the HDR on my LG 4K monitor looks terrible and dark, is it broken?

Nah, it's probably just a settings mismatch. HDR implementation can be finicky. First, confirm HDR is actually active and sourced correctly.

1. On your Windows PC, go to Settings > System > Display. Under 'HDR', toggle it On. For Mac or game consoles, enable HDR in their respective system settings.
2. On the monitor, press the joystick to open the OSD. Go to Picture and ensure HDR is set to On. If you see 'HDR Effect', turn it Off—it's a fake HDR mode.
3. Make sure you're playing actual HDR10 content. Regular SDR videos will look washed out if the system is forced into HDR mode.

IF THAT DIDN'T WORK: The issue could be related to other picture settings overriding HDR. In the OSD, set Picture Mode to 'HDR' if available. Also, disable any energy-saving features like Smart Energy Saving, as they can dim the screen. Remember, this monitor supports HDR10, but its peak brightness is limited, so don't expect OLED-level HDR pop.