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TV Colors Are Inverted – Causes and Fixes

As a proud owner of a new television, I was frustrated to discover that the colors on my screen were inverted. After some research and trial-and-error, I’m here to share what I’ve learned about the causes and fixes of this common problem. In this post, I’ll go over the common solutions I found, as well as the tips and tricks I picked up along the way.

There are various reasons why a TV might display inverted colors. It could be as simple as a faulty HDMI cable or something more complicated, like a faulty T-con board. This problem could occur for many different reasons, and each has its solution.

Key Takeaways
Inverted colors on a TV can be caused by various factors, including high contrast, a faulty HDMI cable, a worn-out HDMI port, or a faulty T-con board.
Determining the cause of inverted colors is essential before attempting any fixes.
Fixing inverted colors caused by high contrast is easy and free by adjusting the TV’s settings.
A faulty HDMI cable can be easily fixed by replacing it with a new one.
Worn-out or broken HDMI ports require professional help and should not be fixed by amateurs.
A faulty T-con board can cause inverted colors, but it is relatively cheap and easy to replace.
It is best to contact the manufacturer’s customer support or seek professional help from a TV repair shop if unsure of how to fix the problem.

Why Does A TV Show Inverted Colors?

One of the many common problems people experience with their TVs is inverted colors. The inverted colors that a TV displays could be because of any of the following reasons:

  • Contrast too high – A TV showing inverted colors can be as simple as your contrast settings being wrong. Contrast settings are the easiest and cheapest to fix.
  • Faulty HDMI cable –HDMI cables can break and cause your TV to show inverted colors when you have something like a laptop or set-top box connected to it. 
  • Worn-out HDMI port – The port where the HDMI cable gets plugged in could get worn out if it is used frequently, which leads to the cable not connecting properly with the port.
  • T-con board not working correctly – TVs are mass-produced and can sometimes ship with faulty components, or you might have an older TV. The T-con board of the TV, which controls the display, could be faulty, which can also lead to display problems.

It is advisable to start with the least expensive and most straightforward issues to fix, then work one’s way down the list to determine what the problem could be. You would need to determine what it is that causes the inverted colors before you would be able to attempt a fix.

How To Fix A TV Showing Inverted Colors

Once you have determined the cause of the inverted colors, you can consider options to fix it. Some problems might be easy and inexpensive to fix. Unfortunately, in some cases, you might have to take your TV to a TV repair shop for repairs.

Different manufacturers might have different ways of fixing inverted colors on a TV, so it would be best to contact the manufacturer’s customer support and ask how to fix it or search the internet for information. The TV’s user manual might also provide the information needed to fix the problem and return the TV’s colors to normal.

A few common fixes might work on most TVs, regardless of the manufacturer.

High Contrast Creating Inverted Colors

Contrast is easy to fix and won’t cost you anything. A TV’s contrast might be set too high and can cause inverted colors. Most people should be able to fix this problem on their own. The most challenging part of this fix would likely be to find where you can set the contrast on the TV’s menu. You would most likely need the TV’s remote to do this.

You first need to access the TV’s menu to fix the TV’s contrast. Select “Settings”, then “Display Settings”. Under Display Settings, you should find a setting called “Contrast”. Select the Contrast setting and change it until the colors return to normal. If the colors do not return to normal, you should move on to the next possible fault on the list.

Some might not understand their TV or be worried that they might make it worse if they try to fix it themselves. It would probably be best for these people to take their TV to a reputable TV repair shop. These shops would charge for fixing the problem, but it is often the safer option. 

HDMI Cable Causing Faulty Colors

You might notice inverted colors when connecting something like a laptop or set-top box to a TV. These inverted colors might be due to a faulty HDMI cable, which you use to connect the laptop or set-top box to the TV. 

A faulty HDMI cable is an easy fix and is usually reasonably inexpensive. You need to remove the HDMI cable from the TV and other device and replace it with another HDMI cable. If the problem of inverted colors persists, it might not be the HDMI cable but the HDMI port causing the problem.

Worn Out Or Broken HDMI Port

The HDMI port, where the HDMI Cable is plugged into the TV and another device, can become worn out from plugging cables in and out regularly. HDMI ports are not easily fixed, and it won’t be wise to try and fix them unless you are familiar with electronics, as you might damage the TV further.

When checking to see if the HDMI port is at fault, you can connect another device to the TV via an HDMI cable to see if it is the TV’s HDMI port or the other device that you are using. Some TVs have a second HDMI port, so you can also try to swap ports.

If the TV’s HDMI port is faulty, you should not try to replace it yourself. Replacing the HDMI port requires a lot of skill with micro-soldering. It would be best to take your TV back to the manufacturer or place of purchase, if it is still under warranty, to get it fixed or replaced. Alternatively, you could take it to a reputable TV repair shop.

Broken T-con Board Or T-con Board Components

The T-con board is a small board on the inside of a TV. The T-con board sometimes called the TV’s “brain”, controls the video processing of the TV. Since the T-con board controls the TV’s display, a faulty T-con board could also cause inverted colors.

A T-con board is reasonably inexpensive and easy to replace. Still, one should carefully check the board first to ensure that all the connectors are correctly connected and that no dust or other particles are on or in the connectors. If you cleaned the T-con board connectors and the TV still shows inverted colors, replacing the board should fix the problem.

Replacing a T-con board can be reasonably easy and inexpensive. Still, if you don’t know which component in the TV is which or can’t find a suitable replacement on the internet, your best option will be to take it to a reputable TV repair shop to fix it.

Conclusion

Modern TVs are mass-produced, and sound or display problems are not uncommon. A TV might display inverted colors for various reasons, and each cause has its fix. Most fixes are reasonably straightforward and inexpensive, but sometimes, taking your TV to a reputable TV repair shop might be a better idea, especially if you are not sure what you are doing.

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