Xiaomi Black and White Screen: How to Restore Colors in 10 Minutes

Black and white screen on Xiaomi devices – a problem faced by owners as smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Mi, and TVs (Mi) TV, Redmi Smart TV). In most cases, it is not a critical failure, but a failure of settings or software. However, you can not ignore the symptom: inaction can lead to an aggravation of the malfunction, especially if the cause lies in the hardware.

In this article, we will look at all possible causes of black and white images, from the banal (for example, activated mode for the visually impaired) to the serious (damage to the plume or matrix), you will get step-by-step instructions for each scenario, including diagnostic methods without special equipment, and we will focus on the nuances for televisions and smartphones, as the algorithms for solving the problem differ.

If your Xiaomi device suddenly loses color, don't panic. 80 percent of the time, it's solved in 5 to 10 minutes with standard system tools. Let's start with the simplest.

1. Checking the regime for the visually impaired (Color Inversion)

The most common reason for the black and white screen on Xiaomi is the accidental activation of color inversion mode or special features for people with visual impairments.

• 🎯 After updating the firmware (resets special features settings are reset).
• 👆 Accidentally pressing hot keys (for example, holding volume buttons) + nutrition in some models).
• 🤖 Through third-party applications requesting rights to change system parameters.

To turn off the mode, follow the following steps:

For Xiaomi smartphones:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Go to Improve Visibility or Color Filter (name depends on version) MIUI).
3. Turn off the options Color Inversion, Shades of Grey or Color Filter.
4. If the items are inactive, check the Gestures and Hotkeys section for combinations included.

For Mi TV/Redmi TV:

1. On the remote, press Settings (Settings) → All Settings (All Settings).
2. Select Accessibility (Special Opportunities) → Color Inversion (Color Inversion).
3. Set the switch to the Off position.
4. If the image is not restored, restart the TV by holding the power button on the remote for 10 seconds.

If you don't return colors after you turn off the mode, move to the next section, and it may be the image settings or the hardware failure that's causing the problem.

2. Resetting image settings and screen calibration

Color renderings that are wrong are the second most common cause of black and white screens, and this can happen after:

• 📺 Connections to the TV of external devices (set-top boxes, computers) with non-standard color profiles.
• 🔧 Manually modifying the parameters in the engineering menu (for example, via ##3644633## on smartphones).
• 🖥️ Failure to update firmware when factory color profiles are reset.

For smartphones: reset the screen settings:

1. Go to Settings → Display.
2. Select the Color Scheme or Color Mode.
3. Set the standard or default value.
4. If there is no option, reset the display settings via Settings. → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting display settings.

For Xiaomi TVs: Calibrate the image:

1. Open the Settings. → Picture.
2. Select Image Mode and set Standard.
3. Reset the color settings: Additional → Resetting image settings.
4. If the problem remains, check the settings. HDMI-port (if you use an external signal source).

If the settings manipulation didn't work, it could be a firmware failure or a hardware malfunction, and in the next section, we'll look at how to diagnose software errors.

3. Software failures: reboot, safe mode and reset

A black and white screen may appear after installing an update, application conflict, or corrupting system files.

• 🔄 Hard reset (forced reboot).
• 🛡️ Safe mode (to check the impact of third-party applications).
• 📛 Reset to factory settings (last resort).

Hard reboot:

• For smartphones: Hold the power button + Increase volume 10-15 seconds until the device restarts.
• For TVs: Turn off power from the socket for 1 minute, then turn it on again.

Safe mode (only for smartphones):

1. Turn off the device.
2. Hold the power button until the Xiaomi logo appears.
3. Release the power button and immediately press Volume Down, holding until the system boots.
4. In the lower right corner of the screen will appear the inscription Safe Mode.

If the colors are back in Safe Mode, the problem is in one of the installed applications: Uninstall the recently added programs or reset.

Reset to factory settings:

⚠️ Warning: This procedure will delete all data from the device. Pre-backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup or Mi Cloud backup.

1. For smartphones: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Delete all data.
2. For TVs: Settings → System system → Reset and update → Resetting all settings.

4. Checking connected devices and cables

If the black and white screen appeared after connecting external devices (for example, the Mi Box console, computer or game console), the problem may lie in:

• 🔌 Faulty. HDMI-cable (damaged contacts are responsible for transmitting color signals).
• 📺 Incompatible resolution (source device transmits signal in format that does not support TV).
• 🔄 Failure in port HDMI/USB-C (contact oxidation or mechanical damage).

Diagnosis:

1. Disconnect all external devices from the TV/smartphone.
2. Check the image without the gadgets connected. If the colors are back, one of them is the problem.
3. Connect the devices one by one while watching the screen changes.
4. For HDMI-Devices: Try another cable or port on your TV.

Configure the permission (for external sources):

If the image turns black and white when you connect a PC or console:

1. On the computer: go to the screen settings → Additional display parameters and set resolution 1920×1080 frequency-wise 60 Hz.
2. On Mi Box: Settings → Display and sound → Screen resolution → 1080p.
3. On game consoles (e.g, PS4/Xbox): In the video settings, select RGB instead of YCbCr.

If after disconnecting all external devices the problem remains – go to hardware diagnostics.

5. Hardware malfunctions: plumes, matrix, graphics chip

If the software methods didn't work, the black and white screen is probably hardware-based, and let's look at the typical breakdowns and their signs.

1.Damage to the display plume (for smartphones):

• 📱 Screen flickering or artifacts appear before color loss.
• 🔧 Black and white is only visible at a certain angle.
• 💥 The problem occurred after a fall or impact.

Solution: Replacement of the plume at the service center is required, self-repair is not recommended because of the risk of damage to the matrix.

Matrix failure:

• 🖥️ A black and white screen is visible even in the Recovery menu (if you can log in).
• 🔍 When illuminated with a flashlight, dim colors are visible (evidence of a malfunction of the backlight).
• 🔥 The problem progresses (first one color disappears, then others).

Solution: Replace the matrix. On Xiaomi TVs, this is one of the most expensive breakdowns.

3. GPU malfunction (GPU):

• 🎮 Artifacts in games or videos before the black and white screen.
• 🔥 The device overheats (typical for smartphones) POCO F1, Redmi Note 8 Pro with Mediatek Helio chip G90T).
• 🔄 The problem appears after a long load (for example, watching movies in the video). 4K).

Solution: diagnostics in the service. In some cases, flashing helps, but more often, you need to replace the motherboard.

⚠️ Warning: If the black and white screen appears after a device falls or moisture hits, do not turn it on again. This can short-circuit and completely fail. 💡On smartphones Xiaomi with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Mi 11, Redmi) K40) Black and white can be caused by pixel burnout. Check the screen for broken pixels using Google Play's Screen Test app. 6. Update firmware and restore system In rare cases, a black and white screen is caused by firmware errors, especially after the screen is broken: 📲 Updates MIUI "airborne" (OTA). 🔧 Manual stitching through Fastboot or Recovery. 🖥️ Custom firmware installations (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience). How to update firmware correctly: For smartphones: Go to Settings → The phone. → System update. If you have an update, download it and install it. If the device doesn't boot, go through the Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool. For TVs: Open Settings → On TV. → Update system. Choose Update now or download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website to USB-Recovery: If the device is turned on but the screen is black and white: Turn off your smartphone/TV. Press the combination to log in to Recovery: Smartphones: Power + Volume up. For TVs: Power on the remote + Home button (if any) Select Wipe from the Recovery menu data/factory Reset or Apply Update from ADB (PC update). 💡If the screen is black and white after the firmware update, try to roll back to the previous version via Fastboot. XDA Developers or 4PDA. 7. If standard methods have not worked, you can use the engineering menu to check the hardware components. This method is only suitable for advanced users! For smartphones Xiaomi: Open the Phone application and enter the combination: ##3644633## In the menu MTK Engineer Mode (or similar) select Hardware Testing → Display. Check the Color Test and Screen Test. If the tests show errors, it's a hardware problem. TV: On the remote, consistently press: Menu → Settings → All Settings → General → Device Preferences → About → Press 5 times on "Android" TV OS In the Engineering Menu, select Picture. → Color Space and check your current settings. If you're down, reset them to the factory. ⚠️ Note: Do not change the parameters in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. Incorrect settings can lead to a complete inoperability of the screen. 8 When contacting the service center If none of the above methods worked, and the screen remains black and white, it is time to contact the specialists: 🔧 The screen remains black and white even in Recovery Mode or when connected to a PC. 💥 The problem appeared after mechanical impact (fall, impact, moisture intrusion). 🔥 The device overheats, makes extraneous sounds or does not turn on completely. 📉 Diagnostics show hardware errors (e.g., in the engineering menu) What to do before visiting the service: Back up your data (if the device is still turning on), write down the device model and firmware version (located in Settings). → Describe the symptoms in as much detail as possible (when the problem occurred, what preceded it). Check whether the warranty is valid (on the official website of Xiaomi by serial number). Repair cost (approximately): Type of breakdown Smartphone Television Replacement of the display plume 1 500–3 000 ₽ N/D Replacement of the matrix 4 000–12 000 ₽ 15 000–40 000 ₽ Graphics chip repair 3 000–8 000 ₽ 10 000–25 000 ₽ Replacement of motherboard 8 000–20 000 ₽ 30 000–60 000 ₽ Official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service. Before visiting, check if they work with your device model. FAQ: Frequent questions about the black and white screen on Xiaomi My Redmi Note 10 It only shows black and white in some applications. What's the matter? It's probably the settings of a particular application or the incompatibility with the current version of the app that's the problem? MIUI. Try: Clear the app cache in Settings → Apps. Update the app through Google Play. Turn it off the option of Forced Color Change in Special Features. If the problem persists, write to the app developers, specifying the phone model and version. MIUI. After the Mi update TV 4A The screen has turned black and white. How to roll back on the old firmware? Rollback firmware on Xiaomi TVs is possible, but requires manual installation of the old version through the phone. USB. Instructions: Download the required firmware from mi-firmware.xiaomi.com (select the TV model). Unpack the archive and copy the file update.zip flash drive (format) FAT32). Insert the flash drive into the TV, go to Settings → On TV. → Updating the system → Update through USB. ⚠️ Risk: Unofficial firmware can lead to a TV lock. Use only official versions! POCO X3 It only appears when you connect to a charger? This is a typical sign of a power controller malfunction or battery damage: 🔌 Unoriginal charging unit or cable. 🔋 Battery bloating (check if the back cover is swollen). 🔧 Short circuit power. Solution: take your phone to the diagnostic service. It's dangerous to keep using the device in this state! Can you replace the screen plume with the Xiaomi Mi 11? Theoretically, yes, but it's extremely difficult without experience. Risks: 🔧 Damage to the matrix or motherboard. 🔥 Loss of tightness (dust and moisture will get inside). 📱 Sensor failure after assembly. If you're going to do it, you're going to need to: 🛠️ Setting screwdrivers T3–T5 and plastic blades. 🔥 Hazel-softening. 📦 New plume (buy with stock - they often break when installed). Video instructions for "Mi 11 display cable replacement". But we recommend you go to the service.Redmi Smart TV TV X55 The black and white screen is only shown on one HDMI-What do you do? It's a classic sign of damage. HDMI-Order of action: Try another cable and device (e.g., a console or laptop). Connect to another HDMI-port on the TV. Reset the settings. HDMI Settings menu → HDMI → Reset. If the problem persists, the port is faulty, the service will either replace it or offer to replace the motherboard. HDMI-port: ~3 000–7 000 ₽ (model-wise).