AW3225QF, stuck with flashing "The refresh process did not finish"

Hey, same issue here, also with a AW3225QF.

This started with a random black screen (no popup beforehand or whatsoever) while my PC was on and after 1-2 min, the screen came back. A few hours later, I turned off my PC and thats where the loop began. 

The latest firmware is installed (M2B105, A03-00 from 25th April 2024) and I also tried to reinstall the firmware. This took less than 1 min, so I guess it wasn't successful, despite the update tool said otherwise.

Any help or advise would be appreciated.

After a bit of research, I could only find a forum post describing the same issue. Apparently there is no solution except for Dell replacing the monitor.

I'm looking for an option to factory reset the monitor, however the only way would be through the OSD menu, which isn't accessible at this point.

Did you find a resolution to this? Not getting anywhere with mine and dell is telling me mine is out of warranty. 

Yes I did! It's a bit complicated though, here we go:

1. Download & install the Dell Display and Peripheral Manager (https://www.dell.com/support/product-details/en-uk/product/dell-display-peripheral-manager/drivers) This allows you to change most of the settings although this only works if the monitor is fully working (i.e. when it is stuck in the display refresh loop, it doesn't work, so next we will get it to temporarily work)

2. Open the Dell Display and Peripheral manager

3. Unplug the display

4. Hold down the joystick interface (the thing at the bottom of the monitor that normally allows you to change settings)

5. Plug in the display while still pressing down (technically up) on the joystick interface (having two people makes this a whole lot easier)

6. Keep pressing the joystick interface, when the display turns on (still keep pressing down on the joystick interface) it should work temporarily (at least that is what happened for me)

7. On the dell display and peripheral manager select the display and click "reset to factory settings"

8. After it turns off and on (I don't think it does this fully) as a result of ressetting the device, it should work at least temporarily

9. Do not interact with the joystick (as this sends it back into the loop), you can edit some of the more important settings in the Dell Display and Peripheral manager

10. After like 3-4 times I did the above steps, it just fixed itself permenantly including the joystick controls working!

P.S.: For me the display didn't show up on the Dell Display and Peripheral Manager, if it doesn't try connecting it with another cable type (i.e. HDMI, Display Port, or even the debug cable if you have one of the same type but I don't think it was the debug cable that made it work for me, I think it was the HDMI. If one HDMI cable doesn't work, try another as they might have different versions)

I might have forgotten something as this was a while ago, but reply to my message if it doesn't work for you and why, I might remember. Hope it helps!

@Filo4​ I dont know who you are or where you live, but I promise you 2 things, I will find you and I will kiss you on the face!

You sir are my hero, had this exact problem, originally the power button changed to the OSD button, then today it decided to get stuck in the infinite screen refresh loop.  I followed youre steps for the temporary fix (holding the joystick in while pugging the monitor back in) and it has worked (at least for now) I have reset the monitor to defaults and now going to install the latest firmware.  Thankyou again you heavenly angel

@The Nesh​ did it take a long time to launch the DDPM? Mine is just taking a long time saying connecting to the subagent.

@HeavyRifleman​ Not really, stick with it or if all else fails just start over.  One thing to note, dont update the drivers.  I finished the process, went to the Dell website, updated to the latest drivers and the problem returned.  I have now reset the monitor to default again and it seems okay so far, even booted this time without holding the OSD button. 

The OSD and power buttons are still swapped over though so I hope that fixes itself or I will be returning it

What do you mean swapped over? Reinstalling it fixed the issue there. 

Can you turn off the pixel refresh thing? Would that fix it?

@HeavyRifleman​ I mean currently my joystick or OSD joystick underneath the monitor, turns it on and off, my power button does nothing.  Did you reinstall the drivers and it worked?

Mine was working as of just now, will test again tomorrow to see if it is fixed properly 

@The Nesh​ I reinstalled the DDPM and it worked again. 

my joystick sends it back into the refresh loop. But it’s on now.

@The Nesh​ everything is very temporary and the setting you can adjust through the app are very limited. 

It has a firmware update so I’m trying that. 

@HeavyRifleman​ let me know how it goes