Forum Discussion
Problem in color profile in dual monitor setup
Problem
In a dual monitor setup, when the main display is "removed from desktop." The remaining display's color profile may be replaced by the main display's, while the remaining display's own profile is unseen from the list. As a result, a large color drift can be seen after removing the main display as the working monitor applies the wrong profile. This problem has existed for a long while.
Prerequisite
Two monitors. A typical scenario is 1 - Internal display, e.g. the monitor of a laptop. 2 - A external monitor.
Both monitor 1 and monitor 2 are configured with their own calibrated color profiles. Let's say:
[Monitor 1] paired with [ICC Profile 1]
[Monitor 2] paired with [ICC Profile 2]
Replicate
1. Check your current settings: In Settings >> System >> Display panel, "color profile" shows the correct profile for each monitor.
2. Go to System >> Display >> Advanced display panel, chose "Display 1: Internal Display", switch off "Remove display from desktop." Display 1 is turned off.
3. You may already notice the remaining Display 2 now shows a color shift as the system applies Display 1's color profile to Display 2, instead of using Display 2's own profile.
4. Go to System >> Display, you can verify now the color profile only has Display 1's profile even if Display 1 is disabled. Display 2's profile is missing from the list, but Display 2 is now the working monitor.
Workaround
The only workaround I found is to add Display 2's profile into Display 1's list through the Windows 7 style color management panel. That advanced panel works as intended. But I need to deliberately put Display 2's profile into Display 1's list. Therefore, when I remove Display 1, I can manually apply Display 2's correct profile in Display 1's profile list.
3 Replies
- GameZoneCopper Contributor
Problem is still there on Windows 11
- nighttigerdudeCopper Contributor
Are you telling me that it still presents in the latest and best AI-powered operating system ever, aka 24H2?
- NydusCopper Contributor
iiedii thanks for the tip. I also use two displays, a monitor and a TV, and sometimes it tries to use the TV profile for the monitor. Now I know why!
Also when i enable HDR and the TV is connected but not turned on, i cant select HDR profiles. Do you have any idea why how that happens?