Xiaomi screen lost color: how to return a normal image?

If your Xiaomi screen suddenly turns black and white, sepia, or displays distorted colors, the problem can be in both software settings and hardware malfunctions, most often users face this situation after a system update, activation of the read mode or failure of the graphics driver, and in 80% of cases, the problem can be fixed by yourself without contacting the service center.

In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of color loss on the screens of Xiaomi, Redmi and the other. POCO — From the simple blue light filter on to the severe firmware failures, you'll get step-by-step illustration instructions, risk warnings, and prevention tips. AMOLED-Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), where the problem is often related to settings DC Dimming.

Before you start your diagnosis, answer two key questions:

1. Did you have a problem after the phone crashed/hit?
2. Has there been a recent MIUI update or custom firmware installation?

If the answer to the first question is yes, it's likely that the display plume is damaged, then only repairs will help, and in the second case, resetting or flashing will help.

1. Check the basic screen settings

Start with the obvious: your Xiaomi may have one of the built-in color-shifting filters activated, which are designed to reduce eye strain, but sometimes switched on accidentally.

Open the Settings → Display and check consistently:

• 🌓 Reading mode - must be turned off (gray slider) on some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 11: This mode is activated via the Quick Settings Panel.
• 🌑 Dark theme - sometimes conflicting with color settings. Try switching to light theme and back.
• 🔵 Blue Light Filter – If turned on, adjust the intensity to 0% or turn off completely.
• 🎨 Color profile – choose “Standard” instead of “Saturated” or “Soft».

On devices with AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) Check the settings further DC Dimming in the Display Adjustments section, which reduces backlight flickering, but can cause color distortion.

⚠️ Warning: If all filters are turned off, don't rush to reset the settings. Check the screen in safe mode first (press the power button). → «Safe Mode. If it's normal, it's the third-party app's fault.

2. Resetting the display settings to factory

If manual adjustment didn’t work, reset the screen settings, which will return all color profiles, brightness and contrast to default values without affecting personal data.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset Display settings (on some firmware, the item is called Reset Display settings).
3. Confirm the action with a password / pattern lock.
4. Reset the device.

After the reboot, check the screen in different scenarios:

• 📸 Open the gallery – the colors of the photos must match the original.
• 🎮 Launch the game (for example, PUBG Mobile – Graphical effects should be displayed correctly.
• 🌐 Browse web pages in your browser – text and background should not merge.

Photo Colors in the gallery | Video display in YouTube | MIUI interface (icons, background) | Color transmission in games-->

If the reset didn't work, the problem lies deeper in the system files or the hardware.

3. Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions

Software methods are powerless if the cause of color loss is related to:

• 🔌 Display plume damage (often after falling or disassembling the phone).
• 💡 Failure of the matrix (vertical stripes appear, flickering).
• 🔋 Screen power controller malfunction (screen dims or becomes monochrome when battery charge is low).

Do a quick diagnosis:

1. Connect the phone to charge. If the colors are restored, the power controller is a problem.
2. You can easily tap the screen in different places, and if the colors change, the plume is damaged.
3. Light the flashlight on the screen at an angle. If you see a normal image, the backlight is faulty.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi was in a wet environment (caught in the rain, fell into the water), do not turn it on! SIM-card and battery (if possible), then take to the service. Contact corrosion can lead to irreversible damage to the matrix within 24 hours.

4. Update or roll back firmware

Color rendering failures often occur after a MIUI update, especially on custom firmware (xiaomi.eu, PixelExperience).If the problem occurs after an update, try:

Option 1: Recoil from the previous version of MIUI

For this:

1. Download the official firmware for your model (choose a version 1-2 updates older than the current one).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the phone’s root folder.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Select a firmware file.
5. Confirm the installation and wait for the reboot.

Option 2: Installation of global firmware

If you are using regional firmware (e.g. China), install the global version (MIUI Global).

1 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.


2. Install TWRP Recovery.




3.Sweeten the global ROM through recovery.

Please note that this method requires experience and can lead to data loss. For beginners, we recommend contacting the service.

5.Calibration of the screen through the engineering menu

Xiaomi devices have a hidden engineering menu where you can manually calibrate color rendering, a method that is suitable for power users, as incorrect settings can make things worse.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##3644633##.
2. From the CIT menu, select Display → Color Test.
3. Take color reproduction tests. If there are no colors (e.g. red or green), the problem is hardware.
4. For manual calibration, go to Display → Color Calibration and slightly adjust the RGB values (no more than ±10 of the standard).

If the color has become non-natural after calibration (for example, the skin in the photo has acquired a green hue), reset through the same menu (Restore Default).

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Before entering the engineering menu, write down the current color settings (take a picture of the screen) and this will help you return the original settings if you make an error.

6.Verification for viruses and conflicting applications

Some applications (especially rights) SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW) They can take control of the screen and they can put color filters on it:

• 🛡️ Avast, 360 Security – Blocks Harmful Colors.
• 👓 Apps for vision protection (f.lux, Night Shift).
• 🎮 Game cheats (GameGuardian, Lucky Patcher) – can change graphical settings.
• 📱 Nova Launcher (Apex) – sometimes in conflict with the MIUI.

How to find the culprit:

1. Load your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → Safe Mode).
2. If the colors are normal, remove the apps one at a time, starting with the last ones installed.
3. Check your phone after each deletion.

Also, perform virus scanning with Malwarebytes or built-in MIUI Security:

1. Open Security. → Scanning.
2. Choose Deep Check.
3. Remove all threats found and restart the device.

7. When there's only a service center left

If none of these methods worked, it's probably a hardware problem.

• 🔧 The screen remains monochrome even after resetting to factory settings.
• 💥 There were physical damage (cracks, dents, traces of oxidation).
• 🔄 Colors are distorted periodically (for example, when the phone is heated).
• 🔌 The phone does not respond to the connection to charging or PC.

The cost of repairs in official Xiaomi services (for 2026):

⚠️ Attention: Avoid "garage" services that offer a replacement matrix for 2-3 thousand rubles. with a probability of 90% you will install a used or replica that will last no more than a month. Official Xiaomi services give a guarantee of 6 months for replaced parts.

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If your Xiaomi is warranty-free, don’t try to repair it yourself! opening the case or firmware will void warranty obligations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about color loss on Xiaomi