Why Is My TV Screen Showing Only One Colour? Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Fast answers and step-by-step solutions for red, green, blue, white, and black screen problems


⚡ Quick Fixes at a Glance

ProblemQuick Fix
TV showing red screenCheck & reseat HDMI cable
TV showing green screenTry a different HDMI port
TV showing white screenPower cycle the TV
TV showing blue screenReset picture settings
TV showing black screen (with sound)Backlight or T-Con board fault — call a technician

Fix 1 — Restart Your TV

Unplug from the wall socket, wait 60 seconds, plug back in and power on.

Fix 2 — Reseat All Cables

Unplug and firmly re-plug the HDMI or AV cable at both ends. Try a different HDMI port.

Fix 3 — Change the Input Source

Press INPUT or SOURCE on your remote. Switch between HDMI 1, HDMI 2, AV, etc.

Fix 4 — Reset Picture Settings

Go to Menu > Picture Settings > Reset to Default.

Fix 5 — Factory Reset the TV

Go to Menu > Settings > General > Factory Reset. Note: this erases saved channels and settings.

📞 Still not fixed? Call or WhatsApp: 0704843613


🔍 What Causes a TV to Show Only One Colour?


Cause 1 — Loose or Faulty HDMI / AV Cable

The most common cause. A damaged or poorly connected cable drops one or more colour channels, leaving the screen stuck on red, green, or blue.

Cause 2 — Incorrect Picture or Colour Settings

Accidentally changing colour temperature, tint, or saturation in the TV menu can make the entire screen appear as one colour.

Cause 3 — Software Glitch or Firmware Bug

Smart TVs run operating systems that can freeze or malfunction, causing the display processor to output only one colour channel until the TV is restarted or updated.

Cause 4 — Damaged T-Con Board

The T-Con (Timing Control) board processes video signals and sends them to the LCD panel. A failing T-Con board causes single-colour screens, horizontal lines, or a blank display.

Cause 5 — Faulty Main Board

The main board handles all video processing. Damage from power surges can cause it to send corrupted signals resulting in a monochrome or single-colour display.

Cause 6 — Damaged LCD Panel or Backlights

Physical damage or backlight failure can cause the entire screen to show only one colour. This typically requires panel replacement.

Cause 7 — External Device Problem

Sometimes the fault is not the TV at all. A faulty DSTV decoder, set-top box, laptop, or games console may be sending a corrupted signal.


🛠️ Detailed Step-by-Step Troubleshooting


Step 1 — Perform a Power Cycle (Soft Reset)

  1. Turn off the TV using the remote or the power button on the unit
  2. Unplug the TV’s power cord from the wall socket — not just standby
  3. Press and hold the physical power button on the TV for 30 seconds to drain residual power
  4. Leave it unplugged for at least 60 seconds
  5. Plug back in, power on, and check if the colour problem is resolved

If this fixes the problem: the issue was a temporary software glitch. If it returns frequently, update your TV firmware.


Step 2 — Inspect and Replace Cables

  1. Power off both your TV and the connected device
  2. Unplug the HDMI or AV cable from both ends
  3. Inspect the cable carefully for bent pins, fraying, or visible damage
  4. Plug it back in firmly, ensuring it clicks into place
  5. If you have a spare cable, swap it out and test
  6. Try a different HDMI port on the TV (HDMI 2 or HDMI 3)

For older TVs using RCA cables: a red or blue screen often means the yellow video cable is not fully inserted. Check all three connectors.


Step 3 — Test with a Different Input Source

  1. Press the INPUT or SOURCE button on your remote
  2. Cycle through all available inputs — HDMI 1, HDMI 2, AV, etc.
  3. On each input, check if the colour issue persists
  4. Connect a completely different device (e.g., plug a laptop into the TV via HDMI)
  5. If the new device shows normal colours, your original device (decoder, streaming box) is the problem
  6. If all sources show the same single colour, the fault is inside the TV itself

Step 4 — Reset Picture and Colour Settings

  • Samsung: Settings > Picture > Expert Settings > Reset Picture
  • LG: Settings > Picture > Picture Reset
  • Sony: Settings > Display & Sound > Picture > Advanced > Reset
  • Hisense / TCL / Skyworth: Menu > Picture > Reset to Default

If you cannot access the menu because the screen is a solid colour, skip to Step 5.


Step 5 — Perform a Factory Reset

⚠️ Warning: A factory reset will delete all saved channels, WiFi passwords, and app logins. Write these down before proceeding.

  • Samsung: Settings > General > Reset > Enter PIN (default: 0000)
  • LG: Settings > General > Reset to Initial Settings
  • Sony: Settings > Device Preferences > Reset > Factory Reset
  • Hisense / TCL: Menu > Settings > Advanced System > Factory Reset

Step 6 — Update TV Firmware

  1. Connect your TV to WiFi via Settings > Network
  2. Samsung: Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now
  3. LG: Settings > All Settings > General > About This TV > Check for Updates
  4. Sony: Settings > Customer Support > Software Update
  5. Allow the update to download and install — the TV will restart automatically
  6. Test the display after the update completes

Step 7 — Identify a Hardware Problem

If all software fixes have failed, the issue is likely hardware. Signs of a hardware fault include:

  • The screen shows one colour even on the TV’s own menu, not just on inputs
  • The problem appeared after a power surge or lightning strike
  • The TV was dropped or physically knocked
  • You hear clicking or humming sounds from inside the TV
  • The screen has visible cracks, dark spots, or colour bleeding at the edges

T-Con Board Failure — Signs:

  • Screen is half one colour, half normal
  • Horizontal colour bands across the screen
  • Screen flickers between normal and single colour

Main Board Failure — Signs:

  • No picture but sound works fine
  • TV turns on but screen stays one colour on all inputs

LCD Panel / Backlight Failure — Signs:

  • Screen is very bright white with no picture
  • Screen is very dark but shows a faint image
  • Visible cracks or dark patches on the display

📞 When to Call a TV Repair Technician

Call a professional if:

  • None of the above steps resolved the problem
  • You suspect a T-Con board, main board, or LCD panel replacement is needed
  • Your TV is still under warranty — do not open it yourself
  • You are not comfortable working with electronics

📞 Call or WhatsApp: 0704843613

Our certified technicians repair all brands — Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense, TCL, Skyworth and more, across Nairobi and surrounding areas.


❓ Frequently Asked Questions


Why is my TV screen completely red?

A red screen means the blue and green colour channels are not being received. Check your HDMI cable first. If the cable is fine, the T-Con board or main board may be damaged.

Why is my TV screen showing only green?

A green screen means the red and blue channels are missing. This is commonly caused by a faulty cable, a loose connection, or a failing video processing board.

Why is my TV screen showing white?

A pure white screen means the backlight is on but the LCD panel is not receiving a signal, or the panel itself has failed. Try a power cycle first — it can also be caused by a software crash.

Why is my TV screen black but I can still hear sound?

Sound without picture usually points to a backlight failure or a T-Con board problem. The TV is receiving a signal (hence the sound) but cannot display the image.

Can a power surge cause a single-colour screen?

Yes. Power surges are one of the most common causes of TV hardware damage in Kenya. A surge can blow capacitors on the main board or T-Con board. Always use a surge protector.

How much does it cost to fix a single-colour screen in Kenya?

  • Cable replacement: Very low cost
  • T-Con board replacement: KSh 2,000 – KSh 8,000
  • Main board replacement: KSh 4,000 – KSh 15,000
  • LCD panel replacement: May cost more than a new TV

Call 0704843613 for a free diagnosis and quote.


🛡️ How to Prevent TV Colour Problems

  • Use a quality surge protector — power surges are very common in Kenya and cause most TV hardware failures
  • Never switch the TV on and off repeatedly at the wall socket — always use the remote
  • Ensure proper ventilation around your TV — overheating causes board failures
  • Handle cables carefully — avoid bending HDMI cables sharply at the connector
  • Keep your TV’s firmware updated to the latest version
  • Clean dust from the TV’s ventilation slots every few months

Still Having Problems? We Can Help.

Our expert TV repair technicians offer fast, affordable diagnosis and repair for all TV brands and screen faults.

📞 Call or WhatsApp: 0704843613

Fast response · Nairobi & surrounding areas · All TV brands · Free diagnosis