How to fix Starfield elevated black levels

Welcome to our friendly guide on how to improve the visual quality of Starfield on your screen! Whether you have an OLED or LCD screen, we've got you covered. Follow these steps to fix elevated black levels and enhance your gaming experience.

Starfield, the highly anticipated space exploration game from Bethesda Softworks, has finally arrived. However, some players have noticed elevated black levels on their screens, which can negatively impact their gaming experience. In this guide, we will walk you through various steps to fix this issue and ensure you can fully enjoy the immersive world of Starfield.

Step 1: Enable HDR Support (for OLED Screens):

If you're lucky enough to have an OLED screen, enabling HDR (High Dynamic Range) can significantly improve the visual quality of Starfield. HDR enhances color depth, contrast, and overall image quality, allowing for a more vibrant and immersive gaming experience.

To enable HDR support on your OLED screen, follow these steps:

1. Open the guide menu by pressing the Xbox button on your controller.

2. Select "Home" to access the home screen.

3. Navigate to "General" and then to "TV & display options."

4. Select "Video modes."

5. If "Allow HDR10" and "Allow Dolby Vision" are enabled, disable them.

By disabling these options, you ensure that Starfield utilizes the full potential of your OLED screen, resulting in richer blacks, brighter highlights, and overall improved visual fidelity.

Step 2: Disable HDR (for LCD Screens):

For those with LCD screens, disabling HDR can help reduce brightness issues that may be causing elevated black levels. Unlike OLED screens, LCD screens do not have individual pixel control, which can lead to elevated black levels and less accurate contrast.

To disable HDR on your LCD screen, follow these steps:

1. Open the guide menu by pressing the Xbox button on your controller.

2. Select "Home" to access the home screen.

3. Navigate to "General" and then to "TV & display options."

4. Select "Video modes."

5. Disable "Allow HDR10" and "Allow Dolby Vision."

Disabling HDR on an LCD screen can help reduce the brightness levels and improve contrast, resulting in more accurate black levels in Starfield.

Step 3: Adjust Brightness and Contrast from Your TV/Monitor Menus:

Since Starfield currently lacks brightness and contrast sliders in-game, you can adjust these settings from your TV or monitor menus. This step allows you to fine-tune the visual output according to your preference and the characteristics of your screen.

To adjust brightness and contrast from your TV or monitor menus, follow these general steps:

1. Access the settings menu on your TV or monitor by using the dedicated button on your remote or through the on-screen display (OSD) options.

2. Look for options related to brightness and contrast adjustments. These may be labeled differently depending on your TV or monitor manufacturer.

3. Make adjustments to the brightness and contrast settings based on your preference.

It's worth noting that newer televisions often come equipped with settings specifically designed for improved visibility in darker environments. These settings might enhance the visual quality of Starfield and make the elevated black levels less noticeable. Refer to your TV or monitor's user manual for specific instructions on adjusting settings as they may vary depending on the make and model.

Step 4: Keep an Eye Out for Future Patch Updates:

Bethesda Softworks is known for its commitment to improving its games post-launch. This includes addressing and fixing any existing issues or bugs that players may encounter. It's possible that they might release a patch in the future to directly address the elevated black levels in Starfield.

By regularly checking for updates and installing them promptly, you can ensure that you have the latest version of Starfield with any improvements or fixes provided by the developers. This could include adding in-game brightness and contrast adjustment options, effectively eliminating the need to adjust your TV or monitor settings.

Bonus Tip: Manual Update for Starfield:

If you want to manually update Starfield, follow these steps:

1. Open the guide menu on your console or PC by pressing the Xbox button on your controller or opening the respective menu on your PC.

2. Move the cursor to the Starfield icon.

3. Select "Manage game and add-ons" from the pop-up menu.

4. Look for any available updates and proceed with the installation process.

By manually updating Starfield, you can ensure that you have the latest version of the game, including any bug fixes or improvements that have been released by the developers.

By enabling HDR support (for OLED screens), adjusting brightness and contrast from your TV or monitor menus, and keeping an eye out for future updates, you can enhance your Starfield gaming experience on both OLED and LCD screens. These steps will help you address elevated black levels and enjoy exploring the depths of space with improved visual quality.

Remember, the specific steps and options may vary depending on your TV or monitor manufacturer, so always refer to the user manual for detailed instructions. With these adjustments, you can fully immerse yourself in the captivating world of Starfield and make the most of your gaming experience. Happy exploring!