How to Fix Your Screen's Discoloration and Other Issues

PDF download Download Article
Identify the most common issues that cause your monitor to look weird
PDF download Download Article

Monitor discoloration can be an eyesore! Monitor discoloration may resemble colors becoming muted, oversaturated, inaccurate, or distorted. It may be caused by glitches, an improper connection, the color settings, as well as software and hardware issues. Luckily there are a few things you can do to fix this issue. This wikiHow article teaches you what causes monitor discoloration and how to fix it.

What is monitor discoloration?

Monitor discoloration is when your computer monitor's colors appear inaccurate or distorted. It can be caused by bugs, a bad connection, bad settings, or software and hardware issues. Restart your computer, check your video cables, and update your graphics drivers. Make sure your computer or monitor is not overheating.

1

You have a bad video cable.

PDF download Download Article
  1. A bad cable can cause degradation in the video signal. Examine your video cable for damage. Also, examine the ports on the monitor and PC. Make sure there is no dirt, debris, damage, or obstructions in the ports. Try using a different video cable to see if it fixes the problem.
    2. Advertisement
2

There's a minor glitch in your operating system.

PDF download Download Article
  1. It is possible that minor glitches in your computer's operating system may be causing monitor discoloration. Restarting your computer can fix most minor bugs and issues.
3

Your monitor's color settings are bad.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Most monitors have a panel located on the front, bottom, or side that allows you to adjust the color, hue, contrast, brightness, and temperature of the monitor. Some monitors have an on-screen menu you can use to adjust the color settings. Use your monitor's built-in settings to adjust the color to a more accurate settings.
    • If your computer has the option to set it's color settings back to the factory default settings, you may want to try that.
    2. Advertisement
4

Your display settings are off.

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can adjust your display settings by right-clicking your desktop and clicking Display settings . You can adjust the following settings:
    • Brightness: Adjust the slider bar next to "Brightness" if your computer monitor appears too dark or too light.
    • Night light: Night light is a feature that mutes blue light which can keep some people up at night. If your computer monitor has a yellowish tint with muted blues, click the toggle switch to turn off night light.
    • Display resolution: Display resolution affects the amount of detail that can be displayed on screen. A lower screen resolution can affect color gradients and cause color banding. Be sure to set your display resolution to the highest resolution your monitor can display.
    • HDR: HDR stands for "High Dynamic Range." It expands the color and brightness definition of your monitor. Click the HDR option in the Display Settings menu. Click Calibrate to calibrate the HDR brightness levels. Click Restore Defaults to reset your HDR settings. If you can't fix the monitor discoloration, try turning HDR off.
5

Your monitor is overheating or malfunctioning.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your monitor is overheating, it could cause it to malfunction. There could also be glitches in the firmware causing it to malfunction. Turn off your monitor and unplug it. Allow it to sit for a while. This will reset the monitor's internal memory as well as allow it to cool down. If it feels warm to the touch, allow it to sit longer so that it can cool down completely.
    2. Advertisement
6

There is electromagnetic interference.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Electromagnetic interference can disrupt the video signal. Make sure there are no magnetic electronic devices, such as speakers, unshielded wires, and electronic devices are separated from your monitor and graphics cable.
7

Your graphics or monitor drivers are outdated.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Keeping your display drivers up-to-date ensures that they are compatible with the latest display standards. You can update your drivers by updating Windows. You can also download the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website of your graphics card. Use the following steps to update your graphics and monitor drivers:
    • Right-click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click Device Manager .
    • Expand Display adapters .
    • Right-click a display adapter (you may have more than one).
    • Click Update driver .
    • Click Search automatically for drivers .
    • Follow the on-screen instructions.
    • Expand the menu below Monitors .
    • Right-click your monitor driver.
    • Click Update driver .
    • Click Search automatically for drivers .
    • Follow the on-screen instructions.
    2. Advertisement
8

Your graphics drivers are conflicting.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you started experiencing discoloration after your graphics drivers update, your graphics drivers may be conflicting with your system. Use the following steps to roll back to a previous graphics driver:
    • Right-click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click Device Manager .
    • Expand Display adapters .
    • Right-click a display adapter (you may have more than one).
    • Click Properties .
    • Click the Driver tab.
    • Click Roll back driver .
    • Follow the on-screen instructions.
9

Your graphics or monitor drivers are corrupt.

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's possible your graphics drivers may be corrupt and not working properly. Try to uninstall and reinstall your graphics and monitor drivers. Use the following steps to do so:
    • Right-click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click Device Manager .
    • Expand Display adapters .
    • Right-click a display adapter (you may have more than one).
    • Click Uninstall driver .
    • Expand the menu below Monitors .
    • Right-click your monitor driver.
    • Click Uninstall driver .
    • Restart your computer. Will will automatically attempt to reinstall the latest drivers when rebooting.
    2. Advertisement
10

Your graphics card is overheating.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your GPU gets too hot, it may start to malfunction and cause video anomalies. Make sure you operate your computer in a cool room with plenty of air circulation around your computer. Make sure all the fans on your computer and on your graphics card are working properly. Make sure there is no dust cover your computer's vents or graphics card. [1]
11

You have color filters on.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Color profiles can be used by people with visual impairments to help distinguish colors. Use the following steps to turn off color filters: [2]
    • Click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click Settings .
    • Click Accessibility .
    • Click Color filters .
    • Click the toggle switch to turn off color filters.
    2. Advertisement
12

You are using color profiles.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Color profiles can also be used by people visual impairments. They change the color of your monitor. Use the following steps to delete any color profiles you may have:
    • Click the Windows Start menu.
    • Type Control Panel .
    • Click Control Panel .
    • Select Large icons or Small icons next to "View by:".
    • Click Color Management .
    • Select your display adapter next to "Device."
    • Select any color profiles listed in the box.
    • Click Remove .
13

There is a hardware or software issue.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If there is a hardware or software issue causing discoloration on your monitor, you may be able to detect it by running a Windows troubleshooter. Use the following steps to do so [3] :
    • Click the Windows Start menu.
    • Type troubleshoot settings .
    • Click Troubleshoot settings .
    • Click Other troubleshooters or Additional troubleshooters .
    • Click Run next to "Video Playback" or "Hardware and Devices."
    • Follow the on-screen instructions.
    2. Advertisement
14

Your monitor is bad.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you've tried everything and you are still experiencing monitor discoloration, there's a good change it's because your monitor or graphics card is going bad. To test if your monitor is going bad, try connecting your monitor to another computer or device to see if it happens on multiple devices. If you are using a laptop, try connecting an external monitor or TV to see if the problem occurs on a separate monitor If your monitor is going bad, you will need to purchase a new one.
15

Your graphics card is bad.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your graphics card is getting old, it may be going bad. You'll have to replace your graphics card. To make sure it is your graphics card, you can try connecting another monitor or TV to your computer to see if the problem happens on multiple monitors. If it does, there's a good chance your graphics card needs to be replaced.
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Switch Monitors 1 and 2 on a Windows Computer
      How to
      Connect Two Monitors to a Laptop
      How to
      Connect Two Monitors
      How to
      Connect a Laptop to a Monitor
      How to
      Use an iMac as an External Monitor: Target Display Mode and AirPlay
      15 Quick Solutions When Your Monitor Goes Black Randomly
      How to
      Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer
      What is Screen Tearing and How Do You Fix It?
      How to
      Repair LCD Monitors
      How to
      Set Up Dual Monitors with HDMI on Windows and Mac
      How to
      Use a Chromebook As a Monitor
      How to
      Use Your TV As a Computer Monitor
      How to
      Fix a Scratch on an LCD Screen
      A Black Line on Your Monitor: What It Means & How to Fix It
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/glossary/monitor-discoloration/
      2. ↑ https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-fix-monitor-discoloration-on-your-computer/
      3. ↑ https://blog.acer.com/en/discussion/881/how-to-fix-monitor-discoloration-and-distortion

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 946 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement