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How to Fix Horizon Forbidden West Not Detecting HDR on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Playing Horizon Forbidden West on Windows 11 with HDR enabled can greatly enhance your gaming experience. However, some users face issues where the game does not detect HDR properly. This guide will walk you through simple and effective ways to fix this problem step-by-step.

Each solution is explained clearly to help even beginners understand and apply them with ease. Follow the instructions carefully for the best results.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) improves the picture quality by showing better colors and contrast. Ensuring it works correctly can make your gameplay much more immersive.

Let’s start by checking some quick basics before moving on to detailed troubleshooting steps.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks

  • Check Your Display: Make sure your monitor or TV supports HDR. Without HDR-capable hardware, the game cannot detect or display HDR content.
  • Windows 11 HDR Settings: Confirm that HDR is turned on in Windows settings. This is required for the game to detect HDR.
  • Update Graphics Drivers: Outdated graphics drivers can cause HDR detection issues, so ensure your GPU drivers are up to date.
  • Game Version: Verify you have the latest version of Horizon Forbidden West installed, as updates may fix HDR compatibility bugs.

Step 1: Enable HDR in Windows 11 Display Settings

Before launching the game, you need to make sure HDR is enabled at the system level. Here’s how:

  1. Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
  2. Scroll down to the Windows HD Color section.
  3. Toggle on the option Use HDR (sometimes shown as Play HDR games and apps).
  4. If the option is greyed out, check that your display supports HDR and is connected using an HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort cable.

Why this is important: Horizon Forbidden West relies on Windows’ HDR functionality to display HDR content. If it is not enabled here, the game cannot activate HDR mode.

Step 2: Adjust Game Graphics Settings

Within Horizon Forbidden West, there are settings that control HDR output. Follow these steps:

  1. Launch the game and navigate to Settings.
  2. Go to the Graphics or Display section.
  3. Look for an option related to HDR and make sure it is enabled.
  4. If the option is missing or disabled, it typically means Windows HDR is off or your hardware doesn’t support HDR properly.

Tip: Restart the game after toggling HDR settings to apply changes fully.

Step 3: Update Your Graphics Card Drivers

Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers often cause HDR detection problems. To update:

  1. Identify your graphics card model (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
  2. Visit the official website of your GPU manufacturer:
  3. Download and install the latest drivers for your GPU and Windows 11.
  4. Restart your PC after installation.

Why update? New drivers improve compatibility and fix bugs related to HDR and gaming performance.

Step 4: Check Windows HDR Calibration Settings

Windows provides calibration tools to optimize HDR display quality. Sometimes improper calibration can prevent HDR detection.

  1. Go to Settings > System > Display.
  2. Under the Windows HD Color section, click HDR color calibration.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate your HDR display.
  4. Once calibrated, restart the game to see if HDR is detected.

This ensures your display is correctly configured to show HDR content, which helps the game detect it properly.

Step 5: Use Windows HDR Troubleshooter

Windows 11 has built-in troubleshooters that can automatically fix HDR-related issues.

  1. Open Settings and go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  2. Look for an option related to Video Playback or Display.
  3. Click Run and follow any prompts to detect and fix problems.

Automated troubleshooting can resolve common HDR configuration errors that might be difficult to spot manually.

Alternative Methods and Advanced Options

If the previous steps don’t work, you can try these advanced solutions:

  • Adjust Monitor Settings: Some monitors need HDR to be enabled manually in their on-screen display (OSD) menu.
  • Use a Different HDMI/DisplayPort Cable: Older or low-quality cables may not support HDR signals correctly.
  • Disable Fullscreen Optimization: Right-click the game executable, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check Disable fullscreen optimizations.
  • Reset Windows Graphics Settings: Navigate to Settings > System > Display > Graphics settings and reset options to default.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

A: Check your monitor’s specifications online or in the user manual. You can also look for “HDR” or “HDR10” support. Windows will usually show the option to enable HDR only if the display supports it.

Q: Can HDR work on laptops with integrated graphics?

A: Some newer laptops with integrated GPUs support HDR, but performance may vary. Check your laptop’s specs and Windows HDR settings.

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

A: This is often due to incorrect calibration or conflicting display settings. Use Windows HDR calibration tools and adjust in-game brightness and HDR settings.

Q: Is HDR automatically enabled in Horizon Forbidden West?

A: No, HDR must be enabled both in Windows and within the game settings for it to work properly.

Q: Does updating Windows help with HDR issues?

A: Yes, keeping Windows updated ensures you have the latest features and fixes related to HDR support.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the steps above and Horizon Forbidden West still does not detect HDR on Windows 11, consider the following:

  • Visit the official PlayStation support page for Horizon Forbidden West for any known issues or patches.
  • Check forums like Reddit or the Steam Community for user-shared fixes.
  • Contact your monitor or GPU manufacturer’s support to verify hardware HDR compatibility.
  • Consider reinstalling the game or performing a clean Windows update.

Conclusion

Fixing HDR detection issues in Horizon Forbidden West on Windows 11 is usually straightforward once you verify your hardware and system settings. Starting with enabling HDR in Windows, updating drivers, and adjusting in-game options covers the most common causes.

If problems persist, advanced troubleshooting and calibration can help. Remember, HDR greatly enhances your visual experience, so investing the time to get it working is worth it.

Follow these steps carefully, and enjoy the stunning visuals Horizon Forbidden West has to offer in full HDR glory.

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