If you are using a 2022 Sony 4K OLED, then you may have noticed that the screen is automatically dimming the image by itself. To see how you can potentially prevent this auto-darkening effect, you can take a look at this article from Seeking Tech.
Before we begin, it should be noted these steps will be based on the A80K, A90K and A95K, which include the following models:
- 55” Sony BRAVIA XR A80K 4K HDR OLED TV (XR-55A80K)
- 65” Sony BRAVIA XR A80K 4K HDR OLED TV (XR-65A80K)
- 77” Sony BRAVIA XR A80K 4K HDR OLED TV (XR-77A80K)
- 42” Sony BRAVIA XR A90K 4K HDR OLED TV (XR-42A90K)
- 48” Sony BRAVIA XR A90K 4K HDR OLED TV (XR-48A90K)
- 55” Sony BRAVIA XR A95K 4K HDR OLED TV (XR-55A95K)
- 65” Sony BRAVIA XR A95K 4K HDR OLED TV (XR-65A95K)
1. It is important to state auto dimming is part of the features set for the A80K, A90K and A95K. This function will go into effect when your television detects the whole image, or part of an image, have remained in the same position of the screen.
Sony put this feature in place in order to prevent image retention and screen burn in.
With that said, you can still reduce the frequencies of auto dimming.
2. To stop your screen from darkening automatically, make sure that it isn’t display a static image.
If this can’t be avoided, whether if its due to a logo of a video or the heads-up-display of a videogame, then you can try playing a different content occasionally so that the image won’t stay in place. You can also try turning off your A80K, A90K or A95K for a couple of minutes, especially if you need to do something else and, thus, won’t be able to use the TV.
3. Enabling the Pixel Shift feature may also help. With this function turned on, your OLED will slightly shift the picture, which shouldn’t be noticeable to your naked eye unless you are sitting up close to the screen.
Be shifting the image, the pixels won’t be showing the same colors continuously for an extended length of time. As a result, the screen will be less likely to protect itself from image retention and screen burning by activating the auto dimming feature.
In order to enable Pixel Shift, use your A80K, A90K or A95K to go to Settings > Display & Sound > Expert Panel Settings. From there, make sure you set the Pixel Shift Setting to On.
4. The screen darkening may not be related to image retention and screen burn in protection of your Sony OLED at all.
Instead, you may have the Ambient Light Sensor and Light Sensor settings turned on. These will cause the brightness output of your television set to automatically lower if the light sensor detects that the room lighting has gotten darker.
To disable both of these, you need to use your TV remote and then go to Settings > Display & Sound > Picture. Afterwards, make sure you set the Ambient Light Sensor and Light Sensor settings to Off.