Gamers take note: the Windows 11 24H2 update could destroy your colors and crash your games
- Windows 11 24H2 Auto HDR bug causes colors to be displayed incorrectly
- There are also issues with games crashing
- Microsoft has promised that a fix will be available soon
Windows 11’s 24H2 update includes another bug affecting PC gamers and others, with the glitch causing colors to display incorrectly.
Microsoft confirmed the issue in the health status of the release dashboardinforming us that the bug affects those who have the Auto HDR function enabled.
Windows Latest reports that issues with the 24H2 update are impacting not only games but also colors in general on the desktop, which may appear incorrectly until you go to the Settings app in Windows 11 and uncheck the option to ‘Automatically manage color for apps ‘ turns off.
However, Microsoft doesn’t mention any bugs affecting anything other than PC games when using Auto HDR.
Auto HDR is a Windows 11 feature that, ironically, is designed to automatically improve your gaming visuals. Enabling Auto HDR will apply HDR effects to an SDR game, meaning that game will look more vibrant and immersive on an HDR monitor.
Games that support HDR natively will of course deliver a better visual experience, but Auto HDR is much better than playing in SDR – unless, as is the case with this bug, it completely ruins your colors.
This isn’t just about shaky colors, but also crashing games
In the same support document, Microsoft explains that the Auto HDR bug not only causes colors to appear incorrectly in games, but it can also cause some games to crash.
Windows Latest describes its own experience with the problem and refers to a Reddit thread where user Rachidramone describes several games completely freezing or crashing (including popular titles like Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry).
Microsoft’s recommendation to fix the problem is to disable Auto HDR in Settings, or avoid using Windows 11 24H2 and stick with 23H2 instead.
Additionally, Microsoft has put a ‘compatibility lock’ on PCs with Auto HDR enabled, meaning these devices won’t be offered the 24H2 update. When the issue is resolved, 24H2 will be rolled out to those PCs again.
Microsoft also warned against bypassing the upgrade block and installing 24H2 manually (using the media creation tool, for example), if you use Auto HDR at all.
For those who have already installed the 24H2 update, Microsoft recommends disabling Auto HDR to get everything back to normal. You can do this by going to Settings > System > Displayand then select Graphic. Under the ‘Default Settings’ panel you’ll see the toggle for Auto HDR and all you need to do is toggle this off to disable it for all games, which I would recommend. (However, this can also be done on a game-by-game basis via the ‘Custom Application Settings’ panel, if you wish).
Microsoft has said it is now working to fix the bug, and will provide more information as it becomes available. According to Windows Latest, the remedy should be rolled out in the near future.
Windows 11 24H2 is clearly still finding its way, especially when it comes to gaming. A number of bugs in 24H2 have unfortunately affected PC gamers, including problems with anti-cheat systemsrandom crashes of one kind or another, and some especially serious problems with Ubisoft games.
If you’re not looking for unexpected bugs and issues, it’s probably best to be a little cautious when it comes to updating to 24H2, and perhaps wait to upgrade until it becomes more stable and predictable. Hopefully it won’t be long before that happens.