Windows gamers, brace yourselves – the latest Windows 11 24H2 update has delivered more than just a few pesky bugs this time. If you’ve recently updated and noticed that your favorite games have suddenly transformed into crash-ridden chaos or your HDR visuals look like something from the early 2000s… you’re not alone. The culprit? Microsoft’s "Auto HDR" feature is acting up, leaving many gamers frustrated.
Let’s dive into the issue, why it’s happening, and what you can do to fix it for now.
Sounds great, right? Well, it was… until the Windows 11 24H2 update.
Here’s what’s happening:
Auto HDR works by analyzing the game’s color and luminance metadata in real-time and adjusting the screen’s output to simulate HDR effects. However, incorrect metadata interpretation or conflicts with the game’s rendering API (DirectX or Vulkan) might explain why we’re seeing such drastic issues.
Here’s the catch, though: Downgrading might not be ideal for everyone, as other new features or performance improvements might be tied to 24H2. Weigh the pros and cons before taking the leap.
If Microsoft’s history of addressing urgent bugs is anything to go by, fingers crossed that the fix arrives sooner rather than later. On the other hand, while waiting for Microsoft to squash the bug, it’s worth ensuring your GPU drivers (whether NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) are also updated, as manufacturers sometimes push compatibility improvements for Windows bugs.
If Auto HDR has been activated for your rig without your knowledge, now you have the tools to turn it off. Until Microsoft releases their official fix, stay updated on the Windows forums, monitor announcements, and keep a watchful eye for future Windows Update patches to see when Auto HDR gets back on track.
Let us know in the comments: has Auto HDR thrown a wrench into your gaming sessions, or are you avoiding the 24H2 update altogether? Share your experiences!
Source: HotHardware https://hothardware.com/news/win11-24h2-autohdr-crash
Let’s dive into the issue, why it’s happening, and what you can do to fix it for now.
HDR Gaming Meets a Hiccup
Microsoft’s Auto HDR feature has been considered a game-changer (pun intended) for anyone with a high-end display. HDR, or High Dynamic Range, allows for brighter highlights, deeper shadows, and far more vivid colors in games. Normally, you’d need games with built-in HDR support to experience this visual feast, but Auto HDR bypasses this by using software wizardry to enable HDR even for games not natively designed for it.Sounds great, right? Well, it was… until the Windows 11 24H2 update.
Here’s what’s happening:
- Game Crashes: Titles like Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Need for Speed Unbound have been reported to crash inexplicably or hang at the loading screen when Auto HDR is enabled.
- Broken Colors: Even if your games don’t crash, you might notice HDR rendering completely botching up your colors. Instead of vivid, lifelike tones, you’re left staring at a bizarre circus of oversaturated or washed-out visuals.
Why Is Auto HDR Causing Mayhem?
The problem seems rooted in how the Auto HDR feature is interacting with certain games and their rendering pipelines. While Microsoft hasn’t disclosed the exact cause, it’s clear that the bug emerged with the specific changes rolled out in the 24H2 update. Similar updates in the past have also targeted system-level features, affecting everything from drivers to graphics optimizations, making system-wide features like Auto HDR more susceptible to breaking.Auto HDR works by analyzing the game’s color and luminance metadata in real-time and adjusting the screen’s output to simulate HDR effects. However, incorrect metadata interpretation or conflicts with the game’s rendering API (DirectX or Vulkan) might explain why we’re seeing such drastic issues.
Gamers and DRM Drama
On top of the Auto HDR fiasco, the Windows 11 24H2 update caused further headaches for games using Ubisoft’s DRM (Digital Rights Management) technology. These newer titles implement anti-piracy measures that conflict with changes rolled out in the 24H2 build, leading to additional crashes. It’s a double whammy for gamers who’ve paid for their games, only to encounter endless roadblocks just trying to play.The (Temporary) Fix
Lucky for you, the fix for the Auto HDR issue is pretty straightforward while Microsoft works on a permanent patch. Here’s how to turn it off and reclaim your gaming sanity:Turning Off Auto HDR in Windows 11
- Open Settings:
Hit Windows + I to launch the Settings app. - Navigate to Display Settings:
In the menu, go to System > Display. - Locate the HDR settings:
Under the Display capabilities section, click on Use HDR or similar. - Toggle OFF Auto HDR:
Once HDR settings open, locate the Auto HDR option and flip the switch to off.
Should You Downgrade to 23H2?
If HDR is crucial for you and you don’t want to game without it, you might want to consider staying on or downgrading to Windows 11 23H2. This previous build doesn’t appear to have the same Auto HDR issues, meaning a more stable gaming experience. Downgrading can be done in Settings, under System > Recovery, provided you’re within the 10-day rollback window since upgrading.Here’s the catch, though: Downgrading might not be ideal for everyone, as other new features or performance improvements might be tied to 24H2. Weigh the pros and cons before taking the leap.
What’s Next?
The good news is that Microsoft has already acknowledged the issue and is investigating solutions. Given the uproar within the gaming community, a hotfix or cumulative update addressing Auto HDR specifically is likely in the pipeline within weeks – hopefully, before more controllers get thrown in frustration.If Microsoft’s history of addressing urgent bugs is anything to go by, fingers crossed that the fix arrives sooner rather than later. On the other hand, while waiting for Microsoft to squash the bug, it’s worth ensuring your GPU drivers (whether NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) are also updated, as manufacturers sometimes push compatibility improvements for Windows bugs.
Closing Thoughts: Your Patience is HDR Gold
While the Windows 11 24H2 update has introduced annoying setbacks for gamers, it’s worth remembering that technological innovation often comes with its fair share of teething problems. Auto HDR is a fantastic tool—when it works—but its growing pains emphasize why thorough testing is critical for major OS updates.If Auto HDR has been activated for your rig without your knowledge, now you have the tools to turn it off. Until Microsoft releases their official fix, stay updated on the Windows forums, monitor announcements, and keep a watchful eye for future Windows Update patches to see when Auto HDR gets back on track.
Let us know in the comments: has Auto HDR thrown a wrench into your gaming sessions, or are you avoiding the 24H2 update altogether? Share your experiences!
Source: HotHardware https://hothardware.com/news/win11-24h2-autohdr-crash
