Full Breakdown
Dell and HP Disable HEVC Support in Laptops
11/21/2025, 1:44:22 AM
Overview of the Issue
Recent reports indicate that some Dell and HP laptop owners are encountering difficulties playing HEVC (H.265) content in web browsers, despite their devices being equipped with processors that support integrated HEVC decoding. This issue primarily affects laptops with sixth-generation Intel Core processors and later, as well as AMD chips that have supported the codec since 2015. Both Dell and HP have disabled HEVC hardware decoding in certain popular business notebook models.
Affected Models
HP has explicitly noted the lack of HEVC support in the data sheets for several of its laptops, including the HP ProBook 460 G11, ProBook 465 G11, and EliteBook 665 G11. The documentation states, “Hardware acceleration for CODEC H.265/HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) is disabled on this platform.” Similarly, Dell has also disabled HEVC hardware decoding in some of its laptops, although this information is not readily available on product pages or owner’s manuals. For instance, the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 does not mention HEVC support in its specifications.
User Experiences
Users have reported that while older hardware does not face these issues, those with newer machines must either remove the HEVC codec from the Microsoft Store or disable hardware acceleration in their web browsers. This workaround leads to several drawbacks, including the loss of features such as background blurring in video conferencing applications and a significant decline in overall system performance. A member of a Reddit group for system administrators highlighted these frustrations, noting that the experience can be particularly jarring when modern laptops struggle to play videos that older models handle without issue.
Official Statements & Responses
While HP has provided clear documentation regarding the disabled HEVC support in its laptops, Dell has been less transparent. The absence of HEVC information on Dell's product pages and manuals has left many users confused about the capabilities of their devices. The lack of communication from both companies regarding this issue has led to dissatisfaction among customers who expect their modern laptops to support current video standards.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics argue that disabling HEVC support undermines the capabilities of modern laptops, particularly for users who rely on high-efficiency video coding for streaming and content consumption. The lack of clear communication from Dell and HP regarding this limitation has also drawn ire from consumers who feel misled about their devices' capabilities.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There is a notable discrepancy in the availability of information regarding HEVC support across different laptop models. While HP has been forthcoming about the issue, Dell's lack of detailed information on its product pages raises questions about the transparency of its communication with customers. Additionally, there is no comprehensive list of all affected models from either manufacturer, leaving users uncertain about whether their devices are impacted.
What's Next
As users continue to express their concerns, it remains to be seen whether Dell and HP will address the HEVC support issue through software updates or clearer communication. The ongoing dissatisfaction may prompt both companies to reconsider their approach to hardware capabilities and customer transparency in future product releases.
