Turning off HDR in Windows 11 isn’t exactly brain surgery, but it’s a bit of a hassle that the settings are tucked away. If your screen looks a bit weird, washed out, or just too sassy with brightness, turning HDR off might do the trick. Usually, it helps with more accurate colours or if you’re trying to save some battery life on your laptop. Let’s be honest, sometimes HDR just doesn’t play nice on certain screens, so switching it off keeps things looking alright.
How to Turn Off HDR in Windows 11
The steps are pretty simple, but Windows doesn’t always make it obvious where the switch is. Here’s how you do it:
Step 1: Open the Settings App
Hit the Start button, click the gear icon, or just press Windows + I. That opens the Settings menu, which is basically your control centre for all system tweaks. Sometimes Windows hides a few things here, so you might have to dig around a bit.
Step 2: Go to Display Settings
Click on System (usually highlighted by default), then choose Display from the menu on the left. This is where all the display options live. Keep in mind, the layout can change with updates or system versions, so don’t stress if it looks a bit different.
Step 3: Find the HDR toggle
Scroll down until you see the HDR section. Often, it’s just a toggle switch labelled “Use HDR”. Funny thing: on some setups, the HDR toggle is greyed out if your display isn’t HDR-capable or Windows doesn’t detect it properly. It’s worth checking your display specs if you don’t see that option.
The weird part? Sometimes, this toggle only appears when you’re running on an external monitor or if your display supports HDR. Other times, it might be greyed out or just not there, meaning you might need to try another trick.
Step 4: Turn HDR off
Flip that switch from On to Off. That’s all there is to it. Once you do, Windows should jump back to Standard Dynamic Range (SDR). Expect a quick flicker or a black screen—that’s normal. Your colours will look more regular, possibly a bit duller but more in line with your hardware.
Sometimes, a reboot or signing out might be necessary if the change doesn’t happen instantly. Of course, Windows has to make things a little more complicated than they need to be.
Step 5: Close Settings
Just hit the X or press Alt + F4. Your display should now be in non-HDR mode. If not, double-check if your display actually supports HDR or if your drivers are up to date.
Pro tip: Open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select it), then head to Display adapters. Right-click on your graphics card and choose Update driver. Outdated or dodgy drivers can cause the HDR toggle to go AWOL or act weird.
Tips for Turning Off HDR in Windows 11
- If the toggle’s nowhere to be seen, try updating your graphics drivers first. Grab the latest from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel’s website.
- On some machines, the HDR toggle only shows up if Windows spots a display that can handle HDR on HDMI or DisplayPort. Make sure your cables and ports are HDR-compatible, or it might stay hidden.
- If colours still look off after turning HDR off, check your display’s colour settings or calibration options. Sometimes, Windows doesn’t automatically readjust everything.
- Another tip — keep your system up to date via Settings > Windows Update. Microsoft occasionally rolls out patches that improve this stuff.
- Having trouble with the toggle? Swap to a different port or disable and re-enable your display in Device Manager. Sometimes Windows just needs a quick kick.
FAQs
What is HDR, and why would I want to turn it off?
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range — it gives your screen brighter, more punchy images. But if your display doesn’t support it well or you prefer a more laid-back look, turning it off can prevent colour banding or weird glow effects. Sometimes, HDR also messes with older apps, making them look washed out or glitchy.
Does turning off HDR affect all apps?
Yeah, it’s a system-wide setting. So whether you’re streaming Netflix in HDR or editing photos, turning HDR off affects everything on the system. Make sure you’re ready to commit before flicking it off.
Can I turn HDR back on later?
Of course! Just revisit the same menu, find the toggle, and flick it back on. Easy as. Just double-check your hardware still supports HDR, of course.
Will turning off HDR save battery?
Generally, yes. HDR processing can be a bit of a drain on your GPU and display hardware, so switching it off can help save some juice — handy on laptops with limited battery life. Not massive, but every little bit helps.
Is HDR supported on all Windows 11 devices?
Nope. Only those with HDR-compatible screens can run HDR. Check your monitor specs or display driver details if you’re unsure. If you’ve got a basic monitor, chances are, no HDR support there.
Summary
- Open Settings and go to System > Display.
- Scroll down to find the HDR toggle.
- Switch it to Off.
- Close Settings — done and dusted.
Hopefully, this’ll save someone a bit of hassle. Turning HDR off isn’t as tricky as it seems once you know where to look, but Windows does love to hide things sometimes. Keep your drivers fresh, check your display specs if it’s acting dodgy, and you’ll be right. Good luck, mate!