Washed out external monitor on M1 Mac mini on usb c

Found some solutions. I've had the exact same problem. I have a M1 Mac Mini using 35-inch LG monitor via USB-C to Display Port. Prior to 11.3, turning off the monitor then back on again used to fix it and the colors would no longer be washed out. After upgrading to 11.3 I initially had no problems with the color, but I started fiddling around with the HDR settings (in System Preferences -> Display) - big mistake - _don't_ check the HDR tick box. I ended up checking the HDR tick box and the colors became washed out again, even after unchecking the box. I tried turning off/on the monitor, unplugging the monitor, rebooting, changing out to a USB-C to HDMI cable then back to USB-C to Display Port - but none of these worked - still washed out colors. The solution I found was to mirror my display via AirPlay Display (in System Preferences -> Display) to my Samsung TV, then turn off the AirPlay Display, and my monitor reset back to the nice dark/vivid colors and no longer washed out. That worked for me, hope that helps :)

I've exactly the same issue with my Mac mini 2018 (Macmini8,1) running macOS Big Sur 11.2.1: External display has washed out colors when using USB-C to DisplayPort cable !!

I bought two USB-C to DisplayPort cables and the result is always the same: washed out colors.

The same monitor with an HDMI cable works perfectly. I've also tried an USB-C to HDMI adaptor with an HDMI cable and it also works perfectly. This makes me believe that the issue is really related to the DisplayPort.

Macmini8,1 with Intel UHD Graphics 630 to iiyama ProLite XUB2595WSU:

• HDMI cable: no issue
• USB-C to HDMI adaptor + HDMI cable: no issue
• USB-C to DisplayPort cable: washed out colors

I don't have washed out colors when I plug my Windows laptop into the same monitor using the USB-C to DisplayPort cable !! The monitor and the cable are therefore not the root cause of the issue.

We are not the only ones to have the issue:

• External display attached to MacBook Pro has washed out colours
• Fixing the External Monitor Color Problem with My 2018 MacBook Pro
• External Monitor Color Space, Part 2: Big Sur

Regards,

Xavier Mawet

Unchecking the HDR worked for me!! Thank you!!

Details:

Mac book pro

LG Monitor 27QN880

Monterey OS

Type - c to Type C cable.

I have the same issue. LG 27UD88 Ultra HD USB-C display looks washed with an M1 Mac. I think it sends a "limited range RGB" (16-235 brightness levels) signal instead of full range RGB (0-255 brightness levels) which makes blacks gray and whites dull.

Same display with the same USB-C cable works perfectly with an Intel Macbook and Intel Mac mini.

Since this is an USB-C display (charges through the same connection), using HDMI is not an option. It is really unheard that limited RGB would be sent over DisplayPort (this is usually an option in case of HDMI) so the display has no option to compensate for this.

It is very sad that even after almost half a year Apple can't iron out these GPU driver issues. An other annoying bug is that M1 macbooks don't support DDC/CI protocol which renders apps designed to change the native brightness of the display (like MonitorControl or Lunar) inoperable on M1 macs. This is a huge setback for many of us.

Apple please FIX THIS already!!!

I have a M1 MBA and I am facing same washed out colours problem with LG 35WN75C through USB - C to USB - C cable. I have also faced same problem with LG 32GK650 through USB - C to Display Port Cable. Even when I was mirroring iPad using the same cable , colours where washed out. Both worked without any issue with cheap HDMI connectors. However, Windows laptop displayed colours correctly on both the monitors using any cable

I have read multiple forums for solution, but one which has worked for me is to close the lid and then open it after some time. This resolves the issue related to washed out colours. Don’t turn on HDR. It messes up the colours again ( I am pretty sure that washed out colours have something to do with the HDR )

For Mac Mini , one can try mirroring screen through airplay to compatible TVs. This apparently brings back the colour on external monitor. ( Haven’t tried it , but I can try with my MBA ).

In short Mac mini users can and should use HDMI, while for MacBook users , closing the lid on and off should work . Hopefully

Hi, I have a MBA M1 and I have had the same issue with my LG 35WN75 1440P ultrawide monitor. I am currently on Big Sur 11.3 and what works for me is that whenever the colours are washed out on the external monitor, I close the Lid until the external monitor becomes the main screen.

If the colours are still washed out, it most likely means when you open the lid and when the external monitor switches itself to work as a second screen, it should work fine.

If when you close the lid, the Monitor starts displaying the correct colour, most likely when you open the lid, colours will be still washed out. In that case , I change the screen resolution to any other resolution which resets it into being washed out again. Once it is washed out, I open the lid and most of the times it is displaying the correct colours.

For some people, an airplay solution might work. If you don't have a device that supports airplay, there are a few apps for Android TV that will create a dummy airplay device. I haven't tried it. But if you try let us know if that works

You are doing it all wrong. :)))

This is the Apple way:

1. Connect to your external screen via Airplay
2. Change the mirroring setting in Arrangement (set your screen to mirror if currently unmirrored or the other way around)
3. Disconnect Airplay
4. Be amazed at the deep blacks and pure whites!

I am in the same boat. L4 4K 27UK650-W. Using Caldigit USB-Pro with Macbook pro M1.

1. Display port - with or without the dock - washed out color. Tried what was suggested above. No luck. connects at 60Hz
2. HDMI - thru the dock - nice saturated proper colors. But, only connects @30Hz.

So, I am relegated to use HDMI @ 30Hz

2016 Intel Macbook - perfect colors @60Hz - Display port or HDMI. No Issues.

I worked with Caldigit and they confirmed that it is not their dock. They did spend a lot of time checking things out.

So, it took 5 years for Apple to mess something that was working. Disappointed.

Same issue for me with my M1 Mac Mini, starting with 11.3. Two Asus monitors, one HDMI and one USB C to HDMI. But it's the HDMI monitor that just went bad with the color issue. I changed the refresh rate (previously set at 60) to 50 and then back to 60 and that seemed to fix it at least for now.

Hey man. That worked for me! I have dual Samsung Curved 27" C27F591 and the one connected via USBc (Extended Monitor) had washed out colors. I tried every solution I found online to no avail until I read your post. I simply turned the monitor off and then back on. That fixed it for now! Thank you!

Hello, David Oldenburg!

Thanks for reaching out in Apple Support Communities! From your post, it sounds like you're having trouble with the video on your external monitor when connected to your Mac. We'd like to help out!

Does this happen when you use a different USB-C cable or when the same monitor is connected via HDMI?

If so, we recommend using the troubleshooting steps to help with video related issues as described in the support article below:

Get help with video issues on external displays connected to your Mac - Apple Support

"If you've tried these steps and your display still isn't working, contact Apple Support to get more help."

All the best.

Same issue here.

Mac mini (M1, 2020) 8GB Big Sur Ver. 11.2.2 connected to two LG 27UK670-B monitors.

When connected through USB-C colors are totally washed out. Blacks look grey, and colors look like I'm viewing through parchment paper. Also, updating to 11.2.2 did NOT fix the issue.

However, with the same M1 Mac Mini connected via HDMI blacks are deeper, and colors pop.

For comparison I connected my 2018 Intel Macbook Pro 15" (Big Sur Ver. 11.2.2) to the same monitors using USB-C connections. The colors are rich and punchy.

Hopefully Apple is reading this forum and putting together a fix.

1. Connected to charger all along via my dock
2. HDR is turned off.
3. I can connect to HDMI with no change in cable or settings. Full colors, but 30Hz.
4. Yes. Big Sur 11.3
5. Cannot change the resolution before opening the lid as I have no KBD/mouse, using the macbook's own KBD/Trackpad
6. Cables are fine as my 2016 Intel Macbook pro in the same setup does full color & full 60Hz on both DP and HDMI. I can literally take one out, plug the other in the same setup, and voila. But, 2016 intel is very slow and with constant fan when I start zoom. My M1 is really fast.
7. I am not a big video editing guy, so I can live with 30Hz as long as I get nice colors

I think it is hit or miss. My Dell 4K monitor at work does DP with full colors @60hz with no issues with this M1. It is the M1 and LG 4K combo.

I have the exact same issue... Two identical LG 4k HDR 27" monitors. The monitor connected through HDMI is contrasty and great colors, but the one through USB-C is washed out.

I have read somewhere that a USB-C to HDMI cable works well, I have ordered one and hopefully it will not be waste of $$$ :)