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If you have noticed a yellow tint on your Surface screen after upgrading to Windows 11 or during regular use, it can be distracting and reduce the overall display quality. Fortunately, this issue is quite common and can often be fixed with simple adjustments.

This guide will walk you through easy, step-by-step methods to remove the yellow tint and restore your screen’s natural colors. No advanced technical skills are required, and you can do most of these fixes right from your Windows settings.

Understanding why this yellow tint appears will help you prevent it in the future. It’s often related to display settings, color profiles, or features designed to reduce eye strain.

Follow the steps in order, starting with the easiest solutions. If one doesn’t work, move on to the next until your screen looks normal again.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Checks

• Make sure your Surface device is fully updated with the latest Windows 11 updates.
• Check if Night Light or any blue light filter software is enabled, as they often cause a warm, yellowish screen tint.
• Ensure your device is not in battery saver mode, which can sometimes alter display colors to conserve power.
• Restart your device before starting the troubleshooting process to rule out temporary glitches.

Step 1: Disable Night Light

Night Light is a Windows feature that reduces blue light to ease eye strain, but it often causes a yellow tint on the screen. Turning it off usually fixes the color issue.

1. Click the Start button and select Settings (the gear icon).
2. Go to System, then click on Display.
3. Find the Night Light toggle under the Brightness & color section.
4. Turn the toggle Off.
5. Check your screen to see if the yellow tint has disappeared.

Why this helps: Night Light adjusts your screen colors to warmer tones at night, which appears as yellowish on your display.

Step 2: Adjust Color Calibration

If disabling Night Light doesn’t fix the issue, your display’s color calibration might be off. Windows 11 includes a built-in tool to help you calibrate colors accurately.

1. Press Windows + S keys and type Calibrate display color.
2. Select the Calibrate display color option from the search results.
3. The Display Color Calibration wizard will open. Click Next to start.
4. Follow the instructions carefully, adjusting gamma, brightness, contrast, and color balance as guided.
5. When you reach the color balance screen, reduce the yellow tint by adjusting the sliders.
6. Finish the calibration and save the new settings.
7. Check your screen to confirm the tint issue is resolved.

Why this helps: Color calibration ensures your display shows accurate colors and helps fix any unintended color shifts like yellow tinting.

Step 3: Check and Change Color Profile

Sometimes, the wrong color profile is applied, causing your screen to look yellowish. Switching to the correct color profile can fix this issue.

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Settings.
2. Navigate to System > Display > Advanced display settings.
3. Under the Display information section, click on Display adapter properties.
4. In the new window, switch to the Color Management tab and click Color Management…
5. In the Color Management window, check the box for Use my settings for this device.
6. Click Add…, then select a standard color profile like sRGB IEC61966-2.1 and click OK.
7. Select the newly added profile and click Set as Default Profile.
8. Close all windows and see if the yellow tint has been corrected.

Why this helps: Color profiles define how colors are displayed on your screen. Using the wrong profile can cause color distortion, including yellow tint.

Step 4: Update or Reinstall Display Drivers

If the steps above don’t work, your display driver might be outdated or corrupted, causing color issues.

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Display adapters section.
3. Right-click your display adapter (e.g., Intel, NVIDIA) and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the prompts to install any updates.
5. If no updates are found or the problem persists, right-click the adapter again and select Uninstall device.
6. Restart your Surface; Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
7. Check your display for color improvement.

Why this helps: Display drivers control how your graphics hardware communicates with Windows. Corrupted or outdated drivers can cause display issues, including color tints.

Alternative Method: Use Third-Party Apps to Adjust Color

If built-in tools don’t help, you can try third-party apps like f.lux or DisplayCAL. These apps give more control over color temperature and calibration but should be used carefully.

Always download these apps from official sources and follow their instructions. They are more suited for advanced users who want fine-tuned color control.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does my Surface screen have a yellow tint after Windows 11 update?

Windows updates sometimes reset or change display settings, enabling features like Night Light or applying incorrect color profiles that cause a yellow tint.

Is Night Light safe to use?

Yes, Night Light is designed to reduce blue light and make screen use easier on your eyes at night. However, it changes screen colors to warmer tones, which can appear yellowish.

Can hardware issues cause screen tint?

Yes, in rare cases, a malfunctioning display or hardware damage can cause color issues. If software fixes don’t work, hardware might be the cause.

Will resetting Windows fix the yellow tint?

Resetting Windows can fix many issues, but it’s a last resort because it deletes apps and settings. Try all other steps before considering this.

How often should I calibrate my display?

Calibrating every few months or after major updates helps maintain accurate colors and prevents issues like screen tint.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the steps above and your Surface screen still shows a yellow tint, consider the following options:

• Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Support page for professional help.
• Check for Hardware Issues: Bring your Surface to a certified repair center to diagnose potential hardware problems.
• Perform a System Restore: Restore your device to a previous state before the yellow tint appeared, if possible.
• Reset Windows: As a last resort, reset Windows to factory settings, but back up your data first.

Conclusion

Screen yellow tint on your Surface running Windows 11 is usually caused by simple settings like Night Light, color profiles, or display calibration issues. By following this guide step-by-step, you can easily restore your screen’s natural colors without needing advanced technical help.

Always start with the simplest fixes like disabling Night Light and gradually move to more detailed adjustments like color calibration and driver updates. If all else fails, Microsoft Support and hardware diagnostics are your best options.

Maintaining your display settings and keeping drivers updated will help prevent this issue from happening again, ensuring a bright and clear viewing experience on your Surface device.