How to Enable High Dynamic Range on Windows 11

Gone are the days of black and white computer monitors. Today’s displays boast a vibrant spectrum of almost 16 million colors. But for those with HDR (High Dynamic Range) monitors, even this palette can seem limited. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what HDR is, highlight the benefits of an HDR monitor, and provide step-by-step instructions for enabling HDR on your Windows 11 system. Please see How to enable or disable color filters in Windows, and How to install DHCP role on Windows Server.

These advanced monitors can display over a billion different colors, offering a visual experience beyond standard monitors. However, many computers do not enable HDR by default.

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What is HDR?

High Dynamic Range (HDR) in the context of computer monitors encompasses two crucial elements:

Color: HDR monitors feature a significantly broader color spectrum compared to Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) monitors. This expanded range allows HDR monitors to faithfully reproduce colors that standard monitors cannot, resulting in more realistic images.

Contrast: Contrast measures the difference between a monitor’s brightest and darkest images. HDR monitors excel in this regard, delivering not only brighter images but also a wider contrast range than SDR monitors.

Advantages of an HDR Monitor

Owning an HDR monitor brings several advantages:

Enhanced Color Accuracy: With its extensive color spectrum, an HDR monitor can accurately represent images. Unlike SDR monitors, which must approximate colors, an HDR monitor can display content much more faithfully.

Deeper Blacks and Enhanced Detail: HDR monitors achieve deeper black levels, a challenge for SDR monitors. This capability reveals more details in darker images, making it easier to spot hidden elements in games or videos.

Consistent Visibility: Increased contrast levels reduce the need for constant adjustments to your monitor’s brightness settings to maintain clear visibility.

Checking HDR Support for Your Monitor

Monitors supporting HDR typically feature clear indicators on their packaging or in product descriptions. Look for phrases like HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG, as these signify HDR support. To determine if your existing monitor supports HDR, follow the steps in the next section. An HDR-compatible monitor will offer a switch to enable or disable HDR, while a non-HDR monitor won’t provide this option.

How to Enable HDR on Windows 11

To unlock your monitor’s HDR capabilities in Windows 11, follow these straightforward steps:

Press the “Windows key + I” to open Settings and select “System” on the left-hand menu. Choose “Display” on the right panel of the system menu.

Under the “Brightness & Color” section, click on “HDR.”

Tap the High Dynamic Range tab — *Tap the High Dynamic Range* tab

In the HDR section, toggle on the “HDR video streaming” switch.

Switch on the High Dynamic Range option — *Switch on *the High Dynamic Range* option*

If you don’t see this switch, your monitor does not support HDR.

How to Enable HDR on Battery in Windows 11

For HDR-capable laptops, HDR functionality might be disabled by default when operating on battery power due to higher power consumption. To enable HDR content playback on battery power in Windows 11, follow these steps:

Press the “Windows key + I” to open Settings and click on “System” in the left-hand menu. Select “Display” on the right panel of the system menu.

Under the “Brightness & Color” section, click on “HDR.” In the HDR section, toggle on the “HDR video streaming” switch.

Under “Battery Options,” choose “Allow Streaming HDR Video on Battery.”

Check the Allow streaming HDR video on battery — *Tick the option to Allow streaming HDR video on battery*

Now, you can enjoy HDR content seamlessly, even when your laptop operates on battery power.

Conclusion

If you’re the owner of an HDR-capable monitor, enabling HDR in Windows 11 will allow you to make the most of your display’s excellent color and contrast capabilities.

Whether you’re watching movies or playing video games, HDR can significantly enhance your visual experience. So, unlock your monitor’s potential, and delve into a world of vivid and captivating imagery.

FAQs

How do I check if my monitor supports HDR?

To determine if your monitor supports HDR, look for indicators on the packaging or product descriptions such as HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, or HLG. These labels signify HDR support. Additionally, an HDR-compatible monitor will provide a switch in the settings to enable or disable HDR. If you do not find this option, your monitor likely does not support HDR.

Can I enable HDR on my laptop when it’s running on battery power?

Yes, you can enable HDR on your laptop even when it’s operating on battery power. For HDR-capable laptops, Windows 11 allows you to choose “Allow Streaming HDR Video on Battery.” This way, you can enjoy HDR content seamlessly without being plugged in.

I hope you found this article useful on how to Enable High Dynamic Range on Windows 11. Please feel free to leave a comment below.