Dell 32 Curved S3222HN Monitor Usage and Troubleshooting Guide

Summary: Learn how to use and troubleshoot issues related to the Dell S3222HN Curved Monitor.

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Instructions

Dell S3222HN Monitor

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Getting Started with your Dell S3222HN Monitor Dell S3222HN Monitor Setup, Specifications and Service Manual Dell Drivers & Downloads Warranty and Support Services Frequently asked questions

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.

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The key features of Dell S3222HN monitor are:

  • 80.13 cm (31.5 in.) viewable area display (Measured Diagonally).
  • 1920 x 1080 (16:9) resolution, plus full-screen support for lower resolutions.
  • AMD FreeSync Technology, which minimizes graphic distortions like screen tearing and stuttering for smoother, fluid gameplay.
  • Supports 48 Hz to 75 Hz (HDMI) in FreeSync Mode.
  • Supports Audio line out to connect external speaker or sub-woofer.
  • Digital connectivity with HDMI.
  • Plug and play capability if supported by your computer.
  • Removable stand and Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) 100 mm mounting holes for flexible mounting solutions).
  • On-Screen Display (OSD) adjustments for ease of setup and screen optimization.
  • Tilt capabilities.
  • Security-lock slot.
  • ≤0.3 W standby power when in the Standby Mode.
  • Optimize eye comfort with a flicker-free screen.
  • Color gamut of sRGB 99%.
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 S3222HN monitor. To learn more about the specifications of Dell S3222HN monitor, refer to the User's Guide at the Dell Manuals website.

Panel technology
  • Active matrix-TFT LCD
Maximum resolution
  • 1920 x 1080 at 75 Hz
Viewing angle
  • 178° (vertical) typical
  • 178° (horizontal) typical
Contrast ratio
  • 3000 to 1 (typical)
Response time
  • 8 milliseconds gray to gray (Normal)
  • 5 milliseconds gray to gray (Fast)
  • 4 milliseconds gray to gray (Extreme)
    NOTE: The 4 ms gray-to-gray mode is achievable in the Extreme mode to reduce visible motion blur and increased image responsiveness.
    However this may introduce some slight and noticeable visual artifacts into the image.
    As per every system setup and every user's needs, there are different modes to find the setting that is right for them.
Color gamut
  • 99% sRGB (typical)
Color depth
  • 16.7 million colors (RGB 8 bits)
Ports and connectors
  • 2 x HDMI port version 1.4 (HDCP 1.4)
  • 1 x Audio line out

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 S3222HN 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 S3222HN monitor is 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 computer

To connect your Dell S3222HN monitor to your computer:

  1. Turn off your computer and disconnect the power cable.
  2. Connect the HDMI cable to the back of your computer.

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

  3. Connect the USB upstream cable to the monitor and computer.

In a multiple monitor setup, Dell S3222HN should not be rotated to 180° (landscape). The monitor should not be orientated at 90° (portrait).

CAUTION: Dell S3222HN setup must comply with the recommended panel orientation and working angle only. Setting up the monitor in an orientation that is not recommended may damage the monitor and/or cause a safety hazard.

When setting up your Dell S3222HN monitor, ensure that the monitor front panel buttons is on the bottom right.

Wall mounting (optional)

Dell S3222HN Wall Mounting (Optional)
Figure 1: Dell S3222HN Wall Mounting (Optional)

(Screw dimension: M4 x 10 mm)
See the documentation that shipped with the VESA-compatible wall mounting kit.

  1. Place the display on a soft cloth or cushion at the edge of the desk.
  2. Detach the stand.
  3. Remove the four screws that secure the display back cover.
  4. Install the mounting bracket from the wall mounting kit to the display.
  5. To mount the monitor on the wall, see 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 27.12 kg.
Using the Tilt Extension
NOTE: This is applicable for a monitor shipped with the stand. When any other stand is bought, refer to the respective stand setup guide for setup instructions.

With the stand that is attached to the monitor, you can adjust tilt of the monitor for the most comfortable viewing angle.

Dell S3222HN Tilt
Figure 2: Using tilt on Dell S3222HN monitor

When mounted on the wall or on a monitor arm, the set-up must comply with the recommended panel orientation and working angle.

Warning: The monitor should not be rotated 180° (landscape). The monitor should not be orientated at 90° (portrait).

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 3 (Figure 3) at the bottom of the monitor.

To learn more about using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu, see Operating Your Monitor section in the User's Guide of Dell S3222HN 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.

Dell S3222HN Monitor Buttons

Figure 3: Dell S3222HN Control Buttons

Button Function Description
Button 1 Shortcut key for Preset Modes Use this button to choose from a list of preset color modes.
Button 2 Shortcut key for Input Source Use this button to choose the input source.
Button 3 Menu Use the Menu button to launch the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu.
Button 4 Exit Use this button to exit the OSD main menu.
Button 5 Power On/Off button (with LED indicator) To turn the monitor on or off.
Solid white light indicates that the monitor is On and fully functional.
Blinking white light indicates the power save mode.

Resetting a monitor to factory defaults can help resolve many video or display issues. To reset your Dell S3222HN monitor to factory default settings, follow these instructions:

  1. Press Button 3 (Figure 4) on the monitor to enter the On-Screen Display (OSD) Menu.
  2. Press Button 1 or Button 2 to highlight Others option in the menu and press Button 3 to select.
  3. Press Button 1 or Button 2 to highlight Factory Reset option in the menu and press Button 3 to select.
  4. Press Button 4 to confirm the reset action.

Dell S3222HN Monitor Buttons
Figure 4: Dell S3222HN Monitor Buttons

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 S3222HN 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, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort) 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.

Your Dell S3222HN 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. Make sure that the screen is clean (no dust particles on the surface of the screen).
  2. Unplug the video cables from the back of the computer or the monitor. The monitor will now enter self-test mode.
  3. On the front panel, press and hold Button 4 for four seconds.
  4. A gray screen appears. Carefully inspect the screen for abnormalities.
  5. Use Button 1 or Button 2 to select the diagnostics icon (see Figure 5), and press Button 3 to run the built-in diagnostics.

    Dell S3222HN Monitor built-in diagnostics
    Figure 5: Dell S3222HN built-in diagnostics

  6. Press Up or Button 1 on the front panel again. The color of the screen changes to red.
  7. Inspect the display for any abnormalities.
  8. Repeat step 6 and step 7 to inspect the display in green, blue, black, white, and text screens.
  9. The test is complete when the white screen appears.
  10. Press Button 4 to exit the Built-In Self-Test diagnostics.
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 S3222HN 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 or use our Monitor self-help Guide.

Common Problem What User Experiences Possible Solution
No Video - Power LED Off No picture
  • Ensure 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.
Shaky or Jittery Video Wavy picture or fine movement.
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.
  • Cycle power on-off.
  • A few permanently bright or dark pixels are considered normal by industry standards. The exact number of pixels that are allowed varies depending on the monitor. Refer to Dell Display Pixel Guidelines for more details.
  • Run the built-in diagnostics.
Brightness Problems Picture too dim or too bright.
Geometric Distortion Screen not centered correctly.
Horizontal or Vertical Lines Screen has one or more lines.
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.
Missing Color Picture does not have color.
  • Run the monitor self-test feature check.
  • Make sure 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 is not good.
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.
Video Ghosting or Overshooting Faint shadow from the static image appears on the screen.
  • Change the Response Time in the Display OSD to Normal, Fast or Extreme depending on your application and usage.
  • Alternatively, use a dynamically changing screensaver.
 
Troubleshooting USB Issues
Specific Symptoms What User Experiences Possible Solution
Screen image is too small. Image is centered on screen, but does not fill entire viewing area.
Cannot adjust the monitor with the joystick. OSD does not appear on the screen.
  • Turn Off the monitor, unplug the power cord, plug it back, and then turn On the monitor.
  • Check whether the OSD menu is locked. If yes, move and hold the joystick up/down/left/right for 4 seconds to unlock.
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. Refer to the Dell knowledge-base article Manuals and Documentation for your Dell Product.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set the maximum resolution on Dell S3222HN monitor?

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?

How do I reset the Dell S3222HN monitor to factory defaults?

To reset the Dell S3222HN Monitor to factory defaults, refer to the Reset to Factory Settings section of this article.

How do I run diagnostics on the Dell S3222HN monitor?

The Dell S3222HN monitor has two built-in diagnostics that are available:

  • Self-Test Feature Check - The self-test feature check on the Dell S3222HN monitor allows you to check whether the monitor is functioning properly.
  • Built-In Self-Test - The Dell S3222HN 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 S3222HN Monitor section of this Dell knowledge-base article.

How do I troubleshoot common issues with the Dell S3222HN monitor?

The Troubleshooting section of this Dell knowledge-base article provides information about troubleshooting common issues with the Dell S3222HN 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.

How do I navigate the On-Screen Display menu?

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 joystick on the monitor.

For more information about using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu and different menu options, see Operating Your Monitor section in the User's Guide of your Dell S3222HN monitor.

How do I check the model number, firmware version and Service Tag using the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu?

Additional monitor information like the model number, firmware version and Service Tag can be accessed from the monitor's OSD (On-Screen Display).

  1. Press Button 3 on the monitor to enter the On-Screen Display (OSD) Menu.
  2. Press Button 1 or Button 2 to highlight Others option in the menu and press Button 3 to select.
  3. Press Button 1 or Button 2 to highlight Firmware option in the menu and press Button 3 to select.
  4. Press Button 4 to exit the OSD menu.

What is the supported orientation to set up Dell S3222HN monitor?

In a multiple monitor setup, Dell S3222HN should not be rotated to 180° (landscape). The monitor should not be orientated at 90° (portrait).

Caution: Dell S3222HN setup must comply to the recommended panel orientation and working angle only. Setting up the monitor in an orientation that is not recommended may cause.

When setting up your Dell S3222HN monitor, ensure that the monitor front panel buttons is on the bottom right.

Using the Tilt Extension
NOTE: This is applicable for a monitor with a stand. When any other stand is bought, please refer to the respective stand setup guide for set-up instructions.

With the stand attached to the monitor, you can tilt and swivel the monitor for the most comfortable viewing angle.

Dell S3222HN tilt extension
Figure 6: Using tilt extension on Dell S3222HN monitor

Warning: The monitor should not be rotated 180° (landscape). The monitor should not be orientated at 90° (portrait).

Affected Products

Dell S3222HN
Article Properties
Article Number: 000191572
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 23 Jul 2025
Version:  4
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