Whether it's a phone, computer, or even a Roku device, you likely aren't seeing all the available settings on your tech gadgets. A smart TV also has a secret menu with extra options that can improve its picture quality. These menus include adjusting color, picture processing, overscan, and more. However, it isn't for the faint of heart, especially on expensive sets.
The service menu isn't easy to access, and for good reason. It shouldn't be your first stop for picture adjustments unless you've already exhausted the regular settings. It could also be the ticket to pristine picture quality. That said, there's a risk to the reward.
TVs aren't universal, and making the wrong adjustment in the service menu could leave them inoperable.
The factory's service menu
You're not getting access to all your TV's settings
The number of options available to tweak your TV's picture quality may seem limited to what you see in the settings menu. However, an entire menu system is hidden from plain sight. The factory service menu (not to be confused with a factory reset) is what technicians use to troubleshoot and fix picture and other TV problems.
The menu is hidden behind several button presses on the remote or the actual set that you're not likely to hit by accident. Once you get into the menu, some of the data displayed is general information like the model and serial number. You can change other menu options, but manufacturers only recommend changing them if a service technician tells you to.
You also don't need to jump into the service menu right away, even if you don't see the correct option. Sometimes the regular settings menu is good enough. These days, menus have submenus upon submenus, and finding what you need takes a keen eye. Also, manufacturers call the same feature different names. So, note the settings and values before making changes. It gets confusing and annoying, but it can also prevent bad outcomes.
Accessing TV service menus
It varies by manufacturer and model
No single remote button combination works for all TVs or manufacturers. Menu access varies by make and model. When you call your TV's manufacturer, they might give you the remote or physical button code to access the menu as they walk you through fixing an issue. You can also look up codes online, but I found many of them to be generic and not model-specific.
I have three different smart TV models from various manufacturers, and I could access the service menu on only one. I even had to try seven separate remote combinations that were supposed to work. The seventh time was the charm, after scouring Reddit and talking to an actual technician (not just someone claiming to be one).
Picture settings
Fix constant changes in the display's quality
No matter how many times I adjusted color and contrast in the regular menus, the whites looked yellow or blue. I thought it was just how the TV worked. Adjusting the color temperature and tuner menus in the service menu gave me more control compared to the standard menu. I was careful with what I tweaked and only adjusted levels incrementally.
After tweaking it, I noticed that the colors in movies and shows didn't seem oversaturated anymore. There are fewer odd contrast shifts and color bleeding in high-motion scenes. It could be back, and I could make a uniform adjustment in the regular picture menu without constantly tweaking everything for every program. I also tweaked the pulse-width-modulation setting to help regulate my older television set's LED backlight drive. I noticed the screen no longer flickers at low brightness levels, which improves the overall look and feel of what's left on the old display.
The settings available on each TV, color or otherwise, will vary between manufacturer and model. What works on one set might not work on another, and not all options in the service menus are identical. For instance, if you find the picture looks over-processed despite the regular settings you tweak. Many sets let you bypass some internal processing in the service menu for a more consistent picture.
TV service menus offer more, but with risk
If you know you need to adjust the color, contrast, or picture mode for a better picture, the TV's regular settings menu helps. But if something feels off, or you can't get it right, exploring the service menu can do the trick. If you aren't sure what to tweak, leave it alone, especially on an expensive TV. Or always look up a setting and note its value so you can easily change it back.