Stream HDR video on Windows

Find out if a display is optimized for HDR video

1. Select Start , then search for settings. Select Settings  > System > Display .

2. At the top, choose the display you want to check.

3. Select Use HDR.

4. Under Display capabilities, look for the value next to HDR video streaming to see if it says Supported or Not supported.

For more detailed info about what you need to play HDR video in Windows, see Display requirements for HDR video.

Turn on HDR video streaming

1. Select Start , then search for settings. Select Settings  > System > Display .

2. At the top, select the display you want to change.

3. Select Use HDR.

4. In the HDR section, turn on HDR video streaming.

If your built-in display can play streaming HDR video, you can calibrate it to get the most out of it. For more info, see Calibrate your built-in display for HDR content in Windows.

Common problems

If you have HDR video streaming turned on and you notice you’re still not getting HDR video for your built-in display, check to make sure that:

• You're using a supported app. Playing streaming HDR video is supported only in certain apps. For more info, see Video playback settings in Windows.

• The streaming video app is playing full screen. If you're using an SDR display, your window will need to be full screen to see the video in HDR.

• You have set up your device to play HDR video on battery. Because playing HDR video uses more battery power, you won’t get HDR video by default if you’re on battery when using an SDR device. To change this, select Start , then search for settings. Select Settings  > Display > Use HDR. Expand the Use HDR toggle, then deselect the Turn off HDR when my PC is running on battery checkbox.

• You select Optimize for video quality for Battery options in the Video playback settings. Because playing HDR video uses more battery power, if you select Optimize for battery life for Battery options, you won’t get HDR video when your device is running on battery. To change this, select Start , then search for settings. Select Settings > Apps > Video playback . Next to Battery options , select Optimize for video quality. 

• Battery saver is turned off. To find out if battery saver is turned on or off, select Start , then search for settings. Select Settings  > System  > Power & battery. If you want the best HDR video experience even when battery saver is turned on, select Battery saver, then turn off Lower screen brightness when using battery saver. For the best HDR video experience, Windows needs to be able to set your display to the maximum brightness level.

• You restart the video. After you make the changes above, restart the video you’re trying to watch to get it in HDR.

To find out if a display is optimized for HDR video

1. Select Start , then select Settings  > Apps  > Video playback .

2. Under Stream HDR video, select Windows HD Color settings.

3. Under Choose display, select the display you want to check.

4. Under Display capabilities, look for the value next to Stream HDR video to see if it says Yes or No.
   Even if it says Yes for Stream HDR video, you might need to change some other settings to play streaming HDR video. See the last section below for details.

For more detailed info about what you need to play HDR video in Windows, see Display requirements for HDR video.

To turn on HDR video streaming

1. Select Start , then select Settings  > Apps  > Video playback .

2. Under Stream HDR video, select Windows HD Color settings.

3. Under Choose display, select the display you want to change.

4. If it's an external display, turn on Use HDR.

5. Turn on Stream HDR video.

If your built-in display can play streaming HDR video, you can calibrate it to get the most out of it. For more info, see Calibrate your built-in display for HDR content in Windows.

Common problems

If you have Stream HDR video turned on and you notice you’re still not getting HDR video on your built-in display, check to make sure that:

• You're using a supported app. Streaming HDR video is supported only in certain apps. For more info, see Video playback settings in Windows.

• The streaming video app is playing full screen. On many built-in displays, you won't get HDR video if the video app isn't open full screen.

• You have set up your device to play HDR video on battery. Because playing HDR video uses more battery power, you won’t get HDR video by default if you’re on battery. To change this, select Start , then select Settings  > Apps  > Video playback  > Windows HD Color settings. Under Battery options, select Optimize for battery life.

• Battery saver is turned off. To find out if battery saver is turned on or off, select the Start  button, then Settings  > System  > Battery . If you want the best HDR video experience even when battery saver is turned on, clear the Lower screen brightness while in battery saver checkbox on that same Battery screen. For the best HDR video experience, Windows needs to be able to set your display to the maximum brightness level.

• You restart the video. After you make the changes above, restart the video you’re trying to watch to get it in HDR.