C2722DE, auto KVM Power Sync issue

Question

Here is my setup, connection diagram attached for discussion.

1. Monitor: C2722DE

2. Company Laptop with Dell Latitude 7420 connected power delivery to USB-C (No. 5 in diagram). Refer as laptop below.

3. Personal PC with HDMI and USB-A connected to No. 3 and No. 7. Refer as PC below.

4. Logitech wireless KB and mouse connected to No. 8 and No. 9.

5. Ethernet connected to No. 10.

The monitor can act as the power button of my laptop (same function as the dock, so-called jumpstart /Dell Power Button Sync DPBS).

My problem is the switching between laptop and PC drives me crazy with the Power Sync feature. I have no way to switch to my PC without keeping my laptop on all time because whenever I try to turn off my laptop the monitor synced to power down together, after that if I try to turn the monitor on again it "awakes" the laptop. Tried even with my last source is HDMI it is still powering up my laptop with the power button. (however I have no way to switch the source without powering on the monitor 😂).

Scenario A. All in Off state, last source is USB-C (dell laptop)

1. Dell laptop - Closed lid

2. Turn on the monitor -> Started my dell laptop (jumpstart, not surprised as it is a supported feature).

3. Want to switch to my PC, so I turn my PC power on, select HDMI in the input source, both are running together.

4. Manually open up the lid of the laptop, select shutdown. It turns OFF my monitor as well (even it is in another source HDMI!! DELL please do not power sync if it is connected to another source! / Or please let me have this option!).

Scenario B.

All in Off state, last source is HDMI, actually I try to see if my operation is not correct in A. So I power down everything to try again)

1. Dell laptop - Closed lid

2. Turn on the monitor -> Started my dell laptop ( I wish jumpstart should not be in this case because last source is HDMI).

3. Turn my PC power on, select HDMI in the input source, both are running together *again*.

4. Turn off my PC after use, I found my monitor do not turn off or stand-by, because my laptop still running.... what a waste of energy! However it is the way to help me to start my PC again without the switching issue.

PS: Tried to open the lid and repeat the steps above, same behaviour.

Scenario C (the only way).

Turn off both, disconnect the USB-C manually after use.

Is Auto KVM suppose to work like that?

PS 2: Tried to turn Auto Select for USB-C "Prompt for Multiple input" or "OFF" also not helping.

Does anyone has the similar issue?

nick_tang · Answer

Found the same issue reported below

https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/monitors/u3421we-dpbs-design-flaw-kvm-switch-unusable/647fa38cf4ccf8a8de972117

@DELL-Chris M I bought this monitor because it is DELL and naively believed better compatibility with my DELL laptop, it would be a joke if this monitor shouldn't be paired with a Dell laptop.

For some reason the comments are sometimes not shown, attached the screenshot below.

As per @antonijn mentioned in the reply the third state is what we wanted.

Dell please make this happen or else I need to get away from Dell monitor due to the of the flaw in the KVM function.

DELL-Chris M · Answer

DPBS is working as designed with the C2722DE.

nick_tang · Answer

@DELL-Chris M​ This is unfortunate to hear this answer again. I have to manually unplug the usb-c every time after using my laptop in order not to turn off my monitor (as well as my connected Ethernet for my PC!) when it goes to sleep. Originally thought it is a nice feature but it is the only issue with this monitor now. You are right this feature is as designed but should the firmware engineer take a look to have an extra option for that to be ON/OFF in the near future? (Which I believe is the idea of this community for? To feedback our comments on products and get positive response on that?)

DELL-Chris M · Answer

'To feedback our comments on products'* True. 'and get positive response on that?'* False. You get the Dell approved response. Which may not be 'positive' in your opinion.

nick_tang · Answer

Some update to all of the victim with DPBS

Instead of hoping Dell to provide a solution I moved to Lenovo ThinkVision monitor, it is doing great now with the ability to simultaneously having the two PC / laptop connected to the ethernet too.

It even has the option to turn off Mirror Power Button in the OSD after the firmware update.

Hopefully my reply wont be removed here.

Monitors

C2722DE, auto KVM Power Sync issue

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