The sudden transformation of the colorful MIUI interface into a monochrome image can cause panic in any smartphone owner, most often not because of a matrix breakdown, but because of the accidental activation of special features designed to save vision or save battery power. Users often confuse modes, believing that their device is out of order, while the problem lies in the software accessibility settings.
Modern HyperOS and MIUI shells offer a variety of personalization tools, and some of them, such as Electronic Ink or Read Mode, dramatically change color reproduction. Understanding which feature was activated is key to quickly solving the problem. In this article, we will take a look at all possible causes and provide step-by-step instructions for returning a color image.
Don't ignore this symptom if it's on its own, as it can indicate a system failure or application conflict. However, in 95% of cases, it's just enough to find a switch in the settings menu. We'll look at both standard methods through the interface and deeper system options.
The main reasons for monochrome image
Before you start taking action, you need to identify the source of the problem. There are several main scenarios in which the Xiaomi screen loses color. The most common reason is the activation of the read mode, which simulates a paper page, removing blue light and color saturation.
Another common reason is the Electronic Ink mode (E-Ink), which completely discolor the interface, making it look like an e-book screen. This mode is useful for focusing, but it can be confused by the inexperienced user by accidentally turning it on through the control panel.
⚠️ Note: If the screen turns black and white immediately after the device falls or moisture is ingested, software methods may not help, in which case the display plume or controller may be physically damaged.
Sometimes, third-party apps, especially those that position themselves as “eye protectors” or productivity tools, are responsible for changing color rendering. These may have a higher priority on the system than standard Android settings.
- 📱 Accidental activation of the “Electronic Ink” mode through the notification curtain.
- 📖 Enabling Read Mode in Screen Settings or in a Specific Application.
- ♿ Activation of the function “Improving visibility” or “Color correction” in the special features section.
- 🔋 Power saving mode with aggressive display settings.
Disabling the electronic ink and reading mode
The fastest way to get back colors is to check the special display modes. In the MIUI and HyperOS shells, these functions are put into a separate menu, and most often users activate them accidentally, trying to change the brightness or turn on the night mode.
To start, open the control panel by swiping from top to bottom. Find an icon called "E-Ink" or an icon that resembles a book. If it's illuminated, just click on it to deactivate. If the icon isn't in quick access, go to the deep settings menu.
☑️ Screen mode check
If the problem is not solved, check the read settings. Go to Settings → Screen → Read Mode. There may be a Full Screen Mode switch or setting for individual applications. Make sure the slider is off and the apps list doesn't select the ones you're using right now.
It is important to note that reading mode can have an automatic schedule. Check the timer settings: your phone may go black and white at certain times of the day. Turn off automation if you don't need it to avoid a repeat of the situation.
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Use the "Electronic Ink" mode only when reading large volumes of text, as it significantly reduces the load on the eyes, but makes viewing photos and videos uncomfortable.
In some versions of firmware, settings may be hidden in search. Type the word “ink” or “read” in your settings search to instantly get to the desired section, bypassing long walks through the menu.
Setting up special features and accessibility
Android has powerful tools for visually impaired people that can change the color gamut of the entire interface, and if you or someone you know has experimented with these settings, the screen could become monochrome.
Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Special. Features. Here we are interested in the Vision tab or the Color and Text section. Find Color correction. If this switch is activated, the screen can be displayed in shades of gray, especially if you select Monochrome mode.
| Function | Location on the menu | Screen impact | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color correction | Special Opportunities → Vision | Complete color removal | Turn it off. |
| Color inversion | Special Opportunities → Vision | Negative image | Turn it off. |
| High-contrast text | Special Opportunities → Vision | Changing contrast | Set up |
| Improved visibility | Special opportunities | Blurring or greying | Check it out. |
It’s also worth checking for activated accessibility services from third-party apps. Sometimes antiviruses or launchers will implement their own filters. Go through the list under Availability Services and turn off suspicious items, especially if they have access to the display on the screen.
There is another hidden feature, Remote Control or TalkBack, which in rare cases can conflict with display drivers, causing color artifacts.Make sure none of these features are running in the background without your knowledge.
Why do colors change when you call?
Energy saving and productivity regime
Aggressive battery saving is another culprit in the disappearance of paint. When the charge level falls below the critical mark (usually 10-15%), Xiaomi can automatically turn on the Ultra-Savings mode or simply limit the display.
In this mode, the system turns off background processes, reduces brightness and, importantly for our theme, can translate the interface into a monochrome view to reduce the power consumption of pixels (relevant for some types of matrixes). Check the battery indicator: if it burns red, just put the phone on charge.
To turn this off manually, go to Settings → Battery. Select Balanced or Performance. Avoid Saving or Ultra if you care about full color reproduction and visuals.
⚠️ Warning: Forced power saving mode shutdown at critically low charge (less than 5%) can cause the device to instantly shut down.
Then there's the memory optimization feature, which can also affect interface rendering. Although it rarely makes the screen black and white, it can cause strange visual glitches. Try clearing RAM through the standard Security tool.
- 🔋 Turn off the "Ultra-Savings" mode in the battery settings.
- ⚡ Switch the performance profile to “Balanced».
- 📉 Check if the background activity limit for system processes is activated.
Resetting and system diagnostics
If none of the above methods worked, there may have been a software failure in the configuration files of the system, in which case, a reset of the screen settings or, in extreme cases, a complete reset of the device helps.
Before drastic measures, try Safe Mode. To do this, press the off button, and when the menu appears, press and hold the "Off" option (or "Reset", depending on the version of MIUI) until the prompt to go to Safe Mode appears. If in this mode the color returned, then the problem is in the third-party application.
If the problem persists even in safe mode, consider resetting your settings. Remember that a full Hard Reset will delete all your data, so be sure to back up important files to the cloud or your computer.
Settings → About the phone → Reset settings → Erase all dataSometimes it helps to simply reset your screen settings without deleting personal data. Go to Settings → Screen and look for the option to reset display settings. If this option is not available, you can try resetting your network and Bluetooth settings, as they sometimes affect system profiles.
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If the color is gone after installing a particular application, remove it. If you update the firmware, wait for the patch or do a reset.