Dell 27 Curved Gaming Monitor

-S2721HGF
User’s Guide

Model: S2721HGF
Regulatory model: S2721HGFt
 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 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.

2020 – 11   

Rev. A01
Contents
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
About your monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Package contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Product features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Identifying parts and controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Front view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Back view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Bottom view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Monitor specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Resolution specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Preset display modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Electrical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Physical characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Environmental characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Pin assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Plug-and-Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
LCD monitor quality and pixel policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Ergonomics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Handling and moving your display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Maintenance guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Cleaning your monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Setting up the monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Connecting the stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Using the tilt and vertical extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Connecting your monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Organizing your cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Securing your monitor using Kensington lock (optional) . . . .29
Removing the monitor stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Wall mounting (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

 Contents |    3
Operating the monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Turning on the monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Using the joystick control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Using the rear-panel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Accessing the menu system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
OSD warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Locking the rear-panel control buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Setting the maximum resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Self-test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Built-in diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Common problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Product specific problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
FCC notices (U.S. only) and other regulatory information . . . 56
Contacting Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
EU product database for energy label and product information
sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

4    | Contents 
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.
• 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.
For information on safety instructions, see the Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory
Information (SERI).

Safety instructions |    5

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 components may be optional and may not ship with your
monitor. Some features may not be available in certain countries.

Display

Stand riser

Stand base

Power cable (varies by country)

HDMI cable

6     | About your monitor

 • Quick Start Guide
• Safety, Environmental, and
Regulatory Information

Product features
The Dell S2721HGF 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) 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
resolution, plus full-screen support for lower resolutions.
• Color gamut of 72% NTSC, CIE 1931, and 83% NTSC, CIE 1976.
• Digital connectivity with DisplayPort and HDMI.
• Tilt and height adjustment capabilities.
• Removable pedestal stand and Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA™)
100 mm mounting holes for flexible mounting solutions.
• Plug and play capability if supported by your computer.
• On-Screen Display (OSD) adjustments for ease of set-up and screen optimization.
• Game enhanced features such as Timer, Frame Rate Counter and Dark Stabilizer
in addition to enhanced game modes such as FPS, MOBA/RTS, SPORTS, or RPG
, and 3 additional game modes to personalize your preferences.
• Power and OSD buttons lock.
• Security lock slot.
• Stand lock.
• ≤ 0.3 W in Standby Mode.
• NVIDIA® G-SYNC® Compatible Certification and AMD FreeSync™ Premium
Technology minimizes graphic distortions like screen tearing and stuttering for
smoother, fluid gameplay.
• Premium Panel Exchange for peace of mind.
• Optimize eye comfort with a flicker-free screen and ComfortView feature which
minimizes blue light emission.
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 feature is designed to reduce the amount
of blue light emitted from the monitor to optimize eye comfort.

About your monitor |    7

Identifying parts and controls
Front view

Label Description Use

1 Power LED indicator Solid white light indicates
the monitor is turned on and
functioning normally. Blinking
white light indicates the monitor
is in Standby Mode.

8     | About your monitor

Back view

1
2
3
4
5
7

6
Label Description Use
1 VESA mounting holes (100 mm x Wall mount monitor using VESA-
100 mm-behind attached VESA compatible wall mount kit (100 mm x 100
cover) mm).
2 Regulatory label Lists the regulatory approvals.
3 Stand release button Releases stand from the monitor.
4 Joystick Use it to control the OSD menu.
5 Function buttons For more information, see Operating the
monitor.
6 Barcode, serial number, and Service Refer to this label if you need to contact
Tag label Dell for technical support. The Service
Tag is a unique alphanumeric identifier
that enables Dell service technicians
to identify the hardware components
in your computer and access warranty
information.
7 Cable-management slot Use to organize cables by inserting them
through the slot.

About your monitor |    9

Bottom view

1 2
2 3 4 5 6 7
Label Description Use
1 Power connectorConnect the power cable (shipped with your monitor).
2 Security lock slot
Secures monitor with security cable lock (sold separately).
3 Stand lock Lock the stand to the monitor using a M3 x 6 mm screw
(screw not included).
4 HDMI port Connect your computer with the HDMI cable (shipped with
(HDMI 1) your monitor).
5 HDMI port Connect your computer with the HDMI cable (shipped with
(HDMI 2) your monitor).
6 DisplayPort Connect your computer with the DisplayPort cable.
7 Headphone port Connect a headphone

10     | About your monitor

Monitor specifications
Screen type Active matrix - TFT LCD
Panel Type VA
Aspect ratio 16:9
Viewable image dimensions
Diagonal 684.70 mm (27 in.)
Active Area
Horizontal 596.74 mm (23.49 in.)
Vertical 335.66 mm (13.21 in.)
Area 200301.7 mm2 (310.30 in.2)
Pixel pitch 0.3108 mm x 0.3108 mm
Pixel per inch (PPI) 81.59
Viewing angle
Horizontal 178° (typical)
Vertical 178° (typical)
Brightness 350 cd/m² (typical)
Contrast ratio 3000 to 1 (typical)
Curvature Curvature 1500R
Display screen coating Anti-glare treatment of the front polarizer (3H) hard
coating
Backlight LED edgelight system
Response Time (Gray to 8 ms (Fast mode)
Gray) 6 ms (SuperFast mode)
4 ms (Extreme mode)
1 ms (MPRT mode)
NOTE: In Extreme mode, slight artifacts may
be encountered due to overdriving for fast speed
and responsiveness. Use Super Fast/Fast mode
for optimal front of screen experience and game
play.
Color depth 16.7 million colors
Color gamut* 72% NTSC, CIE 1931, and 83% NTSC, CIE 1976

About your monitor |    11

Connectivity • 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 port
• 2 x HDMI 1.4 port
• 1 x Audio headphone port (3.5 mm jack)
Border width (edge of monitor to active area)
Top 7.70 mm
Left/Right 7.70 mm
Bottom 20.80 mm
Adjustability
Height adjustable stand 100 mm
Tilt -5° to 21°
Cable management Yes
Dell Display Manager (DDM) Easy Arrange
Compatibility and other key features
Security Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
* At panel native only, under Custom Mode preset.

Resolution specifications

Resolution HDMI DisplayPort

specifications
Maximum preset 1920 x 1080 at 144 MHz 1920 x 1080 at 144 MHz
resolution
Horizontal scan range 30 kHz to 170 kHz
Vertical scan range 48 Hz to 144 Hz
Video display capabilities 480p@60Hz, 576p@50Hz, 720p@50Hz,
(HDMI & DisplayPort 720p@60Hz,
alternate mode) 1080p@50Hz, 1080p@60Hz，1080p@120Hz

12     | About your monitor

Preset display modes

Display Mode Horizontal Vertical Pixel Clock Sync Polarity

Frequency frequency (MHz) (Horizontal/
(kHz) (Hz) Vertical)
VGA 720 x 400 31.47 70.08 28.322 -/+
VGA 640 x 480 31.47 59.94 25.175 -/-
VESA 640 x 480 37.5 75 31.5 -/-
VESA 800 x 600 37.88 60.317 40 +/+
VESA 800 x 600 46.88 75 49.5 +/+
VESA 1024 x 768 48.36 60.004 65 -/-
VESA 1024 x 768 60.02 75.029 78.75 +/+
MAC 1152 x 864 67.5 75 108 +/+
CVT 1280 x 800 49.7 59.81 83.5 +/+
VESA 1280 x 1024 64 60.02 108 +/+
VESA 1280 x 1024 80 75.02 135 +/+
VESA 1366 x 768 47.7 59.79 85.5 +/+
VEST 1680 x 1050 65.29 59.954 146.25 +/+
CVT 1920 x 1080 67.5 60 148.5 +/+
1920 x 1080 137.26 119.982 285.5 +/+
1920 x 1080 166.608 144 339.88 +/+

About your monitor |    13

Electrical specifications
Video input signals • Digital video signal for each differential line
Per differential line at 100 ohm impedance
• DisplayPort /HDMI signal input support
Input voltage/ frequency/current 100-240 VAC / 50 or 60 Hz ± 3 Hz / 1.5 A
(maximum)
Inrush current 120 V: 30 A (Max.)
240 V: 60 A (Max.)
Power Consumption 0.3 W (Off Mode)1
0.3 W (Standby Mode)1
22.6 W (On Mode)1
46 W (Max)2
18.76 W (Pon)3
59.11 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 measured with reference to Energy Star test
method.
TEC: Total energy consumption in kWh measured with reference to Energy Star test
method.
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.

14     | About your monitor

Physical characteristics
Connector type • One DisplayPort
• Two HDMI 1.4 ports
• One headphone port
Signal cable type HDMI 1.8 m cable
Dimensions (with stand)
Height (extended) 493.2 mm (19.42 in.)
Height (compressed) 393.0 mm (15.50 in.)
Width 608.4 mm (23.95 in.)
Depth 190.4 mm (7.49 in.)
Dimensions (without stand)
Height 364.1 mm (14.34 in.)
Width 608.4 mm (23.95 in.)
Depth 96.3 mm (3.79 in.)
Stand dimensions
Height (extended) 386.0 mm (15.20 in.)
Height (compressed) 337.0 mm (13.30 in.)
Width 230.2 mm (9.06 in.)
Depth 190.4 mm (7.49 in.)
Weight
Weight with packaging 8.86 kg (19.53 lb)
Weight with stand assembly and 5.6 kg (12.34 lb)
cables
Weight without stand assembly 4.06kg (8.95 lb)
(For wall mount or VESA mount
considerations - no cables)
Weight of stand assembly 1.54kg (3.4 lb)

About your monitor |    15

Environmental characteristics

Compliant Standards
• RoHS Compliant
• BFR/PVC Free 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 –20°C to 60°C (–4°F to 140°F)
Humidity
Operating 10% to 80% (non-condensing)
Non-operating 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 156.96 BTU/hour (maximum)
77.11 BTU/hour (On Mode)

16     | About your monitor

Pin assignments

DisplayPort

Pin 20-pin side of the connected Pin 20-pin side of the connected
number signal cable number signal cable
1 ML3(n) 11 GND
2 GND 12 ML0(p)
3 ML3(p) 13 CONFIG1
4 ML2(n) 14 CONFIG2
5 GND 15 AUX CH (p)
6 ML2(p) 16 GND
7 ML1(n) 17 AUX CH (n)
8 GND 18 Hot Plug Detect
9 ML1(p) 19 Return
10 ML0(n) 20 DP_PWR

About your monitor |    17

HDMI port

Pin number 19-pin side of Pin 19-pin side of

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

18     | About your monitor

Plug-and-Play
You can install the monitor in any Plug-and-Play-compatible system. The monitor
automatically provides the computer system with its extended display identification
data (EDID) using display data channel (DDC) protocols so the computer can configure
itself and optimize the monitor settings. Most monitor installations are automatic;
you can select different settings if desired. For more information about changing the
monitor settings, see Operating the monitor.

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 LCD Monitor Pixel Policy, see
Dell support site at: https://www.dell.com/pixelguidelines.

About your monitor |    19

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 screen about 20 to 28 in. (50-70 cm) from your eyes.
2. Blink frequently to moisten or rewet your eyes when working with 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/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.
• 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.

20     | About your monitor

 • 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 |    21

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.

22     | 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
WARNING: Before cleaning the monitor, unplug the monitor power cable
from the electrical outlet.
CAUTION: Read and follow the Safety Instructions before cleaning the
monitor.
For best practices, follow these instructions in the list below while 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, soft 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 |    23

Setting up the monitor
Connecting the stand
NOTE: The stand riser and stand base are detached when the monitor is
shipped from the factory.
NOTE: The following instructions are applicable only for the stand that
was shipped with your monitor. If you are connecting 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. Align and place the stand riser on the stand base.
2. Open the screw handle at the bottom of the stand base and turn it clockwise
to secure the stand assembly.
3. Close the screw handle.

1 2

24     | Setting up the monitor

4. Open the protective cover on the monitor to access the VESA slot on the
monitor.

5. Slide the tabs on the stand riser into the slots on the display back cover and
press down the stand assembly to snap it into place.

b
a

Setting up the monitor |    25

 6. Hold the stand riser and lift the monitor carefully, then place it on a flat
surface.

NOTE: Hold the stand riser firmly when lifting the monitor to avoid any
accidental damage.
7. Lift the protective cover from the monitor.

26     | Setting up the monitor

Using the tilt and vertical extension
NOTE: The following instructions are applicable only for the stand that
was shipped with your monitor. If you are connecting 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 tilt the monitor for the most
comfortable viewing angle.
5°

100 mm

21°

NOTE: The stand is detached when the monitor is shipped from the
factory.

Setting up the monitor |    27

Connecting your monitor
WARNING: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow
the Safety instructions.
To connect your monitor to the computer:
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Connect the DisplayPort/HDMI cable from your monitor to the computer.
3. Turn on your monitor.
4. Select the correct input source from the OSD Menu and turn on your
computer.
Connecting the HDMI cable
HDMI

HDMI

Connecting the DP cable

DP

DP

28     | Setting up the monitor

Organizing your cables

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

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

Setting up the monitor |    29

Removing the monitor stand
CAUTION: 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 the stand that
was shipped with your monitor. If you are connecting 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.
3. Lift the stand up and away from the monitor.

30     | Setting up the monitor

Wall mounting (Optional)

NOTE: Use M4 x 10 mm screws to connect the monitor to the wall-

mounting kit.
Refer to the instructions that come with the VESA-compatible wall mounting kit.
1. Place the monitor on a soft cloth or cushion on a stable, flat table.
2. Remove the stand.
3. Use a Phillips crosshead screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the
plastio cover.
4. Attach the mounting bracket from the wall mounting kit to the monitor.
5. Mount the monitor on the wall as instructed in 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/load bearing capacity of 16.4 kg (36.2 lb).

Setting up the monitor |    31

Operating the monitor
Turning on the monitor
Press the button to turn on the monitor.

Using the joystick control

Use the joystick control on the rear of the monitor to make OSD adjustments.

1. Press the joystick button to launch the OSD main menu.

2. Move the joystick up/down/left/right to toggle between options.
3. Press the joystick button again to confirm the settings and exit.

Joystick Description
• When the OSD menu is on, press the button to confirm the selection
or save the settings.
• When the OSD menu is off, press the button to launch the OSD main
menu. See Accessing the menu system.

32     | Operating the monitor

 • For 2-way (right and left) directional navigation.
• Move right to enter the submenu.
• Move left to exit from the submenu.
• Increases (right) or decreases (left) the parameters of selected menu
item.
• For 2-way (up and down) directional navigation.
• Toggles between the menu items.
• Increases (up) or decreases (down) the parameters of selected menu
item.

Using the rear-panel controls

Use the control buttons on the rear of the monitor to adjust the display settings. As
you use these buttons to adjust the settings, an OSD shows the numeric values of
each feature as they change.

1
2
3
4
5

The following table describes the rear panel buttons:

Rear‑panel button Description

1 Use this menu button to launch the on-screen
display (OSD) and select the OSD menu.
See Accessing the menu system.
Menu
2 Use this button to go back to the main menu or exit
the OSD main menu.
Exit
3 Use this button to choose from a list of preset
color modes.

Shortcut key:
Preset Modes

Operating the monitor |    33

Rear‑panel button Description
4 To directly access the Dark Stabilizer adjustment
sliders.
Shortcut key:
Dark Stabilizer
5 To directly access the Brightness/Contrast
adjustment sliders.
Shortcut key:
Brightness/Contrast
When you press any of these buttons, the OSD Status Bar appears to let you know the
current settings of some OSD functions.
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Preset Modes AMD FreeSync Response Time Dark Stabilizer

Standard On Fast 0

S2721HGF

34     | Operating the monitor

Using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu
Accessing the menu system

Icon Menu and Description

Submenus
Game Use this menu to personalize your visual gameplay
experience.
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Game Preset Modes Standard

Brightness/Contrast Game Enhance Mode Off

Input Source AMD FreeSync Premium On

Display Response Time Fast

Audio Dark Stabilizer 0

Menu Hue

Personalize Saturation

Others Reset Game

S2721HGF

Preset Modes Allows you to choose from a list of preset color modes.
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Game Preset Modes Standard

Brightness/Contrast Game Enhance Mode FPS

Input Source AMD FreeSync Premium MOBA/RTS

Display Response Time RPG

Audio Dark Stabilizer SPORTS

Menu Hue Game 1

Personalize Saturation Game 2

Others Reset Game Game 3

S2721HGF

• Standard: Default color settings. This is the default

preset mode.
• FPS: Loads color settings ideal for First-Person Shooter
games.
• MOBA/RTS: Loads color settings ideal for “Multiplayer
Online Battle Arena” and “Real-time Strategy” games.
• RPG: Loads color settings ideal for Role-Playing games.
• SPORTS: Loads color settings ideal for “SPORTS”
games.
• Game 1/Game 2/Game 3: Allows you to customize the
color settings for your gaming needs.

Operating the monitor |    35

Icon Menu and Description
Submenus
• ComfortView: 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.
• Warm: Increases the color temperature. The screen
appears warmer with a red or 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. Move the joystick to adjust the Gain, Offset,
Hue, and Saturation values and create your own preset
color mode.
Game Enhance Adjusts Game Enhance Mode to Off, Timer, Frame Rate or
Mode Display Alignment.
• Off: Select to disable the functions under Game
Enhance Mode.
• Timer: Allows you to disable or enable the timer at the
upper left corner of the display. The timer shows the time
elapsed since the game starts. Select an option from the
time-interval list to keep you aware of the remaining time.
• Frame Rate: Selecting On allows you to display the
current frames per second when playing games. The
higher the rate, the smoother the motion appears.
• Display Alignment: Activating the function may help
ensure the perfect alignment of the video contents from
multiple displays.
AMD FreeSync Allows you to set the AMD FreeSync Premium On or Off.
Premium
Response Allows you to set the Response Time to Fast, Super
Time Fast, Extreme or MPRT.
NOTE: To turn on MPRT, source refresh rate need to be
120Hz or higher
NOTE: When MPRT is turned on, FreeSync will be
turned off. MPRT and FreeSync feature cannot be both
turned on at the same time.

36     | Operating the monitor

Icon Menu and Description
Submenus
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.
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 the joystick to adjust the hue from 0 to 100.
Move the joystick up to increase the green shade of the
video image.
Move the joystick down to increase the purple shade of
the video image.
NOTE: Hue adjustment is available only for FPS, RTS,
RPG, SPORTS mode.
Saturation This feature can adjust the color saturation of the video
image.
Use the joystick to adjust the saturation from 0 to 100.
Move the joystick up to increase the colorful appearance of
the video image.
Move the joystick down to increase the monochrome
appearance of the video image.
NOTE: Saturation adjustment is available only for FPS,
RTS, RPG, SPORTS mode.
Reset Game Resets your monitor’s Game settings to the factory
defaults.

Operating the monitor |    37

Icon Menu and Description
Submenus
Brightness/ Use this menu to activate Brightness/Contrast adjustment.
Contrast Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Game

Brightness/Contrast

Input Source

Display

Audio

Menu

Personalize

Others

75 % 75 %

S2721HGF

Brightness Brightness adjusts the luminance of the backlight

(minimum 0; maximum 100).
Move the joystick up to increase brightness.
Move the joystick down to decrease brightness.
NOTE: When MPRT is turned on, brightness adjustment is
unavailable.
Contrast Adjust the Brightness first, and then adjust Contrast only
if further adjustment is necessary.
Move the joystick up to increase contrast and Move the
joystick down to decrease contrast (between 0 and 100).
The Contrast function adjusts the degree of difference
between darkness and lightness on the monitor screen.
Input Source Use the Input Source menu to select between different
video inputs that are connected to your monitor.
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Game DP

Brightness/Contrast HDMI 1

Input Source HDMI 2

Display Auto Select On

Audio Reset Input Source

Menu

Personalize

Others

S2721HGF

38     | Operating the monitor

Icon Menu and Description
Submenus
DP Select DP input when you are using the DP (DisplayPort)
connector.
Press the joystick button to confirm the selection.
HDMI 1 Select the HDMI 1 or HDMI 2 input when you are using
the HDMI connector. Press the joystick button to confirm
HDMI 2 the selection.
Auto Select Turn on the function to allow the monitor to automatically
scan for available input sources. Press the joystick button
to confirm the selection.
Reset Input Resets your monitor’s Input Source settings to the
Source factory defaults.
Display Use the Display menu to adjust image.
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Game Aspect Ratio Wide 16:9

Brightness/Contrast Input Color Format RGB

Input Source Sharpness 50

Display Reset Display

Audio

Menu

Personalize

Others

S2721HGF

Aspect Ratio Adjust the image ratio to Wide 16:9, 4:3 or 5:4.

Operating the monitor |    39

Icon Menu and Description
Submenus
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 DVD player) using the DisplayPort or HDMI
cable.
• YPbPr: Select this option if your DVD player supports
only YPbPr output.
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Game Aspect Ratio

Brightness/Contrast Input Color Format RGB

Input Source Sharpness YPbPr

Display Reset Display

Audio

Menu

Personalize

Others

S2721HGF

Sharpness Makes the image look sharper or softer.

Move the joystick up and down to adjust the sharpness
from ‘0’ to ‘100’.
Reset Display Restores the display settings to factory defaults.
Audio Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Game Volume 50

Brightness/Contrast Reset Audio

Input Source

Display

Audio

Menu

Personalize

Others

S2721HGF

Volume Allows you to set the volume level of headphone output.

Use the joystick to adjust the volume level from 0 to 100.
Reset Audio Restores the audio settings to factory defaults.

40     | Operating the monitor

Icon Menu and Description
Submenus
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.
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Game Language English

Brightness/Contrast Transparency 20

Input Source Timer 20s

Display Reset Menu

Audio

Menu

Personalize

Others

S2721HGF

Language Set the OSD display to one of eight languages.

(English, Spanish, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese,
Russian, Simplified Chinese, or Japanese).
Transparency Select this option to change the menu transparency by
moving the joystick up or down (min. 0/max. 100).
Timer OSD Hold Time: Sets the length of time the OSD remains
active after you press a button.
Move the joystick to adjust the slider in 1-second
increments, from 5 to 60 seconds.
Reset Menu Restore the menu settings to factory defaults.

Operating the monitor |    41

Icon Menu and Description
Submenus
Personalize Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Game Shortcut Key 1 Preset Modes

Brightness/Contrast Shortcut Key 2 Dark Stabilizer

Input Source Shortcut Key 3 Brightness/Contrast

Display Power Button LED On in On Mode

Audio Reset Personalization

Menu

Personalize

Others

S2721HGF

Shortcut key 1 Select from Preset Modes, Game Enhance Mode, AMD
FreeSync Premium, Dark Stabilizer, Brightness/
Shortcut key 2 Contrast, Input Source, Aspect Ratio, Volume set
Shortcut key 3 as shortcut key.
Power Button Allows you to set the state of the power light to save
LED energy.
Reset Restores shortcut keys to factory defaults.
Persona-
lization

42     | Operating the monitor

Icon Menu and Description
Submenus
Others Select this option to adjust the OSD settings such as the
DDC/CI, LCD conditioning, and so on.
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Game Display Info

Brightness/Contrast DDC/CI On

Input Source LCD Conditioning Off

Display Firmware M3T102

Audio Service Tag ABCDEFG

Menu Reset Others

Personalize Factory Reset

Others

S2721HGF

Display Info Displays the monitor’s current settings.

DDC/CI DDC/CI (Display Data Channel/Command Interface)
allows you to adjust the monitor settings using software on
your computer.
Select Off to turn off this feature.
Enable this feature for best user experience and optimum
performance of your monitor.
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Game Display Info

Brightness/Contrast DDC/CI On

Input Source LCD Conditioning Off

Display Firmware

Audio Service Tag

Menu Reset Others

Personalize Factory Reset

Others

S2721HGF

Operating the monitor |    43

Icon Menu and Description
Submenus
LCD Condi- Helps reduce minor cases of image retention. Depending on
tioning the degree of image retention, the program may take some
time to run. Select On to start the process.
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Game Display Info

Brightness/Contrast DDC/CI

Input Source LCD Conditioning On

Display Firmware Off

Audio Service Tag

Menu Reset Others

Personalize Factory Reset

Others

S2721HGF

Firmware Displays the firmware version of your monitor.

Service Tag Displays the Service Tag. The Service Tag is a unique
alphanumeric identifier that allows Dell to identify the
product specifications and access warranty information.
NOTE: The Service Tag is also printed on a label located
at the back of the cover.
Reset Others Restores other settings, such as DDC/CI, to
factory defaults.
Factory Reset Restores all preset values to the factory default settings.

44     | Operating the monitor

OSD warning messages
When the monitor does not support a particular resolution mode, you can see the following
message:
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

The current input timing is not supported by the monitor display. Please

change your input timing to 1920x1080, 144Hz or any other monitor

listed timing as per the monitor specifications.

S2721HGF

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 1920 x 1080.
You can see the following message before the DDC/CI function is disabled:
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

The function of adjusting display setting using PC

application will be disabled.
Do you wish to disable DDC/CI function?

Yes No

S2721HGF

You can see the following message When MPRT attempt to work but the frame rate is less than
120Hz :
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Refresh rate too low, please set refresh rate to 120Hz or higher to turn on MPR

S2721HGF

When the monitor enters the Standby mode, the following message will appear:

Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Going into Standby mode…

S2721HGF

Activate the computer and wake up the monitor to gain access to the OSD.

Operating the monitor |    45

Select OSD items of On in Standby Mode in Personalize feature, the following message will
appear:

Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Changing to this setting (without symbol) will Increase

power consumption,Do you want to continue?

Yes No

S2721HGF

If adjust the Brightness level above the default level over 75%, the following message will
appear:

Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Adjusting to this value will increase power consumption above the default level.

Do you want to continue?

Yes No

S2721HGF

If you press any button other than the power button, the following messages will appear
depending on the selected input:

Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

No DP signal from your device.

Press any key on the keyboard or move the mouse or wake it up.
If there is no display, press the monitor button again to select the correct
input source.

S2721HGF

If either DisplayPort, HDMI 1 and HDMI 2 input is selected and the corresponding cable is not
connected, a floating dialog box as shown below appears.
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

No DP Cable

The display will go into Standby mode in 4 minutes.

www.dell.com/support/S2721HGF

S2721HGF
or

46     | Operating the monitor

 Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

No HDMI 1 Cable
1

The display will go into Standby mode in 4 minutes.

www.dell.com/support/S2721HGF

S2721HGF
or
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

No HDMI 2 Cable
2

The display will go into Standby mode in 4 minutes.

www.dell.com/support/S2721HGF

S2721HGF

Operating the monitor |    47

When you select OSD items of Factory Reset in Other feature, the following message will
appear:
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

Are you sure you want to reset to default settings?

Yes No

S2721HGF

See Troubleshooting for more information.

Locking the rear-panel control buttons

You can lock the rear-panel control buttons to prevent access to the OSD menu and/or
power button.

1
2
3
4
5
To lock the button(s):
1. Press and hold Button 5 for four seconds, a menu appears on the screen.
2. Select one of the following options:
• Menu Buttons: Choose this option to lock all OSD menu buttons except the
Power button.
• Power Button: Choose this option to lock only the Power button.
• Menu + Power Buttons: Choose this option to lock all the buttons on the
rear-panel control.
To unlock the button(s), press and hold Button 5 for four seconds until a menu
appears on the screen. Select the Unlock icon to unlock the button(s).

48     | Operating the monitor

Setting the maximum resolution
To set the maximum resolution for the monitor:
In Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1:
1. For Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 only, select the Desktop tile to switch to classic
desktop. For Windows Vista and Windows 7, skip this step.
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.
In Windows 10:
1. Right-click on the desktop and click Display Settings.
2. Click Advanced display settings.
3. Click the dropdown list of Resolution and select 1920 x 1080.
4. Click Apply.
If you do not see 1920 x 1080 as an option, you may need to update your graphics
driver. Depending on your computer, complete one of the following procedures:
If you have a Dell desktop or portable computer:
• Go to https://www.dell.com/support, enter your service tag, and download
the latest driver for your graphics card.
If you are using a non-Dell computer :
• Go to your computer manufacturer’s support website and download the latest
graphic drivers.
• Go to your graphics card manufacturer’s website and download the latest graphic
drivers.

Operating the monitor |    49

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 back of the computer. To ensure proper Self-
Test operation, remove all digital and the analog cables from the back of
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.
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

No DP Cable

The display will go into Standby mode in 4 minutes.

www.dell.com/support/S2721HGF

S2721HGF
or
Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

No HDMI 1 Cable
1

The display will go into Standby mode in 4 minutes.

www.dell.com/support/S2721HGF

S2721HGF
or

50     | Troubleshooting
 Dell 27 Gaming Monitor

No HDMI 2 Cable
2

The display will go into Standby mode in 4 minutes.

www.dell.com/support/S2721HGF

S2721HGF

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

Troubleshooting |    51
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.

1
2
3
4
5

To run the built-in diagnostics:

1. Ensure that the screen is clean (no dust particles on the surface of the screen).
2. Unplug the video cable(s) from the back of the computer or monitor. The monitor
then goes into the self-test mode.
3. Press and hold Button 5 for 4 seconds, system will pop OSD message, select
and press Button 1. A gray screen appears.
4. Carefully inspect the screen for abnormalities.
5. Move joystick (Button 1) to right. The color of the screen changes to red.
6. Inspect the display for any abnormalities.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to inspect the display in green, blue, black, white, and text
screens.
The test is complete when the text screen appears. To exit, press Button 5 again.
If you do not detect any screen abnormalities upon using the built-in diagnostic tool,
the monitor is functioning properly. Check the video card and computer.

52     | Troubleshooting
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/ No picture • Ensure that the video cable connecting the
Power LED off 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 depressed fully.
• Ensure that the correct input source is selected
in the Input Source menu.
No Video/ No picture or no • Increase brightness and contrast controls via
Power LED on brightness 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.
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:
https://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 PixelPolicy, see Dell Support site at:
https://www.dell.com/pixelguidelines.
Brightness Picture too dim • Reset the monitor to factory settings.
Problems or too bright • Adjust brightness and contrast controls via OSD.
Safety Related Visible signs of • Do not perform any troubleshooting steps.
Issues smoke or sparks • Contact Dell immediately.
Intermittent Monitor • Ensure that the video cable connecting the
Problems malfunctions on monitor to the computer is connected properly
& off 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.

Troubleshooting |    53
Common What You Possible Solutions
Symptoms Experience
Missing Color Picture missing • Perform monitor self-test.
color • 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 • Change the settings of the Preset Modes in the
not good Color menu OSD depending on the application.
• Adjust R/G/B value under Custom Color in Color
menu OSD.
• Change the Input Color Format to PC RGB or
YPbPr in the Color menu OSD.
• Run the built-in diagnostics.
Image retention Faint shadow • Set the screen to turn off after a few minutes
from a static from the static of screen idle time. These can be adjusted in
image left on image displayed Windows Power Options or Mac Energy Saver
the monitor for appears on the setting.
a long period of screen • Alternatively, use a dynamically changing
time screensaver.

54     | Troubleshooting
Product specific problems
Problem What you Possible solutions
experience
Screen image is Image is • Check the Aspect Ratio setting in the Display
too small centered on menu OSD.
screen, but • Reset the monitor to factory settings.
does not fill
entire viewing
area
Cannot adjust OSD does not • Turn off the monitor, unplug the monitor power
the monitor appear on the cable, plug it back, and then turn on the monitor.
with the screen
buttons on the
front panel

No Input Signal No picture, the • Check the signal source. Ensure the computer
when user LED light is is not in the power saving mode by moving the
controls are white mouse or pressing any key on the keyboard.
pressed • Check whether the signal cable is plugged
in properly. Connect the signal cable again, if
necessary.
• Reset the computer or video player.
The picture The picture • Due to different video formats (aspect ratio) of
does not fill the cannot fill the DVDs, the monitor may display in full screen.
entire screen height or width • Run the built-in diagnostics.
of the screen

Troubleshooting |    55
Appendix
FCC notices (U.S. only) and other regulatory
information
For FCC notices and other regulatory information, see the regulatory compliance
website located at https://www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

Contacting 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.
To get online monitor support content:
See https://www.dell.com/support/monitors.
To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues:
1. Go to https://www.dell.com/support.
2. Verify your country or region in the Choose A Country/Region drop-down menu
at the bottom-right corner of the page.
3. Click Contact Us next to the country dropdown.
4. Select the appropriate service or support link based on your need.
5. Choose the method of contacting Dell that is convenient for you.

EU product database for energy label and product

information sheet

S2721HGF: https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/qr/344765

56     | Appendix