How to Turn Off HDR on Monitor: Simple Settings Adjustment

I spent an entire afternoon last week chasing why my games looked washed out. Turns out, HDR was enabled on my monitor without me realizing it.

Disabling it took less than 2 minutes once I knew where to look. Windows has its own toggle, but most monitors also need the setting changed in their OSD menu. Miss one, and the other overrides it.

You’ll get back the vibrant colors and proper contrast you remember. No special tools needed—just the monitor’s buttons and Windows settings. Works on gaming monitors, office displays, even TVs being used as PC screens.

Between you and me, I’ve bricked more displays messing with color profiles than I’d like to admit. This fix is foolproof.

What Youll Need

Instructions

Here’s the process I use to disable this feature quickly and reliably.

Press the menu button on the monitor’s bezel—usually located on the bottom or side edge. I’ve found most models use a small joystick or individual directional buttons for navigation. Wait for the on-screen display (OSD) to appear before proceeding.

If the OSD doesn’t respond, check that the monitor is powered on and receiving a signal from the computer. Some monitors require the input source to be active before allowing OSD access. Look for a small menu icon or gear symbol to confirm you’ve entered the settings.

Use the directional buttons to move through the OSD menu. The exact path varies by manufacturer, but I typically find HDR settings under Picture, Display, or Image Settings. Look for options labeled HDR Mode, HDR, or High Dynamic Range.

On some models, you may need to enter an advanced submenu first. If you don’t see the option immediately, check under Color or Picture Mode settings. The OSD usually highlights the current selection with a different color or border.

Once you locate the HDR setting, select it and change the value to Off or Disabled. Some monitors offer multiple HDR modes like HDR10 or Dolby Vision—make sure to select the complete off position rather than another mode.

After selecting off, look for a confirmation message or check that the setting shows as disabled. The change takes effect immediately, but you might need to exit the OSD for the full effect to be visible. The screen may briefly flicker as it adjusts.

Right-click the desktop and select Display settings. Scroll down and click Windows HD Color settings. Under the HDR section, verify that Play HDR games and apps is turned off and that Stream HDR video is also disabled.

If these options are still enabled in Windows, the monitor may still be receiving an HDR signal. In this case, return to the monitor OSD and double-check that HDR is truly disabled. Some systems require both the monitor and OS settings to be aligned.

Open a standard dynamic range test image or video—something with both very dark and very bright elements. With HDR off, you should notice that the darkest areas appear less detailed and the brightest areas may look slightly washed out compared to HDR mode.

If colors appear unnaturally vivid or the image looks too dark in bright scenes, HDR might still be active. Recheck both the monitor and Windows settings. For gaming monitors, also verify that the game’s own HDR setting is disabled in its graphics options.

Tips and Common Mistakes

Here are the practical insights that will save you time and frustration when adjusting these settings.

The OSD Navigation Trick: In Step 1, if your monitor’s menu button isn’t responding, try pressing and holding it for 3-5 seconds—some models require a long press to activate the OSD. Also, ensure your input source is active; I’ve seen many cases where the OSD won’t appear if the computer isn’t sending a signal to that specific input port.

Finding Hidden Settings: For Step 2, when you can’t locate HDR under the obvious menu options, look for manufacturer-specific terms. Some brands label it as Dynamic Contrast or HDMI Black Level instead of HDR. On LG monitors, it might be under General > HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color, which needs to be disabled for true HDR off.

Verification Shortcut: In Step 4, instead of digging through Windows settings, you can quickly check HDR status by pressing Windows + Alt + B—this keyboard shortcut toggles HDR on/off in Windows 11 and gives you instant visual confirmation of the current state.

The Testing Pitfall: During Step 5, don’t use just any image for testing. Use a proper HDR test pattern with known bright and dark values—like the free ones from AVS Forum. Regular photos or videos might not show enough contrast difference to confirm HDR is truly disabled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Turning off HDR on your monitor is a simple process that can enhance your viewing experience in certain situations. Whether you’re troubleshooting display issues or prefer standard color settings, following the steps for your specific monitor or OS ensures a smooth transition. Now that you know how, try adjusting other display settings to optimize your setup further! 🌟