washed out colors on linux using waylandvk

Start by reviewing the attached mpv-output.txt and reproduce the issue with the listed --no-config and gpu-context commands on Linux. Compare auto and waylandvk rendering with the browser examples and inspect the relevant GPU/color-output diagnostics in the log. Done means SDR blacks and colors are rendered normally without requiring a config file.

mpv Information

mpv v0.41.0 Copyright © 2000-2025 mpv/MPlayer/mplayer2 projects
 built on Feb 11 2026 22:07:06
libplacebo version: v7.360.1
FFmpeg version: n8.0.1 (runtime n8.1.1)
FFmpeg library versions:
   libavcodec      62.11.100 (runtime 62.28.101)
   libavdevice     62.1.100 (runtime 62.3.101)
   libavfilter     11.4.100 (runtime 11.14.101)
   libavformat     62.3.100 (runtime 62.12.101)
   libavutil       60.8.100 (runtime 60.26.101)
   libswresample   6.1.100 (runtime 6.3.101)
   libswscale      9.1.100 (runtime 9.5.101)

Other Information

- Linux version: Arch linux
- Kernel Version: 7.0.3
- GPU Model: AMD 860M
- Mesa/GPU Driver Version: 4.6
- Window Manager and Version: hyprland 0.54.3
- Source of mpv: pacman
- Latest known working version:
- Issue started after the following happened:

Reproduction Steps

without any config file, running:

• mpv --no-config
• mpv --no-config --gpu-context=auto
• mpv --no-config --gpu-context=waylandvk

produces washed out blacks and colors

Expected Behavior

The blacks and other colors look washed out, like every SDR content is chroma 422, 420 or RGB limited. For example on windows, the auto setting produces a

Actual Behavior

when using auto/waylandvk on gpu-context, the colors and blacks look washed out. Even comparing a simple youtube stream already it's possible to see the difference, but I can send more examples if necessary

examples from youtube video (left is on the browser):

Log File

mpv-output.txt

Sample Files

Videos that I tested that is very easy to see the difference:

• https://youtu.be/VyD6WaDifr8
• https://youtu.be/jECIZpEsX5s?si=kWwveIDYqpcqpR8M

I carefully read all instruction and confirm that I did the following:

• I tested and confirmed that the issue exists with the latest release version or newer.
• I provided all required information including system and mpv version.
• I produced the log file with the exact same set of files, parameters, and conditions used in "Reproduction Steps", with the addition of --log-file=output.txt.
• I produced the log file while the behaviors described in "Actual Behavior" were actively observed.
• I attached the full, untruncated log file.
• I attached the backtrace in the case of a crash.