Xiaomi and Redmi users often experience a device interface that suddenly changes color and the light background is replaced by a charcoal black background, which can be caused by things ranging from activation of system vision protection functions to software failures after an update. Most of the time, the problem is solved by simply adjusting the menu, but sometimes deeper intervention in the system settings is required.
Black backgrounds can appear across the entire interface, as well as in individual applications, such as a browser or gallery. It is important to understand that MIUI and the new HyperOS have many automatic switches that can conflict with each other. If you want to return a familiar light theme or get rid of color inversion, you need to consistently check the main nodes of settings.
In this article, we will look at all possible causes of unwanted screen dimming. We will look at standard methods of disconnection through the menu, working with the developer mode and emergency measures to reset settings. You will learn to distinguish between software inversion and hardware features of AMOLED-matrixes.
Checking for Dark Theme Activation and Night Mode
The most obvious reason for the color gamut change is an activated dark theme. In Xiaomi shells, it can turn on automatically on a schedule or depending on the light level. To check this, lower the notification curtain and find a switch with a picture of the moon or crescent. If it is burning in blue or active color, just click on it to deactivate.
However, sometimes the theme settings are hidden deeper. Go to Settings → Screen → Dark Theme. Here you should pay attention to the item "Schedule" If there is a tick, the system will force the background to black at a given time, ignoring your manual attempts to return light mode.
- 🌙 Press and hold the dark theme icon in the curtain to open the advanced settings.
- 📅 Turn off the “Schedule Enable” option for full control of the look.
- 🎨 Check if a third-party theme from the GetThemes store is installed that forcefully sets a black background.
- 📱 Make sure that the settings of individual applications do not tick the “Use a dark theme” box».
⚠️ Warning: Some third-party themes downloaded from unverified sources may contain errors in the code, which prevents the black background from being removed by the standard switch.
Reading and protection of vision as a cause of dimming
Another common reason for a yellowish or darkened background is reading mode, which is designed to reduce eye strain during prolonged smartphone use. Unlike a dark theme, reading mode doesn't just invert colors, it changes color temperature and can add a gray or black filter over content.
To turn off this feature, go to Settings → Screen → Read Mode. Here you will see an activation slider. If the function is turned on, turn it off. It is also worth checking the settings of the “Improved Read Mode”, which can simulate the appearance of electronic paper, making the background almost black and white.
It is important to note that newer versions of MIUI have Read 2.0 Mode, which can run in the background even when the screen is unlocked if you have pre-configured automation. Make sure that the list of applications that use this mode does not include the “All Apps” checkbox.
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If the black background only appears in the browser or reader, check the night mode settings inside the application itself, they can overlap the system settings.
Using Developer Mode and Color Inversion
If standard switches didn't help, perhaps the problem lies in hidden settings for developers. The random activation of the color inversion function makes the screen look like a photo negative: white background turns black and black becomes white, often when trying to speed up animations or debug USB.
To access these settings, you need to click 7 times on the version number in the About Phone section. After you see the "You became a developer" sign, go to Additional → For developers. In this list, look for "Invert colors" or "High contrast text".
Path to disconnect:
Settings → About Phone → (7 clicks according to MIUI) → Additional → For developers → Invert colors (Off)In the same menu, you should check the settings for color vision anomalies simulation, if you select Monochrome or Protanomaly, the screen may look unnaturally dark, and return the value to the "Disconnected" state.
- 🛠 Find the section “Hardware acceleration rendering” and try to switch its state.
- 🎨 Check the item "Simulation of color vision abnormality" - it should be disabled.
- 🔄 Reset the developer settings at the bottom of the menu if you can’t find a specific switch.
- 📉 Turn off font scaling if the text looks too large and dark.
Why do we need a color inversion?
Problems with AMOLED-Screens and Always on Display
Owners of smartphones with AMOLED arrays (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11, Redmi Note 10 Pro) can observe a black background as a feature of the display. Since in such screens each pixel is illuminated separately, black means a complete shutdown of the pixel. This saves charge, but can look like a defect, especially if part of the screen remains black.
Also, the reason can be the function Always On Display. If the settings selected the display of the clock on a black background in standby mode, when you wake up, a visual artifact may occur when the background does not have time to switch to light.
| Type of matrix | Feature of black | Impact on the battery | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMOLED | The pixels are off (True Black) | Saves charge | Use dark wallpaper |
| IPS LCD | The lights are working, the color is gray. | Consuming equally | Lower the brightness |
| OLED | Deep black. | Average consumption | Check for burnout. |
If you notice that the black background has an uneven shade or spots, this may be a sign of a burnout matrix, in which case software methods will not help, and you will need a diagnosis in the service center.
⚠️ Warning: Long-term use of static black images at maximum brightness on older ones AMOLED-screens can cause uneven pixel burnout.
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Nana AMOLED-Black is the pixels that are off, which is the norm, not a defect in the image.
Resetting screen settings and calibration
When software switches fail, you should reset your screen settings, which won't delete your personal data, but will return your brightness, color and resolution settings to factory values, especially after a failed system update.
Go to Settings → Screen. Scroll down to the end of the list. If there is a Reset Screen Settings or similar option, use it. In some versions of HyperOS, this functionality is moved to Advanced Settings.
☑️ Checklist before resetting settings
Also calibrate through the engineering menu, but this requires caution: enter the code ##6484## in the call to get to the engineering menu. Select Display or Color and follow the instructions to check and reset color profiles.
- ⚙️ Find the Color Bar test in the engineering menu to check the gradients.
- 🔄 Reset the display settings via the Recovery menu if the screen is not working at all.
- 🎨 Try changing the color profile from “Saturated” to “Standard” in the usual settings.
- 📉 Reset adaptive brightness by turning it off and on again.
Removing viruses and malware
A rare but possible scenario is the introduction of malware that blocks the normal display of the interface or imposes a dark theme for advertising.If a black background appears after installing an unknown application, it is worth conducting a deep system check.
Use the built-in Security antivirus that is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones. Run a full scan. It is also recommended to check the list of installed applications for suspicious programs without icons or with strange names.
If the problem is not resolved, you can try to remove newly installed applications one at a time, watching the system reaction. Pay special attention to applications requiring the right to "Above other windows" or "Change system settings".