How to remove Tall Black mode on Xiaomi TV: 5 proven ways

Tall Black (or "Tall Black") on Xiaomi TVs is a dynamic backlight feature that automatically darkens dark scenes to increase contrast. In theory, this should improve picture quality, but in practice, many users experience the opposite effect: the image becomes too dark, details are lost in the shadows, and eyes quickly tire of constant bursts of brightness, especially in films with night scenes or games with dark locations.

Complicating the problem, the menu mode name may vary depending on the TV model and the MIUI TV firmware version. Somewhere it is hidden under the Dynamic Contrast option, some under Adaptive Backlight or Smart Black. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable Tall Black, including hidden settings and alternative methods of calibrating the image if the standard path did not work.

What is Tall Black and Why It Should Be Disabled

Tall Black is Xiaomi’s proprietary technology that dynamically adjusts black levels based on the content of the screen. The algorithm analyzes the current scene and automatically lowers backlight in dark areas, aiming for the “perfect” black color.

• 🔍 Loss of detail in shadows: dark objects merge into a single spot, texture is lost (for example, in the hair of characters or details of clothes).
• 🎮 Lags in games: dynamic brightness adjustment creates a delay, which is critical for shooters or racing.
• 👁️ Eye fatigue: constant jumps in brightness cause the pupil to constantly narrow / expand, which leads to discomfort.
• 📺 Color distortion: Color balance suffers when activated, especially in scenes with smooth gradients.

Tall Black is most often activated by default on Xiaomi Mi TV 4S/4A/4X, Redmi Smart TV and Mi TV Q1/Q2. In budget series (for example, Mi TV A Pro), it can work more aggressively than in flagships, due to lower-quality matrices. Disabling this feature will return the natural picture, but will require additional manual contrast adjustment.

⚠️ Attention: Some Xiaomi TVs may have a grey black effect after the Tall Black is turned off (the backlight doesn’t turn off completely). To return deep black, you will need to calibrate the Black Level manually (for more on this in the section on alternative settings).

Method 1: Disconnect via the standard settings menu

The most obvious way is to find an option in the TV menu, but there's a catch: the name of the item depends on the firmware version and model.

1. Open Settings (cog in the upper right corner of the main screen).
2. Go to Image (or Display on older versions).
3. Look for one of the following items: Tall Black (on new firmware) Dynamic contrast (on Mi TV 4A/4S) Adaptive backlight (on Redmi Smart TV) Smart black (on Chinese firmware versions) Local Dimming (on zone-lit models, for example, Mi TV Q2 75)

Off.

Low.

Medium.

If you don't have any of these items on your menu, it's integrated into another option.

• 🔧 Go to Settings → Image: → Image mode and select Standard or Movie (Tall Black is usually disabled by default in these modes).
• 🔍 Go to Additional Settings and search for Contrast – sometimes it hides dynamic adjustment.

Method 2: Reset image settings to factory

If you can't find the right option, or if Tall Black has turned off the image, try resetting the image settings, which will return all parameters to default values, including hidden processing algorithms.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings → Image.
2. Scroll down and select Reset Image Settings (or Restore Default Values).
3. Confirm action. The TV will reboot (some models don't).

After discharge:

• 📊 Select the Standard or Game image mode (they usually do not have aggressive black processing).
• 🔄 Manually adjust the brightness (45-55%), Contrast (80-90%) and saturation (50%).
• 🎯 Turn off Noise Reduction and Motion Improvement – they may conflict with black settings.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with Matrixes VA (Most models, after reset, may have a cloud effect (uneven illumination). 10-15 If there's a problem, check the cables. HDMI signal-source.

Method 3: Disconnect via the Engineering Menu (for advanced)

If standard methods don’t work, you can try disabling Tall Black through the engineering menu, which is suitable for power users, as incorrect changes can lead to failures.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the TV and go to any channel or signal source.
2. On the remote, press sequentially: Menu → 1 → 3 → 7 → Menu (on some models, the combination may differ: Menu → 4 → 7 → 2 → 5 → Menu).
3. You'll see the engineering menu. Go to Picture Settings or Display.
4. Find the options: Black Level - set 0 or Low. Dynamic Contrast - turn off (Off). Local Dimming - turn off if you have.

Exit

Return

On Xiaomi Mi TV Q2 2023 and later, the engineering menu can be blocked, in which case, try connecting to ADB and execute the command:

adb shell setprop persist.sys.blacklevel 0

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu are not saved after the firmware update. If the TV updates, all settings will reset and the procedure will have to be repeated. Also, it is not recommended to change the settings associated with Backlight or Gamma - this can lead to overheating of the matrix.

Method 4: Update the firmware (if Tall Black does not turn off)

On some Xiaomi TVs (especially the 2020-2021 editions), Tall Black can be sewn into the firmware without the ability to turn off the menu, in which case it will help to update the software to the latest version, where bugs are usually fixed.

How to update firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, download it and install it. Don't turn off the TV during the process!