Set Up Windows HDR Calibration for a New Monitor on Windows 11

TL;DR

Install **Windows HDR Calibration**, enable HDR for the intended monitor, and complete the calibration patterns. Save a color profile and confirm that it applies to the correct display.

Before you start

Requirements

Windows 11 25H2 on an x64 PC.
An HDR-capable monitor connected through a display connection supporting its HDR mode.
A compatible GPU and display driver supporting HDR.
Windows HDR Calibration from the Microsoft Store. Official instructions: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/display-graphics/calibrate-your-hd
Access to the monitor's physical controls or on-screen display.

Step by step

Instructions

Check HDR compatibility

Open **Settings**, select **System**, and open **Display**. Choose the new monitor and inspect **HDR** to confirm that HDR games and applications are supported.

tipA monitor that only supports HDR video streaming may not support the full calibration workflow.

Configure the monitor

Open the monitor's on-screen display and select its intended HDR picture mode. Disable optional image-processing effects that could interfere with calibration.

Enable HDR in Windows

Select the correct monitor under **Display**, open **HDR**, and enable **Use HDR**. Confirm that the monitor switches into its HDR mode.

Install Windows HDR Calibration

Open the **Microsoft Store**, search for **Windows HDR Calibration**, and install the Microsoft application. If it is already installed, check its update status in the Store.

Run the calibration patterns

Launch **Windows HDR Calibration** on the HDR monitor and keep the application full-screen. Complete the minimum luminance, maximum luminance, and maximum full-frame luminance patterns as instructed.

tipAdjust each pattern until its test symbol is no longer visible. Use the lighting conditions in which you normally use the monitor.

Adjust color saturation and save

Use the saturation control conservatively, then save the completed calibration profile with a recognizable name. Windows can apply the generated profile to the selected display.

Verify the result

Open an HDR-compatible game or video and compare the appearance against the monitor's previous configuration. Check **Color Management** to confirm that the generated profile belongs to the intended display.

Troubleshooting

Common issues

Windows HDR Calibration says HDR is unavailable.

Confirm that **Use HDR** is enabled for the selected monitor. Check the display cable, input mode, graphics driver, and monitor HDR capability.

The image looks washed out after calibration.

Check the monitor's HDR picture mode and remove excessive post-processing. Recalibrate the display and reduce unnecessary color saturation.

The saved profile is applied to the wrong monitor.

Open **Color Management**, select the correct display, and inspect its associated profiles. Reopen **Windows HDR Calibration** on the intended monitor if needed.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Does HDR calibration improve SDR games?

It primarily calibrates HDR behavior. SDR content displayed while HDR is enabled may also be affected by Windows color handling.

Do I need to calibrate every HDR monitor?

Each HDR display should have its own calibration profile.

Should I repeat calibration after changing monitors?

Yes. Run the calibration again when the display or its relevant HDR configuration changes.

How to undo this

Open **Color Management**, locate the profile created by **Windows HDR Calibration**, and remove it from the appropriate display. Delete the generated profile if it is no longer needed, restore the monitor's previous picture settings, and disable **Use HDR** if desired. Uninstall the calibration application through **Installed apps**.

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