Windows 10 HDR Won't Turn On? Easy Fixes Here!

If you're having trouble enabling HDR on your Windows 10 PC, don't worry! Here are some easy fixes to get your HDR up and running.

What can I do if Windows 10 HDR won’t turn on?​

1. Enable HDR in Windows Settings​

1. Open Settings:
   • Click on the Start button on your taskbar.
   • Type "settings" into the search bar and press Enter.
2. Navigate to Display Settings:
   • Go to Settings > System > Display.
3. Select HDR-Capable Display:
   • If you have multiple displays, click on the one that supports HDR from the display options at the top.
4. Turn On HDR:
   • Find and toggle the Use HDR switch to On.

Turning on HDR in Windows settings enables high dynamic range content, which provides a brighter, more vibrant, and more detailed picture on HDR-capable displays.

2. Enable HDR for Battery Usage​

1. Open Settings:
   • Click on the Start button and type "settings," then press Enter.
2. Navigate to Display Settings:
   • Go to Settings > System > Display.
3. Select HDR Display:
   • Choose your HDR-capable display from the display options.
4. Turn On HDR:
   • Ensure the Use HDR switch is toggled to On.
5. Adjust Battery Options:
   • Click on Battery options.
   • Check the box next to Allow HDR games, videos, and apps on battery or Allow streaming HDR video on battery.

This ensures your HDR content remains enabled even when your laptop is running on battery power, thereby maintaining HDR quality during portable use.

3. Calibrate HDR Display​

1. Open Settings:
   • Click the Start button and type "settings," then press Enter.
2. Go to Display Settings:
   • Navigate to Settings > System > Display.
3. Select HDR Display:
   • Click your built-in HDR display at the top.
4. Access Calibration:
   • Click on HDR or Use HDR, then select Display calibration for HDR video > Calibrate.
5. Adjust Calibration:
   • Drag the slider left or right to balance details in bright and dark parts of the scene.
6. Exit Full Screen:
   • Once satisfied, select Exit full screen in the bottom-right corner.

Calibrating your display ensures you get the best balance of details in both the bright and dark areas of your HDR content, enhancing the viewing experience.

4. Use Registry Editor to Enable HDR​

1. Open Run:
   • Press Win + R on your keyboard.
2. Open Registry Editor:
   • Type "regedit" and press Enter.
     
3. Navigate to Video Settings:
   • Go to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\VideoSettings.
     
4. Modify HDR Setting:
   • Right-click on EnableHDRForPlayback and select Modify.
   • Change the Value data to "1" and click OK.
5. Test HDR:
   • Restart your computer and go to Settings > System > Display to see if HDR can now be activated.

Using the Registry Editor can manually activate HDR if it's not turning on through the standard settings, ensuring you can still enjoy HDR content on compatible displays.

5. Use Command Prompt to Enable HDR​

1. Open Command Prompt:
   • Search for "cmd" in Windows Search.
   • Right-click the top result and select Run as administrator.
2. Enter HDR Command:
   • Type the following command and press Enter:reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\VideoSettings" /v EnableHDRForPlayback /t REG_DWORD /d 1
3. Restart Computer:
   • Reboot your computer to apply changes.
4. Verify HDR Activation:
   • Check Settings > System > Display to ensure HDR is now enabled.

The Command Prompt method is another way to manually enable HDR, especially when facing issues with the standard activation process.

6. Roll Back Windows Update​

1. Open Settings:
   • Press Windows + I to open the Settings.
2. Go to Update & Security:
   • Select Update & Security from the menu.
3. Access Recovery Options:
   • Click on the Recovery tab on the left.
4. Start Rollback:
   • Under Go back to the previous version of Windows 10, click Get started.
5. Follow Instructions:
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the rollback.

Rolling back to a previous version can resolve issues caused by recent updates that might have affected HDR functionality.

7. Ensure HDMI Compatibility​

1. Check HDMI Cable Version:
   • Ensure you are using an HDMI 2.0b cable or higher.
2. Replace Cable if Necessary:
   • If using an older HDMI cable (e.g., HDMI 1.4v), replace it with an HDMI 2.0b cable.
3. Verify Connection:
   • Reconnect the HDMI cable and ensure it is securely plugged into both the PC and the HDR display.

Using a compatible HDMI cable ensures your connection supports HDR, allowing HDR signals to be transmitted properly to your display.

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8. Update Graphics Drivers​

1. Open Device Manager:
   • Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Update Display Drivers:
   • Expand the Display adapters section.
   • Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
   • Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
3. Restart Computer:
   • Reboot your computer to apply the updates.

Ensuring your graphics drivers are up-to-date can resolve compatibility issues and enable HDR settings to function correctly.

9. Adjust Advanced Display Settings​

1. Open Settings:
   • Click Start and type "settings," then press Enter.
2. Navigate to Display Settings:
   • Go to Settings > System > Display.
3. Access Advanced Display Settings:
   • Click on Advanced display settings.
4. Change Refresh Rate:
   • Select a refresh rate of 30 Hz if available.
5. Adjust Resolution:
   • Select Display adapter properties.
   • On the Adapter tab, click List All Modes.
   • Choose a mode that includes 1920 by 1080, 60 Hertz, and click OK.

Adjusting these settings can help overcome compatibility issues that might be preventing HDR from turning on.

By following these detailed solutions, you should be able to enable and troubleshoot HDR on your Windows 10 PC, ensuring you get the best possible display quality for your HDR content.