[Fix] Some Settings aren’t Available in High Contrast Mode in Windows 10 Personalization

Recently an AskVG reader contacted me regarding this issue. When he opened Settings -> Personalization -> Colors page in Windows 10 Settings, all options were locked or grayed out on the page and the user was unable to select or modify any personalization option. The same problem was also occurring on other personalization pages such as Lock Screen, etc.

According to the reader, all options were locked on all desktop personalization pages in Settings app and he was unable to change anything.

First I thought that it might be an activation issue as when Windows 10 is not activated, personalization options are disabled or grayed out. I requested him to send a screenshot to better investigate the issue.

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When he sent a screenshot, everything was clear. I noticed following error message showing at the top of the pages in Settings app:

Some settings aren’t available in high contrast mode.

Some_Settings_Arent_Available_In_High_Contrast_Mode_Windows_10_Personalization.png

High Contrast Mode was the culprit behind the issue which caused all personalization options locked or grayed out. High Contrast Mode is a special mode which has been developed in Windows for accessibility or ease of access use. When the mode is activated or enabled, it makes the text and colors on screen easy to see.

Since it’s a special mode, it automatically locks many personalization options and that’s why the user was facing the issue.

Sometimes a user can accidentally activate High Contrast Mode in his computer as there is a special hotkey to directly turn on/off this mode. Once high contrast mode is activated, all personalization options are disabled automatically.

If you are also facing this issue in Windows 10 and want to unlock all personalization options, following steps will help you:

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SOLUTION 1: Using Built-in Hotkey

Press Left ALT+Left Shift+PrtScn keys together and it’ll immediately deactivate and disable High Contrast Mode and you’ll be able to change personalization settings in Windows 10.

SOLUTION 2: Using Windows 10 Settings App

If you are unable to use above mentioned hotkey, you can turn off High Contrast Mode using following steps:

1. Open Start Menu and click on Settings option. It’ll open Settings app. Alternatively, you can direct open Settings app using WIN+I hotkey.

2. Now click on “Ease of Access” icon and in left-side pane, click on “High Contrast” section.

PS: Alternatively, You can directly launch the “High contrast” page using “ms-settings:easeofaccess-highcontrast” command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here.

3. In right-side pane, you’ll see “Use high contrast” section. Under “Turn on high contrast” option, set the toggle button to OFF.

Turn_On_Off_High_Contrast_Mode_Windows_10_Ease_Of_Access_Settings.png

That’s it. Now you’ll be able to customize all personalization options in Windows 10.

Also Check:

[Fix] Some Settings are Managed by Your Organization in Windows 10

[Tip] User Color Filters in Windows 10 for Improved Visibility

[Tip] Disable Hotkey to Toggle Color Filters On or Off in Windows 10

[Tip] How to Always Show Scroll Bars in Windows 10

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. …Your solution to this problem is to… turn off High Contrast Mode. That’s not a solution, that’s a method of avoidance.

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