Troubleshooting Color or Luminance Uniformity on Flat Panel Monitors

Table of Contents

• Monitor Characteristics that Affect Luminance
• Try Different Preset Modes
• Making Custom Color Adjustments
• Adjusting Brightness and Contrast
• Resetting the Monitor to Factory Default Settings
• Run the Monitor's Self Diagnostic Test
• Make Sure the Graphics Card Color Settings Are Set to Default

Monitor Characteristics that Affect Luminance

Brightness and color performance will vary relative to how long a monitor has been turned on. In most cases, a monitor's color and brightness characteristics will definitely be stable by the time the monitor has been powered on for 20 minutes.

Most monitors will have a limited viewing angle. When viewing a monitor from too far to either side, above, or below, the panel may appear darker than it will appear when viewed from straight ahead. Make sure you check the viewing angle so that you are getting the best direct view of the display.

Try Different Preset Modes

1. Locate the Menu button on the monitor's controls.
2. Find the selection for Preset Modes and choose it.
3. Scroll through the different preset modes that are available and choose the one that appears to be most acceptable.

Making Custom Color Adjustments

If you want to make detailed adjustments to the appearance, choose Custom Color from the preset mode options. In this mode, you may adjust the color balance and various other detailed settings that affect the monitor's appearance.

If you need to undo changes made in the Custom Color mode, go to the menu and select Color Settings and then Reset Color Settings.

Adjusting Brightness and Contrast

To make adjustments to the brightness and contrast of the monitor:

1. Locate the Menu button for the monitor's On-Screen Display (OSD).
2. Select Brightness/Contrast on the menu.
3. Use the controls to raise or lower the brightness or contrast values and use the checkmark to select the setting you wish to use.

Resetting the Monitor to Factory Default Settings

1. Locate the Menu button to display the monitor's On-Screen Display (OSD).
2. Select Menu from the OSD controls.
3. Select Other Settings.
4. Select Factory Reset. You should see a the words "Auto Adjustment in Progress" on the display.

Run the Monitor's Self Diagnostic Test

1. Remove the video cables (VGA, DVI, or HDMI) from the back of the monitor. Turn the monitor power on.
2. Press buttons 1 and 4 at the same time (numbering from top to bottom or from left to right toward the power button) and hold them for 2 seconds.
3. Press button 4 to change the background color from gray, red, green, blue, and white.
4. Check to see if the original symptom still exists on these colored screens. If so, you may need to contact Dell Technical Support for further assistance with the problem.

Make Sure the Graphics Card Color Settings Are Set to Default

If the video graphics card is set to the wrong color settings, it can affect what you see on the monitor. To change the graphic settings to their default:

1. Go to Start, Settings, and Control Panel.
2. Find the video display settings. The exact location will vary with the type of video card on your computer as well as which version of Windows you are running. Look for any button that allows you to restore the video card to factory default settings.
3. You may be asked to choose a display profile. There should be a default profile among the choices.