Black and white screen on Xiaomi Poco smartphones is a common issue that can occur after the update MIUI, Users often confuse this malfunction with a matrix failure, but in 90% of cases it can be fixed independently without contacting the service center.
In this article, we will discuss all possible causes of the appearance of monochrome display on Poco. X3/X4/X5 Pro, Poco F3/F4/F5 And we'll give you step-by-step instructions for returning color images, from simple reboots to deep system tweaks, you'll find a solution for even the most complex cases.
Special attention will be paid to the hidden function Reading Mode, which automatically translates the screen into gray gradations to reduce eye strain, which is often turned on randomly through the notification panel or on a schedule, but is turned off in literally two taps.
Why the screen turned black and white: the main reasons
Before you start fixing the problem, it is important to understand the source of the problem, and Xiaomi Poco smartphones may have a monochrome screen for the following reasons:
- ๐ Failure after update MIUI โ New firmware versions sometimes conflict with graphics drivers, especially on models with AMOLED-displays (Poco) F3 GT, Poco X4 Pro 5G).
- ๐ฑ Activation of the Reading Mode function in MIUI It dims the blue light and turns the screen into shades of gray, often turned on through the notification panel or on a timer.
- ๐ง Incorrect color profile settings - in the Settings menu โ The display can be randomly selected Gradation Gradation profile or Monochrome.
- ๐ ๏ธ Hardware malfunctions โ damage to the display plume or screen controller (usually accompanied by artifacts or stripes).
- ๐ค Application conflict โ some programs for saving charge (Battery Guru, AccuBattery) or filtering blue light (Twilight) can force the screen to black and white mode.
According to service centers, 85 percent of cases are due to software failures that are fixed without disassembling the phone, and only if the screen remains monochrome after all the manipulations, you should suspect a hardware failure.
Method 1: Disabling Reading Mode
The most common reason for black and white screens is to activate Reading Mode, which is designed to reduce eye fatigue, but many users turn it on accidentally, not realizing why the colors have disappeared, and it turns off in two ways:
Option A: Through the notification panel
- Swipe your finger down the screen to open the notification bar.
- Find the "Reading" icon (a book icon with a magnifying glass or eye). If it's not there, click on the โ๏ธ Edit and add it to the panel.
- Slap the icon once โ the screen should return the colors immediately.
Option B: Through the settings MIUI
If the icon is not in the notification panel:
- Open the Settings โ Display.
- Select Reading Mode (or Reading Mode in English firmware).
- Turn off the "Enable Reading Mode" slider.
- Make sure that the Schedule section does not set automatic time-on.
โ๏ธ Checking the reading mode
If the colors don't come back after you turn off Reading Mode, move on to the next one.
โ ๏ธ Note: Some Poco models (e.g. Poco) X3 NFC) Reading mode may conflict with Color profile settings. After disabling Reading Mode, check if Settings are set in Settings โ Display. โ Color profile option Gradation of gray.
Method 2: Reset the display settings to factory
If the reading mode is turned off, but the screen remains black and white, the problem may lie in the lost color reproduction settings. MIUI There is a hidden option to reset display parameters that returns factory values without data loss.
Follow the following steps:
- Go to Settings. โ The phone.
- Find All settings (or Additional settings) and tap it 5 times in a row โ this will open the menu for developers.
- Return to the main settings menu and open the developer settings (appears at the bottom of the list).
- Scroll down and find Reset Display Settings (or Reset Display Settings).
- Confirm the reset and restart the phone.
After the reboot, check if the colors are back. If not, move on to the next method.
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On Poco models F3 POCO X4 Pro 5G Resetting display settings also restores factory calibration AMOLED-screen, which can improve color reproduction even after eliminating black and white mode.
Method 3: Checking color profile and calibration
MIUI It allows you to manually adjust the color profile of the display, and sometimes users randomly select monochrome options:
- Open the Settings. โ Display. โ Color profile.
- Choose the Standard option (or Default, Vivid for more saturated colors).
- If the option is available Screen Calibration, click on it and reset the settings to the factory.
On Poco with AMOLED-displays (Poco) F4 GT, Poco X5 Pro) also check:
- ๐จ The Saturation of Flowers - in Settings โ Display. โ Colors should stand for a slider on 100%.
- ๐ Color Temperature โ If the value is Warm, the screen may appear yellowish, but not black and white.
- ๐ Adaptive brightness โ turn it off temporarily, as it can affect color reproduction.
| Model Poco | Recommended profile | Additional settings |
|---|---|---|
| Poco X3/X3 Pro | Standard. | Disable Contrast mode in the display settings |
| Poco F3/F4 GT | Vivid (AMOLED) | Set the saturation of 110% for bright colors |
| Poco X4 Pro 5G | Standard or Cinema | Turn on DC Dimming to reduce flickering |
| Poco X5/X5 Pro | Adaptive | Calibrate white balance manually |
โ ๏ธ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) may have different color profiles: sRGB, DCIP3 If the screen gets worse after the profile change (for example, green or red), return Standard Mode.
Method 4: Reboot in Safe Mode (to detect conflicts)
If the black and white screen appeared after installing a new application, it may conflict with the graphics shell. MIUI. To check it out:
- Press the power button before the off menu appears.
- Tap and hold the "Switch off" (or "Switch off") until a request for safe mode appears.
- Confirm the transition โ the phone will restart with disabled third-party applications.
In safe mode:
- ๐ Check if the color is back. If so, there's a problem in one of the apps installed.
- ๐ฑ Remove recently installed programs (especially battery optimizers or blue light filters).
- ๐ Restart your phone in normal mode.
List of applications that often cause conflicts:
- ๐ AccuBattery โ can block graphics drivers to save energy.
- ๐ Twilight or Night Shift โ forced to change the color scheme.
- ๐ก๏ธ 360 Security, Clean Master โ Optimizers that interfere with system processes.
- ๐ฎ Game Turbo โ sometimes knocks down the display settings after closing games.
How to find a guilty application without resetting?
Method 5: Reset all settings (without data loss)
If the previous methods didn't work, but you're sure the problem is software, do a soft reset. MIUI, It will not affect your files, photos or applications.
Instructions:
- Open the Settings. โ The phone.
- Tap 7 times on the item Version MIUI, To unlock the Developer Settings (if you havenโt already done so).
- Go back to the main settings menu and select Developer Settings.
- Scroll down and find Resetting (not to be confused with Resetting to Factory!).
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
After discharge:
- ๐ Check the screen โ the colors should come back.
- ๐ง If necessary, re-set Reading Mode, Color Profile and Brightness.
- ๐ฑ Install updates for apps from Google Play.
โ ๏ธ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 13 and older) a soft reset can return the Developer Mode to its original state. If after the reboot this partition disappeared from the settings, unlock it again (7 taps on the Version). MIUI).
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Soft resetting is the most effective way to fix software failures without losing data. It returns only system settings to factory settings without affecting user files.
Method 6: Hardware diagnostics (if nothing helps)
If the screen is black and white after all the manipulations, the problem is likely hardware, and here are the signs that the display or controller is broken:
- ๐ง The screen became monochrome after falling or hitting.
- ๐บ The display shows vertical/horizontal stripes or artifacts.
- ๐ Colors disappear only at a certain angle (for example, when tilting the phone).
- ๐ The problem occurs when the battery is low (may indicate a malfunction of the power controller).
For diagnosis:
- Connect your phone to a PC or TV via HDMI (if supported) or USB-C โ HDMI Adapter: If the external screen displays colors normally, the problem is in the smartphone matrix.
- Try downloading your phone to Fastboot Mode (clamp power) + Down volume when the device is off. If this mode is colored, there is a malfunction in the firmware.
- Check if the display is responsive to touch, and if it's not, it's possible that the plume will break.
Typical hardware faults and their signs:
| Problem. | Signs. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Damage to the display plume | Colors disappear when you press the screen, stripes appear | Replacement of the plume (cost) ~1500โ3000 โฝ) |
| Screen controller malfunction | The screen is completely black and white, but responds to touch. | Replacement of motherboard or controller |
| Failure of the graphics core firmware | Colors disappear after the update, the Fastboot screen is normal | Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool |
| Battery problems | The screen becomes monochrome when charged below 20%. | Battery replacement |
If you suspect a hardware malfunction, donโt try to disassemble the phone yourself โ modern Pocos have brittle plumes and adhesive connections.
How to Avoid Black and White Screens in the Future
To avoid recurring problems, follow these guidelines:
- ๐ Update regularly MIUI โ In new versions, graphics bugs are fixed. Check the updates in Settings โ The phone. โ Updating the system.
- ๐ฑ Donโt install battery optimizers from third-party developers โ they often conflict with display drivers.
- ๐ก๏ธ Use original chargers โ poor quality power supplies can cause malfunctions in the screen controller.
- ๐ง Check your settings after updates โ sometimes MIUI drops the color profile to Gray Gradations.
- ๐ฆ Backup before experimenting with firmware or root rights. Use Settings to do this. โ Additionally. โ Backup and reset.
Also useful:
- ๐ Periodically check the notification panel for active Read Mode.
- ๐ Turn off automatic modes in Settings โ Display. โ Schedule.
- ๐ ๏ธ Avoid falls and bumps โ even minor mechanical impacts can damage the display plume.
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On the Poco models with AMOLED-screens (Poco) F4 GT, Poco X5 Pro) Calibrate flowers once a month: Settings โ Display. โ Color calibration โ Reset. This will prevent color reproduction failures.