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Dell P2421 Monitor Usage and Troubleshooting Guide

Summary: Learn how to setup and use Dell P2421 monitor. Find troubleshooting instructions for common video or display issues.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Instructions


The key features of the Dell P2421 Monitor are:

  • 1920 x 1200 (16:10) resolution, plus full-screen support for lower resolutions.
  • Wide viewing angle to allow viewing from a sitting or standing position.
  • Digital connectivity with DVI, DisplayPort and HDMI.
  • Equipped with 1 USB upstream port and 4 USB downstream ports.
  • Plug and play capability if supported by your system.
  • Tilt, swivel, height, and rotate adjustment capabilities.
  • Removable stand and Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) 100 mm mounting holes for flexible mounting solutions.
  • On-Screen Display (OSD) adjustments for ease of set-up and screen optimization
  • Power and OSD buttons lock.
  • Digital connectivity with DVI, DisplayPort and HDMI.
  • Security lock slot.
  • 0.5 W standby power when in the sleep 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. The ComfortView feature is designed to reduce the amount of blue light 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 technical specifications of the Dell P2421 Monitor. For more information, see the user manual of the Dell P2421 monitor.

Panel technology
  • In-Plane Switching
Maximum resolution
  • 1920 x 1200 at 60 Hz (32:9 aspect ratio)
Viewing angle
  • 178° (vertical) typical
  • 178° (horizontal) typical
Contrast ratio
  • 1000 to 1 (typical)
Response time
  • 8 milliseconds (Normal)
  • 5 milliseconds (Fast)
Color gamut
  • 99% sRGB
Color depth
  • 16.7 million colors
Ports and connectors
  • 1 x DisplayPort version 1.2
  • 1 x HDMI port version 1.4
  • 1 x DVI port
  • 1 x VGA port
  • 1 x USB 3.0 upstream port
  • 2 x USB 3.0 downstream ports
  • 2 x USB 2.0 downstream ports

For the best viewing experience, assemble the monitor stand, connect and organize the cables, and set up the monitor ergonomically.


Attaching the stand

The standard monitor stand is detached when it is shipped from the factory. To learn how to attach the standard monitor stand, see the user manual of the Dell P2421 monitor.

To learn how to set up any other monitor stand or monitor arm, see the setup guide of the product.

CAUTION: Do not remove the monitor from the packaging box before attaching the stand.
NOTE: The Dell P2421 Monitor is heavy, handle with extreme care. We recommend having two people lift or move this monitor.

Ergonomics

Where you put your monitor is almost as important as what model you buy.

  • The monitor must 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 must be set at eye level when you are sitting comfortably. Adjust your chair height or the height of the monitor to achieve this.

Connecting your monitor to the computer

To connect your Dell P2421 Monitor to your computer:

NOTE: Dell P2421supports display over USB-C port with Alternate mode DP 1.4. Ensure that the USB-C port on your computer supports Alternate mode DP 1.2 or above.
  1. Turn off the computer.
  2. Connect the power cable to the monitor.
  3. Connect the video cable (USB-C, DisplayPort, or HDMI) between the computer and the monitor.
    NOTE: Setting up the monitor with a Dell docking station? Learn How to Connect and Set Up a Docking Station With a Dell Laptop.
    NOTE: Setting up more than one monitor? Learn How to Set up Multiple Monitors or see the user manual of the Dell P2421 monitor.
  4. Connect the USB upstream cable between the monitor and computer (if available).
  5. Turn on the monitor.
  6. Turn on the computer.

For additional product-specific information, see the user manual of the Dell P2421 Monitor.

Dell P2421 Monitor orientation must always be in landscape mode. This includes any wall-mounted monitors, monitors on a stand, or a monitor arm. In a multiple monitor setup, Dell P2421must not be rotated either to 180° (landscape) or 90° (portrait).

CAUTION: Dell P2421setup must comply with the recommended panel orientation and working angle only. Setting up the monitor in an orientation that is not recommended may damage the monitor, cause a safety hazard, or both.

When setting up your Dell P2421 Monitor, ensure that the front panel buttons are at the bottom right.

Using the tilt, swivel, and vertical extension

WARNING: Do not rotate the monitor to 180° (landscape). Do not set the monitor orientation at 90° (portrait).
NOTE: This is applicable for a monitor with a stand. For other stands, see the respective stand setup guide.

The monitor stand allows you to tilt and swivel the monitor to set the most comfortable viewing angle.

Using Tilt and Swivel on Dell P2421 monitor
Figure 1: Using Tilt and Swivel on Dell P2421 Monitor.

Monitors that are mounted on a wall or monitor arm must conform to the recommended panel orientation and working angle.

Orientation of Dell P2421
Figure 2: Orientation of Dell P2421 Monitor

Use the buttons on the monitor to access the on-screen display (OSD) menu of the monitor. To access the on-screen display (OSD) menu, press Button 5 (Figure 3) at the bottom of the monitor.

To learn more about navigating through the on-screen display (OSD) menu, see the user manual of the Dell P2421 Monitor.

NOTE: The monitor automatically saves any changes that you make. Whenever you move to another menu item, exit the OSD menu, or wait for the OSD menu to automatically close.

Dell P2421 Front Panel Buttons
Figure 3: Dell P2421front panel buttons

Table 2: Buttons on the Dell P2421 Monitor
Button Function Description
Button 1 Power button (with LED indicator) A solid white light indicates that the monitor is On and fully functional. Blinking white light indicates the power save mode.
Button 2 Shortcut key for Preset Modes Use this button to choose from a list of preset color modes.
Button 3 Shortcut key for Brightness and Contrast Use this button to adjust the brightness and contrast. Minimum is 0 (-). Maximum is 100 (+).
Button 4 Shortcut key for Input Source Use this button to select the input source.
Button 5 Menu Use the MENU button to launch the On-Screen Display (OSD).
Button 6 Exit Use this button to exit the OSD main menu.

Resetting a monitor to factory defaults can help resolve many video or display-related issues. Reset your Dell P2421 Monitor to factory default settings by following these steps:

  1. Press Button 5 (Figure 4) on the monitor to enter the On-Screen Display (OSD) Menu.
  2. Press Button 3 or Button 4 to highlight Others option in the menu and press Button 5 to select.
  3. Press Button 3 or Button 4 to highlight Factory Reset option in the menu and press Button 5 to select.
  4. Press Button 5 to confirm the reset action.

image.png
Figure 4: Dell P2421Front Panel Buttons

Diagnostic test helps determine if Dell monitor is normal when faced with blank screen, blurry image, flickering or other abnormalities.

Verify that the monitor is working correctly by running a diagnostic test if you experience the following symptoms.

  • Your computer does not turn on or shows any sign of power.
  • Your computer does not show any indication of activity, the screen is blank and does not display the Dell logo during start-up.
  • Your computer gets stuck at the Dell logo screen or does not respond to any keys during start-up.
  • You cannot see any display on the screen.
  • You hear the windows chime, but the monitor screen is blank.

Self-Test Feature Check

Your Dell P2421 Monitor provides a self-test feature check that allows you to check if the monitor is functioning properly. When the monitor is connected to the computer but the screen stays dark, run the monitor self-test by following these steps:

  1. Turn off the computer and the monitor.
  2. Unplug the video cable from the back of the computer. To ensure proper self-test operation, disconnect the video cable (VGA, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C cable) from the back of the computer.
  3. Turn on the monitor. A 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, the dialog box scrolls through the screen.
  4. This box also appears during normal system operation, if the video cable becomes disconnected or damaged.
  5. Turn off the monitor and reconnect the video cable.
  6. Turn on the computer and the monitor.

If the screen remains blank, check the video card (GPU) and computer, because the monitor is functioning properly.


Built-In Self-Test or Built-In Diagnostics

Your Dell P2421 Monitor has an integrated diagnostic tool. Hardware diagnostic helps determine if the screen abnormality issue is with the monitor or the video card on your computer.

If you observe any screen anomalies, you should isolate the monitor by performing the built-in diagnostics (BID).

  1. Make sure that the screen is clean (no dust particles on the surface of the screen).
  2. Unplug the video cables from the back of the computer or the monitor. The monitor will now enter self-test mode.
  3. On the front panel, press and hold Button 2 on the front panel for 5 seconds. A gray screen appears.
  4. Carefully inspect the screen for abnormalities.
  5. Press Button 2 on the front panel again. The color of the screen changes to red.
  6. Inspect the display for any abnormalities.
  7. Repeat step 5 and step 6 to inspect the display in green, blue, black, white, and text screens.
  8. The test is complete when the white screen appears.
  9. Press Button 2 to exit the Built-In Self-Test diagnostics.

If you do not detect any screen abnormalities in the diagnostics test, the monitor is functioning properly. Check the video card (GPU) and the computer.

If you notice any abnormalities in the diagnostics test, contact Dell Technical Support for repair options.

During the manufacturing process, it is not uncommon for one or more pixels to get stuck in an unchanging state. Such pixel issues are hard to see and do not affect the display quality or usability. Learn more about Dell Display Pixel Guidelines.

The following table contains information about troubleshooting common display-related issues on your Dell P2421 Monitor.

Alternatively, learn How to Troubleshoot Display or Video Issues on a Dell Monitor or check our Dell monitor self-help guide.

Table 3: Troubleshooting common display issues on Dell P2421 Monitor.
Common Problem What User Experiences Possible Solution
No Video - Power LED Off No picture.
  • Connect the power cable securely to the monitor.
  • Verify that the power outlet is functioning properly by using any other electrical equipment.
  • Press the poewr button.
  • Test with a known-good cable and known-good computer if possible.
No Video - Power LED On No picture or no brightness.
Poor Focus Picture is fuzzy, blurry, or ghosting.
Shaky or Jittery Video Wavy picture or fine movement.
Missing Pixels LCD screen has spots.
  • Turn off the monitor and then turn on the monitor after a few minutes.
  • Pixel that is permanently off is a natural defect that can occur in LCD technology.
  • Run the built-in diagnostic (BID) test.
Stuck On/Off Pixels LCD screen has bright spot.
Brightness Problems Picture too dim or too bright.
Geometric Distortion Screen not centered correctly.
NOTE: When using DisplayPort input, the positioning adjustments are not available.
Horizontal or Vertical Lines Screen has one or more lines.
NOTE: When using DisplayPort input, the positioning adjustments are not available.
Synchronization Problems Screen appears scrambled or torn.
Safety-Related Issues Visible signs of smoke or sparks.
Intermittent Problems Monitor malfunctions on and off.
Missing Color Picture does not have color.
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 videos and applications with fast-moving images, imaging ghosting, which appears as a trailing shadow, may occur.

Change the Response Time to Fast using the On-Screen Display (OSD) 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.
  • Connect the video cable securely between the monitor and computer.
  • Restart the computer.
The picture does not fill the entire screen. The picture cannot fill the height or width of the screen.
No Video, No Display No video when connecting docking, dongle, or Blu-ray DVD players Because legacy platforms cannot identify or output 1234 x 1234, adjust the EDID to a lower resolution to address this compatibility issue.
  1. Remove all input cables.
  2. Press Button 3 and Button 4 for 5 seconds.
  3. Choose Enable on POP up screen to change the maximum resolution from 1234 x 1234 to 3840 x 1080.
Unable to switch back to native resolution (1234 x 1234) after Picture by Picture is turned off.

Dell P2421 supports Picture by Picture (PBP) mode. Picture by Picture (PBP) mode is 2 side-by-side images with each image that is displayed at 2560 x 1440 resolution.

When the monitor is connected to a computer using HDMI and PBP mode is turned off, the monitor may display images at the lower resolution (2560 x 1440) rather than automatically switching to the native resolution (1234 x 1234).

  1. Disconnect the HDMI cable.
  2. Wait for 5-10 seconds.
  3. Connect the HDMI cable.
Display mode changes from Second screen only to Extended mode after opening and closing the laptop LCD.

The display mode on your computer reverts to Duplicate or Extend. This depends on which was selected before you changed to Second screen only or Projector only when you close and open the laptop screen.

When you close and then reopen the lid on a laptop, the Connecting and Configuring Displays (CCD) feature in Windows automatically reverts the display mode to the last active selection. This behavior is by design in Microsoft Windows.

Switch to the display mode that you want after you close and reopen the laptop screen manually:

  1. Press the Windows + P key on the keyboard.
  2. Select Second screen only or Projector only mode.
Monitor blinks twice when connected to computer with Nvidia NVS 310 video or graphics card.

When the monitor is turned-off and back on, the monitor may blink twice. This issue may occur if the computer is using a Nvidia Graphic NVS 310 card and graphics card resolution setting is 2560 x 1600.

To resolve this issue, manually set the resolution to 2560 x 1440 using the Nvidia Control Panel.

  1. Right-click on the desktop and select Nvidia Control Panel.
  2. In the Nvidia Control Panel, select Change resolution on the left panel.
  3. Under Resolution, select 2560 x 1440.
  4. Click Apply to confirm.
Monitor has sound icon when Dell P2421 is connected to a laptop using HDMI.

Dell P2421 does not support audio or sound using HDMI. Speakers or headphones must be connected using the audio connector on the computer.

To resolve the audio icon displaying, update the video or graphics (GPU) driver to the latest version. Learn How to Download and Install Dell Drivers.

Monitor will not display Blu-Ray video after the monitor is powered-off and powered on. If the monitor is powered-off and powered-on when displaying the Blu-Ray video, the Blu-ray player may lose the data signal from the system to the monitor.
  1. Disconnect the HDMI cable
  2. Wait for 5 seconds
  3. Connect the HDMI cable
Cannot enable YCbCr color mode on the monitor. When monitor is connect to the computer using HDMI, the video or graphics card (GPU) controls the YCbCr setting Disable the YCbCr setting from the video or graphics utility such as Intel HD Graphics Control Panel.
Monitor will not support the YCbCr color format when a USB-C to HDMI dongle is connected from the monitor to the computer. Some combinations of USB-C to HDMI dongle and video or graphics card (GPU) are not compatible to support the YCbCr color format.
  • Do not use the dongle
  • Connect the computer to the monitor using the HDMI cable or the USB-C cable
  • Disable the YCbCr setting from the video or graphics card (GPU) utility such as Intel HD Graphics Control Panel
When changing the monitor’s resolution from Windows Display Settings, the image quality may not be good. Windows Display Settings and the resolution settings on the laptop's video or graphics utility may not be compatible. Change the resolution using the video or graphics card (GPU) utility such as Intel HD Graphics Control Panel.
No video when the monitor is connected to a Dell docking station. The monitor may not receive video signals from the computer when connected to a Dell docking station. To learn more about how to set up and configure the Dell P2421 monitor with a Dell docking station, see the user manual of the Dell P2421 monitor.
Light leak from the monitor The monitor appears to have light leak from the edges in a dark room This is the normal behavior of the monitor. Dell consumer monitors are tested under 150-lux ambient lighting (similar to typical office lighting). Dell UltraSharp and Gaming monitors are tested with tighter criteria of 70-lux ambient lighting (dimly lit room, but not dark). Learn more about Troubleshooting Light Leakage or Light Bleeding on a Dell Monitor or Laptop LCD Screen.
Color variation on the corners of the monitor The monitor appears to have color variation on the corners of the screen

The optimal viewing position for the monitor is from the center of the screen.

Dell P2421 monitor uses a curved IPS panel, the corners of the screen may appear slightly yellowish or pinkish, especially when viewing in a dark room. This is normal IPS panel behavior and typically does not affect the overall viewing performance.

  1. Change the Uniformity Compensation using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu.
  2. Change the Uniformity compensation setting to Calibrated
No video when a Blu-Ray, DVD player or PS4 is connected to the monitor using HDMI. The monitor does not display any video when an external Blu-ray, DVD player or PS4 is connected.

Dell P2421 monitor is factory default set at HDMI EDID with 3 Block (Detailed Timing Descriptor) to support 1234 x 1234 @ 60 Hz. To display a resolution of 3840 x 1080 @ 60 Hz or lower, you must switch the monitor HDMI EDID from 3 Block to 2 Block.

  1. Remove all input cables from the monitor
  2. Press and hold Button 3 and Button 4 for 5 seconds
  3. A message box appears. Select Enable to switch to the lower primary resolution

To display 1234 x 1234 resolution over HDMI again, you must switch the monitor back to HDMI EDID 3 Block. Follow Steps 1 and 2, and select Disable.

Horizontal stripes when watching online videos using Microsoft Movies and TV app, Microsoft Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge. Unwanted horizontal stripes appear on the video playback window when viewing online videos on YouTube using Microsoft Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge browser. They are also seen while watching online videos using the Movies and TV app.
  • Change the monitor resolution to 4k 3840 x 1080 or lower.
  • For YouTube videos, change the playback resolution to 720p or lower.

The following table contains information about troubleshooting USB issues on your Dell P2421 monitor.

Table 4: Troubleshooting USB issues on Dell P2421 monitor.
Troubleshooting USB Issues
Specific Symptoms What User Experiences Possible Solution
USB interface is not working. USB devices are not working.
  • Check that your monitor is turned On.
  • Reconnect the upstream cable to your computer.
  • Reconnect the USB devices (downstream connector).
  • Switch Off and then turn On the monitor again.
  • Reboot the computer.
  • Some USB devices such as an external hard drive require a higher electric current, connect the device directly to the computer.
High-Speed USB 3.0 interface is slow. High-Speed USB 3.0 devices working slowly or not working at all
  • Check that your computer is USB 3.0 capable.
  • Some computers have USB 3.0, 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 devices (downstream connector).
  • Reboot the computer.
Wireless USB devices stop working when a USB 3.0 device is plugged in. Wireless USB devices responding slowly or only working as the distance between itself and its receiver decreases.
  • Increase the distance between the USB 3.0 devices and the wireless USB receiver.
  • Position your wireless USB receiver as close as possible to the wireless USB devices.
  • Use a USB-extender cable to position the wireless USB receiver as far away as possible from the USB 3.0 port.
USB-C port does not supply power. USB devices cannot be charged.
  • Check that the connected device is compliant with the USB-C specification. The USB-C port supports USB 3.1 with speeds up to 10 Gbps and an output of 90 W.
  • Ensure you use the USB-C cable shipped with your monitor.
USB ports on the monitor do not work when the monitor is connected to a computer using USB-C. If the monitor is powered-off and powered-on too quickly, the laptop will not recognize the system change.
  1. Turn off the monitor.
  2. Wait for 5 seconds.
  3. Turn on the monitor.
Monitor does not wake up using the USB keyboard or mouse that is connected to the monitor. In sleep mode, the monitor does not receive power to the USB 3.0 ports. Wake up the laptop using the built-in keyboard or touchpad

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information, click to expand a section below.

NOTE: If you do not see the recommended resolution as an option, update the video card (GPU) driver of your Dell computer from https://www.dell.com/support/drivers or the video card (GPU) manufacturer's website. Learn How to Download and Install Dell Drivers.

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 5120 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 5120 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 5120 x 1440.
  5. Click Apply.

The Dell P2421 monitor has two built-in diagnostics that are available:

  • Self-Test Feature Check - The self-test feature check on the Dell P2421 monitor allows you to check whether the monitor is functioning properly.

  • Built-In Self-Test - The Dell P2421 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 such as distortion, clarity, horizontal or vertical lines, color fade. It is always a good practice to isolate the monitor by running the built-in diagnostics.

Learn how to run a diagnostic test on the Dell P2421 monitor.

The troubleshooting section of this article provides information about troubleshooting common issues with your Dell P2421 monitor.

This 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.

Learn how to access the on-screen display (OSD) menu on the Dell P2421 monitor. For additional product-specific information, see the user manual of the Dell P2421 monitor.

Information about the monitor such as the model number, firmware version, and Service Tag can be accessed using the on-screen display (OSD) menu of the monitor.

Learn how to access the on-screen display (OSD) menu on the Dell P2421 monitor. For additional product-specific information, see the user manual of the Dell P2421 monitor.

Dell P2421 supports DisplayPort 1.4 connectivity with your computer. If the video or graphics card (GPU) on your computer supports DisplayPort 1.2, it is required to change the monitor to DisplayPort 1.2 mode.

NOTE: The default factory setting on the Dell P2421 is DisplayPort 1.4 (DP1.4).
  1. Press Button 5 (Figure 5) on the monitor to enter the On-Screen Display (OSD) Menu
  2. Press Button 3 or Button 4 to highlight Input Source in the menu and press Button 5 to select.
  3. Press Button 3 or Button 4 to highlight DP in the menu.
  4. Press and hold Button 5 for approximately 10 seconds until the DisplayPort configuration message appears.
  5. Press Button 5 to select Disable and change the display mode to DisplayPort version 1.2

Dell P2421 Front Panel Buttons
Figure 5: Dell P2421 Front Panel Buttons

Dell P2421 supports both HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 1.4 connectivity with your computer. If the video or graphics card (GPU) on your computer supports HDMI 1.4, it is required to change the monitor to HDMI 1.4 mode.

NOTE: The default factory setting on the Dell P2421 is HDMI 2.0.
  1. Press Button 5 (Figure 6) on the monitor to enter the On-Screen Display (OSD) Menu
  2. Press Button 3 or Button 4 to highlight Input Source in the menu and press Button 5 to select.
  3. Press Button 3 or Button 4 to highlight HDMI in the menu.
  4. Press and hold Button 5 for approximately 10 seconds until the HDMI configuration message appears.
  5. Press Button 5 to select Disable and change the display mode to HDMI version 1.4

Dell P2421 Front Panel Buttons
Figure 6: Dell P2421 Front Panel Buttons

For information about the supported orientation to set up the Dell P2421 monitor, see the monitor orientation section of this article.

Affected Products

Dell P2421
Article Properties
Article Number: 000181568
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 24 Oct 2023
Version:  6
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