Capture Card Washed Out or Grey: HDR Fix

Cause
HDR from the console
If the card can't capture HDR, or OBS isn't set for it, the HDR signal looks grey and flat. Turn HDR off on the console, or set the card and OBS for HDR.

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Fastest fix: turn off HDR on the console

  • PS5: Settings → Screen and Video → Video Output → HDR → Off.
  • Xbox Series X|S: Settings → General → TV & display options → Video modes: untick Allow HDR10 and Auto HDR (and Dolby Vision for gaming).
  • Nintendo Switch 2: System Settings → Display → HDR Output → Off.

Your TV then gets SDR too. If you want HDR on the TV and SDR on stream, you need a card that converts HDR to SDR itself (tone mapping), and even that conversion can look a little flat.

If your card captures HDR

  1. In OBS, open the Video Capture Device's properties and set Video Format to P010 and the colour space to Rec. 2100 (PQ).
  2. Stream in SDR? Add an HDR Tone Mapping filter to the source.
  3. Still off? Try switching the colour range between Limited and Full in the source properties: a mismatch also gives a washed-out or crushed picture.

Sources: AVerMedia: Why the preview looks washed out; OBS forum: Washed-out colours from an HDR source. Checked November 13, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my capture card look washed out?

The console is sending HDR and the card or OBS is treating it as SDR. Turn off HDR on the console, or set the source to P010 and Rec. 2100 (PQ) in OBS if the card supports HDR.

Can I keep HDR on my TV and stream in SDR?

Only with a card that tone-maps HDR to SDR, or with OBS's HDR Tone Mapping filter. Expect slightly flatter colours than a true SDR source.

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