the usb ports on the side of my monitor don't work when i'm connected with hdmi, is this broken?

Diagnosis

Your monitor is not broken. This is a common misunderstanding of how integrated USB hubs function in displays. The HDMI cable is designed exclusively to carry video and audio signals; it possesses no data lanes capable of transporting USB signals from your computer to the monitor's peripheral ports. Consequently, when you use HDMI, the monitor acts only as a screen and not as a USB hub. The USB-C port on the S2722QC is a "multifunction" port that handles video, power delivery, and data all in one cable. However, when you switch to HDMI, you are bypassing that multifunction data lane. To activate the USB-A ports on the side and bottom of the monitor, you must establish a separate "upstream" data connection between your PC's motherboard and the monitor's internal hub controller. Without this dedicated data link, the ports are essentially disconnected from your computer's operating system.

How to Fix It

To enable the USB ports while using an HDMI connection, you must manually bridge the data gap using the USB upstream cable. Follow these exact steps:

1. Locate the USB-B to USB-A cable (the one with the square-shaped connector on one end and the flat rectangular connector on the other) that came in the box.
2. Plug the square USB-B connector into the USB upstream port located on the back of the monitor, nestled among the other video inputs.
3. Plug the flat USB-A connector into an available USB 3.0 or 3.1 port directly on your computer or laptop.
4. Restart your computer or refresh your Device Manager (Windows) / System Report (Mac) to ensure the "Generic USB Hub" is recognized.
5. Insert your peripherals (mouse, keyboard, or flash drive) into the USB-A ports on the side of the monitor. They should now be recognized by your OS.

If That Didn't Work

• Check the USB Selection in OSD: Open the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu using the buttons on the bottom right of the monitor. Navigate to the "USB" section. Ensure that the USB settings are not set to a specific "USB-C" priority mode that might be disabling the USB-B upstream path.
• Test a Different USB Port on the PC: If you are using a USB hub or a front-panel case port on a desktop PC, the signal may be too weak. Plug the USB-A end of the upstream cable directly into the motherboard I/O panel on the back of the PC tower.
• Verify Power State: Ensure the monitor is not in "Power Save" or "Deep Sleep" mode. Some Dell monitors disable the USB hub to save energy when the monitor enters a standby state. Try waking the monitor fully before plugging in devices.
• Update Chipset Drivers: If the ports still aren't appearing in your device list, update your motherboard's chipset and USB 3.1 drivers. An outdated XHCI controller driver can sometimes fail to hand-shake with the monitor's internal hub.

Heads Up

• Power Delivery Limitations: The side USB ports are intended for low-power peripherals like keyboards, mice, and thumb drives. Attempting to power a portable SSD or a high-draw RGB keyboard may cause the hub to reset or disconnect.
• Cable Quality: Only use the USB-B cable provided by Dell. Third-party "charging-only" cables lack the necessary data pins to activate the hub.
• USB-C Alternative: If your computer supports DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C, you can replace the HDMI cable and the USB-B cable with a single USB-C to USB-C cable. This will provide 65W of power to your laptop, 4K video, and full USB hub functionality simultaneously.
• Avoid Daisy-Chaining: Do not plug another powered USB hub into the monitor's side ports, as this can create a voltage surge that may damage the monitor's internal controller.