Fix Starfield No HDR or HDR Not Working

Starfield, the long-awaited space-faring RPG from Bethesda, has captivated gamers with its immersive universe. One of the exciting features it offers is High Dynamic Range (HDR) support, which enhances the visual experience by providing a wider range of colors and contrast. However, some players have reported issues with HDR not working or not being available in the game. In this article, we will explore various troubleshooting steps and solutions to address Starfield’s HDR-related problems.

Read: Fix ‘You’re Too Early’ Xbox Error in Starfield

How to Fix Starfield HDR Not Working

If you’re getting issues while using HDR in Starfield then don’t worry. Here are some solutions to fix the HDR not working issue in Starfield.

Copy the Game Executable and Rename It

One unconventional but effective method to potentially enable HDR in Starfield is to copy the game’s executable file and rename it. Follow these steps:

• Navigate to the Starfield installation folder on your computer.
• Locate the game’s executable file (typically named “Starfield.exe”).
• Copy the executable file.
• Paste the copied file into the same directory.
• Rename the copied executable to “farcry5.exe.”

Now, you’ve essentially created a duplicate of the game’s executable with a different name. This workaround has worked for some users, but it’s not guaranteed to work for everyone.

Modify Launch Options in Steam

To ensure that Steam recognizes the modified executable, you need to update the game’s launch options. Here’s how you can do it:

• Open Steam and go to your game library.
• Right-click on Starfield and select “Properties.”
• In the Properties window, navigate to the “General” tab.
• Click the “Set Launch Options” button.
• In the Launch Options box, enter the full path to the modified executable in quotes, followed by “%command%.” For example: “C:\Starfield\Steam\farcry5.exe” %command%.

This step essentially tells Steam to launch the renamed executable when you play Starfield. It’s essential to get the path correct, or this method won’t work.

Windows 10 HDR Settings

Before diving further into troubleshooting, it’s crucial to ensure that your Windows 10 HDR settings are correctly configured. Follow these steps:

• Right-click on your desktop and select “Display settings.”
• Scroll down and click on “Windows HD Color settings.”
• Ensure that “Play HDR games and apps” is turned on.

Properly configuring your Windows 10 HDR settings is essential for the game to recognize and utilize HDR capabilities.

Disable HDR in Windows

If you’re still experiencing HDR issues, try temporarily disabling HDR in Windows to see if that resolves the problem:

• Open “Settings” in Windows.
• Go to “System” and select “Display.”
• Scroll down to the “HDR” section.
• Toggle off “Use HDR.”

After disabling HDR in Windows, launch Starfield to see if the game recognizes and enables HDR. If it does, you can re-enable Windows HDR settings afterward.

Verify Game File Integrity

Corrupted game files can often lead to various issues, including problems with HDR support. To ensure your Starfield installation is in optimal condition:

• Open your Steam library.
• Right-click on Starfield and select “Properties.”
• Go to the “Local Files” tab and click “Verify Integrity of Game Files.”

This process will scan for and repair any corrupted or missing game files, potentially resolving the HDR issue.

Disable Overlay Software

Overlay software from Nvidia, AMD, Discord, and other applications can sometimes interfere with HDR functionality in games. To troubleshoot this, consider disabling overlay features:

• For Nvidia users, open the Nvidia GeForce Experience overlay and disable any in-game overlay features.
• For AMD users, open the AMD Radeon Software overlay and disable any in-game overlay features.
• Additionally, consider disabling overlays in other third-party applications like Discord or Steam.

By turning off overlays, you reduce the chances of conflicts that might prevent HDR from working correctly in Starfield.

Test Different Display Modes

If you’re experiencing HDR-related issues with overly bright or washed-out visuals, you can experiment with different display modes. This can be especially useful if you have an OLED display, which might handle HDR differently. Here’s a user-suggested workaround using Nvidia Game Filters:

• Press Alt + Z to open the Nvidia Game Filters overlay.
• Add the following filters:
  • Brightness/Contrast Filter:
    • Exposure: 20%
    • Contrast: 50%
    • Highlights: 30%
    • Shadows: 100%
    • Gamma: -10%
  • Sharpen Filter:
    • Intensity: 30%
    • Ignore Film Grain: 0%
  • Color Filter:
    • Tint Color: 0%
    • Tint Intensity: 20%
    • Temperature: 0%
    • Vibrance: 30

These filter settings can help adjust the HDR output to better suit your display. However, the effectiveness of these settings may vary from one system to another, so feel free to experiment with them until you achieve the desired visual balance.

While some players have reported HDR-related issues in Starfield, these troubleshooting steps and solutions should help you address and potentially resolve these problems.

Read: Fix Starfield Error ‘Graphics Card Does Not Meet the Minimal Specifications Requirements’