Xbox Series X realising they've been playing on wrong graphics settings for years

If you’re a regular around these parts, it’s likely you’ve heard me barking orders to peruse your console’s system settings before, regardless of whether that’s a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S.

Our consoles feature a wide array of hidden features and settings, most of which many of us aren’t taking advantage of.

With new system updates dropping all the time, the adaptability of our consoles keeps increasing.

There’s every reason to adapt your console, if you can, to suit your preferences.

Venturing over to the settings may not be as exciting as loading up a game, but you’ll be grateful in the long run.

For example, Xbox Series X/S users can double their download speed with a simple change, or speed up the ability to switch your console on and off with another handy trick.

Today’s latest tidbit concerns your console’s graphics, and how you can give them a welcomed boost.

ICYMI: Take a look at our preview of Star Wars Outlaws ahead of the game’s launch later this month.

This tip comes courtesy of Reddit user jeebusjunior.

“I've been really struggling with the graphic fidelity,” they began. In this instance, the user was playing Wild Hearts.

“The visuals seemed extremely muddy, indistinct and mushed together, to a point where I'd see the 'gather' text prompt before I visually realised there was something there to gather. I suspected HDR but tweaking the settings or disabling it in game made little difference.”

They continued, “I decided to disable HDR support in the Xbox settings and it made a world of difference,” recommending others give it a go if they’re experiencing similar issues with other game titles.

Adjusting HDR settings won’t necessarily affect your framerate or resolution, but it can alter the contrast, resulting in slightly more visually pleasing graphics in certain instances.

In many cases, it may just be that your TV isn’t good enough to support the level of output that enabling HDR demands.

There’s no shame in that. But if you do have a more basic or older TV, it’s well worth experimenting with HDR off to see if you can see a difference.