu.
  • Input Source: To choose an input source from the list of video signals that may be connected to your monitor
  • Preset Modes: To choose a preferred color mode from the list of preset modes.
  • Brightness/Contrast: To access the adjustment sliders of brightness and contrast.
Button 3 To exit the Menu Launcher.

Resetting a monitor to factory defaults can help resolve many video or display issues. To reset your Dell P3421W monitor to factory default settings, follow these instructions:

  1. Press Button 1 (Figure 1) on the monitor to enter the On-Screen Display (OSD) Menu.
  2. Scroll to Reset Menu, then click on it to reset all OSD settings to the factory preset values.

Dell P3421W Front Panel Buttons
Figure 2: Dell P3421W Front Panel Buttons

If your Dell monitor has a blank or black screen, fuzzy or blurry image, flickering, distorted or any other screen abnormalities, running a diagnostic test will help determine if the Dell monitor is functioning normally. To learn more about diagnostic options on a Dell monitor, refer to the Dell knowledge-base article: How to Run a Diagnostic Test on a Dell Monitor

It is always essential to isolate the monitor while troubleshooting your computer for the following scenarios:

  • No Power - Your computer is not powering ON or showing any signs of power.
 
  • No POST - Your computer is not showing any indication of activity, the screen might be blank and will not display the Dell logo during start-up.
 
  • No Video - You are unable to see any display on the screen, able to hear the windows chime but no display is seen.

Your Dell P3421W Monitor provides a self-test feature check that allows you to check whether the monitor is functioning properly. If the 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 back of the computer. To ensure proper Self-Test operation, remove the video cables (VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort) from the back of the computer.
  3. Turn on the monitor.
  4. Turn off your monitor and reconnect the video cable: then turn on both your computer and the monitor.
  5. If your monitor screen remains blank after you use the previous procedure, check your video card (GPU) and computer, because your monitor is functioning properly.

Your Dell P3421W monitor has a built-in diagnostic tool. It helps to determine if the screen abnormality you are experiencing is a problem with the monitor or with the video card on your computer.

Note: If you do not detect any screen abnormalities upon using the built-in diagnostic tool, the monitor is functioning properly. Check the video card (GPU) and the computer.
If you notice any abnormalities during Built-In Diagnostics, you may get the monitor repaired or replaced if it is under warranty by contacting Dell Technical Support.

During the LCD Monitor manufacturing process, it is not uncommon for one or more pixels to become fixed in an unchanging state. Which is hard to see and do not affect the display quality or usability. For more information, refer to the Dell knowledge-base article Dell Display Pixel Guidelines .

This section provides information about troubleshooting steps that can help resolve the most common issues with the Dell P3421W monitor. Alternatively, to learn more about troubleshooting common issues on Dell monitors, refer to the Dell knowledge-base article Troubleshooting Display or Video Issues on a Dell Monitor.

 

Common Problem What User Experiences Possible Solution
No Video - Power LED Off No picture
  • Make sure that the power cable connecting the monitor is properly connected and secure.
  • Verify that the power outlet is functioning properly using any other electrical equipment.
  • Make sure that the power button is depressed fully.
  • Test with known good cable and known good system if possible.
No Video - Power LED On No picture or no brightness.
  • Increase the brightness and contrast of the monitor through On-Screen Display Menu (OSD).
  • Perform monitor self-test feature check.
  • Check for bent or broken pins in the video cable connector.
  • Reseat both ends of video cable.
  • Try with known good video cable.
  • Run the built-in diagnostics.
  • Make sure that the correct input source is selected via the Input Source Select button.
  • Test monitor with known good system if available.
Poor Focus Picture is fuzzy, blurry, or ghosting.
Shaky or Jittery Video Wavy picture or fine movement.
Missing Pixels LCD screen has spots.
  • Cycle power on-off.
  • Pixel that is permanently off is a natural defect that can occur in LCD technology.
  • Run the built-in diagnostics.
Stuck-On/Off Pixels LCD screen has bright spot.
  • Cycle power on-off.
  • A few permanently bright or dark pixels are considered normal by industry standards. The exact number of pixels that are allowed varies depending on the monitor. Refer to Dell Display Pixel Guidelines for more details.
  • Run the built-in diagnostics.
Brightness Problems Picture too dim or too bright.
Geometric Distortion Screen not centered correctly.
When using DisplayPort input, the positioning adjustments are not available.
Horizontal or Vertical Lines Screen has one or more lines.
When using DisplayPort input, the positioning adjustments are not available.
Synchronization Problems Screen is scrambled or appears torn.
  • Reset the monitor to the Factory Settings.
  • Perform Auto Adjust via On-Screen Display Menu (OSD).
  • Adjust Phase and Pixel Clock controls via On-Screen Display Menu (OSD).
  • Perform monitor self-test feature 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 power safe mode.
Safety-Related Issues Visible signs of smoke or sparks.
  • Do not perform any troubleshooting steps.
  • Contact Dell Technical Support immediately.
Intermittent Problems Monitor malfunctions on and off.
  • Make sure that the video cable is connected properly with the monitor and the computer.
  • Reset the monitor to the Factory Settings.
  • Run the self-test feature and determine if the intermittent problem occurs in the self-test mode.
Missing Color Picture does not have color.
  • Run the monitor self-test feature check.
  • Make sure 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 is not good.
Image Retention from a Static Image Left on the Monitor for a Long Period Faint shadow from the static image appears on the screen.
  • Use the Power Management feature to turn off the monitor when it is not in use.
  • Alternatively, use a dynamically changing screensaver.
Screen image is too small. Image is centered on screen, but does not fill entire viewing area.
Image Ghosting Fast moving images leave a trail of shadow images.

On certain video and applications with fast moving images, imaging ghosting, which appears as a trailing shadow, may occur.

Change the Response Time to Fast in the Display menu.
No Input Signal when user controls are pressed. No picture, the power LED light is white.
  • Check the signal source. Ensure that the computer is not in power-saving mode by moving the mouse or pressing any key on the keyboard.
  • Make sure that the video cable is connected properly with the monitor and the computer.
  • Restart the computer.
The picture does not fill the entire screen. The picture cannot fill the height or width of the screen.
  • Due to different video formats (aspect ratio) of DVDs and videos, the monitor may display in screen.
  • Run the built-in diagnostics.
No video at HDMI / Display Port / USB Type-C port. When connected to some dongle/docking device at the port, there is no video when unplugging/plugging the cable from the notebook. Unplug the HDMI/DisplayPort/USB Type-C cable from dongle/docking device, then plug the docking HDMI/DisplayPort/USB Type-C cable to the notebook.
 
Troubleshooting USB Issues
Specific Symptoms What User Experiences Possible Solution
USB interface is not working. USB peripherals are not working.
  • Check that your monitor is turned On.
  • Reconnect the upstream cable to your computer.
  • Reconnect the USB peripherals (downstream connector).
  • Switch Off and then turn On the monitor again.
  • Reboot the computer.
  • Some USB devices like external portable HDD require higher electric current; connect the device directly to the computer.
USB Type-C port does not supply power. USB peripherals cannot be charged.
  • Check that the connected device is compliant with the USB-C specification. The USB Type-C port supports USB 3.2 Gen1 and an output of 65 W.
  • Ensure you use the USB Type-C cable shipped with your monitor.
SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen1) interface is slow. SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen1) peripherals working slowly or not working at all
  • Check that your computer is SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen1)-compatible.
  • Some computers have USB 3.2, USB 2.0, and USB 1.1 ports. Ensure that the correct USB port is used.
  • Reconnect the upstream cable to your computer.
  • Reconnect the USB peripherals (downstream connector).
  • Reboot the computer.
Wireless USB peripherals stop working when a USB 3.2 device is plugged in. Wireless USB peripherals responding slowly or only working as the distance between itself and its receiver decreases.
  • Increase the distance between the USB 3.2 peripherals and the wireless USB receiver.
  • Position your wireless USB receiver as close as possible to the wireless USB peripherals.
  • Use a USB-extender cable to position the wireless USB receiver as far away as possible from the USB 3.2 port.

To learn more about how to view or download the User Guides and Manuals for your Dell product. Refer to the Dell knowledge-base article Manuals and Documentation for your Dell Product.


Frequently asked questions

Using Windows Display Settings

In Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8 or 8.1 and Windows 7:

  1. For Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 only, select the Desktop tile to switch to classic desktop view.
  2. Right-click on the desktop and click Screen Resolution.
  3. Click the dropdown list of the Screen Resolution and select 3440 x 1440

    .
  4. Click OK

Using Nvidia Control Panel

To change the resolution using the Nvidia Control Panel:

  1. Right-click on the desktop and click Nvidia Control Panel.
  2. Click the + symbol next to Display on the left pane.
  3. Select Change Resolution under Display.
  4. In the dropdown menu on the right pane, select the resolution 3440 x 1440

    .
  5. Click Apply.

Using AMD Catalyst Control Center

To change the resolution using the AMD Catalyst Control Center:

  1. Right-click on the desktop and click AMD Catalyst Control Center.
  2. Click the + symbol next to Display on the left pane.
  3. Select Change Resolution under Display.
  4. In the dropdown menu on the right pane, select the resolution 3440 x 1440

    .
  5. Click Apply.
Note: If you do not see the recommended resolution as an option. You may need to update the video card (GPU) driver by visiting the Dell Drivers & Downloads website or the video card (GPU) manufacturers website. To learn how to download and update a device driver, refer to the Dell knowledge-base article: How to Download and Install Dell Drivers.

To reset the Dell P3421W Monitor to factory defaults, refer to the Reset to Factory Settings section of this article.

The Dell P3421W monitor has two built-in diagnostics that are available:

  • Self-Test Feature Check - The self-test feature check on the Dell P3421W monitor allows you to check whether the monitor is functioning properly.
 
  • Built-In Self-Test - The Dell P3421W monitor has a built-in self-test that helps you identify if the screen abnormality is with the monitor or the video card (GPU) on your computer. When you notice screen abnormalities like distortion, clarity, horizontal or vertical lines, color fade. It is always a good practice to isolate the monitor by running the Built-In Diagnostics.

To learn how to run a diagnostic test, refer to the Running Diagnostics on Dell P3421W Monitor section of this Dell knowledge-base article.

The Troubleshooting section of this Dell knowledge-base article provides information about troubleshooting common issues with the Dell P3421W monitor. The section has troubleshooting steps on how to resolve power issues, video issues, color or clarity issues, distortion issues, horizontal or vertical lines, brightness issues or pixel issues and so on.

To navigate the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu, use the buttons on the monitor. The monitor control buttons are usually on the right side, either on the side, front, or bottom of the monitor. To access the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu, press Button 1 on the monitor.

For more information about using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu and different menu options. Refer to the Operating Your Monitor section in the User's Guide of your Dell P3421W monitor.

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Additional Information

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Article Properties

Affected Product

Dell P3421W

Last Published Date

03 Nov 2023

Version

9

Article Type

How To

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