Washed out external monitor on M1 Mac mini on usb c

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.

Same issue washed out color with MacBook Air M1 (big sur 11.2.3) connected on usb-c to usb-c to LG 27UK850-W

Please Apple fix this issue is very important, I can't work all day on 13 inch monitor I need external monitor than work with correct colors.

with Same monitor and cable usb-c to usb-c works perfect with a MacBook Pro 16 (big sur 11.2.3)

Sometimes randomly colors become normal, I don't know what this is connected with, I don't do anything, at some point the monitor just blinks for a second and the colors become normal.

I also noticed that in the monitor settings there is a switch which is always not available for change - "Black Level"

So that's when he's in the "LOW" position colors are washed up but

After the monitor blinks and the colors return to normal - "HIGH"

Might be LG too must develop a new firmware for their monitors, or apple just fix their drivers idk

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

Did you send a feedback to apple using the Feedback Assistant? I did but the ticket is still Open (after weeks) and it says that there are no "recent similar reports". I am not sure whether Apple is even aware of the issue - I feel we complain in vain in these forums.

I am using the airplay trick (with my iPad) whenever the colors go washed out. If I manage to get back the normal colors, things usually remain stable (until I change the resolution or something).

I don't think the issue is related to HDR since I experience this with a non-HDR display. It is more a displayport over USB-C problem.

External display support of M1 macs is really poor. This issue and the lack of DDC/CI support (can't control the brightness or audio volume of external displays via MonitorControl or Luna) is a real pain.

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

My setup does not allow for do Airplay (no TV nearby - I do have both Samsung and Apple TV, but they are really far away) and I take my macbook pro in and out and in different rooms. So, doing it few times a day is not sustainable.

Are you connected to charger all this while ?

If available, is HDR turned off in display settings ?

Are you on Big Sur 11.3 ?

If you are on charger, the monitor display should go from being secondary monitor to primary display when you close you lid. Does the colours still stay washed out ?

Try changing resolution before opening the lid.

I tried lot of cables ( USB C to display port , different USB C cables etc ) and May other different methods as suggested by everyone. But closing lid and changing resolution and opening up again, worked for me.

Hmm. It might not be an exact science. For me the key is changing display arrangement while AirPlay is active (from mirrored to non mirrored or vice versa). But I am not using Extended display mode to begin with, I use an external display only, the macbook is in clamshell mode.

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.

I just tried the same. Connected to DisplayPort. Went to scaled mode and enabled low resolution mode to give me choice of refresh rates. It only showed 60 and 30Hz. I tried toggling between the two. No luck. Stayed washed out on DP. So, back to HDMI @30hz and good colors.

Looks like I am stuck in this mode forever. What a shame.

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 $$$ :)

As long you connect to the HDMI port on the monitor, you will get great colors. I had to use HDMI->Active Display port on my Caldigit USB-Pro Dock and the dock connects to M1 pro via TB3 cable.

Can you check what refresh rate you are getting? You can check either on the monitor or About This Mac -> System Report -> Graphics/Display.

I get only 30Hz with HDMI and 60Hz via DP. My doc does not have TB input.

Agree with selected9. As explained earlier in my case:

HDMI - Full color Range, but 30Hz

DisplayPort - Limited Range(maybe - don't know how to find out), but 60Hz.

on LG 4k there is an option called HDMI UltraHD Deep Color - which is on. I don't think it will apply to DisplayPort. This confirms selected9's comment that color range is mostly HDMI thing.

@IdmUS. You are onto something.

Wanted to share with you and others something interesting.

In response to your post, I tried looking for RGB full color option on my LG 4K 27U650 type monitor and only found HDMI UTLRA Deep Color toggle. Which was on. I turned it off and then on. And went about my day.

Few hours later, I just tried Display Port again just to check, and voila.... It is now showing full colors (no washed out) @60Hz. I tried rebooting, disconnecting and connecting, putting my MacBook M1 pro to sleep and wake, closing the cover and re-opening. It is still showing full vibrant colors @60Hz. I will see if it stays like this for the next few days. But, I am happy now.

It does not make much sense, but hey.... It worked.