Recently, I have faced a “Widevine Content Decryption Module” error, while visiting Amazon Prime & Netflix. Maybe you also facing a similar Error, that’s why you are reading this article. This error can occur due to some changes being done, in Chrome Web Browser. But before start telling you some solutions, to fix this Error. First, you need to understand a few things.
Note: If you’re using Windows 10 Computer and facing this error only on Netflix Site. Then alternatively you can download the Netflix app from Windows Store.
What is Widevine Content Decryption Module?.
Widevine content decryption module – is a Google Chrome component, Which automatically gets loaded when you install the browser. This chrome component is made for playing DRM-protected HTML 5 video content. So, If this component gets outdated and missing on your chrome and firefox browsers. Then you will start facing such Errors.
The older version of the Firefox web browser uses adobe flash, for digitally protected content. But Adobe wasn’t able to load HTML5 content, So now Firefox downloads this component by default.
Fix Widevine Content Decryption Module.
Check Component is Installed or Not.
Before start applying any other fix, First, you need to check – Is the component is installed in your browser or not.
1. Open Chrome Web Browser and then go to – chrome://components/
2. Scroll down a little bit and you will be able to find out this component. If a component is not found, then start trying all other solutions written in this article. But if this component appears in this list, then click on the “Check for update” option to find out the new update.
Many users are getting a “Chrome Component not Updated” error while updating the Widevinecdm Component. If you’re facing the same then follow these solutions to fix.
Solution: 1 Disable Security Software.
It doesn’t matter if you have installed any third-party antivirus program on your computer or not. Because, If you’re using Windows 10 then you need to know, it comes with “Windows Defender Security Center”.
This program prevents WidevineCdm to get the update. Not because it is some kind of malware or a bad program. Actually, In the latest version of Windows 10, Microsoft introduced a new security feature that prevents Apps or files to get installed without permission.
That’s why to fix the “Component not updated” error you need to turn off the “real-time protection” of this Program. Or if you’re using any other antivirus program, then also you need to disable security before the update. And then try to update this component.
Note: Don’t forget to re-enable security software after Updating the component. And if still, you’re getting this error, then try the next solution.
Solution: 2 Allow Full User Control to WidevineCDM.
If full control of the WidevineCDM folder isn’t allowed then also this error occurs. If the above solution doesn’t fix the “Component not updated” error then this will do.
2.1 Open Chrome as Administrator.
Before changing folder security permission, you can try out this solution.
- Simply Right Click on the Chrome shortcut, and from the menu click on the “Run as administrator” option.
- After opening the Chrome browser with administrator rights, now go to the Chrome browser component and then try to update it.
2.2 Check User Control of WidevineCDM folder.
Step: 1 Press Windows + R ShortKeys to open Run Window.
Step: 2 In run Window, Type the following command
%userprofile%/appdata/local/google/chrome/User Data
Step: 3 Now, the Chrome user data folder will get open – Scroll down a little bit and Right Click on “WidevineCDM folder”, and click on properties.
Step: 4 In the properties Window, Click on the Security tab.
Now, In the security tab, under the “Permission for SYSTEM” section Check, full control is – allow or deny.
If it’s allowed then you don’t need to do anything. Or if it’s marked on Deny then follow these steps.
Click on the edit button then UnCheck all deny buttons and then click on Apply then OK.
Now, Restart your chrome browser once, then go to chrome’s components and then try to update.
Solution: 3 Delete and Install Again.
If the above solution doesn’t work that means the Widevine Content Decryption Module is corrupted, or something wrong with it.
- Open Chrome User Data Folder – ( Follow 1st & 2nd steps on 2.2 solutions)
- Now, Delete WidevineCDM Folder.
- Restart Chrome Browser – Type this Chrome://Restart in URL Bar and Press Enter
- After restarting Chrome Web Browser, now try to update it.
Solution: 4 RESET or Re-Install Chrome.
If the above-mentioned solution doesn’t work for you. Or Widevine Content Decryption Module is missing in components. Then you can reset Chrome Browser or can re-install it. Because, As I told you before, this component auto loads when you install Chrome Browser. So, If the component gets deleted by you. Then you can get it back by resetting or re-installing browser. (You can do the same with Firefox If the component is missing.)
4.1 Reset Browser.
– To RESET Chrome Browser, Open this URL to jump into the reset menu.
chrome://settings/reset
– Here you will get the option to RESET, Click on it and a popup window will appear for confirmation. Again, click on the RESET button, and the process will get started.
Note: The RESET feature will Restore Chrome to its default settings and your all saved data gets deleted.
4.2 Uninstall and Install the latest version.
There aren’t any special steps to do this, Simply Uninstall Chrome using Control Panel. Then download the latest version of Chrome Web browser from its official site. If the problem is with Firefox, then also uninstall it and install it again.
The latest version of Chrome will come with the latest WidevineCDM, So you don’t need to update it.