Smart home technician helping fix SmartThings Hub HDR color issues

Steve H.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Samsung SmartThings Hub, HDR10/HDR10+, HDMI & eARC, smart TVs & streaming boxes, game consoles, picture calibration

SmartThings Hub showing wrong colors in HDR — TV, HDMI, app and calibration issues

Technician avatar Technician
Hey! Let’s figure out why your SmartThings Hub HDR colors are wrong and get your TV looking normal again. A few quick questions so we don’t guess:
• Which TV brand/model are you using (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.) and which SmartThings Hub / SmartThings app version do you have?
• Where do the wrong HDR colors show up — built-in TV apps (Netflix/Prime/Disney+), devices connected via HDMI (Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Xbox, PS5), or both?
• What exactly do you see: HDR looks washed out, too dim, everything neon/oversaturated, skin tones too red/green, or a specific color tint?
• Did anything change recently — SmartThings Hub update, TV firmware update, new console, new HDMI cable, or a new SmartThings automation/scene that controls picture mode?
The more detail we have, the easier it is to fix a SmartThings Hub wrong colors HDR issue without endlessly resetting everything.
Customer
I have a Samsung 4K HDR TV connected to a SmartThings Hub. Since a recent update, when HDR kicks in the colors look off. Movies from Netflix and games on my Xbox look washed out and kind of gray, but menus and SDR stuff look fine. SmartThings routines change my TV to “Movie” mode at night and “Game” mode on the console input. Ever since that SmartThings update the HDR colors don’t look right.
Technician avatar Technician
Got it — classic case of SmartThings controlling the TV while HDR tone mapping is changing in the background.
A few things usually line up when SmartThings Hub HDR colors look wrong:
• The TV input has HDR / HDMI UHD Color turned on, but SmartThings scenes keep forcing an SDR-based picture mode or wrong gamma/tone mapping.
• TV firmware updates can reset color space (Auto vs Native), dynamic contrast, or HDR10+ settings → HDR looks flat or overblown.
• SmartThings routines may switch between Movie/Game/Standard modes at the wrong time, so HDR content inherits incorrect color and brightness settings.

We’ll:
1) Make sure the TV is doing proper HDR10 / HDR10+ processing on that HDMI input.
2) Align picture mode, color space and HDR options so SmartThings doesn’t fight your TV.
3) Tidy up SmartThings automations so they no longer cause wrong colors in HDR whenever a routine runs.
Customer
That sounds right. When an HDR movie starts, colors get dull and skin tones go kind of green. It happens from the built-in Netflix app and from the Xbox on HDMI 1. SmartThings shows the TV as “Movie (HDR)” but the image looks nothing like HDR. How do I fix these wrong HDR colors while still using SmartThings?
Technician avatar Technician
First step is to stabilise the TV’s HDR settings on each input, then we’ll let SmartThings follow those — not override them.
Step 1 — Confirm HDR is enabled properly on the TV
1) On the Samsung TV, go to Settings > Picture > Expert Settings (or similar).
2) For the HDMI input with the Xbox/streamer, make sure HDMI UHD Color / Input Signal Plus is turned ON.
3) In Picture Mode, choose a known-good HDR mode (often Movie or Filmmaker Mode rather than Dynamic/Vivid).
4) Set Color Tone/Warm2, turn off artificial boosts such as Dynamic Contrast, Black Tone, and extra “HDR+” modes that can distort HDR colors.

Step 2 — Check color space
• In Expert Settings, set Color Space Settings to Auto (this lets the TV choose BT.2020 / DCI-P3 correctly for HDR).
• Avoid Native for now; it can make HDR look neon or over-saturated with a SmartThings Hub HDR setup.
Once the TV itself is doing sane HDR processing, we’ll line up SmartThings.
Customer
HDMI UHD Color is on and the input is set to Movie. Color Space was on Native, I changed it to Auto. The picture got a bit better but HDR still looks kind of flat compared to before. Could SmartThings automations be forcing some wrong HDR settings?
Technician avatar Technician
Yes — a lot of SmartThings Hub HDR color issues come from routines that keep forcing the wrong picture mode for HDR.
Step 3 — Audit SmartThings scenes and automations
1) In the SmartThings app, open each Scene or Routine that controls the TV.
2) Look for actions like Change picture mode, Energy Saving, Brightness, or Game Mode toggles when content changes.
3) For the main HDR input (Xbox/streamer), set the routine to leave picture mode on Movie / Game HDR and avoid mixing SDR and HDR settings in the same automation.
4) Temporarily disable any routine that switches between Vivid/Dynamic and Movie while you’re testing — those can cause HDR to look washed out or gray when the mode flips mid-stream.

After that, test one HDR title. If SmartThings Hub HDR colors are still off, we’ll calibrate using the TV itself or SmartThings Smart Calibration.
Customer
I had a routine that set “Standard” during the day and “Movie” at night on that HDMI. I turned that off and left it on Movie. HDR looks better but still a bit dim and desaturated. Games in Game Mode HDR also look kind of gray. Do I need to recalibrate HDR for SmartThings?
Technician avatar Technician
Great, that confirms the automations were at least part of the problem. Now we’ll dial in HDR tone mapping so it doesn’t look dull.
Step 4 — Calibrate HDR on the console and TV
• On Xbox/PS5, run their built-in “Calibrate HDR” or “HDR Game Calibration” tool while your TV is in Game Mode HDR.
• Follow the on-screen instructions carefully — raise the brightness until the logo just disappears, not far beyond, or HDR will look washed out.
• On the TV, in Game Mode, re-check that Contrast Enhancer and extra processing are either Off or set to Low; extreme values distort HDR colors.

Step 5 — Optional: use SmartThings Smart Calibration
• In the SmartThings app, many newer Samsung TVs support Smart Calibration to align HDR color and gamma using your phone’s sensors.
• Run a Basic calibration first; it often fixes wrong HDR colors caused by updates or factory resets.
Once calibration is done, we’ll stop SmartThings automations from undoing that work.
Customer
I ran Smart Calibration from the SmartThings app and did the console HDR setup again. Movies are way better now, but one streaming app through SmartThings still looks oversaturated in HDR, like reds are glowing. The TV picture mode says “Movie (HDR)” so I’m not sure what’s different.
Technician avatar Technician
When only one HDR app looks wrong, it’s usually that app’s output format combined with the TV’s color space and SmartThings profile.
Try this:
• While that HDR app is playing, open TV Picture Settings again (settings are often saved per input and per HDR mode).
• Double-check Color Space = Auto and that Color and Saturation sliders weren’t pushed way up for just that app.
• If the app has its own picture or HDR setting, set it to “Match content” or “Use device default” — forcing its own HDR tone mapping can clash with the TV and cause SmartThings HDR colors to look oversaturated.
• In SmartThings, make sure no Scene is triggered specifically by that app or time of day to apply a different “vivid” mode.
After this, you should have consistent HDR color from SmartThings Hub across apps and inputs.
Customer
Okay, that fixed it for movies and games. What about when SmartThings switches to a different scene? I’d like lights and blinds to change, but I don’t want HDR colors breaking again every time a scene runs.
Technician avatar Technician
Perfect question. We want SmartThings to automate your home, not scramble HDR color calibration every night.
Preventive setup for SmartThings Hub HDR scenes
• Keep one or two “reference” picture modes for HDR (Movie for films, Game for consoles). Don’t let every scene change them.
• In SmartThings, let scenes adjust lights, blinds, sound, but remove actions that force picture mode, brightness, contrast, or color unless absolutely needed.
• After firmware updates, quickly re-check HDR on one movie and one game before relying on scenes — some updates tweak HDR tone mapping and color space.
• If a particular routine repeatedly causes wrong colors in HDR, duplicate it and strip out TV picture actions; keep TV picture controls in a dedicated “Calibrate TV” scene you run manually when needed.
These habits make SmartThings automations far less likely to wreck your HDR picture.
Customer
Got it. One last thing — if a future SmartThings or TV update messes up HDR colors again, what’s the fastest way to get back to normal without redoing everything from scratch?
Technician avatar Technician
Good plan. Here’s the “panic button” process if a new update gives you SmartThings Hub HDR wrong colors again:
• On the TV, use Reset Picture (Expert Settings) for that input only, then immediately set Movie/Game HDR back up and turn off aggressive processing.
• Re-run Smart Calibration from the SmartThings app in Basic mode to get neutral HDR color quickly.
• On the console/streamer, re-run its HDR calibration wizard so device tone mapping matches the TV again.
• In SmartThings, temporarily disable any scenes that change TV picture settings until you confirm HDR looks correct.
This usually restores proper HDR brightness and color in minutes instead of hours of trial and error. If it still looks off, we can go through your exact TV model, console, and SmartThings routines together in chat.
Customer
After changing color space to Auto, fixing the SmartThings scenes, and running Smart Calibration plus the Xbox HDR tool, everything looks great again. HDR movies and games have proper contrast and colors, and scenes still control my lights. Thanks for helping fix the SmartThings Hub wrong colors HDR issue!
Technician avatar Technician
Summary: when a SmartThings Hub causes wrong colors in HDR, first stabilise the TV’s HDR settings (HDMI UHD Color, Movie/Game HDR mode, Auto color space), then fix SmartThings scenes so they no longer override picture modes. Calibrate HDR on consoles and, if available, run Smart Calibration through the SmartThings app. After that, your HDR movies and games should look natural again. Still seeing a weird tint or washed-out HDR? Open the chat and an expert will walk through your exact SmartThings + TV setup step by step.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when a SmartThings Hub shows wrong colors in HDR: enable HDMI UHD Color/Input Signal Plus on the TV, use a stable HDR picture mode (Movie/Game) with Color Space = Auto, and turn off extreme contrast enhancements. Then run HDR calibration on your console/streamer and, if supported, Smart Calibration from the SmartThings app. Finally, edit SmartThings scenes so they stop forcing random picture modes that break HDR color.

Why SmartThings Hub can cause wrong colors in HDR

Most SmartThings Hub HDR color problems come from a mismatch between the TV’s picture mode, HDR tone mapping, and what SmartThings automations are trying to do. TV firmware updates can reset HDR picture settings (color space, gamma, dynamic contrast), while SmartThings scenes might still be forcing older SDR values. When HDR content starts, this combination can make HDR look washed out, too dark, or neon. HDMI settings like HDMI UHD Color/Input Signal Plus and per-input picture modes also matter: if one input is set up correctly but SmartThings switches to a different mode, your HDR colors will look inconsistent from app to app.

How to test if your SmartThings HDR colors are really fixed

After you adjust the TV and SmartThings scenes, test with a couple of known HDR sources: a 4K HDR movie in a streaming app and a HDR game on your console. Check that highlights look bright without blowing out and that shadows stay detailed instead of gray or crushed. Skin tones should look natural, not green or sunburned. Toggle between SDR and HDR content; if only HDR looks wrong, revisit HDR calibration and color space. If everything, including menus, looks odd once SmartThings scenes run, it usually means an automation is still forcing the wrong picture mode or brightness profile.

SmartThings Hub wrong colors HDR — quick troubleshooting tips

Most issues come from picture modes and SmartThings scenes fighting your TV’s HDR settings.

Quick path: on your TV, turn on HDR for the HDMI input, choose a clean HDR mode (Movie or Game), set Color Space to Auto, and disable aggressive image processing. Then recalibrate HDR on your console or streaming box and, if available, use Smart Calibration in the SmartThings app to correct color and gamma. Finally, edit SmartThings routines so they control your lights and devices but leave HDR picture settings alone. This combination resolves most SmartThings Hub wrong colors HDR complaints without needing a full factory reset.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your SmartThings Hub model, TV firmware, and HDR devices, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.

Understand what these prompts mean

Getting Started Is Easy

Ask for help, 24/7

Members enjoy round-the-clock access to 12,000+ verified Experts, including SmartThings Hub specialists, TV calibration pros, techs, mechanics, vets, and more.

Expert will respond in minutes

We match you with an Expert who understands SmartThings Hub, HDR10/HDR10+, and Samsung TV picture settings. Talk, text, or chat — whichever you prefer.

Save time & money

No scheduling hassles or expensive in-home visits. Fixing SmartThings Hub HDR color issues online can save you time and keep your setup calibrated.

FAQ

Why did HDR colors change after a SmartThings or TV update?

Updates can reset HDR picture settings on the TV (color space, gamma, tone mapping) while your SmartThings scenes still push old SDR modes. When HDR content starts, the TV and SmartThings fight over picture mode, which makes HDR look washed out, too dark, or overly saturated until you realign the TV and SmartThings routines.

How do I fix washed-out HDR colors with SmartThings Hub?

On the TV, enable HDMI UHD Color/Input Signal Plus, use an HDR-friendly picture mode like Movie or Game, set Color Space to Auto, and turn off extreme contrast enhancements. Then recalibrate HDR on your console/streamer and run Smart Calibration in the SmartThings app if your TV supports it. Finally, remove picture-mode changes from SmartThings scenes so they don’t undo your calibration.

Why do only some apps have wrong HDR colors with SmartThings?

If HDR looks wrong in only one app, that app may be forcing its own HDR or color settings that clash with the TV and SmartThings profile. Open the TV’s picture menu while the app is playing and verify that HDR picture settings and color space are correct for that source, and that no SmartThings automation applies a different picture mode only when that app is active.

When should I reset HDR picture settings or recalibrate?

If you notice a sudden change in HDR brightness or color after a firmware or SmartThings update, or if scenes repeatedly break your HDR, it’s usually faster to reset picture settings for that input, reapply recommended HDR settings, and rerun console and SmartThings calibrations instead of chasing small tweaks one by one.

Sources

Matt Verified Icon
Matt ● replies in < 1 min
Technician Expert
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trusted by 27,000+ customers
Avatar
Alex · Expert's Assistant
5 Tech Support Specialists are online right now.