diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
index 66a417e89f..cb3d8fac34 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
@@ -579,6 +579,14 @@ BusHub75Matrix::BusHub75Matrix(BusConfig &bc) : Bus(bc.type, bc.start, bc.autoWh
       break;
   }
 
+#if defined(CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32) || defined(CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32S2)// classic esp32, or esp32-s2: reduce bitdepth for large panels
+  if (mxconfig.mx_height >= 64) {
+    if (mxconfig.chain_length * mxconfig.mx_width > 192) mxconfig.setPixelColorDepthBits(3);
+    else if (mxconfig.chain_length * mxconfig.mx_width > 64)  mxconfig.setPixelColorDepthBits(4);
+    else mxconfig.setPixelColorDepthBits(8);
+  } else mxconfig.setPixelColorDepthBits(8);
+#endif
+
 #if defined(ARDUINO_ADAFRUIT_MATRIXPORTAL_ESP32S3) // MatrixPortal ESP32-S3
 
   // https://www.adafruit.com/product/5778