The process of disabling high dynamic range playback on YouTube involves adjusting settings either within the YouTube application or the device’s display configuration. This adjustment is necessary when the displayed image appears overly bright, washed out, or exhibits inaccurate color representation due to an incompatibility between the HDR content and the viewing device’s capabilities. The specific steps vary depending on the platform used to access YouTube, such as a smart TV, mobile device, or computer.
Disabling the high dynamic range feature can improve the viewing experience on displays that are not fully optimized for HDR content. Older screens or those with lower peak brightness may struggle to accurately reproduce the expanded color range and contrast offered by HDR, leading to a degraded image quality. This adjustment allows the content to be displayed in standard dynamic range (SDR), which is more compatible with a wider range of display technologies.