How to stream HDR video on Windows 11

XDA

By Arif Bacchus

Updated Sep 23, 2023

If your fancy new monitor supports HDR video, you can get started with the feature in a few simple steps by going to the WIndows 11 settings app.

Windows 11 comes with many great new features, but one that's been a part of Windows for a while is support for high dynamic range (HDR) video. This kind of video quality is more immersive than standard-range videos. Your screen will get much brighter and the content you're watching will come alive when HDR video is playing. However, to enjoy HDR on Windows, you'll need a display that supports it first, and will have to tweak a few settings. Keep in mind, that you will also need a supported app that uses HDR and the video has to be full-screen.

How to stream HDR videos on Windows 11

Just like in Windows 10, this ability to use HDR video lives in the settings app. You can turn it on or off as you see fit, granted you're using an app or watching a video that supports it and your laptop or your desktop display supports it. We'll dive deeper into how to stream HDR videos in this guide.

Enable the feature first

You can check to see if your system is optimized for HDR video. Go to the Windows 11 settings app with Windows Key + I and then choose System. Then choose Display.
You'll want to turn the switch for HDR to On and then click on Use HDR.
Choose the Display option and then select HDR or Use HDR. Your screen will go blank and come back on.
For a preview, on the HDR screen, turn on Play streaming HDR video.
Start streaming your HDR video, making sure it's full-screen.

Change power settings

Depending on your power settings, you might also have to tweak some settings to play HDR video on battery. Here's how to do that.

From the Display options page select Use HDR and make sure the switch is turned on.
Click the right allow next to Use HDR and make sure all switches in the supplementary settings page are turned on.
Toggles for Use HDR, HDR Video Streaming, and Auto HDR should all be on.
Under Battery options make sure you've chosen Optimize for image quality is turned on.

If all else fails, then you have to make sure that the battery saver mode is turned off. You can do this by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray and toggling the battery-saver icon. HDR does not work with battery saver on.

As you can tell, streaming HDR videos in Windows 11 is easy. You just need to visit the right settings page. While you're at it, you can customize your HDR experience, too. From the same settings, as we mentioned above by pressing the HDR Display Calibration button which will download the dedicated Windows HDR Calibration app for you, letting you move sliders around to get the right image. You can change the brightness as you see fit! We hope our guide was helpful, and if you don't already own a monitor that supports HDR, we suggest checking out some of the best gaming monitors.