Categories: Business & Tech News

SOLVED: How to Unlock the Onscreen Display (OSD) on a Dell Monitor

This is an odd one.  After a Dell U2412 LCD had been placed on its face to connect cables, the screen became locked.  After some research this apparently happens when the MENU button is held in for 15 seconds.  So monitors like the Dell E228WFP, P2210 and 1701FP can be unlocked by holding the MENU or SETTINGS button for 15 seconds.

The question is, what about the more expensive programmable LCD’s like the 2412… they have four programmable buttons.  The answer is to press and hold the BOTTOM button (not the power button) for 15 seconds.

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  • I got used Dell 22xxwfp and it would cone on for 3 seconds and drop out. Menu button did nothing. None of the many 15 to 20 second holds I tried did anything. Early in my struggles, I did see a lock icon on the screen for a few seconds.

    So, what is the LOCK icon on back?

  • I have a dell 2009Wt monitor and menu keys are locked as well I have 4 buttons and they are across the bottom not up and down the side like others with issue I've try holding every button but its still has lock icon and goes back into power save mode if I shut down computer and turn it back on the monitor work until right before log in screen and returns to power save mode and I can't access the menu or anything on monitor to try to solve issue does anyone know what to do

    • Hi Melvin;

      Make sure you have it plugged into a PC. I have seen OSD menu's not appear when a monitor is not connected.

  • Guys, the solution is to hold the menu button for 15 to 20 secs. No need to open the screen or anything else for that matter.

  • I have a U2412 with the same problem, I think initiated when I moved and reconnected the monitor with computer on. Holding the power or any of the other 4 buttons for 15 seconds or more does not resolve the problem. I notice on the back there is a lock symbol and what appears to be a place for a key or reset. Is there a purpose for this?

    Any other ideas to resolve the problem?

  • Next time, turn off the monitor before connecting any cables so you do not damage your monitor or video card. At least you learned a new tips and was able to share it with others.

    • I have been a tech for about 30 years and I do not recall ever having an issue connecting an external monitor that was already powered up. The only issue that plugging in a powered up monitor might cause is a minor issue with DDE.

      What specific issues have you seen and when was the last time you saw them?

      • Some monitors from Dell will not accept a signal from the video card if it is connected after the PC is on. I see this a lot with the Optiplex 990 and includes the mouse and keyboard. You can tell it will happen if there ON LED lights are glowing blue instead of green.

Published by
Ian Matthews

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