How to Fix Dim or Dark Picture on an LG Smart TV

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Resolving Dark or Dim picture issues is usually just a matter
of adjusting your TV's settings. It's important to remember that picture
quality is subjective - it all depends on your individual
preferences, and that your LG TV likely does not have anything wrong with it.

This guide will walk you through steps that may help resolve your picture issue.

LG Logo.

2. Ambient Light

Depending on the model of Smart TV you have, bright light in the room where the TV is setup can cause the picture to appear to be washed out.

If there are any in the room, you can try to close any curtains and turn off any bright lights that may shine on or around the screen.

3. Determine Platform

We must determine which platform is loaded on your LG Smart TV before beginning. Newer TVs released after 2014 will have webOS. Older models released between 2011 and 2015 will have NetCast. See the images below to help tell the difference.

  • Using webOS
LG Smart TV using webOS.


  • Using Netcast
LG Smart TV using Netcast.

4. Disable Energy Saver

  1. Push the Home button on your remote.
Remote with Home button highlighted.
  1. Select the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner.
Home menu overlay inset with settings highlighted.
  1. Select All Settings at the bottom right.
Settings overlay inset with All Settings highlighted.
  1. In the Picture menu, select Energy Saver.
Picture menu with Energy Saver highlighted.
  1. Select Off.
Energy Saver dialog with Off highlighted.

5. Vivid Picture Settings

  1. Push the Home button on your remote.
Remote with Home button highlighted.
  1. Select the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner.
Home menu overlay inset with settings highlighted.
  1. Select All Settings at the bottom right.
Settings overlay inset with All Settings highlighted.
  1. In the Picture menu, select Picture Mode Settings.
Picture menu with Picture Mode Settings highlighted.
  1. Select Picture Mode, and choose Vivid.
Picture Mode Settings menu with Picture Mode highlighted.

6. Factory Reset Using webOS

  1. Press the Home/Smart button on your remote to bring up your launcher.
  2. Select Settings icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
Home screen with Settings selected. Screenshot.

  1. Select the All Settings option at the bottom right corner of the screen.
All Settings.
  1. Select the General, then choose Reset to Initial Settings.
General Settings with Reset to Initial Settings selected. Screenshot.
  1. Enter your password if you have one. The TV will begin to restart.
    If you have not set a password, the factory set password is usually 0,0,0,0 or 1,2,3,4.
Reset TV password prompt. Screenshot.

  1. The TV will attempt to proceed through the initial setup process as if it was being setup for the first time.
Setup wizard. Screenshot.

7. What's next?

8. Disable Energy Saver

  1. Press Settings on your remote.
Remote inset with Settings button highlighted.
  1. Select Picture.
Settings with Picture highlighted.
  1. Select Energy Saving.
LG Netcast picture menu highlighting the energy saving option.
  1. Select Off.
Energy Saving dialog with Off highlighted.

9. Vivid Picture Settings

  1. Press Settings on your remote.
Remote inset with Settings button highlighted.
  1. Select Picture.
Settings with Picture highlighted.
  1. Select Picture Mode.
LG Netcast picture menu with picture mode option highlighted.
  1. Select Vivid.
Picture Mode dialog with Vivid highlighted.

10. Factory Reset Using Netcast

  1. Press the Home/Smart button on your remote.
  2. Select Settings from the bottom-left.
Home screen with Settings selected. Screenshot.

  1. Select Option, then choose Initial Setting.
Options menu with Initial Settings selected. Screenshot.
  1. Enter your password if you have one.
    If you have not set a password, the factory set password is usually 0,0,0,0 or 1,2,3,4.
Password prompt. Screenshot.
  1. Select Yes to accept the terms of the disclaimer, then the TV will revert to factory settings.
All user settings and channel settings will be reset prompt, with Yes selected. Screenshot.

11. What's next?