How to Fix HDR Games Bugs on Windows 10: Step-by-Step Solutions That Work

Playing games with HDR enabled can greatly enhance your visual experience by providing richer colors and better contrast. However, HDR on Windows 10 sometimes causes bugs that affect gameplay or display quality. These issues can range from flickering screens to washed-out colors or even crashes.

Fortunately, fixing HDR game bugs is often straightforward if you follow the right steps. This guide will walk you through simple and effective solutions that anyone can try, regardless of technical expertise.

Each step is designed to address common causes behind HDR problems on Windows 10. By the end, your HDR gaming should be smooth and visually impressive again.

Let’s get started with some quick checks before diving into detailed troubleshooting.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

Ensure your monitor supports HDR: Not all screens can display HDR content correctly. Check your display specifications or Windows settings.
Update Windows 10: HDR functionality depends on system updates. Run Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install any available updates.
Use the latest GPU drivers: Graphics drivers often fix HDR bugs. Visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) to download the latest drivers.
Check game compatibility: Not all games support HDR properly. Verify if your game officially supports HDR on Windows 10.

Step 1: Enable HDR Correctly in Windows Settings

Sometimes HDR issues occur because the feature is not activated properly. Follow these steps to enable HDR on Windows 10:

Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings.
Scroll down to the section labeled Windows HD Color.
Find the toggle for Play HDR games and apps and turn it on.
If your monitor supports HDR, you will see an option to calibrate your display for HDR. Click HDR color calibration and follow the on-screen instructions.

Why this matters: Windows must know your display can handle HDR in order to send the correct color data to your screen. Enabling it here ensures games receive the right signals.

Step 2: Adjust In-Game HDR Settings

Many games have their own HDR options. Check the video or graphics settings within your game and make sure HDR is enabled there as well.

Launch your game and navigate to the Settings or Options menu.
Find the Display or Graphics section.
Look for HDR or color settings and toggle them on.
If the game provides HDR calibration tools, use them to fine-tune brightness and contrast.

Why this matters: Even if HDR is enabled in Windows, the game itself needs to output HDR content correctly. Misconfigured game settings can cause bugs or poor visuals.

Step 3: Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

Fullscreen optimizations in Windows 10 sometimes interfere with HDR in games, causing flickering or crashes. Disabling this feature can help:

Find the game’s executable file (.exe) or shortcut.
Right-click it and select Properties.
Go to the Compatibility tab.
Check the box for Disable fullscreen optimizations.
Click Apply and then OK.

Why this matters: Fullscreen optimizations sometimes conflict with HDR rendering, causing instability or display issues.

Step 4: Adjust Windows HDR Brightness Balance

Windows includes a setting to balance HDR brightness, which can affect how games look. If your HDR game looks too dark or washed out, try this:

Open Settings and go to System > Display.
Under Windows HD Color settings, click HDR/SDR brightness balance.
Adjust the slider to increase or decrease brightness until the game looks correct.

Why this matters: HDR content can sometimes appear too dim or overly bright due to mismatched brightness settings between HDR and SDR content.

Step 5: Use Windows Troubleshooter for Display Issues

Windows 10 has built-in troubleshooters that can automatically detect and fix common display problems:

Open Settings and navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Click Additional troubleshooters.
Select Video Playback and run the troubleshooter.
Follow the instructions on-screen and apply any suggested fixes.

Why this matters: The troubleshooter can detect driver issues or configuration problems that affect HDR playback.

Step 6: Update or Roll Back Graphics Drivers

If you recently updated your graphics drivers and started experiencing HDR bugs, the new driver might be the cause. Conversely, outdated drivers can also cause issues. Here’s how to update or roll back:

To Update Drivers:

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Display adapters.
Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
Follow prompts to install any updates.

To Roll Back Drivers:

In Device Manager, right-click your graphics card and select Properties.
Go to the Driver tab.
Click Roll Back Driver if the option is available.
Restart your PC and check if HDR issues persist.

Why this matters: Drivers control how your GPU handles HDR signals. The right driver version can fix bugs or cause new ones.

Step 7: Check HDMI/DisplayPort Cable and Connection

Sometimes hardware causes HDR problems. Make sure you are using a cable that supports HDR (HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.4 or higher).

Verify the cable is firmly connected between your PC and monitor.
Try a different cable if available.
Use the correct port on your monitor that supports HDR input.

Why this matters: Incompatible or faulty cables can prevent HDR signals from being transmitted properly.

Alternative and Advanced Options

If the above steps do not fix your HDR game issues, consider these advanced tips:

Use a third-party calibration tool: Programs like DisplayCAL can help fine-tune HDR color profiles.
Disable other software overlays: Apps like Discord or NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlays sometimes conflict with HDR.
Adjust Windows registry settings: Advanced users can tweak HDR-related keys in the registry, but this should be done carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why does HDR look washed out or too dark in games?

A: This usually happens because of incorrect Windows HDR brightness balance or improper in-game HDR calibration. Adjusting these settings often solves the problem.

Q: My HDR game crashes after enabling HDR. What should I do?

A: Try disabling fullscreen optimizations and updating your graphics drivers. Also, ensure your game and Windows are fully updated.

Q: Can I use HDR on a non-HDR monitor?

A: No. HDR requires hardware support from your monitor to display enhanced colors and brightness correctly.

Q: How do I know if my GPU supports HDR?

A: Check the specifications on your GPU manufacturer’s website. Most modern GPUs from NVIDIA (GTX 10 series and newer), AMD (RX 400 series and newer), and Intel support HDR.

Q: Does HDR cause performance drops in games?

A: HDR itself doesn’t significantly impact performance, but enabling it can increase GPU workload slightly due to more complex color processing.

When Nothing Works

If you’ve tried all the steps above and still face HDR bugs in games, consider these final options:

Contact game support: Some HDR issues might be known bugs specific to a game. Reach out to the developer’s support for help.
Use Microsoft’s support resources: Visit Microsoft Support for official troubleshooting guides.
Reset Windows: As a last resort, resetting Windows 10 can fix deep system-level issues affecting HDR.

Conclusion

HDR bugs in Windows 10 games can be frustrating, but most problems are fixable by following a clear troubleshooting path. Start with enabling HDR properly in Windows and your game, then adjust brightness and disable conflicting features. Keeping your graphics drivers up to date and using compatible hardware is also essential.

By understanding why these steps matter and proceeding from simple fixes to advanced options, you can restore a vibrant HDR gaming experience. Don’t forget to use official support channels if you run into persistent issues.

With patience and the right approach, your HDR games will soon look and play better than ever.