US passport renewal photo error: “There's a problem with the color in your photo”

What the message says

The lighting and/or color in the photo does not appear to be natural and balanced. Please retake the photo in a well-lit area with natural lighting. Check where you stand and your camera settings can affect the color. Try standing where there’s more natural light and switch your flash or filter settings.

Why it happens

• Indoor bulbs give the photo a yellow or orange cast; some LED lights make it blue or green.
• Light from one side makes one half of the face bright and the other dark.
• The flash causes glare on the skin and a hard shadow behind you.
• A filter, portrait mode or a beauty mode changes the colours and skin tones.
• Strong sun washes out the face and darkens the eyes.

How to fix it

1. Stand facing a window during the day, out of direct sun; an overcast day is ideal.
2. Turn off ceiling and lamp lights, which mix a different colour into the daylight.
3. Use the standard photo mode with the flash off. No filters, portrait mode or beauty mode.
4. Check the photo on the phone: both sides of your face should look equally bright, and the background white or off-white, not yellow or grey.

Before you try again

IDPlain’s free checker compares the brightness of the two sides of your face and checks the exposure and background, on your device, before you upload.