### Preflight Checklist - [x] I have searched [existing issues](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20state%3Aopen%20label%3Abug) and this hasn't been reported yet - [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs) - [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code ### What's Wrong? [BUG] Claude Desktop black screen with Windows HDR enabled (NVIDIA RTX 4080 + high-refresh

[BUG] Claude Desktop black screen with Windows HDR enabled (NVIDIA RTX 4080 + high-refresh monitor)

Resolved 💬 8 comments Opened Feb 14, 2026 by roiizchak Closed Apr 4, 2026

Preflight Checklist

[x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
[x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
[x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

<html>
<body>
<html><head></head><body><h1>[BUG] Claude Desktop black screen with Windows HDR enabled (NVIDIA RTX 4080 + high-refresh monitor)</h1>
<h2>Preflight Checklist</h2>
<ul>
<li>[x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet</li>
<li>[x] This is a single bug report</li>
<li>[x] I am using the latest version of Claude Desktop</li>
</ul>
<h2>What's Wrong?</h2>
<p>Claude Desktop renders a <strong>black screen</strong> when Windows 11 HDR is enabled. The app window appears but content is completely black/unrenderable. Other Electron-based apps (Discord, VS Code) work correctly with HDR enabled on the same system. The issue is specific to Claude Desktop's MSIX-packaged Electron build.</p>
<h2>Expected Behavior</h2>
<p>Claude Desktop should render normally with Windows HDR enabled, consistent with how other Electron apps (Discord, VS Code) handle HDR on the same hardware and OS configuration.</p>
<h2>Environment</h2>

<h2>Reproduction Steps</h2>
<ol>
<li>Enable HDR in Windows Settings → System → Display</li>
<li>Launch Claude Desktop</li>
<li>App window opens but content is <strong>black/blank</strong></li>
<li>Disabling HDR immediately resolves the issue</li>
</ol>
<h2>What Was Tried (All Failed)</h2>
<h3>1. Environment Variable — <code>ELECTRON_EXTRA_LAUNCH_ARGS</code></h3>
<p>Set as a <strong>User environment variable</strong> via <code>sysdm.cpl</code>:</p>
<ul>
<li><code>--disable-gpu-compositing</code> → No effect</li>
<li><code>--disable-gpu --disable-software-rasterizer</code> → No effect</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Claude Desktop's MSIX packaging appears to ignore <code>ELECTRON_EXTRA_LAUNCH_ARGS</code>, unlike standard Electron apps (Discord, VS Code) which respect this variable.</p>
<h3>2. Electron flags config file</h3>
<p>Created <code>%APPDATA%\Claude\electron-flags.conf</code> with various flag combinations:</p>
<pre><code>--disable-gpu-compositing
--disable-direct-composition
</code></pre>
<p>And separately:</p>
<pre><code>--disable-gpu
--disable-software-rasterizer
</code></pre>
<p><strong>Result:</strong> No effect. Claude Desktop does not appear to read this file.</p>
<h3>3. NVIDIA Control Panel per-app profile</h3>
<p>Attempted to add Claude.exe to NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D Settings → Program Settings with:</p>
<ul>
<li>Power management mode → Prefer maximum performance</li>
<li>Threaded optimization → Off</li>
<li>Vertical sync → On</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Result:</strong> WindowsApps folder is access-restricted. Even after locating the correct path (<code>...\app\Claude.exe</code>) and adding the profile, the black screen persisted.</p>
<h3>4. Windows Graphics Settings per-app GPU override</h3>
<p>Settings → System → Display → Graphics → attempted to set Claude to "Power saving" (integrated GPU).</p>
<p><strong>Result:</strong> Not applicable — system has AMD CPU with no integrated GPU (discrete RTX 4080 only).</p>
<h3>5. Registry-based MPO (Multiplane Overlay) fixes</h3>
<p>Attempted disabling MPO via:</p>
<pre><code class="language-reg">[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Dwm]
"OverlayTestMode"=dword:00000005
</code></pre>
<p>And separately:</p>
<pre><code class="language-reg">"OverlayMinFPS"=dword:00000000
</code></pre>
<p><strong>Result:</strong> <code>OverlayTestMode=5</code> on Windows 11 24H2/25H2 no longer properly disables MPO and caused <strong>additional</strong> desktop-wide black screen flashes during window transitions. <code>OverlayMinFPS=0</code> alone did not resolve the Claude Desktop issue. Both were reverted.</p>
<h3>6. GPU cache clearing</h3>
<pre><code class="language-powershell">Remove-Item "$env:APPDATA\Claude\GPUCache" -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item "$env:APPDATA\Claude\Cache" -Recurse -Force
</code></pre>
<p><strong>Result:</strong> No effect after restart.</p>
<h2>Key Observation</h2>
<p><strong>Discord and VS Code (both Electron apps) work perfectly with HDR enabled on the same system.</strong> The critical difference is:</p>
<ul>
<li>Discord/VS Code: Standard installer (Squirrel/NSIS) — respects <code>ELECTRON_EXTRA_LAUNCH_ARGS</code> and Chromium flags</li>
<li>Claude Desktop: MSIX package — appears to sandbox or ignore all external GPU flag mechanisms</li>
</ul>
<p>This strongly suggests the issue is in how Claude Desktop's MSIX build initializes GPU compositing under HDR, and that it does not expose any user-configurable way to pass Chromium launch flags.</p>
<h2>Suggested Fix</h2>
<ol>
<li><strong>Respect <code>ELECTRON_EXTRA_LAUNCH_ARGS</code></strong> environment variable like other Electron apps do</li>
<li><strong>Add <code>--disable-gpu-compositing</code> or equivalent HDR-safe flags</strong> to the Electron config when HDR is detected</li>
<li><strong>Expose GPU settings</strong> in Claude Desktop's settings UI (similar to Discord's "Hardware Acceleration" toggle)</li>
<li>Consider reading <code>%APPDATA%\Claude\electron-flags.conf</code> for advanced users</li>
</ol>
<h2>Related Issues</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/21803">#21803</a> — Blank screen after Windows Hibernate with external monitor</li>
<li><a href="https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/21764">#21764</a> — Code tab shows black screen</li>
<li><a href="https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/3592">#3592</a> — Blank screen if click minimize button</li>
<li><a href="https://github.com/electron/electron/issues/40515">electron/electron#40515</a> — Window transparency not respected (black/gray background)</li>
<li><a href="https://github.com/electron/electron/issues/4380">electron/electron#4380</a> — Black screen with NVIDIA GPU</li>
</ul>
<h2>Workaround</h2>
<p>Use <code>claude.ai</code> in a browser (Edge/Chrome) installed as a PWA (Progressive Web App) via Edge → Apps → Install this site as an app. Browser-based access handles HDR correctly.</p></body></html>
</body>
</html># [BUG] Claude Desktop black screen with Windows HDR enabled (NVIDIA RTX 4080 + high-refresh monitor)

Preflight Checklist

[x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
[x] This is a single bug report
[x] I am using the latest version of Claude Desktop

What's Wrong?

Claude Desktop renders a black screen when Windows 11 HDR is enabled. The app window appears but content is completely black/unrenderable. Other Electron-based apps (Discord, VS Code) work correctly with HDR enabled on the same system. The issue is specific to Claude Desktop's MSIX-packaged Electron build.

Expected Behavior

Claude Desktop should render normally with Windows HDR enabled, consistent with how other Electron apps (Discord, VS Code) handle HDR on the same hardware and OS configuration.

Environment

| Component | Detail |
|-----------|--------|
| Claude Desktop version | 1.1.3189.0 (MSIX package) |
| Package | Claude_1.1.3189.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc |
| Executable path | C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Claude_1.1.3189.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc\app\Claude.exe |
| OS | Windows 11 25H2 (Build 26200.7840) |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 |
| NVIDIA driver | 591.86 (32.0.15.9186) |
| CPU | AMD (no integrated GPU) |
| Monitor | Samsung Odyssey G7 LC27G7xT |
| Resolution | 2560×1440 @ 240Hz |
| Color depth | 10-bit, scRGB linear color space |
| HDR | Windows HDR enabled |
| Connection | DisplayPort |
| Windows Updates | KB5077181 (Feb 11, 2026), KB5077869 (Feb 11, 2026) |

Reproduction Steps

Enable HDR in Windows Settings → System → Display
Launch Claude Desktop
App window opens but content is black/blank
Disabling HDR immediately resolves the issue

What Was Tried (All Failed)

1. Environment Variable — `ELECTRON_EXTRA_LAUNCH_ARGS`

Set as a User environment variable via sysdm.cpl:

--disable-gpu-compositing → No effect
--disable-gpu --disable-software-rasterizer → No effect

Conclusion: Claude Desktop's MSIX packaging appears to ignore ELECTRON_EXTRA_LAUNCH_ARGS, unlike standard Electron apps (Discord, VS Code) which respect this variable.

2. Electron flags config file

Created %APPDATA%\Claude\electron-flags.conf with various flag combinations:

--disable-gpu-compositing
--disable-direct-composition

And separately:

--disable-gpu
--disable-software-rasterizer

Result: No effect. Claude Desktop does not appear to read this file.

3. NVIDIA Control Panel per-app profile

Attempted to add Claude.exe to NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D Settings → Program Settings with:

Power management mode → Prefer maximum performance
Threaded optimization → Off
Vertical sync → On

Result: WindowsApps folder is access-restricted. Even after locating the correct path (...\app\Claude.exe) and adding the profile, the black screen persisted.

4. Windows Graphics Settings per-app GPU override

Settings → System → Display → Graphics → attempted to set Claude to "Power saving" (integrated GPU).

Result: Not applicable — system has AMD CPU with no integrated GPU (discrete RTX 4080 only).

5. Registry-based MPO (Multiplane Overlay) fixes

Attempted disabling MPO via:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Dwm]
"OverlayTestMode"=dword:00000005

And separately:

"OverlayMinFPS"=dword:00000000

Result: OverlayTestMode=5 on Windows 11 24H2/25H2 no longer properly disables MPO and caused additional desktop-wide black screen flashes during window transitions. OverlayMinFPS=0 alone did not resolve the Claude Desktop issue. Both were reverted.

6. GPU cache clearing

Remove-Item "$env:APPDATA\Claude\GPUCache" -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item "$env:APPDATA\Claude\Cache" -Recurse -Force

Result: No effect after restart.

Key Observation

Discord and VS Code (both Electron apps) work perfectly with HDR enabled on the same system. The critical difference is:

Discord/VS Code: Standard installer (Squirrel/NSIS) — respects ELECTRON_EXTRA_LAUNCH_ARGS and Chromium flags
Claude Desktop: MSIX package — appears to sandbox or ignore all external GPU flag mechanisms

This strongly suggests the issue is in how Claude Desktop's MSIX build initializes GPU compositing under HDR, and that it does not expose any user-configurable way to pass Chromium launch flags.

Suggested Fix

Respect ELECTRON_EXTRA_LAUNCH_ARGS environment variable like other Electron apps do
Add --disable-gpu-compositing or equivalent HDR-safe flags to the Electron config when HDR is detected
Expose GPU settings in Claude Desktop's settings UI (similar to Discord's "Hardware Acceleration" toggle)
Consider reading %APPDATA%\Claude\electron-flags.conf for advanced users

Related Issues

[#21803](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/21803) — Blank screen after Windows Hibernate with external monitor
[#21764](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/21764) — Code tab shows black screen
[#3592](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/3592) — Blank screen if click minimize button
[electron/electron#40515](https://github.com/electron/electron/issues/40515) — Window transparency not respected (black/gray background)
[electron/electron#4380](https://github.com/electron/electron/issues/4380) — Black screen with NVIDIA GPU

Workaround

Use claude.ai in a browser (Edge/Chrome) installed as a PWA (Progressive Web App) via Edge → Apps → Install this site as an app. Browser-based access handles HDR correctly.

What Should Happen?

Claude Desktop should render normally with Windows HDR enabled, consistent with how other Electron apps (Discord, VS Code) handle HDR on the same hardware and OS configuration. The MSIX-packaged build should either respect ELECTRON_EXTRA_LAUNCH_ARGS environment variable, read electron-flags.conf from %APPDATA%\Claude\, or include a Hardware Acceleration toggle in settings.

Error Messages/Logs

Get-WinEvent -LogName Application -MaxEvents 20 | Where-Object {$_.Message -like "*Claude*" -or $_.Message -like "*Electron*" -or $_.Message -like "*GPU*"} | Format-List TimeCreated, Message


If that returns nothing, just put:

No crash logs available. App renders black screen without crashing — no error dialog, no Event Viewer entries. The window frame is visible but content area is entirely black.

Steps to Reproduce

System: NVIDIA RTX 4080 + Samsung Odyssey G7 (2560x1440 @ 240Hz, 10-bit, scRGB) + AMD CPU (no iGPU)
Enable HDR in Windows Settings → System → Display
Launch Claude Desktop (v1.1.3189.0 MSIX)
App window opens but content area is entirely black
Disable HDR → Claude Desktop renders normally
Discord and VS Code (also Electron) work fine with HDR on the same system

Attempted workarounds (all failed):

ELECTRON_EXTRA_LAUNCH_ARGS with --disable-gpu, --disable-gpu-compositing
electron-flags.conf in %APPDATA%\Claude\
NVIDIA Control Panel per-app profile
Registry MPO fixes (OverlayTestMode, OverlayMinFPS)
GPU cache clearing

Root cause: MSIX packaging ignores all standard Chromium/Electron GPU flag mechanisms

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Claude Desktop 1.1.3189.0 (MSIX) — not a Claude Code issue

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Windows Terminal

Additional Information

_No response_

View original on GitHub ↗

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[BUG] Claude Desktop black screen with Windows HDR enabled (NVIDIA RTX 4080 + high-refresh monitor)

Preflight Checklist

What's Wrong?

Preflight Checklist

What's Wrong?

Expected Behavior

Environment

Reproduction Steps

What Was Tried (All Failed)

1. Environment Variable — ELECTRON_EXTRA_LAUNCH_ARGS

2. Electron flags config file

3. NVIDIA Control Panel per-app profile

4. Windows Graphics Settings per-app GPU override

5. Registry-based MPO (Multiplane Overlay) fixes

6. GPU cache clearing

Key Observation

Suggested Fix

Related Issues

Workaround

What Should Happen?

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Claude Model

Is this a regression?

Last Working Version

Claude Code Version

Platform

Operating System

Terminal/Shell

Additional Information

1. Environment Variable — `ELECTRON_EXTRA_LAUNCH_ARGS`