Your Xbox Series X™ is supposed to deliver vibrant colors and sharp contrast with HDR—so why do your games look washed out, too dark, or overly bright? If your display doesn’t look right, you're not alone. HDR settings can be tricky, especially when your TV and console aren’t on the same page.
We get it—tech issues can throw off your entire gaming session. That’s why Asurion Experts are here to help. With experience troubleshooting everything from consoles to display settings, we’ve got the know-how to walk you through solutions that can bring your Xbox Series X HDR back to normal.
Check your TV’s HDR support
Not all TVs handle HDR equally. Some support HDR10, others support Dolby Vision™, and some need to have HDR manually enabled in their settings.
- Open your TV’s settings and confirm that HDR is enabled on the HDMI port you're using.
- If your TV supports multiple HDR formats, match the setting with your console (e.g., HDR10 or Dolby Vision).
- To get the best results, use the HDMI 2.1 cable that came with your Xbox Series X and connect it to a TV port that supports HDR (usually labeled as HDMI ARC/eARC or HDMI 2.1).
Test your display setup on Xbox
- Press the Xbox button on your controller.
- Go to Settings > General > TV & display options.
- Select 4K TV details.
- This screen will show you what your TV supports and where HDR might be failing.
Calibrate HDR on your Xbox
Xbox includes built-in calibration tools to help you fine-tune your picture.
- Go to Settings > General > TV & display options > Calibrate HDR for games.
- Follow the step-by-step guide to adjust brightness, contrast, and clipping.
- This setup works with most TVs but may still look off if your TV's tone mapping or other picture processing features are too aggressive. Try turning off features like 'Dynamic Contrast,' 'Local Dimming' (if it looks worse), or any 'Auto HDR' or 'AI Picture' enhancements on your TV. Also, ensure your TV is set to 'Game Mode' if available, as this often optimizes for gaming input.
Enable or disable Auto HDR
Some older games may look worse with HDR enabled. Auto HDR enhances older titles, but it doesn’t always work perfectly.
- Go to Settings > General > TV & display options > Video modes.
- Uncheck or check Auto HDR depending on what looks better for the specific game.
Restart everything
It sounds simple, but a restart can help sync your Xbox and TV display settings.
- Power off your Xbox and your TV.
- Unplug both for 30 seconds.
- Plug everything back in and turn them on.
- Recheck HDR settings on both devices.
Update your console and TV firmware
Sometimes, HDR issues come from software bugs.
- On Xbox: Go to Settings > System > Updates > Console update available.
- For your TV: Check the manufacturer’s website or built-in update menu.
FAQ
Why does my Xbox HDR look washed out?
It could be due to incorrect calibration, a mismatch between Xbox and TV HDR settings, or tone mapping issues. Try recalibrating or turning off Auto HDR.
Do I need a special cable for HDR?
Yes. Use the Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 cable included with your Xbox Series X and make sure you’re plugged into an HDR-capable HDMI port.
What’s the difference between HDR10 and Dolby Vision?
Both are HDR formats. HDR10 is more widely supported, while Dolby Vision offers more dynamic metadata and often better results—if your TV supports it.
Should I turn off Auto HDR?
If older games look strange or colors are off, turning off Auto HDR may help. You can toggle it on or off per game.
What if none of this works?
If your HDR still doesn’t look right, try testing your console on a different TV. If the issue persists, there could be a problem with your console’s output settings or HDMI port.
