Illustrator makes the colors dull/washed out

[EleniMAP]

I've been using Illustrator for quite some time now, and I've never had a problem with the colors.

Recently the colors have become WAAAAAY off. I'll attach some screenshots. The problem I haven't changed any settings either.

I typically use RGB color mode because...well screens, but I tried clicking CMYK mode, and the colors became closer to what they should be/darker.

I can't for the life of me figure out what to do.

In the screenshots the darker color for the posts was CMYK and the lighter was RGB.

With the color palette screenshot, the colors appear right in the Libraries, but they are off on the document.

HELP!

[thatsmauri]

This is expected behaviour. Both color modes are different.

(Image taken from https://weprintanycolour.com/pages/cmyk-colour-mode/)

CMYK is mainly used for printed stuff, whereas RGB is meant for digital.

https://en.99designs.de/blog/tips/correct-file-formats-rgb-and-cmyk/

[EleniMAP]

I understand the difference in color modes, it's just that the colors on the document have become washed out. They don't match what the colors should be. In the image with the color palette, the right side is what the colors should look like, but the left side is what they actually look like. 

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

Can you check your Color settings/

There is a bug caused by the recent Photoshop update. It sets your Illustrator Color Settings to Emulate Illustrator 6, which turns color management off.

If that is the case, use the CC app to revert Photoshop to the Previous version (22.2.0) and then change your Color Settings to what you want it to be.

And then check if your documents have the correct color profile assigned (Edit > Assign Profile...)

[EleniMAP]

Thank you soooo much! This really freaked me out. It was definitely a bug.

[Ton Frederiks]

Good to hear that helped.

[pang94567571]

Hi,

I have a similar problem - suddenly my Illustrator colors are way too bright and I can't seem to get an accurate pdf from what I see on the screen.

I have attached a screengrab of what i see in illustrator (the bright colors on the left)  and the pdf created ( the dull colors on the right) of the same file

PLEASE HELP!!

[Jennifer24132294uvbm]

SAME!!!!! What Do I do if I no longer have Photoshop? Why is Photoshop effecting my Illustrator files anyway?

[Ton Frederiks]

Jennifer this is an old thread, that Photoshop bug is already solved.

Please start a new topic with more details about your document color mode, profile and a screenshot of your color settings.

[Whimsical_glamour5FC9 · Accepted solution]

Hello. Had the same issue and no recomendation worked for me. Finally I solved it opening Adobe Bridge -> Edit > Color Settings > Monitor Color > Apply. Hope it works for you too.

[zofia333]

Thanks so much! This worked for me... thank god I was tearing my hair out over this!!!!!

[lulu5FE1]

Thank you so much that save me too!!!

[PPX3]

This worked for me too! THANK YOU so much!!

[laurac39770797]

you genius thank u so much ❤️

[Monika Gause]

Hello. Had the same issue and no recomendation worked for me. Finally I solved it opening Adobe Bridge -> Edit > Color Settings > Monitor Color > Apply. Hope it works for you too.

By @Whimsical_glamour5FC9

This setting is only appropriate when working with RGB documents that are meant to be presented on screen.

Don't use it when working for print.

[philchamber1ain]

Finally fixed this issue...thanks!

[T29005619kqd7]

Thank you soooooo very very very much!!! we solved the problem with this, and it worked! You can't imagine how happy we are!

Kind regards, Trees

[Sanghee2827290528bf]

You SAVED MY LIFE. Thanks xx

[Thalea31029610roj7]

Saved my life, too – Thank you!!!

Although this post is old, the problem still appears. This setting works in Illustrator, too for everyone who has the same issue there.