The colors on the screen are like limited to 8bit

I'm facing a problem on Osx 10.15 ( quiet old) where the colors are messed up and i looks like an 8bit color schema.

The last changes were done on the Desktop backround image.


I tried the colorSync utility I did verify and repairs without any problems, but the Problem stays the same.

I tried changing color profiles without succes. I have created a new user on the mac and all colors were fine.

The problem is related to a specific user.


THis behaviours impacts also all applications.

Posted on Jan 22, 2025 4:24 AM

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Posted on Jan 23, 2025 4:39 PM

The fact that the new user doesn't have the problem indicates that your original user account does have software that might be causing the problem. Safe Mode stops all 3rd party software from loading and only loads the minimal system files to operate. If the problem doesn't show in Safe Mode but does when you reboot normally that indicates you've got 3rd party software that is causing the problem. If that's the case running the free version of Etrecheck and posting the report according to this user tip, How to report the Etrecheck results using the Added Text feature, and we can see what might be causing the problem. It will be easier than migration all of your apps, settings and files from the old account to the new one.


Also, the Safe Mode boot might fix it as it does some repair as my previous post described.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 23, 2025 4:39 PM in response to Jacquesit

The fact that the new user doesn't have the problem indicates that your original user account does have software that might be causing the problem. Safe Mode stops all 3rd party software from loading and only loads the minimal system files to operate. If the problem doesn't show in Safe Mode but does when you reboot normally that indicates you've got 3rd party software that is causing the problem. If that's the case running the free version of Etrecheck and posting the report according to this user tip, How to report the Etrecheck results using the Added Text feature, and we can see what might be causing the problem. It will be easier than migration all of your apps, settings and files from the old account to the new one.


Also, the Safe Mode boot might fix it as it does some repair as my previous post described.

Jan 22, 2025 9:28 AM in response to Jacquesit

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


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The colors on the screen are like limited to 8bit

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