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Dell E2221HN and E2421HN Usage and Troubleshooting Guide

Summary: This article describes usage and troubleshooting for E2221HN and E2421HN monitors.

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.
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Instructions

Image depicts the E2221HN-E2421HN Monitor

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.

 

The Dell E2221HN/E2421HN flat panel monitor has an active matrix, Thin-Film Transistor (TFT), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Panel with LED backlight. The monitor features include :
  • E2221HN: 54.68 cm (21.5 in.) diagonal viewable area display (measured diagonally). 1920 x 1080 resolution, with full-screen support for lower resolutions.
  • E2421HN: 60.47 cm (23.8 in.) diagonal viewable area display (measured diagonally). 1920 x 1080 resolution, with full-screen support for lower resolutions.
  • E2221HN: Viewing angles of 160 degrees in vertical and 170 degrees in horizontal directions.
  • E2421HN: Wide viewing angles of 178 degrees in vertical and horizontal directions.
  • Dynamic contrast ratio (1,000:1).
  • Digital connectivity with HDMI
  • Plug and play capable if supported by your computer.
  • On-Screen Display (OSD) adjustments for easy setup and screen optimization.
  • 0.3 W standby power when in the sleep mode.
  • Optimize eye comfort with a flicker-free screen.
  • Possible long-term effects if blue light emission from the monitor may cause damage to the eyes, including eye fatigue or digital eye strain. ComfortView feature to reduce risk of eye strain from high blue light emission.
  • Security-lock slot.
  • Arsenic-free glass and Mercury-free for panel only.
  • BFR/PVC-Reduced (Its circuit boards are made from BFR/PVC-free laminates).
  • Meets NFPA 99 leakage current requirement.
  • TCO-certified display.
  • EPEAT registered where applicable. EPEAT registration varies by country. See www.epeat.net for registration status by country.
  • RoHS Compliant.
  • Energy Star® Certified.
 
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.
 
 

This section provides some specifications of the Dell E2221HN/E2421HN monitor. To learn more about the specifications of Dell E2221HN/E2421HN monitor, refer to the User's Guide at the Dell Manuals website.

Model E2221HN E2421HN
Screen type Active matrix-TFT LCD Active matrix-TFT LCD
Panel type TN In-Plane Switching
Viewable Area - Diagonal 546.86 mm (21.5 in.) 604.70 mm (23.8 in.)
Active Area - Horizontal 476.64 mm (18.77 in.) 527.04 mm (20.75 in.)
Active Area - Vertical 268.11 mm (10.56 in.) 296.46 mm (11.67 in.)
Area 0.2482 mm x 0.2482 mm 0.2745 mm x 0.2745 mm
Pixel per inch (PPI) 102 92
Viewing angle - Horizontal 170° (typical) 178° (typical)
Viewing angle - Vertical 160° (typical) 178° (typical)
Brightness 250 cd/m² (typical) 250 cd/m² (typical)
Contrast ratio 1,000 to 1 (typical) 1,000 to 1 (typical)
Faceplate coating Anti-glare with 3H hardness Anti-glare with 3H hardness
Backlight LED light bar system LED light bar system
Response time - Normal Mode 5 ms 8 ms
Fast mode - 5 ms
Color depth 16.7 million colors 16.7 million colors
Color gamut 72% (CIE1931)/83% (CIE1976) 72% (CIE1931)/83% (CIE1976)
Dell display manager compatibility Yes Yes
Connectivity 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x VGA 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x VGA
Bezel width (edge of monitor to active area) 17.8 mm (Top)
17.8 mm (Left/Right)
17.8 mm (Bottom)		 11.8 mm (Top)
11.8 mm (Left/Right)
18.2 mm (Bottom)
Security Security-lock slot for cable lock (optional purchase) Security-lock slot for cable lock (optional purchase)
Tilt angle -5° to 21° -5° to 21°

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 E2221HN/E2421HN 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 E2221HN/E2421HN 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 E2221HN/E2421HN monitor to your PC:

  1. Turn off your PC and disconnect the power cable.
  2. Connect the HDMI, VGA cable to the corresponding video or display port on the back of your PC.

 

To learn more about connecting your monitor to the PC, refer to the Dell knowledge-base article: How do I connect a monitor to a PC?

 

Use the buttons at the bottom of 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 1) at the bottom of the monitor.

Learn more about using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu. Refer to the Operating Your Monitor section in the User's Guide of Dell E2221HN/E2421HN 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.

Image depicts the OSD Buttons
Figure 1: Dell E2221HN/E2421HN Front Panel Buttons
Button Function Description
 1 Image depicts the OSD Icon for button 1 Use the Up button to increase values or move up in a menu.
 2 Image depicts the OSD Icon for button 2 For direct access to the Brightness and Contrast menu.
 3 Image depicts the OSD Icon for button 3 TTo launch the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu, or to access the list of items/options of a menu item. For more information, see Accessing the OSD menu.
 4 Image depicts the OSD Icon for button 4 To exit or return to the OSD main menu.
 5 Image depicts the OSD Icon for button 5 To turn the monitor On or Off.
Solid white light indicates that the monitor is turned on and functioning normally. Blinking white light indicates that the monitor is in Standby Mode.

Resetting a monitor to factory defaults can help resolve many video or display issues. To reset your Dell E2221HN/E2421HN monitor to factory default settings, follow these instructions:

  1. Press Button 1 on the monitor to enter the On-Screen Display (OSD) Menu.
  2. Press Button 2 until the Others option in the menu is highlighted and press Button 3 to select.
  3. Press Button 2 to highlight the Factory Reset option in the menu and press Button 3 to select.
  4. Press Button 3 to confirm the reset action.
Image depicts the Factory Reset screen.
Figure 2: Dell E2221HN/E2421HN Factory Reset OSD screen.

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 do I run diagnostics 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 E2221HN/E2421HN 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, or HDMI) 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.A dialog box similar to below will display if the monitor is functioning properly when no input cables are connected: Image depicts the Self Test on screen dialog box

Your Dell E2221HN/E2421HN 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.

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.

  1. Ensure that the screen is clean (no dust particles on the surface of the screen).
  2. Press and Hold Button 1 for about 4 seconds and wait for the pop up menu.
  3. Press Button 3 or 4 to select the diagnostic tool and confirm with Button 2. A gray screen appears.
  4. Carefully inspect the screen for abnormalities.
  5. Press Button 4 to change the test patterns.
  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. Press Button 4 to end the diagnostic program.
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 LCD Monitor Pixel Guidelines.

This section provides information about troubleshooting steps that can help resolve the most common issues with the Dell E2221HN/E2421HN 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.
  • Reseat both ends of video cable.
  • Try with known good video cable.
  • Eliminate video extension cables.
  • Reset the monitor to Factory Settings.
  • Change the video resolution to the correct aspect ratio
Shaky or Jittery Video Wavy picture or fine movement.
  • Reset the monitor to Factory Settings.
  • Check for environmental factors (like fans or other sources of interference).
  • Relocate the monitor and test it in another room.
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.
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.
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.

To learn more about how to view or download the User Guides and Manuals for your Dell product. 


Frequently asked questions

Using Windows Display Settings

In 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 1920 x 1080.
  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 1920 x 1080.
  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 1920 x 1080.
  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 do I download and install a device driver?

To reset the Dell E2221HN/E2421HN Monitor to factory defaults, refer to the Reset to Factory Settings section of this article.

 

The Dell E2221HN/E2421HN monitor has two built-in diagnostics that are available:

  • Self-Test Feature Check - The self-test feature check on the Dell E2221HN/E2421HN monitor allows you to check whether the monitor is functioning properly.
  • Built-In Self-Test - The Dell E2221HN/E2421HN 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 E2221HN/E2421HN 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 E2221HN/E2421HN 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 E2221HN/E2421HN monitor.

.
Image depicts the monitor buttons.
Figure 1: Dell E2221HN/E2421HN Front Panel Buttons

Dell E2221HN/E2421HN supports both HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 1.4 connectivity with your PC. If the video or graphics card (GPU) on your PC supports HDMI 1.4, it is required to change the monitor to HDMI 1.4 mode.

Note: The default factory setting on the Dell E2221HN/E2421HN is HDMI 2.0.
  1. Press Button 1 (Figure 4) on the monitor to enter the On-Screen Display (OSD) Menu.
  2. Press Button 2 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

 

Affected Products

Dell E2221HN, Dell E2421HN
Article Properties
Article Number: 000185211
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 23 Jan 2024
Version:  4
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