The short version
Many monitors have a built-in USB hub. It stays silent until you connect the monitor to the computer with a USB upstream cable. Some monitors also have ports marked for service or firmware use, and those are a different matter.
So the claim that monitor USB ports are "not meant for that" is too broad. The more accurate advice is to identify which kind of port you have before you plug anything in.
What the original article claims
MakeUseOf's piece argues that on most monitors, the USB ports exist for diagnostics, firmware updates and troubleshooting. It says that without an upstream connection the ports can't talk to the PC. In its words, a keyboard, webcam, hard drive, printer and other peripherals won't work. It adds that the ports may charge small devices slowly. It also says some monitors do work as full USB hubs once an upstream cable is connected.
The upstream point is correct, and it's the useful part. The "most monitors are service-only" framing is the shaky part. The sources I found don't support it as a general rule. They describe ordinary hub ports as a normal, documented feature.
What manufacturers say
- Dell: Dell's support guidance for downstream-port failures describes the symptom as a USB device not being recognized when plugged into the monitor. For data transmission, the USB upstream cable must be connected between the Dell monitor and the computer. Dell monitors have a USB Type-B or USB-C upstream port. The issue shows up mostly when the video link is HDMI or DisplayPort, because those cables carry audio and video only.
- Dell's hub explainer: Once the upstream cable is connected, a device in a downstream port, such as a keyboard, mouse or flash drive, communicates directly with your computer. That is the opposite of the claim that keyboards and drives won't work.
- LG: LG's help page says the monitor's USB port can act as a hub for phone charging and for keyboard or mouse connections. if the upstream port isn't connected, the downstream port won't function and the connected device won't charge or respond. Charging can also depend on the monitor's power state. The FAQ notes that in deep standby, USB signal detection is turned off, so the monitor won't charge external devices.
That last point matters for the slow-charging claim. Charging behavior varies by monitor, port and power mode. It isn't a fixed "slow but works" outcome.
Why a Dell example shows how model-specific this is
Dell's article on the S2722DC and S2722QC models gives a concrete case:
| Port | Role |
|---|---|
| 5 | USB Type-C upstream port |
| 7 | USB Type-A downstream port |
| 9 | USB Type-A downstream port with power charging |
Ports 7 and 9 require the included USB Type-C cable to be connected to the monitor's upstream USB-C port (port 5) from your computer. Dell's listed resolution is a firmware update to version M3B102 or later. The workaround is to connect port 5 to a USB-C port on the computer, or to a USB-A port using a separately purchased USB-C to A cable if the PC has no USB-C. Dell also suggests setting the USB-C charging option to "Off in Off Mode" through the on-screen menu under Personalize, then restarting the monitor or reseating the cable to reinitialize the ports.
The lesson is that even a correctly cabled hub can hit a model-specific firmware bug. The ports weren't "meant for service only." They simply needed an update.
How to tell what your monitor's ports do
- Find your exact model and read its manual or spec sheet. Dell notes that downstream port locations vary by model, and LG says cable types vary.
- Look for the upstream port. A square USB-B port is a common upstream connector, but some monitors use USB-C for upstream data. Treat the connector shape as a clue, not proof.
- Check the labels. Markings such as upstream, downstream, service or charging tell you more than the connector type does. If the manual calls a port service-only, leave it for its documented purpose.
- Don't assume USB-C does everything. A USB-C port may carry data, video, power or some mix. Check the specs for which ones your monitor supports. Dell, for example, says the USB-C input (DisplayPort or Thunderbolt) on select monitors supports audio, video and data, so you'd confirm that in the user manual for your model.
Setting up a monitor USB hub on Windows
- Connect video as usual (HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C).
- Connect the monitor's upstream port to your PC with a compatible cable. With a USB-B upstream port, that's a USB-B to USB-A cable. With a USB-C upstream port, it's a USB-C cable.
- Plug your keyboard, mouse or other peripheral into a downstream port.
- Success looks like the device being recognized by Windows as if it were plugged into the PC.
If a monitor USB port doesn't work
Dell's troubleshooting steps for a non-working monitor port are practical and apply well beyond Dell:
- Check the upstream cable is connected in addition to the video cable.
- Restart the monitor. Dell advises letting it run for at least 15 seconds before testing the USB connection.
- Try another downstream port. If one works and another doesn't, inspect the dead port for damage. Dell notes that inserting a device backwards can damage the connection.
- Test the device directly on the PC. This rules out the device itself. Dell also says this helps confirm Windows isn't turning off the port to save power.
- Check for firmware updates for your exact monitor model, as the S2722 case shows.
Hub caveats worth knowing
Dell notes that the total speed available across all downstream ports is shared through the single upstream connection. A webcam, an external SSD and a dock-style load on one monitor hub will compete for that bandwidth. If you move storage between upstream ports, expect it to disconnect. A Windows Forum report on the topic cites a Dell warning against switching upstream ports while attached storage is active.
For latency-sensitive or high-throughput devices, such as capture cards and fast SSDs, plugging directly into the PC may still be the better choice. That is a reasonable judgment call based on the shared-bandwidth point, not a universal rule.
Where MakeUseOf is right and where it overreaches
Right:
- Downstream ports need an upstream data connection to work.
- The manual is the best way to identify port roles.
- USB-C can mean different things on different monitors.
- Ports marked service or firmware update should be left alone.
Overreaching:
- Saying most monitor USB ports are diagnostic-only.
- Saying keyboards, webcams and drives won't work. They will on a correctly connected hub.
- Saying a lone USB-A port is often diagnostic. I found no model-independent evidence for that, so check the manual.
- Telling readers to bypass the monitor for everything that needs the PC. Many monitors exist to be that hub.
Bottom line
Don't avoid your monitor's USB ports. Work out which kind you have. Connect the upstream cable, use the downstream ports for peripherals, and leave anything labeled service alone. If a port seems dead, the missing upstream cable is the most common cause. A firmware update or a charging setting is the next thing to check.