Dell S3222HN Monitor
Dell Display Manager User's Guide
Model: S3222HN
Regulatory model: S3222HNc
Important Information
? 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 and Revision
Copyright © 2021 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.
2021 - 08
Rev. A00
Overview
Dell Display Manager (DDM) is an application that allows users to configure their supported Dell monitor settings such as brightness, contrast, and preset modes. After installation, DDM is accessible from the notification tray. Information about monitors connected to the system is available when the mouse is hovered over the notification tray icon.
Notification Tray Icon Example: A screenshot shows the Dell Display Manager icon in the system tray, displaying "Dell S3222HN - Standard" along with the time "4:56 PM" and date "2021/06/10".
? NOTE: Dell Display Manager uses the Display Data Channel Command Interface (DDC/CI) channel to communicate with your monitor. Ensure that DDC/CI is enabled in the monitor's on-screen display (OSD) menu.
Monitor Menu Example: A screenshot shows the OSD menu for a "Dell 32 Monitor". Key options visible include "Brightness / Contrast", "Input Source", "Color", "Display", "Menu", "Personalize", and "Others". Sub-options include "Display Info", "DDC/CI" (with "On" and "Off" settings), "LCD Conditioning", "Firmware", "Service Tag", "Reset Others", and "Factory Reset".
Selecting Quick Settings Options
Clicking Dell Display Manager's notification tray icon opens the Quick Settings window. If more than one supported Dell monitor is connected, a specific monitor can be selected from the Display drop-down list. In the Quick Settings window, you can change:
- Resolution
- Auto Mode or Manual Mode for screen appearance
- Brightness and contrast levels
- Easy Arrange window layouts for the monitor
Quick Settings Window Screenshot: A screenshot displays the "Dell Display Manager" window with the "Basic" tab active. It shows the selected monitor "Dell S3222HN" and resolution "1920x1080". Options for "Auto Mode" and "Manual Mode" are present, with "Manual Mode" selected, allowing a choice of "Standard" preset. Brightness and Contrast sliders are set to 75%. A "Recently used" section shows several Easy Arrange layout previews. A button "Open Dell Display Manager" is visible for accessing more advanced settings.
Quick DDM Access and Control
| Feature | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Quick DDM Access | Quick key to call up DDM UI. | Press Ctrl+Shift+D. |
| Control individual monitor in multi-monitor setup | From the dropdown box, select a monitor. The selected monitor displays the Dell logo. Move the DDM UI to the monitor to be controlled. Press Ctrl+Shift+D to bring up the mini UI under the mouse pointer. |
Setting Basic Display Options
You can select Manual Mode to manually choose a preset mode or Auto Mode, which applies a preset mode based on the active application. An on-screen message indicates when the preset mode changes. Brightness and contrast levels can be adjusted directly from the Basic tab.
Basic Settings Window Screenshot: A screenshot shows the "Dell Display Manager" window with the "Basic" tab active. It displays the monitor "Dell S3222HN" and resolution "1920x1080". Options for "Auto Mode" (Use preset mode assignments for active applications) and "Manual Mode" (Choose a preset mode) are available, with "Manual Mode" selected. Brightness and Contrast sliders are shown at 75%. An option "Enable display matrix control" is present.
? NOTE: When multiple Dell monitors are connected, select "Enable display matrix control" to apply brightness, contrast, and color presets to all monitors.
Assigning Preset Modes to Applications
The Auto Mode tab allows you to associate a specific Preset Mode with an application, applying it automatically when the application is activated. The assigned Preset Mode can be the same or vary across connected monitors.
DDM is pre-configured for many popular applications. To add a new application, drag it from the desktop or Start Menu onto the assignment list.
? NOTE: Preset Mode assignments are not supported for batch files, scripts, loaders, or non-executable files like zip archives.
The Game preset mode can be configured for Direct3D applications running in full-screen mode. To prevent a specific application from using a mode, assign a different preset mode to it.
Auto Mode Window Screenshot: A screenshot shows the "Dell Display Manager" window with the "Auto Mode" tab active. It lists applications and their assigned "Preset Mode". Examples include "(Default for desktop apps)" with "Standard", "(Default for fullscreen Direct3D)" with "Standard", "Internet Explorer" with "Warm", "Microsoft Edge" with "Warm", and "Paint" with "Warm".
Organizing Windows with Easy Arrange
On supported Dell monitors, the Easy Arrange tab lets you arrange open windows into predefined layouts by dragging them into zones. Press ">" or Page Up/Page Down to find more layouts. To create a custom layout, arrange windows and click "Save".
To begin, select a target monitor and a predefined layout. The layout regions appear on the monitor. Drag an open window across the monitor; the current layout is displayed, and an active region highlights as the window moves over it. Drop the window into an active region to place it.
Easy Arrange Window Screenshot: A screenshot shows the "Dell Display Manager" window with the "Easy Arrange" tab active. It displays a grid of predefined window layout zones. Options include "To create a custom layout, arrange your windows and then click Save", "Overlap transparent borders", and "Hold down the SHIFT key to enable zone positioning".
To save a custom window layout, size and position windows on the desktop, then click the "Save" link in Easy Arrange. The layout is saved and a custom layout icon is created.
? NOTE: This option saves only the size and position of windows, not the applications that are open.
Custom Layout Deletion: A dialog box labeled "Easy Arrange" states "No desktop windows were found. The custom layout has been deleted." with an "OK" button.
To use a custom layout, select its icon. To delete a saved custom layout, close all desktop windows and click the "Save" link in Easy Arrange.
Easy Arrange Layout Options: A screenshot shows the "Dell Display Manager" window with the "Easy Arrange" tab active, displaying various predefined layout zones.
Enhanced Easy Arrange Features
| Feature | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Custom layouts | Save and name up to 5 customized Easy Arrange patterns. | |
| 6 MRU (most-recently-used) layouts | Configure x*y patterns. Press Ctrl+Shift+Home to cycle among the last 6 MRU layouts. | |
| On the fly partition resizing | Hold down Ctrl while resizing the current Easy Arrange layout to adjust the size and number of cells. The new pattern is saved to the Easy Arrange icon position. Hold down Ctrl while clicking a modified layout icon to restore the default layout. | |
| Easy Arrange layouts for portrait mode | Portrait mode Easy Arrange icons are presented when the monitor is rotated. |
? NOTE: An application may require a minimum resolution. If an Easy Arrange zone is smaller than the required window size, the application may not fit.
Managing Multiple Video Inputs
The Input Manager tab allows you to manage multiple video inputs connected to your Dell monitor, making it easy to switch between inputs when working with multiple computers. All available video input ports are listed, and you can assign custom names to each input. Save changes after editing.
You can define shortcut keys to quickly switch to a favorite input or between two specific inputs.
Input Manager Window Screenshot: A screenshot shows the "Dell Display Manager" window with the "Input Manager" tab active. It lists "Input port" (e.g., HDMI 1 (Active), HDMI 2) and allows for "Input name" editing. "Favorite input shortcut key" and "Input switch shortcut key" settings are present. Buttons for "Save" and "Change active input..." are visible.
? NOTE: Dell Display Manager (DDM) communicates with your monitor even when it's displaying video from another computer. You can install DDM on the computer you use most frequently to control input switching, or on other connected computers.
Restoring Application Positions
Dell Display Manager can restore application windows to their positions when you reconnect your computer to the monitor(s). Access this feature by right-clicking the DDM icon in the notification tray.
If you choose "Auto-restore window layout", DDM tracks and remembers your application windows' positions, automatically restoring them when you reconnect your computer.
Notification Tray Context Menu: A screenshot shows a context menu that appears when right-clicking the DDM icon. Options include "Open Dell Display Manager ...", "Attach to active window...", "Save current window layout", "Restore saved window layout", "Auto-restore window layout" (checked), "Check for new version...", and "Exit".
To revert to a favorite layout after moving windows, first "Save current window layout" and then "Restore saved window layout".
You can use monitors with different models or resolutions and apply various window layouts. DDM can identify the reconnected monitor and restore positions accordingly. If replacing a monitor in a multi-monitor setup, save the layout before replacement and restore it afterward.
? NOTE: Keep your applications running to benefit from this feature. Dell Display Manager does not launch applications.
Attach DDM to Active Window (Windows 10 Only)
The DDM icon can be attached to the active window for easy access to features. Click the icon for the following options:
| Feature | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Attach DDM to Active Window (Windows 10 only) | Change preset or snap to different partitions | DDM icon attached to the active window allows users to easily switch window position, change color preset mode, and associate auto preset mode. |
| Shortcut key trigger | On a running app window, pressing Ctrl+Shift+Ins triggers the attached DDM menu. | |
| Move app window among Easy Arrange cells | Send the app window to the previous/next Easy Arrange cell. | |
| Move app window among monitors | Send the app window to the previous/next monitor. |
Notification Tray Context Menu: A screenshot shows the context menu with "Attach to active window..." checked.
Setting Energy Conservation Options
On supported Dell monitor models, the Options tab provides PowerNap energy conservation settings. You can set the monitor's brightness to a minimum level or put the monitor to sleep when the screensaver is activated.
Options Window Screenshot: A screenshot shows the "Dell Display Manager" window with the "Options" tab active. It displays "PowerNap options" with choices "Reduce brightness when screensaver activates" and "Put the display to sleep when screensaver activates". Shortcut keys are listed: "Program shortcut key: Ctrl + Shift + D", "Easy Arrange MRU shortcut key: Ctrl + Shift + Home", and "Application window shortcut key: Ctrl + Shift + Num 0".
Other Shortcut Keys
Shortcut keys can be defined for the following operations:
- Program shortcut key: Quickly opens the Quick Settings dialog box.
- Easy Arrange MRU shortcut key: Quickly applies the 5 recently used window layouts.
- Application window shortcut key: Launches a quick menu for options under Auto Mode and Easy Arrange.
Other Shortcut Keys Window Screenshot: A screenshot shows the "Dell Display Manager" window with the "Options" tab active, displaying the same PowerNap options and shortcut keys as on page 17.
Troubleshooting
DDM works only with supported Dell monitors and does not support monitors from other manufacturers. If DDM cannot work with your monitor, it will show an icon in your notification tray.
Notification Tray Error Icon: A screenshot shows a system tray icon with a warning triangle and text "Please connect a supported Dell monitor".
When the icon is clicked, DDM displays a more detailed error message.
Dell Display Manager Error Message: A dialog box displays "Dell Display Manager Error" with the message "This program cannot communicate with any Dell monitors. Check your display driver, cables and connections."
If DDM is unable to detect or communicate with a supported Dell monitor, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Ensure the video cable is properly connected to your monitor and computer, with connectors firmly inserted.
- Check the monitor OSD to ensure DDC/CI is enabled.
- Ensure you have the correct and latest graphics-card driver from your manufacturer (e.g., Intel, AMD, NVIDIA). Incompatible or old drivers can cause DDM to fail.
Further Troubleshooting:
- Remove any docking stations, cable extenders, or converters between the monitor and the graphics port, as some may not support DDC/CI properly. Update their drivers if available.
- Restart your computer.
Monitors DDM May Not Work On:
- Dell monitor models from 2013 or earlier, and D-series Dell monitors. Refer to Dell Product Support websites for more information.
- Gaming monitors using Nvidia-based G-sync technology.
- Virtual and wireless displays do not support DDC/CI.
- Older monitors with DisplayPort version 1.2 may require disabling MST/DP 1.2 via the OSD menu.
If your computer is connected to the Internet, you will be prompted when a newer DDM version is available. It is recommended to download and install it.
You can also check for new versions by right-clicking the DDM icon while pressing and holding the Shift key.
Shift + Right-Click Context Menu: A screenshot shows a context menu with options like "Open Dell Display Manager ...", "Refresh...", "Save monitor asset report...", "Save diagnostic report...", "Save current window layout", "Restore saved window layout", "Auto-restore window layout", "Auto-load at startup" (checked), "Onscreen notifications", "Program language", "Check for new version...", and "Exit".
