Question 1

the usb ports on the side of my monitor don't work, my keyboard and mouse won't light up

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS: The USB hub built into the monitor needs to be activated by connecting the upstream USB-B cable from the monitor to your computer. It doesn't get power or data from the HDMI/DisplayPort cable alone. FIX: Locate the square-shaped USB-B port on the back of the monitor (next to the HDMI/DP ports). Connect the included USB upstream cable (looks like a printer cable) from that port to a standard USB-A port on your computer. Once your computer is on and the monitor is displaying an image, the side USB ports should now provide power and data. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK: The USB upstream port on your PC might not be providing enough power. Try a different USB port on your computer, preferably one directly on the motherboard (back of the PC) rather than on a front panel or hub. Also, check the OSD menu under USB Settings to ensure the hub isn't set to a sleep mode. HEADS UP: These are USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (formerly USB 3.0). They're fine for peripherals, storage, or charging, but don't expect super high-speed data transfers compared to a direct motherboard port. Also, they only work when the monitor is on and connected to an active source.

Question 2

freesync keeps turning itself off on my s2725qs when i play games, screen goes black for a second

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS: This is usually a handshake issue between the monitor's AMD FreeSync Premium and your graphics card when the game's refresh rate falls outside the supported variable refresh rate (VRR) range. FIX: First, ensure FreeSync is actually enabled. Use the monitor's OSD joystick: go to Game > AMD FreeSync Premium and set it to On. Then, in your AMD Radeon Settings or Nvidia Control Panel (for G-Sync Compatible mode), make sure the variable refresh rate feature is also enabled for this display. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK: The black screen flashes often happen if a game's cutscene or menu locks to a very low frame rate (like 24 fps) or if you alt-tab. Try limiting your game's minimum frame rate in your GPU control panel to something above 48 fps, which is typically the lower bound of the VRR range. Also, try using a DisplayPort cable instead of HDMI, as it can sometimes provide a more stable adaptive sync handshake. HEADS UP: HDR (High Dynamic Range) and FreeSync can sometimes conflict. If you have HDR enabled in Windows or the game, try disabling it to see if the black screens stop. It's a known quirk with many monitors that support both features.

Question 3

the power button light on my dell monitor stays solid white even when i turn the screen off, can i make it turn off?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS: Yeah, this one's common and annoying. The white LED indicates the monitor is in standby mode (receiving power but no signal). There's no physical way to turn it off, but you can dim it or change its behavior. FIX: Use the joystick button to enter the OSD menu. Navigate to Others > Power LED. Here, you can set it to Dimmed, which will make it much less bright when the screen is off. That's the best you can do for a softer glow. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK: If the dimmed setting is still too bright for a dark room, your only option is to physically cut power to the monitor by using a smart plug or switching off the power strip it's plugged into. This is less than ideal, as it prevents the monitor from receiving firmware updates or remote wake-up signals. HEADS UP: A solid white light is normal. If the LED is blinking white, that usually indicates the monitor is in self-test mode or trying to detect a signal. A blinking amber light typically means it's receiving a signal but is in power-saving mode.

Question 4

i can't get 120hz to show up in windows settings with my s2725qs, it's stuck at 60hz

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS: The monitor supports 120Hz, but you need to meet specific conditions for it to be available. This is usually a cable or GPU capability issue. FIX: First, confirm you're using a High-Speed HDMI 2.0 (or 2.1) cable. Older HDMI 1.4 cables max out at 4K 60Hz. If your cable is good, you need to enable it on the monitor itself. Use the back joystick to open the OSD, go to Menu > Display > HDMI 2.1 and make sure it's set to On. Then, in Windows Display Settings > Advanced Display, 120Hz should now be a listed refresh rate option. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK: Your graphics card must support HDMI 2.0 or later. Most GPUs from the last 7-8 years do, but check your specs. Also, some laptops have HDMI ports wired to the integrated GPU, which may not support high refresh rates at 4K. Try a different video output port if available. HEADS UP: Enabling HDMI 2.1 mode on the monitor can sometimes cause compatibility issues with older devices like cable boxes or consoles. If you switch inputs often, you may need to toggle this setting back and forth, which is a known hassle with this model.

Question 5

how do you even clean the screen on the s2725qs? the antiglare coating seems weird and i don't want to ruin it

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS: You're right to be careful. The monitor has a standard matte anti-glare coating that can be damaged by harsh chemicals or excessive pressure. FIX: Power off the monitor. Use a clean, dry, soft microfiber cloth (like the kind for glasses or lenses) and gently wipe the screen in a circular motion. For fingerprints or smudges, slightly dampen a corner of the microfiber cloth with distilled water only. Wipe gently, then immediately dry the area with the dry part of the cloth. Never spray liquid directly onto the screen. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK: For stubborn spots, you can use a monitor-safe screen cleaning solution, but it's risky. If you must, apply a tiny amount of a solution specifically labeled safe for LCD/LED screens with anti-glare coatings (not glass cleaner or Windex) to the microfiber cloth, not the screen. Test on a small corner first. HEADS UP: Never use paper towels, tissues, or rough cloths, as they can scratch the coating. Avoid alcohol, ammonia, or acetone-based cleaners—they can permanently degrade the anti-glare layer, leaving a hazy, smeared, or discolored patch that you cannot fix.

Question 6

my dell 4k monitor has a faint buzzing or humming sound coming from the back, is it going to die?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS: That's likely coil whine from the internal power supply or components, and it's a common, mostly harmless annoyance with many monitors and electronics. It doesn't mean the monitor is failing. FIX: First, identify when it happens. If it only buzzes when displaying a very bright, static image (like a white browser page), that's typical. Try slightly lowering the monitor's brightness from the OSD. Often, the whine is most audible at specific brightness levels, like 80-100%. Finding a slightly lower brightness that eliminates the noise is the easiest fix. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK: The sound could be related to a specific refresh rate. If you're running at 120Hz, try dropping to 60Hz via your computer's display settings to see if the pitch or volume of the buzz changes. Also, ensure your room's ambient noise is low when checking—sometimes you notice it more at night and it's actually been there all along. HEADS UP: If the buzz is a loud, erratic clicking or popping, that's a different issue and could indicate a failing component. A consistent, high-pitched hum or buzz is almost always just annoying coil whine. Dell might consider it within normal operation, so a warranty claim for just the noise can be tricky.

Question 7

just got my dell s2725qs and the colors look really washed out and weird, not like my old monitor at all

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS: You're probably seeing the default factory settings, which can look flat, or the monitor might be stuck in a non-standard color mode like 'Cool' or 'Game'. This is a quick settings fix. FIX: Use the joystick button on the back of the monitor to open the OSD menu. Go to Color > Preset Modes. Try Custom Color first—it's often the most accurate out of the box. If that's still off, go back to Color and make sure Color Space is set to Standard (not sRGB or AdobeRGB) for general use. You can then fine-tune Brightness and Contrast from there. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK: Check your computer's graphics driver settings. Sometimes Nvidia Control Panel or AMD Adrenalin software applies its own color/contrast enhancements that conflict. Reset those settings to default. Also, ensure your GPU is outputting RGB Full Range (not Limited) in its control panel. HEADS UP: The monitor's sRGB mode locks most color adjustments to enforce a color standard, which can look duller by design. It's great for color-accurate work but not ideal for general browsing or media consumption where you might want more vibrancy.

Question 8

my dell s2725qs monitor just shows 'no hdmi signal' and then goes to sleep, my pc is definitely on

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS: The monitor isn't detecting an active video signal from your PC on the input it's set to. This is almost always a cable or port issue, not the monitor itself failing. FIX: First, power cycle everything: turn off the monitor and PC, unplug the HDMI cable from both ends, wait 30 seconds, and plug everything back in firmly. Turn the PC on first, wait for it to fully boot, then turn the monitor on. If it persists, try a different HDMI port on your graphics card and make sure the monitor's input source (using the joystick button on the back) is set to the correct HDMI port you're using. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK: The HDMI cable might be the culprit, especially if it's an old or very cheap one. Swap it for a known-good, high-speed HDMI cable that's certified for 4K. Also, try plugging the monitor into a different source, like a game console, to rule out a PC graphics driver issue. HEADS UP: If you're using a GPU with both HDMI and DisplayPort, sometimes the PC will default output to DisplayPort. You might need to go into your Windows/Nvidia/AMD display settings to detect the monitor or force the HDMI output to be active.

Dell 27 Plus 4K Monitor - S2725QS - 27-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) 120Hz 16:9 Display, IPS Panel, AMD FreeSync Premium, sRGB 99%, I

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