USB ports and connectors have been more functional with each new edition of Dell monitors, paving the door for smaller, lighter, and more portable devices.
However, while new standards increase speed, power, and adaptability, they also introduce a complicated array of features and functionality to consider when determining which USB port or accessory is best for your Dell monitor.
If your business requires the usage of several peripherals and the need to link them to your computer, you will quickly run out of available USB ports.
At the very least, one USB port must be available for keyboards, printers, mice, wireless adapters, and charges. Newer Dell monitors include USB ports, allowing you to connect other peripherals to your computer.
These ports, however, must be enabled or powered on before they may use them. If you want to know How to activate USB Ports on Dell Monitor, this guide is beneficial.
Specific displays like Dell, ASUS, and HP include two or more USB ports connecting your USB devices.
However, these USB ports will not function until your monitor is connected to your computer, by linking a Type-A male to Type-B male USB upstream connection. Monitors with USB ports typically come along with a USB upstream cable.
What is a USB Port?
Office desktops in the 1990s were a labyrinth of serial, parallel, and proprietary wires. Then all of that changed with the arrival of the Universal Serial Bus (USB), which standardized computer connectivity via a compact, low-cost interface known as the USB Type-A (USB-A) port/connector.
USB has surpassed Ethernet as the most popular wired interface for laptops, tablets, and smartphones, with billions of USB devices in daily usage.
USB has developed through standards that define how cables connect to, communicate with, and powerful computers, mobile devices, and peripherals.
USB 4 is the most recent edition, and like previous iterations, it significantly improves data transmission speed, video resolution, and power.
Why are USB Ports Used?
USB aims to eliminate the hassle associated with using multiple connectors for various devices, such as serial and parallel connections. It aims to provide a standardised method for connecting up to 127 devices to a single computer.
Ports and External Connectors to a Dell Computer
The various ports and connectors are available on any Dell computer currently on the market.
Input Ports and Connectors
Each of these ports and connectors serves a single purpose: to facilitate data flow into your computer. They are predominantly found on legacy systems.
Output Ports and Connectors
These ports and connectors are most frequently used to connect your system’s an audio and video output to external displays or speakers.
How to Activate a USB Port on a Dell Monitor by Using a USB Upstream Cable?
Follow these instructions to to Activate USB Ports on Your Monitor?
- Switch off the Dell monitor.
- Attach one end of the USB cable that comes with your monitor to the monitor’s USB upstream port.
- Connect the USB cable’s other end to a free USB port on your Dell monitor.
- When the monitor is turned on, the USB ports on the side and bottom of the Dell monitor become active.
- If the USB ports are not working, restart your computer.
Activate USB Ports on a Dell Monitor by Using Type A & Type B USB Ports
- Switch off your Dell monitor and locate your monitor’s square-shaped Type-B USB port. Typically, the Port is located near the spot where the power, VGA, DVI, or HDMI cables are connected.
- Attach the Type-B end of the USB cable to the Type-B USB port on your monitor, and then the other rectangle-shaped Type-A end to a free USB port on your computer. USB ports are located on the front and back of the CPU case.
- Plug a USB device into your monitor after turning on your computer. If your computer does not recognize the USB device, install the monitor’s drivers from the manufacturer’s disc or the company’s website.
What Should You Do if the USB Port on Your Dell Laptop Is Not Working?
The following are four simple troubleshooting steps if your Dell PC doesn’t recognise or detect your USB device when you plug it in. A wide range of people has used them.
Use a Different USB Port to Connect Your Device
If the USB port you plug in your USB device is dirty or damaged, you may experience USB performance issues. You can try by applying a different USB port for your USB device.
Examine Your Power Management Configuration
Additionally, Windows may turn off your USB controllers when they are not used to conserve power and “forget” to turn on back when required. You can perform the following steps to obtain a check:
At the same time press the Windows logo key and R on your keyboard to invoke the Run box.
- Enter the command devmgmt. msc.
- Extend the entry for Universal Serial Bus controllers.
- Double-click on the (first) USB Root Hub to activate it if you have more than one.
- To access the Power Management tab, click it.
- Confirm that the check box next to Enable the computer to power down this device to conserve energy is not selected, then click OK.
- Rep the last three steps for additional USB Root Hubs if you have more than one under Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Disconnect and Reconnect Power Cord
Having a problem with your Dell laptop’s power supply could cause your laptop’s USB ports to stop working altogether. You can check for power supply problems by following these steps:
- Remove the laptop’s power cord or AC adapter.
- Make sure you restart your computer first.
- Plugin your USB device into your laptop’s Port.
- Reconnect the power cord or AC adapter.
Update Your USB Driver
If the methods above do not fix your issue, the most likely culprit is a USB driver issue. Although, this is also one of the most straightforward issues to resolve. You can upgrade your USB driver in one of two ways:
Manually Update Your USB Driver
You can manually update your driver by using the hardware vendor’s website and looking for the most recent driver for your USB device. However, if you select this route, make sure that the driver is compatible with your device’s specific model number and your Windows version.
Automatically Update Your USB Driver
If you are busy and have time, patience, or computer abilities to update your drivers manually, you can use Driver Easy to do so for you. You are not required to know what operating system your computer is running.
You are not required to risk downloading and installing the incorrect driver. You are not required to worry about making an installation error. Driver Easy takes care of everything.
- Driver Easy is accessible for download and installation.
- Start Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then search your computer, identifying any problematic drivers.
- Click Update next to any detected devices to automatically download and install the most recent version of their drivers. Alternatively, select Update All to download and install them all automatically.
- This feature requires the Pro version; you will be asked to upgrade when clicking Update All. You’ll receive comprehensive assistance and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Restart your computer and verify that your USB port is now functional. If it does not, please get in touch with Driver Easy’s support staff at help@drivereasy.com. They’d be delighted to assist you.
Frequently Asked Question
How Do You Connect a USB to an HDMI Port?
A USB-to-HDMI adapter can be used to connect your USB device to an HDMI port by connecting it to a USB cable. Connect a male HDMI cable to a female connector on the adaptor as the last step.
Can USB Port Be Used for Display?
The USB to HDMI active adapter functions as an extra graphics or video card between the computer and the monitor. Type-A USB ports are found on most modern laptops. Your PC should be limited to basic PowerPoint and other Office apps if only a 2.0 USB port
Can You Run a Monitor Through USB-C?
A USB-C port can directly output video to any HDMI display with a single connection. USB-C devices that support these Alt Modes can, with the suitable USB-C cable, transport those signals in addition to conventional USB data.
Conclusion
The introduction of USB ports and their activation mechanisms in Dell monitors demonstrates that technology is evolving tremendously, becoming more efficient, adaptable, powerful, and universal.
USB devices are Hot-Swappable, which indicates they can be disconnected and rejoined while the computer remains powered on and operational. After reading this guide, You will be well familiar with the process of How to Activate USB Ports on a Dell Monitor.
