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KhienAnh170997Pre
KhienAnh170997Pre
Known Participant
March 6, 2025
Answered

Colors in Adobe Camera Raw are inconsistent

  • March 6, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 817 views

Hello,

 

I am a real estate photo editor, and the software I use includes Adobe Bridge (12.0.4), Camera Raw v17.2, and Adobe Photoshop v26.4.1. Recently, I upgraded to a 4K monitor, the DELL U2723QE, which is known for its color accuracy. However, I am experiencing color inconsistency between Camera Raw and Photoshop. The color discrepancy is quite noticeable, with whites appearing warmer (more yellow) in Camera Raw and cooler (more blue) in Photoshop.

 

Previously, I worked with the DELL U2419, which also had some color discrepancies but were not noticeable to the naked eye. However, with the U2723QE, the color difference is quite apparent. I have compared the colors between Adobe Bridge and Photoshop, and they are consistent, but only Camera Raw shows the color discrepancy.

 

Could you please let me know the cause and how to fix this issue? I have also tested it on my MacBook, and fortunately, the colors are consistent, and there are no discrepancies. Windows 11 Pro is updated to the latest version, as is the NVIDIA graphics card.

 

Thank you!

Correct answer D Fosse

When this happens, the problem is that the conversion into the monitor profile isn't functioning correctly.

 

That conversion is executed in the GPU, so it could be a GPU driver bug - but in most cases it's a defective monitor profile. Sometimes, a problem in one can cause the other to fail.

 

The mathematics of the conversion can and usually will differ between different applications, which is why it can fail in one application but still work in another.

 

How is your monitor calibrated and profiled? What calibrator are you using? If you're not using a calibrator, you'll be getting Dell profiles distributed through WIndows Update, and these manufacturer profiles are surprisingly often defective in different ways.

 

You can test the monitor profile by replacing it in the OS. Replace the current profile with whatever standard profile is closest to the native response of the monitor (sRGB, Adobe RGB or Image P3). It won't be entirely accurate, but it will tell you if your current profile is the problem (which it most likely is). 

 

Remember to relaunch Photoshop when the profile is changed. The profile is loaded when Photoshop starts, and it will use that profile for the remainder of the session, until next launch.

4 replies

A
amelia_7716
Participant
October 25, 2025

Hi there,

You’re not alone — this kind of color inconsistency between Camera Raw and Photoshop on Windows systems (especially with high-end monitors like the Dell U2723QE) usually comes down to color management differences and display profile interpretation.

Here’s what’s likely happening and how to fix it:

  1. Monitor ICC Profile Issue:
    Dell’s factory ICC profiles are often the culprit. They’re not always accurate or compatible with Adobe’s color-managed pipeline. As a test, switch your monitor profile to sRGB IEC61966-2.1:

    • Open Color Management → Devices tab

    • Select your Dell monitor → Check “Use my settings for this device”

    • Add sRGB IEC61966-2.1 and set it as default
      If the colors now match between Camera Raw and Photoshop, that confirms the Dell ICC profile was broken. The permanent fix would be to create a custom calibrated profile using a hardware calibrator (X-Rite or Datacolor Spyder).

  2. Camera Raw GPU Rendering:
    In Camera Raw, go to Preferences → Performance and toggle “Use Graphics Processor.”

    • If it’s ON, try switching it OFF (or vice versa).
      GPU acceleration sometimes interprets colors differently, especially in HDR or wide-gamut displays.

  3. Color Space Alignment:
    Make sure both Camera Raw and Photoshop are using the same color space.

    • In Camera Raw: Workflow Settings → Color Space → Adobe RGB (1998) or sRGB

    • In Photoshop: Edit → Color Settings → Working Spaces should match the same profile.

  4. Proof and Compare:
    In Photoshop, go to View → Proof Setup → Monitor RGB to simulate the display rendering. If this matches Camera Raw’s look, it confirms the issue lies with profile interpretation.

  5. Windows Display HDR / Night Mode:
    Disable Windows “Night Light” or HDR display mode when editing photos. Both can shift color temperature and cause warmer or cooler whites.

Since the same setup works fine on your MacBook, the issue isn’t with Adobe apps themselves — it’s Windows color management interpreting your Dell ICC profile differently. Once you align both apps with a consistent working space and calibrated display profile, you’ll get identical color rendering across Bridge, Camera Raw, and Photoshop.

Hope this helps!

D Fosse
Community Expert
D FosseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 25, 2025

This is an example of a post that bears all the characteristics of ChatGPT.

 

@amelia_7716 

    A
    amelia_7716
    Participant
    October 24, 2025

    Hi there,

    Color inconsistency between Camera Raw and Photoshop on high-res monitors like the DELL U2723QE usually comes from ICC profile mismatches or GPU rendering differences.

    Try setting your monitor profile to sRGB IEC61966-2.1 in Color Management, and make sure both Camera Raw and Photoshop are using the same color space. Also, check the Camera Raw preferences under Performance and test turning GPU acceleration on or off — that often resolves warm or cool tone issues.

    If whites still appear warmer in Camera Raw, it’s most likely a display profile interpretation problem rather than a rendering error.

    Hope this helps you get consistent results again!

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 24, 2025

    @amelia_7716 Setting the monitor to sRGB is a test step not a resolution, if it provides consistency then that test shows the previous monitor profile was broken. However, for colour accuracy, the monitor profile needs to describe the monitor in its current state which sRGB IEC61966-2.1 will not do as it is a document profile. The reolution is to install a monitor profile that does describe the monitor, prefereably one made with a calibration device that can measure the monitor in its current state.
    Dave

      A
      amelia_7716
      Participant
      October 25, 2025

      That’s a great clarification — and you’re absolutely right. Setting the monitor to sRGB IEC61966-2.1 isn’t a long-term color-accurate solution; it’s mainly a diagnostic step to confirm whether the factory or vendor ICC profile is faulty. Once consistency is verified, creating a new custom monitor profile with a calibration device (like an X-Rite or Spyder) is definitely the right next step for true accuracy.

      I’ve seen similar profile issues cause mismatched white points between Camera Raw and Photoshop, especially on newer 4K monitors like the Dell U2723QE. Testing with the sRGB profile just helps isolate the problem faster before a proper calibration is done.

      Appreciate your detailed input — that’s exactly the kind of insight that helps users understand the deeper color management chain.

      KhienAnh170997Pre
      KhienAnh170997PreAuthor
      Known Participant
      March 6, 2025

      It's so bad that I've tried everything you suggested, but it still doesn't change. I'm sure the screen isn't the problem because only the colors displayed via Camera Raw are inaccurate and the rest are consistent with Photoshop and Bridge.

      M
      mikerioshbg
      Participant
      October 22, 2025

      I have also been having the same problem for years. I have the Dell U2723QE monitor (as a second monitor on my Dell XPS laptop) and Camera Raw always shows as more saturated than regular Photoshop/Bridge view. I've tried everything from utilizing Dell Color Management software, to making sure my GPU drivers are up-to-date, to calibrating my monitor many times over. Nothing seems to get Adobe camera raw view to show accurately except for using the built-in monitor on my laptop--only then will the colors show completely accurately. So whenever I want color accuracy I have to drag everything over to my smaller laptop screen.

      KhienAnh170997Pre
      KhienAnh170997PreAuthor
      Known Participant
      October 24, 2025

      I managed to fix the color mismatch issue between Camera Raw and the preview modes in Bridge and Photoshop by calibrating them through the "Calibrate display color" feature in Windows. I'm not sure if you're experiencing the same problem, but I’ve resolved it on my end. It’s frustrating that even on Adobe’s own community forum, we can’t seem to get any meaningful support from them.
      Honestly, every Photoshop update feels worse—performance keeps declining and optimization is lacking. I’m seriously considering switching to a different software ecosystem when my subscription renews later this year.

      D Fosse
      Community Expert
      D FosseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      March 6, 2025

      When this happens, the problem is that the conversion into the monitor profile isn't functioning correctly.

       

      That conversion is executed in the GPU, so it could be a GPU driver bug - but in most cases it's a defective monitor profile. Sometimes, a problem in one can cause the other to fail.

       

      The mathematics of the conversion can and usually will differ between different applications, which is why it can fail in one application but still work in another.

       

      How is your monitor calibrated and profiled? What calibrator are you using? If you're not using a calibrator, you'll be getting Dell profiles distributed through WIndows Update, and these manufacturer profiles are surprisingly often defective in different ways.

       

      You can test the monitor profile by replacing it in the OS. Replace the current profile with whatever standard profile is closest to the native response of the monitor (sRGB, Adobe RGB or Image P3). It won't be entirely accurate, but it will tell you if your current profile is the problem (which it most likely is). 

       

      Remember to relaunch Photoshop when the profile is changed. The profile is loaded when Photoshop starts, and it will use that profile for the remainder of the session, until next launch.

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