[Bug Fix] Windows 11 Resets Color Profile of Connected Display
If you are facing monitor profile or color profile automatic reset to default issue in your Windows 11 device and you want to fix the issue, this article will help you.
After upgrading to the latest Windows 11 2024 Update, version 24H2, I started facing a very weird and annoying bug in my computer. Whenever I restart or resume my Windows 11 computer from sleep/hibernate, Windows 11 forgets my customized or calibrated color profile and automatically restores the default color profile.
I’m using a DELL monitor connected to my ASUS Zenbook laptop since many months. Previously I was using the same monitor with my old DELL XPS 13 laptop. I use the monitor as primary display and everything was working fine until I upgraded to the new Windows 11 24H2 version.
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PROBLEM: Windows 11 Forgets Calibrated Color Profile of Connected Display
Personally I feel the default color profile or display used by Windows 11 operating system is too much bright. I find the gamma level and contrast used by default Windows 11 color profile a little bit higher compared to Windows 10 and older Windows versions.
That’s why I always calibrate the display to reduce the gamma level so that everything looks perfect on my monitor. I have shared the issue and calibration method in following article:
[Fix] Too Much Brightness, Whiteness and Gamma Level in Windows 10 and 11 Display
Now let’s talk about the bug! If you have calibrated the display in Windows 11 and you restart your device or resume from sleep/hibernate, Windows 11 restores the default non-calibrated color profile with too much gamma level and brightness and you need to calibrate the color profile again.
REASON: New Color Management Feature Added to Windows 11 Settings Page
In my opinion, it happens due to the newly introduced color management page on Windows 11 Settings app. Windows 11 24H2 and later versions come with a new dedicated color management section on System -> Display page to add/remove or customize color profiles.
This new page has been added to replace the classic color management tool which can be accessed using Control Panel or using colorcpl.exe command in RUN dialog box.
I think this new color management page contains this weird bug which automatically resets the display color profile to default upon reboot or resume.
SOLUTION: Force Windows 11 to Always Use Your Calibrated Color Profile
I was able to fix or resolve the bug by removing all existing color profiles and setting a single calibrated color profile as default using the classic color management tool.
So open classic color management tool using colorcpl.exe command in RUN box and remove existing color profiles except the customized profile containing “Calibrated” term in its name. If you don’t see a color profile containing calibrated term, leave any one color profile and remove all other profiles.
Set the remaining color profile as default and apply the changes. Also go to Advanced tab and click on “Change system defaults” button. Now again delete existing color profiles and set the calibrated color profile as default.
It should fix the annoying color profile reset bug in your Windows 11 device.
PS: You can also try to first apply a different color profile and then set your calibrated color profile as default using new color management page on Windows 11 Settings page. It’ll immediately apply the calibrated color profile on the monitor and you’ll not need to re-calibrate the display again and again.
I also found that Windows 11 creates a scheduled task called Calibration Loader which loads the color profile at user logon time.
Open Task Scheduler using taskschd.msc command in RUN box and go to Task Scheduler Library -> Microsoft -> Windows -> WindowsColorSystem section in left-side pane.
In right-side pane, you’ll see Calibration Loader task listed.
UPDATE: Our reader “Matt” suggested following workaround to resolve the issue:
Open the Calibration Loader task and add a Trigger to run on Workstation unlock of any user.
You can also try to delete the task which might also help in fixing the issue. Right-click on the Calibration Loader task and select disable or delete option.
Restart your device to take effect and now you should not face color profile reset bug and Windows 11 should remember your calibrated color profile for the connected display.
Also Check:
How to Repair or Reinstall Windows 11 Without Losing Files and Settings
[Fix] Airplane Mode Turns On Automatically on Hibernate in Windows 10 and 11
Don’t delete anything.
In the Task Scheduler, open the Calibration Loader and add a Trigger to run on Workstation unlock of any user.
So far this has worked for me during my initial testing.
^^ Nice. Thanks for sharing your solution. I’m sure it’ll help other Windows 11 users.
The above suggestion by Matt worked perfectly. Thanks a lot 🙂