YouTube supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) video playback. If you’re experiencing problems with HDR or simply want to watch content in Standard Dynamic Range (SDR), this MiniTool Video Converter post will walk you through how to turn off HDR on YouTube.
What Is HDR on YouTube
High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a video technology that enhances video quality by expanding the range of colors and contrast. It offers more vivid colors, improved contrast, and better brightness on supported screens.
The audience can watch HDR videos on compatible mobile devices and HDR TVs. In the video player, HDR will be indicated after each quality option, such as “1080p HDR.” In contrast, if viewers use non-HDR devices, they will see the video as a Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) video.
While HDR has its advantages, it is not always ideal in practice. Depending on your device or display capabilities, HDR can sometimes make videos look washed out, overly dark, or unnatural. If your display or system doesn’t handle HDR properly, the video may look worse than its SDR version. This is when you need to disable HDR playback.
Why You Might Want to Turn Off HDR on YouTube
Before we dive into the how-to, it’s worth understanding the why. Here are some common reasons why some users may want to disable HDR on YouTube:
- Inaccurate colors: Sometimes, HDR can oversaturate colors or change their reality. If you want to enjoy accurate color, turning off HDR may help deliver a more natural look.
- Compatibility issues: Not all devices can handle HDR content well. If your device is not fully compatible with HDR, the video may look washed out or too dark.
- Bandwidth consumption: HDR videos often require more bandwidth to stream successfully. If you have a slow Internet connection or limited data, it’s harder to play HDR videos smoothly.
- Battery life: HDR playback can consume more battery, especially on mobile devices.
- Preference: Some users simply prefer the look of standard dynamic range (SDR).
Under the above situations, disabling HDR can bring you more cleaner viewing experience, especially if you’re using a non-HDR device. Next, let’s see how to turn off HDR mode on YouTube easily.
How to Turn Off HDR on YouTube
Can you turn off HDR on YouTube directly? Unfortunately, YouTube itself doesn’t provide a direct toggle to disable HDR. Instead, the platform automatically delivers HDR or SDR depending on your device’s capabilities.
However, you can disable HDR playback on YouTube by using a workaround: manually selecting non-HDR quality while playing YouTube videos. The following is a step-by-step guide on how to disable HDR on YouTube:
Step 1. Launch the YouTube app on your mobile phone or navigate to the YouTube website on your browser.
Step 2. Play the video that supports HDR.
Step 3. Click the gear icon in the video player.
Step 4. Select Quality and choose a resolution without “HDR” next to it.
This will force YouTube to stream the SDR version instead. Keep in mind that you may need to repeat this process for each video, depending on your preferences.
Can I Watch HDR Videos on YouTube Offline?
HDR videos provide higher contrast, richer colors, and more vivid images. But is there a way to enjoy this kind of high-quality video from YouTube offline? Use MiniTool Video Converter! It quickly saves YouTube videos in up to 8K resolution!
Follow these steps to save HDR videos from YouTube with MiniTool Video Converter:
1. Click the button below to download and install the latest version of MiniTool Video Converter.
MiniTool Video ConverterClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
2. Open the app and go to the Download Video tab.
3. Navigate to YouTube to copy the link to the HDR video you want to download.
4. Click on Paste URL, paste the link into the address box, and click Download.
5. Then, select the output format and click the Download button to start downloading.
6. Once done, you can click the play icon or the folder icon in the Completed section to play or check the downloaded video.
Bottom Line
How to turn off HDR on YouTube? Although YouTube doesn’t offer a direct switch, you can do this by manually adjusting quality settings. Moreover, try MiniTool Video Converter to save HDR videos for offline enjoyment!
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Lydia is always interested in new things and has been attracted deeply by writing. Her love for writing makes her become an English editor about multimedia in MiniTool. She’s determined to write articles about photos, audio, video, and other news to offer readers useful suggestions. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, photography, and having fun with friends.