The sudden disappearance of the color rendering on the screen of the Xiaomi Redmi 8 smartphone can be an unpleasant surprise for any user. Instead of the usual bright icons and rich photos, you see only shades of gray, which makes using the device similar to reading an old newspaper. This phenomenon often causes panic, as many mistakenly believe that there was a critical matrix failure or damage to the display plume.
Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, the problem lies not in the hardware, but in the software settings of the MIUI operating system. The shell from Xiaomi has a wide functionality for customization and vision protection, which, when accidentally activated, changes the color scheme of the interface. Understanding the causes of this effect is the first step to successfully restore the normal operation of the screen.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all possible scenarios leading to a monochrome image and provide step-by-step instructions for eliminating them, and learn how to manage e-book mode, availability settings, and energy saving options to return your Redmi 8 to its former brightness and juiciness of colors.
E-book mode: the main reason for monochrome
The most likely culprit behind the disappearance of colors is the activated Read Mode or E-Book Mode, an optimization designed by Xiaomi to reduce eye strain during long-term text reading, which, when enabled, forces the entire interface to be black and white, simulating electronic ink screens.
To check the status of this feature and disable it, you need to go to the main settings menu. Find the section responsible for display parameters, which in different versions of the firmware can be called "Screen" or "Display", and this is where the main tools for managing color reproduction and brightness of your device are concentrated.
Inside the screen menu, you should look for a item called Read Mode, and if you click on it, you'll be taken to a submenu where you can not only turn off the function, but also adjust its behavior, and users often accidentally activate the mode, trying to change the brightness or color profile, without realizing the consequences for color reproduction.
It is important to note that you can set up automatic mode for certain applications in this section. If you see that colors are only missing in your browser or reading app, check the exceptions and automatic rules list.
⚠️ Warning: If the read mode activation slider is blue, the function is on.
Once deactivated, the changes are applied instantly, and the screen should shine with all the colors of the rainbow, but if the problem persists even after this option is turned off, it is worth looking deeper into the system accessibility settings.
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Use read mode only when necessary, as it significantly reduces the visual appeal of the interface and can interfere with the perception of color indicators in applications.
Settings of special features and color correction
The Android operating system that runs MIUI has a wide range of tools for people with disabilities, including color correction features that can drastically change the display of colors on the screen. Randomly enabling such options, such as Gradation of Grey, often occurs when you quickly switch settings or use button combinations.
To check for these parameters, you need to open the system settings and find the Advanced Settings or Special Opportunities section. Depending on the firmware version, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same. You are interested in the section related to improved visibility or color correction.
If activated, the system applies filters to people with color blindness or other visual characteristics, and if it is disabled, disabling this item will return the standard color reproduction profile of Redmi 8.
- 🔍 Go to Settings. → Advanced settings → Special opportunities.
- 🎨 Find the “Improving Visibility” tab or similar.
- 🚫 Turn off the option of “Color correction” or “Gray Gradation».
It’s also worth checking if color inversion is enabled, which makes light areas dark and dark areas light, often turning the image into a negative with distorted colors.
Effect of energy saving mode on display
Another common reason for changing the color scheme is an aggressive energy saving policy. When the Xiaomi Redmi 8 battery drops below a certain level (usually 20% or 10%), the system may suggest switching to energy saving mode. In some scenarios, this mode includes limiting background activity and reducing brightness, and can also change the color palette to reduce the power consumption of the matrix.
To rule out this factor, check the current battery status. Go to the settings menu and select Battery and Performance. Here you will see the current mode of operation: Balanced, Classic or Energy Saving. If you select Saving Mode, try switching to Balanced.
There are additional options inside the battery settings too: Click on the settings icon (usually three dots or a gear) in the top right corner of the screen. Make sure there are no restrictions that force the interface to a monochrome look at low charge.
If you use your phone to full discharge frequently, it makes sense to turn off the automatic transition to austerity mode.This will prevent sudden changes to the interface at the inappropriate moment when you urgently need access to navigation or communication.
⚠️ Warning: Ultra-saving mode can limit not only colors, but also the number of apps available, leaving only calls and messages.
After switching the power mode, the screen should immediately restore normal color reproduction. If the battery has been critically discharged, connect the charger - when a certain level of charge is reached, the system itself can exit the restriction mode.
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Power saving modes are a temporary system state that is easily reset by switching a power profile or connecting a charging.
Resetting screen settings and calibration
If simple switching of the switches didn't help, there may have been a software failure, and the color settings "slip" are the effective method, in which case, the forced reset of the screen parameters to factory values is the effective method, and this will not delete your personal data, photos or contacts, but will return all the settings of the display to its original state.
To start, try changing the color profile. In the Screen menu, find Color Mode or Color Scheme. Switch from Standard to Saturated and back again, sometimes causing the system to redraw the interface and remove the wrong filter.
The next step may be to reset all settings through an engineering menu or special codes, but on MIUI it is safer to use a standard system reset. Before doing so, make sure you back up important data, although when resetting only settings (not data), the information is usually stored.
However, if you are sure that the problem is in the display settings, you can reset through the Recovery menu by selecting the option “Wipe Data” (which will delete all data) or, if possible, simply reset the settings through the phone menu: Settings → About phone → Reset → Erase all data.
| Parameter | Default value | Possible problem | Decision | Impact on data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading mode | Off. | Random inclusion | Turn off the screen menu | Safe. |
| Color correction | Off. | Activation of filters | Special opportunities | Safe. |
| Saving energy | Off. | Low charge. | Change profile | Safe. |
| Resetting settings | N/D | Systemic glitch | Total reset | Deletion of data |
Use the table above as a checklist to consistently check each parameter, and a systematic approach will help you identify even the most hidden cause of the problem.
Checking for malware and conflicts
Don't discount the possibility that the color change is caused by a third-party app. Some vision protection programs, flashlights, or battery optimizers may have their own filter overlay settings on the screen. If the problem occurs immediately after installing the new software, it's likely to be the cause.
Try to start your smartphone in Safe Mode. To do this, press and hold the off button, and then hold your finger on the Turn off button on the screen for a long time until you prompt you to go to Safe Mode. In this state, only system applications load.
If the screen turns color in safe mode, it means that one of the apps you installed is to blame, start remembering what you installed recently, and delete suspicious programs one at a time, checking the result.
- 📱 Check out the list of recently installed apps.
- 🛡️ Pay attention to antiviruses and memory cleaners.
- 🚫 Remove apps that have permission to “overlay over other windows».
It’s also worth checking your phone for viruses with Xiaomi’s built-in security scanner or a reliable third-party antivirus. Malware can change system settings for advertising or mining, although changing the screen color for viruses is a rare but possible scenario.
How to get into Safe Mode on Redmi 8?
Diagnostics of hardware faults
When all software methods are exhausted and the Redmi 8 screen remains black and white, you have to consider a hardware breakdown. Damage to the display plume, especially after falling or getting moisture, can lead to loss of signal responsible for transmitting color information.
Notice the nature of the image: If the black and white mode is accompanied by stripes, ripples, flickers, or if the image floats, the probability of physical failure is extremely high, and also a sign of hardware problems is the appearance of a gray shade only in a certain part of the screen.
Do a matrix test. There are special screen-testing applications that display solid colors (red, green, blue) If the screen is left gray or black when you output blue, this may indicate a malfunction of the backlight or the matrix itself.
If you confirm a hardware problem, self-repair is not recommended, as it requires special equipment and skills. It is better to contact an authorized service center for diagnosis and replacement of the display module.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone falls or comes into contact with water, do not try to charge it or turn it on repeatedly, this can aggravate the short circuit.
Hardware problems require professional intervention, and do not ignore the symptoms, as over time, the defect can progress, up to a complete failure of the display.