How to Turn On or Off Auto HDR in Windows 11

HDR enhances the image quality with better brightness and colors on supported monitors. Here is how to turn on or off Auto HDR in Windows 11.

Unlike the regular SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) content, HDR (High Dynamic Range) content is pretty crisp with its increased brightness and colors. However, the media content you watch and the monitor should support the HDR specifications to work correctly. The monitor should have additional hardware capabilities for increased brightness and contrast. That way, you can see more detail in a wide color range.

Though the vast majority of monitors are SDR, more and more are HDR capable. The best thing is that the newest HDR monitors come in a budget-friendly range. This means you can better enjoy the content without poking a hole in your pocket.

The good thing is that Windows 11 officially supports HDR specifications. You can enable HRD and Windows 11 on supported monitors and TVs to take care of everything.

The problem is, even though your monitor supports HDR, not every content out there supports HDR. For example, though most AAA games support HDR, some indie games might not. In those cases, the SDR content will not look good after enabling HDR in Windows.

To deal with this, Microsoft brought forward the Auto HDR option. As the name implies, Windows 11 will automatically turn on HDR when it detects HDR content and turn off HDR when it detects SDR content. You don’t have to enable and disable HRD in Windows 11 manually. It gives you the best of both worlds.

So, let me show you the steps to turn on or off Auto HDR in Windows 11.

Table of contents:

• From Settings
• Turn on or off Auto HDR for specific apps

Turn on or off Auto HRD in Windows 11

You can enable or disable Auto HDR in Windows 11 via Settings. All it takes is changing a single toggle button, and you are good to go. Let me show you how.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to the “System” page.
3. Click on “Display.”
4. Turn on the “Use HDR” option.
5. Click on the “Use HRD” option.
6. Turn on the “Auto HDR” option to enable Auto HDR.
7. Turn off the “Auto HDR” option to disable Auto HDR.
8. Close the Settings app.
9. With that, you have modified Auto HDR status in Windows 11.

Same steps with a bit more detail:

First, open the Windows 11 Settings app. You can either press the “Win + I” shortcut or click the Settings button in the Quick Actions panel. If needed, you can also click the Settings icon in the Start menu.

In the Settings app, go to the “Settings > Display” page. As the name implies, this is where you will find all the display-related options. On this page, click on the “Use HDR” option.

Now, do the following to turn on or off Auto HDR in Windows 11.

• Turn on Auto HDR — enable the Auto HDR option.
• Turn off Auto HDR — disable the Auto HDR option.

Finally, close the Settings app.

You have successfully turned on or off Auto HDR in Windows 11.

Turn on or off Auto HDR for particular apps

When needed, you can enable or disable Auto HDR for particular apps. i.e., on a per-app basis. It is pretty simple to do. Let me show you the exact steps to do it.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to the “System” page.
3. Click on “Display.”
4. Press the “Graphics” option.
5. Click on the app you want to customize.
6. Press the “Options” button.
7. Uncheck “Don’t use Auto HDR” to turn on Auto HDR.
8. Check the “Don’t use Auto HDR” option to turn on Auto HDR.
9. Close the Settings app.
10. You have turned on or off Auto HDR for a specific app.

Same steps with a bit more detail:

Press the “Start key + I” to open the Windows 11 Settings app. Next, go to the “System > Display” and then to the “Graphics” page.

Here, click on the app for which you want to customize the HDR. Next, click on the “Options” button.

Now, do the following to turn on or off Auto HDR for that specific app in Windows 11.

• Turn on Auto HDR for a specific app — uncheck the “Don’t use Auto HDR” checkbox.
• Turn off Auto HDR for a specific app — select the “Don’t use Auto HDR” checkbox.

Finally, close the Settings app.

You have successfully turned on or off Auto HDR for a specific app in Windows 11.

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That is all. It is simple to turn on or off Auto HDR in Windows 11.

I hope this useful Windows 11 how-to guide helped you.

If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.