From b77decc74ed582dc76fee9474157191d418eef38 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Damian Schneider <daedae@gmx.ch>
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2026 23:11:28 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 1/9] move gamma correction to bus level

- add new global bool to check if gamma needs to be applied
- restrict digital LED brightness for better color preservation
- move from gamma then brightness to "restricted" brightness then gamma (except for HUB75 where brightness is at driver level
- use full resolution gamma on PWM buses
- skip black pixels in busDigital setPixelColor
- fix brightness calculation when using gammaCorrectBri
---
 wled00/FX_fcn.cpp      |  8 ++----
 wled00/bus_manager.cpp | 61 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++---------------
 wled00/bus_manager.h   |  1 +
 wled00/cfg.cpp         |  1 +
 wled00/colors.cpp      |  4 +--
 wled00/colors.h        |  5 ++--
 wled00/set.cpp         |  1 +
 wled00/udp.cpp         |  2 ++
 wled00/wled.h          |  1 +
 9 files changed, 53 insertions(+), 31 deletions(-)

diff --git a/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp b/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp
index 34fde40058..a43b2ec9c1 100644
--- a/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp
+++ b/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp
@@ -1766,8 +1766,6 @@ void WS2812FX::show() {
   int oldCCT = Bus::getCCT(); // store original CCT value (since it is global)
   // when cctFromRgb is true we implicitly calculate WW and CW from RGB values (cct==-1)
   if (cctFromRgb) BusManager::setSegmentCCT(-1);
-  // use color gamma correction if enabled, not in realtime mode with gamma disabled or currently overriding RT mode
-  bool useGammaCorrection = gammaCorrectCol && !(realtimeMode && arlsDisableGammaCorrection && !realtimeOverride);
 
   for (size_t i = 0; i < totalLen; i++) {
     // when correctWB is true setSegmentCCT() will convert CCT into K with which we can then
@@ -1775,10 +1773,7 @@ void WS2812FX::show() {
     if (_pixelCCT) { // cctFromRgb already exluded at allocation
       if (i == 0 || _pixelCCT[i-1] != _pixelCCT[i]) BusManager::setSegmentCCT(_pixelCCT[i], correctWB);
     }
-
     uint32_t c = _pixels[i]; // need a copy, do not modify _pixels directly (no byte access allowed on ESP32)
-    if (c > 0 && useGammaCorrection)
-      c = gamma32(c); // apply gamma correction if enabled note: applying gamma after brightness has too much color loss
     BusManager::setPixelColor(getMappedPixelIndex(i), c);
   }
   Bus::setCCT(oldCCT);  // restore old CCT for ABL adjustments
@@ -1854,7 +1849,8 @@ void WS2812FX::setCCT(uint16_t k) {
 // direct=true either expects the caller to call show() themselves (realtime modes) or be ok waiting for the next frame for the change to apply
 // direct=false immediately triggers an effect redraw
 void WS2812FX::setBrightness(uint8_t b, bool direct) {
-  if (gammaCorrectBri) b = gamma8(b);
+  if (b > 0 && gammaCorrectBri)
+    b = gamma8(map(b, 1, 255, gamma8inv(1), 255)); // map from 1 to 255 in gamma space or strip will turn off at low brightness as gamma(b) goes to 0
   if (_brightness == b) return;
   _brightness = b;
   if (_brightness == 0) { //unfreeze all segments on power off
diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
index 1ba808d8b0..cb5c1e7924 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
@@ -266,33 +266,44 @@ void BusDigital::setStatusPixel(uint32_t c) {
   }
 }
 
+void BusDigital::setBrightness(uint8_t b) {
+  _bri = b;
+  if (_bri < 255 && applyGamma)
+    _bri = gammaCorrectBri ? map(_bri, 1, 255, gamma8inv(2), 255) : gamma8inv(_bri+1); // limit min brightness so gamma does not dim to black
+}
+
 // note: using WLED_O2_ATTR makes this function ~7% faster at the expense of 600 bytes of flash
 void IRAM_ATTR BusDigital::setPixelColor(unsigned pix, uint32_t c) {
-  if (!_valid) return;
-  if (Bus::_cct >= 1900) c = colorBalanceFromKelvin(Bus::_cct, c); //color correction from CCT
+  if (_reversed) pix = _len - pix -1;
+  pix += _skip;
   uint8_t cctWW = 0, cctCW = 0;
   uint16_t wwcw = 0;
-  if (hasWhite()) c = autoWhiteCalc(c, cctWW, cctCW);
-  c = color_fade(c, _bri, true); // apply brightness
-
-  if (hasCCT()) {
-    wwcw = ((cctCW + 1) * _bri) & 0xFF00; // apply brightness to CCT (store CW in upper byte)
-    wwcw |= ((cctWW + 1) * _bri) >> 8;
-    if (_type == TYPE_WS2812_WWA) c = RGBW32(wwcw, wwcw >> 8, 0, W(c)); // ww,cw, 0, w
-  }
+  // apply brightness, color correction and white calculation, if black, we can skip all of it as they are no-ops
+  if (c > 0) {
+    c = color_fade(c, _bri, false); // apply brightness
+    c = gamma32(c); // apply gamma correction if (currently) used
+    if (!_valid) return;
+    if (Bus::_cct >= 1900) c = colorBalanceFromKelvin(Bus::_cct, c); //color correction from CCT
+
+    if (hasWhite()) c = autoWhiteCalc(c, cctWW, cctCW);
+
+    if (hasCCT()) {
+      wwcw = (cctCW + 1) & 0xFF00; // apply brightness to CCT (store CW in upper byte)
+      wwcw |= (cctWW + 1) >> 8;
+      if (_type == TYPE_WS2812_WWA) c = RGBW32(wwcw, wwcw >> 8, 0, W(c)); // ww,cw, 0, w
+    }
 
-  if (BusManager::_useABL) {
-    // if using ABL, sum all color channels to estimate current and limit brightness in show()
-    uint8_t r = R(c), g = G(c), b = B(c);
-    if (_milliAmpsPerLed < 255) { // normal ABL
-      _colorSum += r + g + b + W(c);
-    } else { // wacky WS2815 power model, ignore white channel, use max of RGB (issue #549)
-      _colorSum += ((r > g) ? ((r > b) ? r : b) : ((g > b) ? g : b));
+    if (BusManager::_useABL) {
+      // if using ABL, sum all color channels to estimate current and limit brightness in show()
+      uint8_t r = R(c), g = G(c), b = B(c);
+      if (_milliAmpsPerLed < 255) { // normal ABL
+        _colorSum += r + g + b + W(c);
+      } else { // wacky WS2815 power model, ignore white channel, use max of RGB (issue #549)
+        _colorSum += ((r > g) ? ((r > b) ? r : b) : ((g > b) ? g : b));
+      }
     }
   }
 
-  if (_reversed) pix = _len - pix -1;
-  pix += _skip;
   const uint8_t co = _colorOrderMap.getPixelColorOrder(pix+_start, _colorOrder);
   if (_type == TYPE_WS2812_1CH_X3) { // map to correct IC, each controls 3 LEDs
     unsigned pOld = pix;
@@ -469,6 +480,7 @@ BusPwm::BusPwm(const BusConfig &bc)
 
 void BusPwm::setPixelColor(unsigned pix, uint32_t c) {
   if (pix != 0 || !_valid) return; //only react to first pixel
+  c = gamma32(c); // apply gamma correction if (currently) used
   if (Bus::_cct >= 1900 && (_type == TYPE_ANALOG_3CH || _type == TYPE_ANALOG_4CH)) {
     c = colorBalanceFromKelvin(Bus::_cct, c); //color correction from CCT
   }
@@ -560,8 +572,14 @@ void BusPwm::show() {
   // for all other cases it will just try to "spread" the load on PSU
   // Phase shifting requires that LEDC timers are synchronised (see setup()). For PWM CCT (and H-bridge) it is
   // also mandatory that both channels use the same timer (pinManager takes care of that).
+    unsigned duty;
   for (unsigned i = 0; i < numPins; i++) {
-    unsigned duty = (_data[i] * pwmBri) / 255;
+    unsigned duty;
+    if (applyGamma) {
+      duty = (unsigned)(powf((float)_data[i] / 255.0f, gammaCorrectVal) * pwmBri); // apply full resolution gamma correction: way more accurate than using gamma8(_data[i])
+    } else {
+      duty = (_data[i] * pwmBri) / 255;
+    }
     unsigned deadTime = 0;
 
     if (_type == TYPE_ANALOG_2CH && Bus::_cctBlend <= 0) {
@@ -714,6 +732,7 @@ BusNetwork::BusNetwork(const BusConfig &bc)
 void BusNetwork::setPixelColor(unsigned pix, uint32_t c) {
   if (!_valid || pix >= _len) return;
   uint8_t ww, cw; // dummy, unused
+  // TODO: should gamma be applied here or better leave it to the receiver?
   if (_hasWhite) c = autoWhiteCalc(c, ww, cw);
   if (Bus::_cct >= 1900) c = colorBalanceFromKelvin(Bus::_cct, c); //color correction from CCT
   unsigned offset = pix * _UDPchannels;
@@ -1109,8 +1128,8 @@ BusHub75Matrix::BusHub75Matrix(const BusConfig &bc) : Bus(bc.type, bc.start, bc.
 
 void IRAM_ATTR BusHub75Matrix::setPixelColor(unsigned pix, uint32_t c) {
   if (!_valid) return; // note: no need to check pix >= _len as that is checked in containsPixel()
+  c = gamma32(c); // apply gamma correction if (currently) used
   // if (_cct >= 1900) c = colorBalanceFromKelvin(_cct, c); //color correction from CCT
-
   if (_ledBuffer) {
     CRGB fastled_col = CRGB(c);
     if (_ledBuffer[pix] != fastled_col) {
diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.h b/wled00/bus_manager.h
index eeb10cff24..fab4f70ba8 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.h
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.h
@@ -253,6 +253,7 @@ class BusDigital : public Bus {
     void show() override;
     bool canShow() const override;
     void setStatusPixel(uint32_t c) override;
+    void setBrightness(uint8_t b) override;
     [[gnu::hot]] void setPixelColor(unsigned pix, uint32_t c) override;
     void setColorOrder(uint8_t colorOrder) override;
     [[gnu::hot]] uint32_t getPixelColor(unsigned pix) const override;
diff --git a/wled00/cfg.cpp b/wled00/cfg.cpp
index 2e458e7da9..60b19cc0ba 100644
--- a/wled00/cfg.cpp
+++ b/wled00/cfg.cpp
@@ -530,6 +530,7 @@ bool deserializeConfig(JsonObject doc, bool fromFS) {
     gammaCorrectBri = false;
     gammaCorrectCol = false;
   }
+  applyGamma = gammaCorrectCol; // apply gamma to colors if used
   NeoGammaWLEDMethod::calcGammaTable(gammaCorrectVal); // fill look-up tables
 
   JsonObject light_tr = light["tr"];
diff --git a/wled00/colors.cpp b/wled00/colors.cpp
index 6ddc4ec892..5c40c9bde0 100644
--- a/wled00/colors.cpp
+++ b/wled00/colors.cpp
@@ -663,13 +663,13 @@ void NeoGammaWLEDMethod::calcGammaTable(float gamma)
 
 uint8_t NeoGammaWLEDMethod::Correct(uint8_t value)
 {
-  if (!gammaCorrectCol) return value;
+  if (!applyGamma) return value; // gamma is (currently) disabled
   return gammaT[value];
 }
 
 uint32_t NeoGammaWLEDMethod::inverseGamma32(uint32_t color)
 {
-  if (!gammaCorrectCol) return color;
+  if (!applyGamma) return color;
   uint8_t w = W(color);
   uint8_t r = R(color);
   uint8_t g = G(color);
diff --git a/wled00/colors.h b/wled00/colors.h
index 00fe4fb498..a5fadcdcdc 100644
--- a/wled00/colors.h
+++ b/wled00/colors.h
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@
 struct CRGBW; // forward declations
 struct CHSV32;
 
-extern bool gammaCorrectCol;
+extern bool applyGamma;
+extern float gammaCorrectVal;
 // similar to NeoPixelBus NeoGammaTableMethod but allows dynamic changes (superseded by NPB::NeoGammaDynamicTableMethod)
 class NeoGammaWLEDMethod {
   public:
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@ class NeoGammaWLEDMethod {
     static inline uint8_t rawGamma8(uint8_t val) { return gammaT[val]; }  // get value from Gamma table (WLED specific, not used by NPB)
     static inline uint8_t rawInverseGamma8(uint8_t val) { return gammaT_inv[val]; }  // get value from inverse Gamma table (WLED specific, not used by NPB)
     static inline uint32_t Correct32(uint32_t color) { // apply Gamma to RGBW32 color (WLED specific, not used by NPB)
-      if (!gammaCorrectCol) return color; // no gamma correction
+      if (!applyGamma) return color; // gamma is (currently) disabled
       uint8_t  w = byte(color>>24), r = byte(color>>16), g = byte(color>>8), b = byte(color); // extract r, g, b, w channels
       w = gammaT[w]; r = gammaT[r]; g = gammaT[g]; b = gammaT[b];
       return (uint32_t(w) << 24) | (uint32_t(r) << 16) | (uint32_t(g) << 8) | uint32_t(b);
diff --git a/wled00/set.cpp b/wled00/set.cpp
index fb516ac7d6..74bfe0844c 100644
--- a/wled00/set.cpp
+++ b/wled00/set.cpp
@@ -382,6 +382,7 @@ void handleSettingsSet(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, byte subPage)
       gammaCorrectBri = false;
       gammaCorrectCol = false;
     }
+    applyGamma = gammaCorrectCol && !(realtimeMode && arlsDisableGammaCorrection && !realtimeOverride); // update gamma use (disable if needed)
     NeoGammaWLEDMethod::calcGammaTable(gammaCorrectVal); // fill look-up tables
 
     t = request->arg(F("TD")).toInt();
diff --git a/wled00/udp.cpp b/wled00/udp.cpp
index 156a20f990..8c67afea01 100644
--- a/wled00/udp.cpp
+++ b/wled00/udp.cpp
@@ -433,6 +433,7 @@ void realtimeLock(uint32_t timeoutMs, byte md)
     realtimeTimeout = (timeoutMs == 255001 || timeoutMs == 65000) ? UINT32_MAX : millis() + timeoutMs;
   }
   realtimeMode = md;
+  applyGamma = gammaCorrectCol && !(realtimeMode && arlsDisableGammaCorrection && !realtimeOverride); // update gamma use (disable if needed)
 
   if (realtimeOverride) return;
   if (arlsForceMaxBri) strip.setBrightness(255, true);
@@ -442,6 +443,7 @@ void realtimeLock(uint32_t timeoutMs, byte md)
 void exitRealtime() {
   if (!realtimeMode) return;
   if (realtimeOverride == REALTIME_OVERRIDE_ONCE) realtimeOverride = REALTIME_OVERRIDE_NONE;
+  applyGamma = gammaCorrectCol; // reenable gamma if used
   strip.setBrightness(bri, true);
   realtimeTimeout = 0; // cancel realtime mode immediately
   realtimeMode = REALTIME_MODE_INACTIVE; // inform UI immediately
diff --git a/wled00/wled.h b/wled00/wled.h
index 626f433dc1..103c2cafce 100644
--- a/wled00/wled.h
+++ b/wled00/wled.h
@@ -410,6 +410,7 @@ WLED_GLOBAL bool cctICused          _INIT(true);  // CCT IC used (Athom 15W bulb
 WLED_GLOBAL bool cctICused          _INIT(false); // CCT IC used (Athom 15W bulbs)
 #endif
 WLED_GLOBAL bool gammaCorrectCol    _INIT(true);  // use gamma correction on colors
+WLED_GLOBAL bool applyGamma         _INIT(true);  // apply gamma correction to colors if not (temporarily) disabled
 WLED_GLOBAL bool gammaCorrectBri    _INIT(false); // use gamma correction on brightness
 WLED_GLOBAL float gammaCorrectVal   _INIT(2.2f);  // gamma correction value
 

From 38772c7051f8e07f4bd6edc1e512c94140b33e6f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Damian Schneider <daedae@gmx.ch>
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 2026 22:35:29 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 2/9] do not double apply gamma to bri if using gamma for bri

---
 wled00/bus_manager.cpp | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
index cb5c1e7924..0d37c529d8 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ void BusDigital::setStatusPixel(uint32_t c) {
 void BusDigital::setBrightness(uint8_t b) {
   _bri = b;
   if (_bri < 255 && applyGamma)
-    _bri = gammaCorrectBri ? map(_bri, 1, 255, gamma8inv(2), 255) : gamma8inv(_bri+1); // limit min brightness so gamma does not dim to black
+    _bri = gamma8inv(_bri+1); // limit min brightness so gamma does not dim to black
 }
 
 // note: using WLED_O2_ATTR makes this function ~7% faster at the expense of 600 bytes of flash

From 3839694daa45d80a64ce9a87f67aed537d3e2e9a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Damian Schneider <daedae@gmx.ch>
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 2026 23:08:11 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 3/9] fix regressions

---
 wled00/bus_manager.cpp | 13 ++++++-------
 1 file changed, 6 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
index 0d37c529d8..fd0753188c 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
@@ -268,13 +268,14 @@ void BusDigital::setStatusPixel(uint32_t c) {
 
 void BusDigital::setBrightness(uint8_t b) {
   _bri = b;
-  if (_bri < 255 && applyGamma)
-    _bri = gamma8inv(_bri+1); // limit min brightness so gamma does not dim to black
+  if (_bri > 0 && _bri < 255 && applyGamma)
+    _bri = gamma8inv(_bri + 1); // limit min brightness so gamma does not dim to black
 }
 
 // note: using WLED_O2_ATTR makes this function ~7% faster at the expense of 600 bytes of flash
 void IRAM_ATTR BusDigital::setPixelColor(unsigned pix, uint32_t c) {
-  if (_reversed) pix = _len - pix -1;
+  if (!_valid) return;
+  if (_reversed) pix = _len - pix - 1;
   pix += _skip;
   uint8_t cctWW = 0, cctCW = 0;
   uint16_t wwcw = 0;
@@ -282,14 +283,13 @@ void IRAM_ATTR BusDigital::setPixelColor(unsigned pix, uint32_t c) {
   if (c > 0) {
     c = color_fade(c, _bri, false); // apply brightness
     c = gamma32(c); // apply gamma correction if (currently) used
-    if (!_valid) return;
     if (Bus::_cct >= 1900) c = colorBalanceFromKelvin(Bus::_cct, c); //color correction from CCT
 
     if (hasWhite()) c = autoWhiteCalc(c, cctWW, cctCW);
 
     if (hasCCT()) {
-      wwcw = (cctCW + 1) & 0xFF00; // apply brightness to CCT (store CW in upper byte)
-      wwcw |= (cctWW + 1) >> 8;
+      wwcw = uint16_t(cctCW) << 8; // store CW in upper byte
+      wwcw |= cctWW;
       if (_type == TYPE_WS2812_WWA) c = RGBW32(wwcw, wwcw >> 8, 0, W(c)); // ww,cw, 0, w
     }
 
@@ -480,7 +480,6 @@ BusPwm::BusPwm(const BusConfig &bc)
 
 void BusPwm::setPixelColor(unsigned pix, uint32_t c) {
   if (pix != 0 || !_valid) return; //only react to first pixel
-  c = gamma32(c); // apply gamma correction if (currently) used
   if (Bus::_cct >= 1900 && (_type == TYPE_ANALOG_3CH || _type == TYPE_ANALOG_4CH)) {
     c = colorBalanceFromKelvin(Bus::_cct, c); //color correction from CCT
   }

From bf75a4cc96a4e2f9cc1d8f48697c536387370e99 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Damian Schneider <daedae@gmx.ch>
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:52:33 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 4/9] add helper to update gamma usage (keep the logic in one
 place), bugfix in restoreColorLossy()

---
 wled00/FX_fcn.cpp      | 1 +
 wled00/bus_manager.cpp | 7 ++++++-
 wled00/bus_manager.h   | 2 ++
 wled00/cfg.cpp         | 2 +-
 wled00/set.cpp         | 2 +-
 wled00/udp.cpp         | 5 ++---
 6 files changed, 13 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)

diff --git a/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp b/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp
index a43b2ec9c1..be035661d6 100644
--- a/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp
+++ b/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp
@@ -1738,6 +1738,7 @@ void WS2812FX::show() {
     return; // no pixels allocated, nothing to show
   }
 
+  BusManager::updateGammaUse();
   unsigned long showNow = millis();
   size_t diff = showNow - _lastShow;
 
diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
index fd0753188c..58420282d6 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
@@ -267,6 +267,7 @@ void BusDigital::setStatusPixel(uint32_t c) {
 }
 
 void BusDigital::setBrightness(uint8_t b) {
+  BusManager::updateGammaUse();
   _bri = b;
   if (_bri > 0 && _bri < 255 && applyGamma)
     _bri = gamma8inv(_bri + 1); // limit min brightness so gamma does not dim to black
@@ -731,7 +732,7 @@ BusNetwork::BusNetwork(const BusConfig &bc)
 void BusNetwork::setPixelColor(unsigned pix, uint32_t c) {
   if (!_valid || pix >= _len) return;
   uint8_t ww, cw; // dummy, unused
-  // TODO: should gamma be applied here or better leave it to the receiver?
+  // note: gamma correction is done by the receiver
   if (_hasWhite) c = autoWhiteCalc(c, ww, cw);
   if (Bus::_cct >= 1900) c = colorBalanceFromKelvin(Bus::_cct, c); //color correction from CCT
   unsigned offset = pix * _UDPchannels;
@@ -1426,6 +1427,10 @@ void BusManager::off() {
   _gMilliAmpsUsed = 0; // reset, assume no LED idle current if relay is off
 }
 
+void BusManager::updateGammaUse() {
+  applyGamma = gammaCorrectCol && !(realtimeMode && arlsDisableGammaCorrection && !realtimeOverride);
+}
+
 void BusManager::show() {
   applyABL(); // apply brightness limit, updates _gMilliAmpsUsed
   for (auto &bus : busses) {
diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.h b/wled00/bus_manager.h
index fab4f70ba8..c7096cdab6 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.h
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.h
@@ -291,6 +291,7 @@ class BusDigital : public Bus {
     static uint16_t _milliAmpsTotal; // is overwitten/recalculated on each show()
 
     inline uint32_t restoreColorLossy(uint32_t c, uint8_t restoreBri) const {
+      gamma32inv(c); // note: if ABL is used, this can skew colors (chain is scale->gamma->scaleABL)
       if (restoreBri < 255) {
         uint8_t* chan = (uint8_t*) &c;
         for (uint_fast8_t i=0; i<4; i++) {
@@ -560,6 +561,7 @@ namespace BusManager {
   void on();
   void off();
 
+  void updateGammaUse();
   [[gnu::hot]] void     setPixelColor(unsigned pix, uint32_t c);
   [[gnu::hot]] uint32_t getPixelColor(unsigned pix);
   void        show();
diff --git a/wled00/cfg.cpp b/wled00/cfg.cpp
index 60b19cc0ba..5080a349fe 100644
--- a/wled00/cfg.cpp
+++ b/wled00/cfg.cpp
@@ -530,8 +530,8 @@ bool deserializeConfig(JsonObject doc, bool fromFS) {
     gammaCorrectBri = false;
     gammaCorrectCol = false;
   }
-  applyGamma = gammaCorrectCol; // apply gamma to colors if used
   NeoGammaWLEDMethod::calcGammaTable(gammaCorrectVal); // fill look-up tables
+  BusManager::updateGammaUse();
 
   JsonObject light_tr = light["tr"];
   int tdd = light_tr["dur"] | -1;
diff --git a/wled00/set.cpp b/wled00/set.cpp
index 74bfe0844c..8a66a40d2b 100644
--- a/wled00/set.cpp
+++ b/wled00/set.cpp
@@ -382,8 +382,8 @@ void handleSettingsSet(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, byte subPage)
       gammaCorrectBri = false;
       gammaCorrectCol = false;
     }
-    applyGamma = gammaCorrectCol && !(realtimeMode && arlsDisableGammaCorrection && !realtimeOverride); // update gamma use (disable if needed)
     NeoGammaWLEDMethod::calcGammaTable(gammaCorrectVal); // fill look-up tables
+    BusManager::updateGammaUse();
 
     t = request->arg(F("TD")).toInt();
     if (t >= 0) transitionDelayDefault = t;
diff --git a/wled00/udp.cpp b/wled00/udp.cpp
index 8c67afea01..19a52f8a90 100644
--- a/wled00/udp.cpp
+++ b/wled00/udp.cpp
@@ -433,7 +433,6 @@ void realtimeLock(uint32_t timeoutMs, byte md)
     realtimeTimeout = (timeoutMs == 255001 || timeoutMs == 65000) ? UINT32_MAX : millis() + timeoutMs;
   }
   realtimeMode = md;
-  applyGamma = gammaCorrectCol && !(realtimeMode && arlsDisableGammaCorrection && !realtimeOverride); // update gamma use (disable if needed)
 
   if (realtimeOverride) return;
   if (arlsForceMaxBri) strip.setBrightness(255, true);
@@ -443,10 +442,10 @@ void realtimeLock(uint32_t timeoutMs, byte md)
 void exitRealtime() {
   if (!realtimeMode) return;
   if (realtimeOverride == REALTIME_OVERRIDE_ONCE) realtimeOverride = REALTIME_OVERRIDE_NONE;
-  applyGamma = gammaCorrectCol; // reenable gamma if used
-  strip.setBrightness(bri, true);
   realtimeTimeout = 0; // cancel realtime mode immediately
   realtimeMode = REALTIME_MODE_INACTIVE; // inform UI immediately
+  BusManager::updateGammaUse();
+  strip.setBrightness(bri, true);
   realtimeIP[0] = 0;
   if (useMainSegmentOnly) { // unfreeze live segment again
     strip.getMainSegment().freeze = false;

From 1446d3d766dffc0ca4bb9989d3330ee4aa070ee0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Damian Schneider <daedae@gmx.ch>
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2026 18:51:39 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 5/9] add missing include, assign value (bugfix)

---
 wled00/bus_manager.h | 3 ++-
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.h b/wled00/bus_manager.h
index c7096cdab6..0a0d3701be 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.h
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.h
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
  */
 
 #include "const.h"
+#include "colors.h"
 #include "pin_manager.h"
 #include <vector>
 #include <memory>
@@ -291,7 +292,7 @@ class BusDigital : public Bus {
     static uint16_t _milliAmpsTotal; // is overwitten/recalculated on each show()
 
     inline uint32_t restoreColorLossy(uint32_t c, uint8_t restoreBri) const {
-      gamma32inv(c); // note: if ABL is used, this can skew colors (chain is scale->gamma->scaleABL)
+      c = gamma32inv(c); // note: if ABL is used, this can skew colors (chain is scale->gamma->scaleABL)
       if (restoreBri < 255) {
         uint8_t* chan = (uint8_t*) &c;
         for (uint_fast8_t i=0; i<4; i++) {

From b30ba63ff6f3c7764250008e235211af8fc13b66 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Damian Schneider <daedae@gmx.ch>
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2026 19:15:38 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 6/9] move restoreColorLossy out of h file to fix compile
 errors

---
 wled00/bus_manager.cpp | 12 ++++++++++++
 wled00/bus_manager.h   | 14 +-------------
 2 files changed, 13 insertions(+), 13 deletions(-)

diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
index 1d2e0222f8..05328d7691 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
@@ -354,6 +354,18 @@ size_t BusDigital::getBusSize() const {
   return sizeof(BusDigital) + (isOk() ? PolyBus::getDataSize(_busPtr, _iType) : 0); // does not include common I2S DMA buffer
 }
 
+uint32_t BusDigital::restoreColorLossy(uint32_t c, uint8_t restoreBri) const {
+  c = gamma32inv(c); // note: if ABL is used, this can skew colors (chain is scale->gamma->scaleABL)
+  if (restoreBri < 255) {
+    uint8_t* chan = (uint8_t*) &c;
+    for (uint_fast8_t i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+      uint_fast16_t val = chan[i];
+      chan[i] = ((val << 8) + restoreBri) / (restoreBri + 1);
+    }
+  }
+  return gamma32inv(c);
+}
+
 void BusDigital::setColorOrder(uint8_t colorOrder) {
   // upper nibble contains W swap information
   if ((colorOrder & 0x0F) > 5) return;
diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.h b/wled00/bus_manager.h
index 0a0d3701be..00c412d64a 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.h
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.h
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
  */
 
 #include "const.h"
-#include "colors.h"
 #include "pin_manager.h"
 #include <vector>
 #include <memory>
@@ -273,6 +272,7 @@ class BusDigital : public Bus {
     bool isI2S(); // true if this bus uses I2S driver
     void begin() override;
     void cleanup();
+    uint32_t restoreColorLossy(uint32_t c, uint8_t restoreBri) const;
 
     static std::vector<LEDType> getLEDTypes();
 
@@ -290,18 +290,6 @@ class BusDigital : public Bus {
     void    *_busPtr;
 
     static uint16_t _milliAmpsTotal; // is overwitten/recalculated on each show()
-
-    inline uint32_t restoreColorLossy(uint32_t c, uint8_t restoreBri) const {
-      c = gamma32inv(c); // note: if ABL is used, this can skew colors (chain is scale->gamma->scaleABL)
-      if (restoreBri < 255) {
-        uint8_t* chan = (uint8_t*) &c;
-        for (uint_fast8_t i=0; i<4; i++) {
-          uint_fast16_t val = chan[i];
-          chan[i] = ((val << 8) + restoreBri) / (restoreBri + 1); //adding _bri slightly improves recovery / stops degradation on re-scale
-        }
-      }
-      return c;
-    }
 };
 
 

From cfc323744c49cb7a392c2f0abe68122723720a37 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Damian Schneider <daedae@gmx.ch>
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2026 19:55:54 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 7/9] fix double gamma correction

---
 wled00/bus_manager.cpp | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
index 05328d7691..6a0d3f5f98 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ uint32_t BusDigital::restoreColorLossy(uint32_t c, uint8_t restoreBri) const {
       chan[i] = ((val << 8) + restoreBri) / (restoreBri + 1);
     }
   }
-  return gamma32inv(c);
+  return c;
 }
 
 void BusDigital::setColorOrder(uint8_t colorOrder) {

From 79cd85c6cee48f59829c20882883e047e1123d8d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Damian Schneider <daedae@gmx.ch>
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2026 18:31:45 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 8/9] remove redundant updateGammaUse() calls, handle it all in
 show()

---
 wled00/FX_fcn.cpp      | 2 +-
 wled00/bus_manager.cpp | 2 +-
 wled00/cfg.cpp         | 1 -
 wled00/set.cpp         | 1 -
 wled00/udp.cpp         | 1 -
 5 files changed, 2 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)

diff --git a/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp b/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp
index 3003e2ea19..fffa162987 100644
--- a/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp
+++ b/wled00/FX_fcn.cpp
@@ -1763,7 +1763,7 @@ void WS2812FX::show() {
     return; // no pixels allocated, nothing to show
   }
 
-  BusManager::updateGammaUse();
+  BusManager::updateGammaUse(); // update gamma use (and bus brightness correction) in case something changed
   unsigned long showNow = millis();
   size_t diff = showNow - _lastShow;
 
diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
index 6a0d3f5f98..b0a18cf724 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
@@ -267,7 +267,6 @@ void BusDigital::setStatusPixel(uint32_t c) {
 }
 
 void BusDigital::setBrightness(uint8_t b) {
-  BusManager::updateGammaUse();
   _bri = b;
   if (_bri > 0 && _bri < 255 && applyGamma)
     _bri = gamma8inv(_bri + 1); // limit min brightness so gamma does not dim to black
@@ -1481,6 +1480,7 @@ void BusManager::off() {
 
 void BusManager::updateGammaUse() {
   applyGamma = gammaCorrectCol && !(realtimeMode && arlsDisableGammaCorrection && !realtimeOverride);
+  BusManager::setBrightness(scaledBri(bri)); // update brightness for all (digital) buses in case gamma usage changed
 }
 
 void BusManager::show() {
diff --git a/wled00/cfg.cpp b/wled00/cfg.cpp
index 1183c39a7b..e50ac3f90b 100644
--- a/wled00/cfg.cpp
+++ b/wled00/cfg.cpp
@@ -540,7 +540,6 @@ bool deserializeConfig(JsonObject doc, bool fromFS) {
     gammaCorrectCol = false;
   }
   NeoGammaWLEDMethod::calcGammaTable(gammaCorrectVal); // fill look-up tables
-  BusManager::updateGammaUse();
 
   JsonObject light_tr = light["tr"];
   int tdd = light_tr["dur"] | -1;
diff --git a/wled00/set.cpp b/wled00/set.cpp
index 2ec17b055f..f68520a6d0 100644
--- a/wled00/set.cpp
+++ b/wled00/set.cpp
@@ -405,7 +405,6 @@ void handleSettingsSet(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, byte subPage)
       gammaCorrectCol = false;
     }
     NeoGammaWLEDMethod::calcGammaTable(gammaCorrectVal); // fill look-up tables
-    BusManager::updateGammaUse();
 
     t = request->arg(F("TD")).toInt();
     if (t >= 0) transitionDelayDefault = t;
diff --git a/wled00/udp.cpp b/wled00/udp.cpp
index 5d104f6866..1489cb0d19 100644
--- a/wled00/udp.cpp
+++ b/wled00/udp.cpp
@@ -441,7 +441,6 @@ void exitRealtime() {
   if (realtimeOverride == REALTIME_OVERRIDE_ONCE) realtimeOverride = REALTIME_OVERRIDE_NONE;
   realtimeTimeout = 0; // cancel realtime mode immediately
   realtimeMode = REALTIME_MODE_INACTIVE; // inform UI immediately
-  BusManager::updateGammaUse();
   strip.setBrightness(bri, true);
   realtimeIP[0] = 0;
   if (useMainSegmentOnly) { // unfreeze live segment again

From cc93c8604cfbfaa3fb67875eb5ee90438c798d94 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Damian Schneider <daedae@gmx.ch>
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2026 18:41:36 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 9/9] do not gamma correct cct-IC channels, they are linear.

---
 wled00/bus_manager.cpp | 3 ++-
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
index b0a18cf724..f115fc4886 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
@@ -591,7 +591,8 @@ void BusPwm::show() {
     unsigned duty;
   for (unsigned i = 0; i < numPins; i++) {
     unsigned duty;
-    if (applyGamma) {
+    bool isLinearChannel = cctICused && ((_type == TYPE_ANALOG_2CH && i == 1) || (_type == TYPE_ANALOG_5CH && i == 4));
+    if (applyGamma && !isLinearChannel) {
       duty = (unsigned)(powf((float)_data[i] / 255.0f, gammaCorrectVal) * pwmBri); // apply full resolution gamma correction: way more accurate than using gamma8(_data[i])
     } else {
       duty = (_data[i] * pwmBri) / 255;