Make sure that your `$TERM` is set correctly before running Emacs. If launching direct from the terminal, check with `echo $TERM` - preferably its value would be `xterm-256color` Set it either directly before you run Emacs: TERM=xterm-256color emacs -nw With any other arguments you need. As a more permanent solution, set `$TERM` in your shell profile, e.g. `.bashrc` or `.zshenv` (depending on your shell) export TERM=xterm-256color If you are running Emacs in a GNU Screen session, use `screen-256color` as the value of `$TERM` instead.