Many users of Chrome or Netflix get this error message when the Widevine Content Decrypt screen pops up. This error usually results when this plugin is out of date. It can also happen when your browser cannot locate this plugin. This error prevents you from playing videos on your browser.
The Widevine content decryption module is a Chrome browser built-in decryption engine that lets you play audio-protected HTML5 in Netflix and DRM-protected video.
Widevine content decryption module is a gift to Google Chrome that you activate when you install the software for the first time. You do not need to install it manually. You can use this plugin to view or transmit audio and DRM-protected HTML5 audio in Chrome (like Netflix).
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What Causes this Widevine Content Decryption Module Error?
You are likely to encounter this Widevine content decryption module error because of a few reasons. They may include the following:
- The plugin is not up to date.
- You cannot find the plugin
Whatever the cause is, you would want to fix this problem as soon as you encounter it. Therefore, I have detailed the possible solutions to help you fix it in the next section.
However, you can resolve this issue with some operations. This guide will review what this error is, its causes, and how to fix it.
How to Solve the Widevine content decryption module Error
You may encounter this error on different browsers. Therefore, I have compiled some common solutions to fix this error in different browsers. Usually, you can fix the issue with a simple update. When you encounter this error in Netflix, you will get the following error message: Netflix error M7357-1003.
Widevine Content Decryption Module in Google Chrome
This error is common in Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The error appears when browsers cannot find a section or view it as outdated. However, when you encounter it, you should try fixing it by updating the plugin.
Solution 1: – Updating the Widevine content decryption module
You should, first of all, try to update the add-on and see if it resolves the issue. If you get the error message “Update errors” or “Update error,” then you need to try other solutions. You can use Chrome to update the plugin.
To update the Widevine content decryption module, you need to do the following:
- Step 1: – You need to start Chrome in control mode. Right-click on Chrome and click on Run as administrator.
- Step 2: – Once you open Chrome, type in the following address in the address bar and press the Enter button on your keyboard: Chrome: // accessories /
- Step 3: – Scroll to the bottom of the page and locate an entry called Widevine Content Decryption Module. Click on Check for Update.
- Step 4: – Quit your browser and restart your computer to see if you have resolved the problem.
This operation should allow you to update the Widevine content decryption module and use the Netflix service. If not, you need to look for other options, like scanning your computer with a good antivirus program.
Solution 2: – Changing the permissions for the Widevine content decryption module
This step needs more technical knowledge than the first one. But if the first one did not work, this one should work. You need to check the plugin permissions to ensure that you have full access before retry the first solution. To perform this operation, you will have to follow the steps below.
- Step 1: – Click on the Windows logo key + R simultaneously. This operation will open the Run dialogue box.
- Step 2: – Type “% userprofile% / appdata / local” in the dialog box and press the Enter button on your keyboard.
- Step 3: – Then click on Google. Now, click on Chrome. Also, click on User Data.
- Step 4: – Now go to the Security tab and check if the user has full access. (Select this option by selecting the “Full Control” box.) If you have full access, it is normal.
- Step 5: – If you do not have full control, you must select your profile, click “Edit,” and deselect the box in the “Refuse” column to have full access to your account.
- Step 6: – Click Apply to save your changes and exit.
- Step 7: – Check if the problem is resolved, and you can update the content.
If changing the permissions of the Widevine content decryption module did not fix the issue, you need to move down to the next potential fix below.
Solution 3: Delete the plugin folder and update it
If you have tried all the steps above and they did not work, you should try deleting the plugin folder. After deleting it, you should reinstall it using Chrome. Do not forget that this solution may need administrator privileges. Ensure that you are logged in as an administrator before proceeding.
- Step 1: – Click on the Windows logo key + R simultaneously. This operation will open the Run dialogue box.
- Step 2: – Type “% userprofile% / appdata / local” in the dialog box and press Enter. It will take you to the desired folder.
- Step 3: – Go to the following file path: Google> Chrome> User Data
- Step 4: – Locate WidevineCdm in the list of folders, right-click, and select “Delete.” Click Windows + S, enter the task manager in the dialog box, right-click the application and select “Run as administrator.”
- Step 5: – To stop Chrome activity, right-click on Chrome entries, and select End Job.
- Step 6: – Now go to solution one and update the plugin using the steps showed. The section must be updated correctly, and Chrome restarted.
- Step 7: – Restart your computer and try playing the video. Now, check if you have resolved the problem.
If deleting the plugin folder and updating it did not fix the issue, you need to move down to the next potential fix below.
Solution 4: Check for antivirus software
I have discovered that sometimes security software can cause conflicts with your browser. Because computer security programs like Norton, McAfee, and Kaspersky have significant rights, they may prevent you from updating the plugin. You should check the configuration of your program to find out if there are any conflicts.
Alternatively, you can temporarily disable the software or firewall and then try to update the plugin. If checking your antivirus software did not fix the issue, you need to move down to the next potential fix below.
Solution 5: Reinstall Chrome
You may not want to go through the process of reinstalling Google Chrome. But sometimes reinstalling Chrome may be the solution you need to fix this problem. You can follow the steps below to perform a reinstallation.
- Step 1: – Click on the Windows logo key + R simultaneously. This operation will open the Run dialogue box.
- Step 2: – Enter appwiz.cpl in the dialog box. This operation opens a window with a list of all installed applications.
- Step 3: – Right-click on Google Chrome and choose Uninstall.
- Step 4: – After deleting, go to the official Google page and download Chrome.
- Step 5: – Run after download and reinstall.
- Step 6: – Make sure the problem was resolved by reinstalling the browser.
Hopefully, the solutions above should be enough to fix this problem. But there are some other issues that you may encounter. Sometimes you may notice that the Widevine content decryption module is missing. We will look at the solutions for this issue in the next section.
Other Issues You May Encounter
What if WidevineCdm is missing? If WidevineCdm is not in chrome: // components /, do not worry. There are a few operations that you could carry out. First, ensure that you are using Chrome. To fix this, you will have to follow the steps below.
- Step 1: – You will need to uninstall Google Chrome, reboot your computer or laptop, and reinstall the program from the Google Chrome website to Chrome.
To Uninstall Chrome, you need to follow the steps below:
- On your computer, you need to close all Chrome windows and tabs. Click on the Start menu Settings.
- Click on the Apps option. Under “Apps & features,” locate and click on Google Chrome.
- Click on Uninstall. Confirm by clicking on Uninstall.
- Now, to delete your profile information, like bookmarks and history, check the option that says, “Also delete your browsing data.” Click on Uninstall.
To reboot your computer, you need to follow the steps below:
- Open the settings option and locate Backup & reset
- Tap Factory reset
- Enter your password and erase all data on your device.
- Reboot your device and restore all the data.
To reinstall the program from the Google Chrome website, you need to follow the steps below:
- In the address bar on the Chrome browser, type in Chrome://components and press the Enter or Return button on your keyboard. Locate the Widevine Content Decryption Module component.
- If the Widevine Content Decryption Module is not listed under Chrome://components, check to ensure that you are using an official version of Google Chrome. Click on Check for updates.
- If you get the message that says, Status – Component updated, restart Chrome and try using Netflix again.
- If you get the message that says Status – Component is not updated, you need to reinstall Chrome.
- Step 2: – If it is running, enter chrome: // components / into your Chrome browser and locate WidevineCdm. I have to be there
- Step 3: – To see if it is enabled, type chrome: // plugins in the browser’s address bar. Search for WidevineCdm.
- Step 4: – If the item is off, click “Enable.” Restart your Chrome browser, close it, and reopen it.
Content decryption module of Firefox and Widevine
This plugin is not only used in Chrome but also by Firefox. Mozilla allows you to use plugins, such as Adobe Flash or Microsoft Silverlight to access certain content controlled by DRM. Most services, such as streaming content providers, change to HTML5 video, which needs DRM technology and Content Decrypting Unit (CDM).
You may encounter issues while transmitting Netflix to Firefox with Widevine CDM. You may try solutions like safe operation, reinstalling, enabling and disabling DRM, and eliminating all viewing data, and creating a new profile.
You can fix this by temporarily deleting your HOSTS file from the Windows System32 directory and then launching Firefox. The HOSTS file “0.0.0.0.0 redirector.gvt1.com” is blocked. When you finish removing Firefox Widevine, DRM will now be able to inform you.
Opera and Widevine Content Decryption Module
If you are having problems streaming from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu, and you think it is due to the Widevine content decryption section, you can fix it. Opera has a support flow that has some solutions. According to some users, this process works well. To perform this solution, you need to follow the guidelines below carefully.
- Step 1: – Close the Opera browser.
- Step 2: – Open the Opera folder and navigate to the Widevinecdm folder.
- Step 3: – Rename or delete the folder with the version number.
- Step 4: – Now, run the Opera.
- Step 5: – Go to Opera: // components /
- Step 6: – Update item and check if you have fixed the issue.
Conclusion
The Widevine content decryption module issue is common among users of Chrome and Netflix. The problem usually occurs when the plugin is out of date or missing. Sometimes you may have to reinstall Chrome to fix it. This article has given you the solutions required to fix this issue, and I believe you can now tackle it.