TV Colours Look Wrong? What to Check Before a Repair

Television colours that suddenly look unnatural, washed out, excessively vivid or heavily tinted do not automatically mean the screen is failing. The problem is often caused by the selected picture mode, an accidentally changed colour setting, an accessibility feature, HDR content, a connected device or an HDMI connection.

Work through the following checks in order. The aim is to determine whether the colour problem comes from the content, one application or input, the television’s settings, an external device or an actual display fault.

Before you begin

Do not remove the television’s rear cover or attempt to inspect its internal display, power-supply or control components. Televisions can contain dangerous voltages even after they have been unplugged.

Disconnect the television from power and arrange professional assistance if you notice:

A burning smell or unusual heat.
Crackling, popping or electrical noises.
Smoke or visible scorching.
Liquid damage.
A damaged power cable or plug.
Colour problems that began immediately after an impact or electrical event.

Identify what looks wrong

Before changing any settings, identify whether the problem affects every colour, one particular colour or only part of the screen.

What you see	What it may indicate
Every source and the television menu look wrong	A television setting, accessibility feature, software problem or internal fault may be responsible.
Only one application or program looks wrong	The content, application, HDR format or stream may be responsible.
Only one HDMI device looks wrong	Check the external device, HDMI cable, input settings and video-output configuration.
The whole picture has a red, green, blue, yellow or purple tint	A colour-temperature setting, white-balance adjustment, cable problem or hardware fault may be involved.
Colours look extremely strong or artificial	The television may be using Vivid or Dynamic mode, or its colour control may be too high.
Colours look pale or washed out	The colour control, video range, HDR output or connected-device settings may be incorrect.
The picture is black and white	A greyscale accessibility feature, colour setting, cable connection or source problem may be responsible.
Only one section of the screen has incorrect colours	A panel, connection or internal display fault may require professional assessment.

Open the television’s menu or home screen

Press the television remote’s Home, Menu or Settings button.

If the television’s menu colours look normal, the screen is capable of displaying a normal image. Concentrate on the program, application, external device, cable or input-specific settings.
If the menu also has incorrect colours, check the television’s picture and accessibility settings.
If one section of the menu has a different tint from the rest, the television may have a panel or internal display problem.

This simple test can prevent unnecessary changes to the entire television when the problem only affects one connected device.

Test several different sources

Compare the picture using several sources where possible:

The television’s home screen.
A free-to-air television channel.
A built-in streaming application.
A different movie, program or video.
An HDMI-connected device.
A bright, naturally coloured video from a trusted source.

If only one program or scene looks unusual, the colours may be an intentional creative choice. Films, television programs, games and advertisements can use warm, cool, desaturated or heavily stylised colour grading.

If every source and the television’s own menus look wrong, continue checking the television’s settings.

Compare familiar objects and skin tones

Use familiar objects rather than relying on one dramatic movie scene. A news broadcast, daytime program or nature video can make unusual colour easier to recognise.

Look for:

Skin tones that appear green, purple, excessively red or unnaturally orange.
White objects that appear strongly blue, yellow, pink or green.
Blue sky or green grass that looks completely unnatural.
Large coloured areas that appear to be missing detail.

People perceive colour differently, and room lighting can also affect how the screen appears. If you are unsure whether the colour is genuinely abnormal, ask another person to look at the television before changing advanced settings or arranging a repair.

A photograph taken with a phone can help record a severe tint or uneven section, but camera processing may change how the television’s colours appear. Do not use a phone photograph as the only test of colour accuracy.

Change the picture mode

Open the television’s picture settings and check the selected picture mode.

Common picture-mode names include:

Standard.
Movie or Cinema.
Filmmaker Mode.
Vivid or Dynamic.
Natural.
Eco.
Game.
Sports.

Vivid and Dynamic modes commonly use stronger colours, a cooler colour temperature and more aggressive picture processing. These settings can make the picture stand out in a brightly lit shop but may look exaggerated at home.

Movie, Cinema and Filmmaker modes generally aim for a warmer and more natural image. A warmer picture can initially appear yellow or reddish if you are accustomed to a very cool picture mode.

Temporarily select Standard and check the picture again. If the colours return to normal, the screen itself is unlikely to be failing.

Check the colour or saturation control

Depending on the television, colour intensity may be controlled by a setting called:

Colour.
Color.
Saturation.
Colour Depth.

If this control is set too high, colours can look exaggerated and unnatural. If it is set too low, the picture can look pale or eventually become black and white.

Return the control to its default or middle value rather than attempting to adjust it by eye from an extreme position.

Check tint and hue settings

A setting called Tint, Hue or G/R balance may shift the picture towards green or red.

If this control has been changed accidentally, skin tones and neutral colours can appear completely wrong. Return it to its default or centre position.

Do not attempt to correct a severe green, purple or red screen by making extreme tint adjustments. A strong tint affecting every source may have another cause that should be isolated first.

Check the colour temperature

Colour temperature controls whether white areas appear warmer or cooler.

Common options include:

Cool.
Standard.
Neutral.
Warm.
Warm 1 or Warm 2.
Expert.

A cool setting can give white areas a blue appearance. A warm setting can make them look more yellow or red.

Temporarily select Standard or Neutral. If the strong colour cast disappears, the television is probably operating normally.

Warm picture settings are not necessarily inaccurate. Many cinema-oriented modes deliberately use a warmer colour temperature, which can look unusual until your eyes adjust.

Undo advanced colour adjustments

Modern televisions may include advanced controls such as:

White Balance.
Colour Management System.
Colour Space.
Custom Colour Space.
Colour Gamut.
Live Colour.
Dynamic Colour.
Colour Enhancer.
Per-colour hue, saturation and luminance controls.

Incorrect white-balance or colour-management adjustments can create a severe tint or make individual colours look wrong.

If these settings have been changed without proper calibration equipment, reset the picture settings for the affected mode rather than trying to correct each value individually.

Do not copy advanced calibration values from another television. Even two televisions of the same model can require different adjustments.

Check accessibility settings

Some accessibility features deliberately alter the television’s colours or menus. Depending on the model, look for settings such as:

Greyscale.
Colour Inversion.
High Contrast.
SeeColors Mode.
Colour Correction.
Colour Filter.

Open the television’s Accessibility menu and temporarily turn off any colour-altering feature that is active.

Menu names and effects vary between brands. Some accessibility settings affect the entire picture, while others affect only menus and on-screen information.

Check Eye Comfort and blue-light features

Eye-comfort, blue-light reduction and adaptive picture features can make the image appear warmer or more yellow, particularly at night.

Look for settings with names such as:

EyeComfort Mode.
Eye Comfort.
Blue Light Reduction.
Night Mode.
Adaptive Picture.
Intelligent Mode.
AI Brightness or AI Picture.

Temporarily turn these features off and check whether whites and skin tones return to normal.

Check whether settings are saved separately for each input

Many televisions store separate picture settings for different HDMI inputs, built-in applications and picture formats.

The television may use:

One picture mode for free-to-air television.
Another mode for streaming applications.
A separate mode for a game console.
Different settings for standard dynamic range and HDR.
Another preset when Dolby Vision content begins.

Open the picture settings while the affected source is actually playing. This helps ensure that you are adjusting the correct input and picture format.

If only one input looks wrong, avoid changing every input or resetting the entire television.

Check HDR and Dolby Vision content

HDR and Dolby Vision can activate different picture modes, colour spaces and tone-mapping behaviour.

If colours only look wrong when HDR content begins:

Open the picture settings while the HDR program is playing.
Check which HDR or Dolby Vision picture mode has been activated.
Use the television’s automatic or default colour-space setting.
Restart the streaming application or external device.
Compare the same program using the television’s built-in application if available.
Check whether the external device is forcing HDR for all content.

Do not automatically force a wide colour gamut or HDR mode for ordinary standard dynamic range content. This can make colours look exaggerated or incorrect.

If only one streaming application is affected

If the problem occurs in only one built-in application:

Exit and reopen the application.
Test several different programs within the application.
Restart the television.
Check for an application update.
Check whether the application is activating HDR or Dolby Vision.
Compare the same content using another device if possible.

If every other application, input and television menu looks normal, the television panel is unlikely to be the cause.

If only one HDMI device is affected

If colours look wrong only when using a set-top box, streaming device, game console, Blu-ray player or computer, check that device before resetting the television.

Restart the device and review its video-output settings. Look for options involving:

HDR.
Dolby Vision.
Match Dynamic Range.
RGB.
YCbCr or YUV.
Colour Format.
Colour Depth.
Video Range.
Black Level.
Resolution and refresh rate.

Use automatic or recommended output settings unless the equipment manufacturer provides different instructions.

A mismatch between the external device’s video range and the television’s black-level setting usually causes a washed-out or overly dark picture rather than a strong coloured tint. However, correcting the mismatch can restore normal contrast and colour appearance.

Check the HDMI cable and input

A loose, damaged or unsuitable HDMI cable can sometimes cause missing colours, sparkles, intermittent colour changes or a completely abnormal picture.

Turn off the television and connected device.
Disconnect and firmly reconnect the HDMI cable at both ends.
Check the plugs and cable for visible damage.
Restart both devices.
Try a different HDMI input on the television.
Test with a known-working HDMI cable if one is available.
Connect another device to the same television input if possible.

If another device works correctly through the same input and cable, the original device or its video settings are more likely to be responsible.

Check older component and composite connections

Older equipment may use red, green and blue component-video plugs or a yellow composite-video plug.

If component-video cables are connected to the wrong sockets or one plug is loose, the picture can become heavily tinted or lose a colour completely.

Make sure each plug is connected to the matching labelled socket. Do not assume that every red socket carries the same signal, because component connections can use separate red plugs for audio and video.

If possible, use HDMI instead of an older analogue connection.

Disconnect additional equipment temporarily

Video receivers, HDMI switches, splitters, capture devices and other equipment can alter or interrupt the video signal.

If practical, connect the source device directly to the television using a known-working HDMI cable.

If the colours return to normal, reconnect the additional equipment one item at a time until the cause is identified.

Restart the television

A temporary software or picture-processing problem can sometimes cause abnormal colours.

Turn the television off.
Disconnect its power cable from the wall outlet.
Wait approximately two minutes.
Reconnect the power.
Turn the television on and test the picture again.

Some smart televisions also support a soft restart by holding the remote’s power button until the television restarts. Follow the instructions for your particular brand and model.

Check for a software update

Open the television’s support, system or device settings and check for an available software update.

Keep the television connected to power while an update is being installed. Do not turn it off unless the manufacturer’s instructions tell you to do so.

Restart the television and test several sources after the update is complete.

Run the television’s picture test

Many modern televisions include a built-in picture test or screen self-diagnosis function.

Depending on the brand and model, look under menus such as:

Support.
Device Care.
Self Diagnosis.
Screen Self-Diagnosis.
Picture Test.

The test displays an image generated internally by the television.

If the test image has normal colours, the television panel is probably working. Concentrate on the content, application, connected device, cable or input-specific settings.
If the test image also has incorrect colours, reset the affected picture settings and check the television’s accessibility features.
If the test remains abnormal after those settings have been checked, contact the manufacturer or a qualified repairer.
If only one part of the test image has incorrect colours, photograph the screen and arrange professional assessment.

Reset the picture settings

If the colours remain abnormal and you are unsure which controls have been changed, reset the picture settings for the affected input or picture mode.

A picture reset normally restores controls such as:

Colour or saturation.
Tint or hue.
Colour temperature.
White balance.
Colour space.
Dynamic colour processing.
Other advanced picture adjustments.

This is different from resetting the entire television. After the picture reset, select a normal preset such as Standard and test the source again.

Do not use hidden service-menu adjustments

Online instructions may suggest entering the television’s hidden service menu to alter panel, white-balance or model-specific settings.

Do not use the service menu for normal colour troubleshooting. Incorrect changes can make the picture worse, interfere with panel operation, remove important calibration data or affect warranty support.

Consumer picture controls and the built-in picture test are sufficient for the checks in this article.

Do not factory-reset the television too early

A full factory reset can remove:

Application sign-ins.
Wi-Fi settings.
Tuned television channels.
Accessibility settings.
Picture and sound adjustments.
Connected-device settings.

Use a factory reset only after testing different sources, checking accessibility features, restarting the television, installing available updates, running the built-in picture test and resetting the affected picture mode.

Make sure you know your Wi-Fi password and application login details before performing a full reset.

Signs that the television may require repair

A professional assessment becomes more appropriate when:

The television’s menu and built-in picture test also have incorrect colours.
One side, corner or section of the screen has a strong permanent tint.
One colour appears to be missing from every source.
The picture repeatedly changes between normal and abnormal colours.
Colours become distorted after the television warms up.
The image shows coloured vertical lines, flashing, solarisation or severe posterisation.
The problem remains after the affected picture mode has been reset.
The problem began after impact, liquid exposure or an electrical event.
The television produces abnormal heat, smells or electrical noises.

Persistent colour problems can involve the display panel, internal connections, timing-control circuitry, main board or power system. These components should only be inspected by a qualified technician.

When to contact the manufacturer or retailer

Contact the television manufacturer, retailer or a qualified repairer when:

The built-in picture test is also abnormal.
Incorrect colours affect the television’s own menus.
Only one section of the panel is affected.
Picture settings will not remain saved.
The problem returns repeatedly after restarting the television.
The television may still be covered by a manufacturer, retailer or extended warranty.

Do not pay for a repair before checking the television’s purchase date and available warranty or Australian consumer-guarantee information.

What to tell the manufacturer or repairer

Before contacting support, record:

The television’s brand and exact model number.
Approximately when the problem began.
Whether the television menu is also affected.
Whether every input and application has incorrect colours.
Whether normal, HDR and Dolby Vision content are affected.
Whether accessibility features were checked.
Whether the picture mode was changed or reset.
The result of the built-in picture test.
Whether another HDMI cable and input were tested.
Whether the television was restarted and updated.
Whether the entire screen or only one section is affected.

Take clear photographs of the television’s home screen and built-in picture test. This can help demonstrate a persistent tint, missing colour or uneven section.

The bottom line

Incorrect television colours are commonly caused by the selected picture mode, colour temperature, saturation, accessibility features, HDR behaviour or a connected device.

Start by checking whether the television’s own menu has the same problem. Test another source, select Standard picture mode, check the colour and tint controls, turn off colour-altering accessibility features temporarily and run the built-in picture test.

If the picture test looks normal, concentrate on the affected application, external device, HDMI cable or input settings. If the test and television menus remain abnormal, particularly when only part of the screen is affected, arrange professional assessment.

Useful official resources

Information and Australian manufacturer support references checked 12 August 2026. Picture-setting names and menu locations vary between television brands, models and software versions. Follow the instructions supplied for your exact television model.

TV Colours Look Wrong: What to Check Before Booking a Repair