There are a range of color issues that can occur with a Dell monitor. It can be too much of one color such as red or green, or it can flash different colors. Today, I will explain how to troubleshoot all color issues with Dell monitors.
As a general rule, run the built in monitor diagnostics tool that your Dell monitor has. Doing so will isolate if the issue is with the monitor or the drivers/settings on your computer. To do that press and hold the exit button on your Dell monitor for 4 seconds, additional steps below.
After doing so there are 4 options that will show on your Dell monitor. Select the option that has a screen with a spanner/wrench, this will enter diagnostics mode where you can test each of the colors to verify they are working correctly. Doing so is a bit tricky, and there are few additional troubleshooting steps to fix this issue, so below I will provide a full walkthrough on how to perform these.
Dell Monitor Color Issues (How to Troubleshoot)
Dell monitors have color balancing where you can adjust the levels of red, blue, and green to get your monitor to display just how you want. But, in other cases the colors are off no matter how you change the settings. This is what to do when the colors don’t look right, or you get flashing colors on your Dell monitor.
In general, you should run the diagnostics tool on your Dell monitor by disconnecting your Dell monitor from your computer. Then press and hold the ‘exit’ button on the back of your monitor for 4 seconds. Then select the icon with a screen and a spanner/wrench, more steps below.
As you may know there are 5 buttons located on the back on most Dell monitors. These are used to control the settings on your monitor. In some Dell monitors these are located on the front underneath the bottom edge.
1. Using the Dell monitor diagnostics tool
One of the buttons is the ‘exit’ button. On most models it’s the 4th button from the top. If you have trouble locating this button, find the online version of the owners manual for your specific Dell monitor using this page on the official Dell website.
After you hold down the ‘exit’ button for 4 seconds and the 4 options display on the screen, use the arrow keys to navigate to the icon with a monitor icon and the spanner. Then select it using the ‘ok’ button on your monitor. Which is the menu button.
Typically the 3rd button from the top on your monitor. This runs the built-in monitor diagnostics. Inspect the screen to see if it’s displaying correctly.
Then press the up arrow button on your monitor. It will show the screen as completely red. Press the up arrow to test each of the different colors, green, blue, black, white, and text.
If they are all displaying fine then the issue is not with your monitor. If any of these aren’t displaying correctly then there is a hardware issue with your Dell monitor. Start by restarting your monitor.
This is done by disconnecting it from the power, waiting for about 10 seconds, and then plugging it back in again. After that run, the diagnostic test again. If the issue persists with one or multiple of the colors, contact Dell support.
They will need to organize to have the monitor repaired or replaced. They can also advise you if it’s covered under warranty.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/01/2022
2. Inspecting the cables on your monitor
Now that you’ve verified that the issue is not a hardware issue with the monitor, you should inspect the cable that goes from your computer to your monitor. One of the pins can be missing. Or, the cable can be faulty. If possible, also grab a spare cable and try that instead.
If you’re using an HDMI cable, use a VGA cable instead. And if you’re using a VGA cable use an HDMI cable instead.
It’s likely you have an HDMI cable for one of the other devices in your home like your TV or gaming console. Use that instead to isolate if the issue is with the cable. If it is then replace the cable.
3. Change the color setting mode on your monitor
In the menu on your Dell monitor there are a few different settings that can be changed that can fix this issue. Open the menu using the buttons on the back of your Dell monitor.
Then navigate to the color settings. Adjust the following settings:
- Color setting mode – change it to Graphics or Video and see if it fixes the issue
- The red, green, blue (RBG) settings – turn these up and down to adjust the color
- Input Color Format – change it to RGB or YPbPr
4. Updating the drivers and doing a Windows update
There are software drivers on computers. These control how the hardware components on your computer talk to the monitor. If these are out of date, updating them can fix a range of issues such as the color.
Because you’ve isolated the issue is not with the monitor updating the drivers on your computer should be done.
5. Checking the color settings on your computer
There are two places where you can adjust the color settings on your computer. The first place is the graphics card settings. Computers have either an integrated graphics card that is built into the motherboard.
Or, you will have a dedicated graphics card. Each graphics card has its own software. The software has settings for RGB, brightness and contrast.
If you already know what kind of graphics card you have such as an Nvidia graphics card, then type Nvidia into the start menu, and the software will come up. Then click on it, and the color settings will be very easy to find. When you don’t know what kind of graphics card you have, open the device manager.
To do that type into the start menu ‘device manager’. And click on the Device Manager option that shows near the top. This will open a new window and display a list of all of the devices on your computer.
Click on ‘Display adapter’, and it will open to show the graphics card you have. Once you know what it is either type the name of the graphics card into the start menu and click the software that shows. Or, search on Google for ‘how to adjust the color settings’ for your graphics card make and model.
Next, Windows has an inbuilt contrast, brightness, and color calibration tool. To open it open your start menu and type in ‘calibrate display color’. It will show this option at the top of the menu.
It has a range of different tests, and settings you can change. Read through the instructions in this tool, and make adjustments as necessary.
How to Fix Dell Monitor Colors Washed Out
The colors on a Dell monitor can be weak, in general, this is due to the brightness or contrast settings on your Dell monitor or on Windows. But, it can also be caused by a few other issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot the issue to make the colors appear as they should.
Overall, it’s likely the brightness or contrast is set too low or high. To isolate the issue, run the built in diagnostics on your monitor by first disconnecting it from your computer, and then holding down the ‘exit’ button for 4 seconds, then do the following.
Refer to the full step by step instructions near the top of this article under the heading that says ‘Using the Dell monitor diagnostics tool’. Follow the instructions there, and each of the steps listed after that until you’ve fixed this issue.
How to Fix Dell Monitor Green Tint Issues
Ideally, a Dell monitor will have perfect color. The screen can be displaying correctly but it can have a green tint to it. There are a few reasons why this occurs. Here’s how to troubleshoot this issue.
In general, the RGB settings can be set incorrectly. But, there can also be an issue with the monitor itself. To isolate the issue, run the Dell monitor diagnostics by unplugging it from your computer. After that, hold the ‘exit’ button on your monitor for 4 seconds. Then do the steps below.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/01/2022
Each Dell monitor is a little bit different so I’ve put together full instructions for how to use the Dell monitor diagnostics tool near the top of this article. Scroll to the top of this article and follow the instructions in the heading ‘Using the Dell monitor diagnostics tool’. After doing that, there are additional steps below it that explain other troubleshooting steps to get your Dell monitor to display properly.
How to Fix Dell Monitor Has Yellow Tint
By default the colors on a Dell monitor will be perfectly balanced. There are a few reasons why the colors are slightly off, for example, if it has a slight blue or yellow tint to it. To troubleshoot a Dell monitor that has a yellow tint, here’s what you should do.
In general, the drivers on the computer can have an issue, the RGB settings can be set incorrectly, or there can be an issue with the hardware on your monitor. To isolate what is causing the issue, disconnect your monitor from your computer. Then do the steps below to isolate what’s causing it.
You should run the built in diagnostics on a Dell monitor to test the colors. There are full step by step instructions for how to do that explained at the top of this article.
As well as, additional steps. Scroll to the top of this article and start with the instructions under the section that says ‘Using the Dell monitor diagnostics tool’.
How to Fix Dell Monitor Has Red Tint
When the color settings on your Dell monitor aren’t set correctly, it can produce a red tint. However, it can also be caused by a hardware issue with your monitor. Below are the steps to fix a Dell monitor that has a red tint.
Overall, this can be caused by the cables being loose, a hardware issue with your monitor, or a driver issue on your computer. First isolate whether the issue is with the monitor or your computer by running the Dell monitor diagnostics using the steps below.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/01/2022
Start by disconnecting your Dell monitor from your computer. But, keep it plugged into the wall outlet.
Next refer to the steps at the start of this article under the heading ‘Using the Dell monitor diagnostics tool’. After that there are some additional steps if the diagnostics tool doesn’t reveal any issue with the monitor itself.
How to Fix Dell Monitor Has Purple Tint
There is a color balance setting on a Dell monitor, and when it’s adjusted it can make the colors slightly off, such as the screen having a purple tint to it. There can, however, be other issues that are causing this to happen. Here’s what to do to get rid of the purple tint on a Dell monitor.
As a general rule, first run the diagnostics tool on your Dell monitor to isolate if the issue is with the monitor or your computer. To run the monitor diagnostics, disconnect your Dell monitor from your computer, then press and hold the ‘exit’ button on your monitor. Then do the steps below.
After you press and hold the exit button on the back of your monitor it will display 4 options on the screen. To locate the exit button and to do the additional steps required to run the monitor diagnostics refer to the section at the top of this article which says ‘Using the Dell monitor diagnostics tool’. After that do the steps below that, to remove the purple tint.
How to Fix Dell Monitor Has Pink Tint
A pink tint to a Dell monitor can be caused by a hardware issue on your computer or the monitor. Or, changing the settings can solve this issue. Below are what causes this to happen and how to fix it.
In general, the RGB settings are slightly off, the cable is slightly loose, the drivers on your computer are out of date, or there is a hardware issue with your Dell monitor. Begin by checking if the issue is with the monitor or your computer by running the monitor diagnostics using the steps below.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/01/2022
To run the monitor diagnostics, first unplug your Dell monitor from your computer. Then refer to the steps near the top of this article below the heading that says ‘Using the Dell monitor diagnostics tool’.
After that there are additional troubleshooting steps such as changing the color settings on your computer and on the monitor. Do each of the steps until your monitor is no longer showing a pink tint.
How to Fix Dell Monitor Has Orange Tint
The contrast and brightness of a Dell monitor can be changed but it’s also possible to adjust the different color levels. If the color levels haven’t been changed, a Dell monitor can also have an issue where it has an orange tint. Here’s how to fix a Dell monitor that has an orange tint.
Overall, it’s caused by the cables being slightly loose, a hardware issue with your Dell monitor, a driver issue on your computer, or the RGB settings on your monitor being off. First, you should isolate if the issue is with the monitor or your computer by doing the steps below.
Use the inbuilt diagnostics test on your Dell monitor by holding down the exit button on your Dell monitor. It can be difficult to locate if you’ve never used it before. And there are some additional steps once you do that.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on July 1, 2022.
So, refer to the detailed step by step instructions near the top of this article. Look for the heading at the top of this article that says ‘Using the Dell monitor diagnostics tool’. Then do the steps after that to fix this issue.
Dell Monitor Keeps Changing Colors
All of a sudden a monitor can develop an issue where it cycles through different colors. Or, it gets a random tint on the screen. There are a few reasons why this occurs. Here’s the step you should take when you have this issue.
As a general rule, your Dell monitor is stuck in diagnostics mode. Disconnect your Dell monitor from your computer, and from the wall outlet. Then plug it into the wall outlet only. It should say no video signal on your monitor. If it keeps changing color after that do the steps below.
It’s possible there’s a hardware issue with your Dell monitor. To narrow down what’s causing it, first run diagnostics mode.
The details for how to do that, as well as, the additional steps you should take are explained at the top of this article. Scroll to the top of this article, and start with step 1, which is ‘Using the Dell monitor diagnostics tool.’
How Do I Fix the Flashing Color on My Dell Monitor?
A Dell monitor can work perfectly fine most of the time but flash a different color every so often. It can range from happening a lot to only so often. To get a Dell monitor to stop having a glitch where it flashes colors, here’s what to do.
In general, this is caused by a hardware issue on your Dell monitor. But, first run diagnostics on your Dell monitor to verify whether the issue is with your monitor or with your computer. To do that disconnect your monitor from the computer, then do the following steps.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/01/2022
Press and hold the ‘exit’ button on your Dell monitor for 4 seconds. It’s typically located at the back of your monitor. I’ve included full step by step instructions for how to enter diagnostics mode, and what to do after that at the top of this article.
Go to the top of this article and begin with step 1, ‘Using the Dell monitor diagnostics tool.’ And then do each of the steps after until it’s stopped flashing colors.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on July 1, 2022.
Overall, start by running diagnostics mode on your Dell monitor. After that, restart both the monitor and your computer, unplug and plug the cable from your monitor to the computer, and then check the RGB color settings in Windows and on the monitor.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on July 1, 2022.