How to Fix Missing DRM Support on Your Device?

DRM (Digital Rights Management) software protects copyrighted content from being copied without permission.

Are you having difficulty playing certain content in your browser? Copyrighted content is controlled by DRM (Digital Rights Management) software in your browser. DRM software allows browsers to play copyrighted content while preventing users from copying the content through methods such as screen recording and screencasting.

If you are getting an error that DRM support is missing when trying to play content, continue reading. Today, I will show you how to fix such issues on any device.

How to Check DRM Capability on your Browser

There are various DRM technologies. Chrome, for example, uses Widevine, which is Google’s proprietary DRM solution.

You can check which DRM technology your browser is using, if any, by visiting the DRMSense website.

Enable Protected-Content Playback in Your Browser (Desktop)

You can enable protected content in Chrome and certain other browsers.

If you are getting a DRM error, make sure protected content is enabled in your browser settings. Note that not all browsers support this option.

In Chrome, paste chrome://settings/content/protectedContent in your browser bar. Make sure “Sites can play protected content” is selected.

On Edge, go to edge://settings/content/protectedContent in your browser bar and make sure “Allow sites to play protected content (recommended)” is enabled.

In Firefox, click the hamburger menu button (which looks like three lines) and navigate to Settings > General > Digital Rights Management (DRM) Content. Make sure “Play DRM-controlled content” is enabled.

If your browser doesn’t allow you to enable this option, considering switching to Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.

Update the DRM Version Manually (Desktop)

On Chrome, you can manually check for updates and update the DRM software.

You can also update the DRM software manually to make sure you have the latest version. This can fix playback issues caused by outdated DRM software. On Chrome, go to chrome://components/ and find Google Widevine Windows CDM. There, you can check for updates and update Widevine.

On Edge, go to edge://components and search for “Widevine Content Decryption Module” and click on “Check for Update.”

On Firefox, update to the latest version of Firefox. Also, click on the hamburger menu icon and navigate to Extensions and Themes > Plugins. Click on the three dots next to “Widevine Content Decryption Module provided by Google Inc” and make sure it is set to “Always Activate.” Otherwise, new updates will not be downloaded.

Other things to try on Windows:

Check for Windows updates and install them.
Visit your graphic driver’s manufacturer’s website and download and install the latest drivers.
Update your browser.
Restart Windows.

Fix Common Android Issues

On Android, make sure your device’s Android OS version and the browser version are up-to-date. Next, make sure DRM is enabled in your browser.

On Chrome, for example, go to Settings > Site Settings > Protected Content and make sure it’s set to “Allowed.”

On Firefox, go to Settings > Site Settings > DRM-Controlled Content and set it to “Allowed.”

Understanding Apple platforms (iPhone/iPad/macOS)

Apple platforms are a bit different. There’s no setting on Apple devices, nor on Safari, to enable or disable the DRM.

Instead, make sure that your OS and browser are up-to-date. Another thing you can try is switching to a different browser on the same Apple device, such as Chrome instead of Safari.

Meet Service-Specific HD/4K Requirements

If you are streaming content to a monitor, your device must support a specific version of DRM and also HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) to play high-definition content. Otherwise, the content may default to a lower definition standard.

HDCP is a technology that is similar to DRM, but it controls copyrighted content as it travels from a device to a TV through cables such as HDMI cables. iOS and Apple TVs support it, for example.

However, if your Android device only supports software-based DRM and doesn’t have built-in HDCP support, you may default to a lower quality of playback when streaming copyrighted video to a monitor. In addition, both the cable and TV monitor must also support modern versions of HDCP if you want HD playback.

For 1080p HD, your devices and cables will need to support HDCP 1.4 or a later version. For 4K, it will need HDCP 2.2 or later.

Generally, HDCP versions cannot be updated as they are hardware-based rather than software-based; your only solution might be to upgrade to a more modern device or cable.

Troubleshooting Checklist (Quick Reference)

If you are experiencing DRM issues, try this quick troubleshooting checklist, regardless of device or browser:

Update your browser and operating system.
Make sure you have the latest drivers installed.
Make sure DRM is enabled on your browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge).
Update the DRM on your browser manually (Chrome or Edge).
Try another browser.
Disable browser extensions and your VPN.
Make sure your devices and cables are HDCP compliant if you are streaming externally. Upgrade to a new cable or external monitor if needed.

Conclusion

I hope this guide was useful! Most people are unaware of DRM and how it plays a role in content playback. It’s a critical feature that allows you to play copyrighted content, including from protected sources such as Netflix. Without DRM support, you may have difficulty playing such content.