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To enable HDR on a supported Samsung monitor, open Settings > System > Display in Windows, select the Samsung screen if you have more than one display, and switch on HDR. The option appears only when both the PC and the selected display support HDR. Microsoft’s Windows HDR instructions explain the requirements and steps.

Before you turn on HDR

Confirm that the exact Samsung monitor model supports HDR and that your PC’s graphics hardware and display connection support HDR output. Windows requires HDR support from both the PC and the display; a Samsung logo alone does not mean every model offers HDR. Check the monitor’s specifications and manual for its supported features and inputs. Microsoft lists the Windows requirements, while Samsung’s monitor guidance notes that available settings depend on the model and connection.

Connect the monitor using an input and connection mode supported by both the monitor and PC. There is no single cable specification that applies to every HDR setup. Check your model’s requirements before buying anything: Samsung’s recommendation to use a certified DisplayPort cable applies to a specific high-resolution, high-refresh-rate output scenario, not to every case where HDR is unavailable. See Samsung’s connection guidance.

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Enable HDR in Windows

  1. Open Settings > System > Display.
  2. If more than one display is connected, select the Samsung monitor you want to use. Make sure it is the HDR-capable screen.
  3. Turn on HDR. The setting is available only when Windows detects HDR support for the selected display and PC.

These steps follow Microsoft’s Windows HDR instructions. The setting is in Windows; Samsung’s monitor menus are not identical across models.

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For a laptop connected to an external Samsung monitor

Set the displays to extend the desktop rather than duplicate it. Microsoft says HDR is not supported on the external display when a laptop is set to duplicate displays. In Windows, open Settings > System > Display, then use the multiple-display option to choose Extend these displays. Microsoft explains the display-mode limitation.

If the HDR switch is missing or unavailable

  • Check which display is selected. In a multi-monitor setup, choose the Samsung screen in Display settings before looking for the HDR control.
  • Verify the exact model. Check its specifications and manual; HDR support and available picture settings vary by model.
  • Check PC and connection support. Both the PC’s graphics hardware and the connection path must support HDR. Confirm the chosen input and mode against the monitor and PC documentation.
  • If you use a laptop, extend the displays. Duplicate mode can prevent HDR on the external screen.

Windows requires the PC and display to support HDR, and Samsung cautions that monitor options vary by model and connection. See Microsoft’s requirements and Samsung’s monitor guidance. If the setting remains unavailable, the exact monitor model and PC configuration are needed to narrow down the cause.

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If the desktop looks dim after HDR is enabled

SDR desktop content can look darker or otherwise different when HDR is active because Windows and displays handle SDR and HDR signals differently. Adjust the Windows control for SDR content appearance to suit your preference. A dimmer-looking desktop does not, by itself, mean HDR failed to turn on. Samsung describes the SDR appearance effect and Windows adjustment guidance.

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When to use the Samsung monitor’s on-screen menu

Use the monitor’s on-screen display (OSD) if HDR is available in Windows but the image or picture options do not look right. The menu names and available controls differ among Samsung monitor models and connections, so use the manual for your exact model rather than relying on a universal menu sequence. Samsung’s support guidance covers model-dependent picture settings; model-specific manuals are available through Samsung Support Downloads.

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