Prevent Washed-Out Screenshots on HDR Monitors

Prevent Washed-Out Screenshots on HDR Monitors

Prevent Washed-Out Screenshots on HDR Monitors

Overview

When using High Dynamic Range (HDR) on Windows 11—particularly with OLED displays—users may notice that screenshots appear washed out or overexposed. This issue is common when using built-in screenshot tools like Snipping Tool or Print Screen. It primarily affects systems with HDR enabled and a non-zero SDR content brightness setting.

This article explains the root cause of this behavior and provides two reliable methods to capture accurate screenshots on HDR-enabled displays.

Affected Systems

  • Devices running Windows 11

  • HDR-enabled monitors, especially OLED and QD-OLED panels

  • Users taking screenshots with:

    • Snipping Tool

    • Snip & Sketch

    • Print Screen / Windows + Shift + S

Root Cause

When HDR is enabled, Windows adjusts SDR content brightness to optimize how standard content appears on HDR-capable displays. However, this setting can distort how screenshots are captured—causing them to appear faded, desaturated, or unnaturally bright when viewed on SDR devices.

Additionally, screenshots may not include proper tone-mapping, resulting in color and brightness mismatches between what you see and what gets captured.

Resolution Options

Option 1: Enable HDR Screenshot Color Correction in Snipping Tool

Windows 11 includes a built-in HDR screenshot correction toggle. Enabling this ensures that HDR tone-mapping is applied correctly when capturing screenshots.

Steps:

  1. Open the Snipping Tool.

  2. Click the three-dot menu (•••) in the top right.

  3. Select Settings.

  4. Under the “Snipping” section, enable “Use HDR screenshot color correction”.

NotesThis option is recommended if you frequently capture screenshots with HDR enabled and want consistent results.

Reference: Microsoft Documentation – Enable HDR Screenshot Color Correction

Option 2: Set SDR Content Brightness to Zero Before Screenshotting

If you prefer not to use Snipping Tool’s correction or are using third-party tools, lowering the SDR brightness setting can resolve the issue.

Steps:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Display.

  2. Select your HDR-capable monitor.

  3. Under Brightness & color, set “SDR content brightness” to 0.

  4. Take your screenshot.

  5. Restore the SDR brightness slider after capturing, if needed.

NotesThis is a manual workaround and may not be practical for frequent screenshot tasks.

Additional Recommendations

  • Run the Windows HDR Calibration Tool (available via Microsoft Store) to fine-tune your HDR color profile.

  • Ensure your display drivers and firmware are fully updated to prevent compatibility issues.

  • Avoid using third-party screenshot tools unless they specifically support HDR.

Need Help?

If you're experiencing display issues, color mismatches, or other challenges with HDR-enabled systems, Boston Managed IT can help optimize your display settings and ensure your devices are configured for high-fidelity media workflows.