The fixes can be grouped under three main cause headings: Settings, Cables, and Backlights. We want to check the first two, not to attempt to eliminate the blue tint by adjustment, but to check if there is an improper setting or a cable issue that’s causing the problem. You don’t want to mask a backlight problem unless you can’t afford the fix.
Note that this problem, as related to hardware, only occurs in LG TVs that have backlights. An LG OLED TV does not use backlights, as the picture is generated by very tiny OLEDs that generate their own light. So if your LG OLED TV looks bluish it is almost certainly a settings problem.
Manipulating the settings on units with backlights is, in some cases, just a temporary workaround. If the failure is in the TV hardware, the setting fixes will not ultimately work.
Let’s move into the what to-dos.
You should check your TV settings to make sure they are configured correctly. Adjusting them to deal with what could be a potential hardware problem may be counter productive. You may be just buying time but you are better off adjusting to more standard settings so that you can determine if the unit itself is to blame.
A picture test is a very valuable baseline for your TV. It eliminates any problems that could be coming from external sources by generating an image from information that has been stored on the device.
Scrolling through the pre-adjusted settings on your TV can allow you to determine if there has been an unintentional change in your settings. It is a good idea to try modes like Standard, Eco or Cinema. You want something middle of the road, so you can see what the TV is actually producing, and if it is actually leaning toward blue.
You can also adjust settings like Contrast, Brightness, Tint, Color, etc individually to middle values. That way you allow for the blue, if it’s there, to come through, so you know if it is possibly your backlights. You can also see if a setting was inadvertently changed that would give a very blue look. Color Temperature can do this if it is set high.
This is sort of counter intuitive, but lower color temperatures are more yellow orange, and higher color temperatures are more blue. As an example, outdoor sunlight at midday has a color temperature of over 5,000 K (Kelvin). Lighting that appears to be a neutral while is in the 3500-4100 K range.
You might also want to consider if you have become used to a particular mode which has been turned off. You might think something has gone wrong on your TV when it is just a mode change. Eye Strain Mode found on newer sets attempts to adjust the white balance of your TV and turning it off might affect what you are used to. Other modes can do similar things. So check your settings.
If the settings look correct, and things are still blue, check your HDMI Cables
Occasionally a failed HDMI cable will cause a color problem. You can check for this by testing your TV using a picture test setting. If the blue shows up in picture test, you know it’s your TV and not the cable, since the signal for the test comes from inside the TV.
- If you don’t have a picture test available, try substituting another cable that is known good to the same source and see if the blue disappears.If that works, try your old cable again, it may be that the connection was bad and shifting it, may clear things up.If it is still bad with the old cable, replace the cable.If swapping cables doesn’t help, or the picture is still blue in the picture test, your TV has a backlight problem.
This is the main underlying cause of the blue tint when the settings and cables are eliminated. You will have to determine if you are willing to open your TV and replace the backlights. It is not super complicated, but it isn’t a small job and requires a few special tools. And you will have to buy new backlight parts.
You will need a large clear work area. you can work on a carpeted floor, but any kind of large table will help immensely. You need to have an area that is about twice the size of your TV so that you have a place to set your LCD panel when you remove it from the backlights. Also suction cups like those used by glass workers are essential.
As a workaround, sometimes reducing the brightness will slow down the deterioration of the backlight LED’s and may reduce the blueness somewhat
Forum Answer on LG TV’s with a blue tint
Very long but thorough video. Lots of valuable tips on how to prep your work area for the job. Also insights into special tools needed. Watch at 1.5x to 2x speed as the tech speaks slowly. Very thorough. This tech is very reassuring, and helps you to see the pitfalls. He also moves slowly enough that you can see what he’s doing. And you can always slow it to normal speed.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuTZZ9C6…Good middle of the road video, made by a fairly reputable parts supplier.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvnbaEkp…Good video for a slightly larger unit. Same supplier produced it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv4pJgwH…Good Video with fair number of tips worth watching at 2x speed.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgaL6X6e…
