A streaming site asking you to enable DRM is sending you to Chrome’s protected-content settings. Chrome normally allows protected playback by default, but a blocked setting or denied permission gets in the way. Start with the setting for your device, then move on to playback repairs if the error sticks around.
Turn on protected content on your computer
On Windows, Mac, Linux, or a Chromebook, start with Chrome’s browser-wide playback setting. There’s no separate DRM extension to install.
Enter chrome://settings/content/protectedContent in Chrome’s address bar. Then press Enter or Return.
Under Default behavior, select Sites can use content protection services in Chrome 152 and later, including current stable Chrome 153. In Chrome 151, including ChromeOS releases using that wording, select Sites can play protected content.
For the menu route, open More > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Additional content settings > Protected content IDs. Both routes open the same control; neither installs DRM. Return to your streaming site to retry playback.
Skip instructions that send you through Advanced settings or to chrome://plugins. The old settings path has been replaced by Protected content IDs, and the plugins page has been removed. The chrome://components page is for component maintenance, covered below.
On Android, let the site request permission
This clears Chrome’s Blocked protected-content setting on Android. Open Chrome’s More menu, then tap Settings. Open Site settings, then tap Protected Content.
Select Ask first instead of Blocked. Return to the streaming site, then grant its protected-content request when prompted.
Clear a denied permission for one streaming site
A previously denied site permission leaves an individual streaming site blocked even after protected playback is enabled.
On Windows or ChromeOS, open chrome://settings/content/protectedContent. Select Sites can use identifiers to play protected content. Keep the separate playback control enabled, too. Identifier permission affects eligibility for higher-quality playback; this additional desktop control applies to Windows and ChromeOS.
Under Customized behaviors, check Not allowed to use identifiers to play protected content for your streaming site. Remove or change its blocking exception.
To allow identifiers for a specific site, add it under Allowed to use identifiers to play protected content. These exceptions govern identifiers and do not replace the browser-wide playback setting.
On Android, visit the affected site. Tap View site information beside the address, then open Permissions.
Change Protected content to allow the request when that permission is listed. Otherwise, tap Reset permissions to clear a previous denial. Revisit the site, then grant its protected-content request.
Enable enhanced playback on a Chromebook
Compatible Chromebooks use Verified Access for enhanced protected playback. Select the time at the bottom right, then open Settings > Privacy and security.
Turn on Enable Verified Access. Keep Chrome’s protected-playback setting and any required site identifier permission enabled as well.
Start protected content on the streaming site. If Chrome asks to share device verification and a site-specific identifier, select Allow.
Enhanced playback requires compatible hardware and service support. Verified Access does not guarantee HD playback, and compatibility does not extend to every ChromeOS Flex device.
Update Chrome if playback still fails
If protected content is already allowed and playback still fails, update Chrome to address outdated DRM support. An update does not override a blocked playback setting.
On Windows or Mac, open More > Help > About Google Chrome. Wait for Chrome to check for updates, then select Relaunch when offered.
On Linux, update Google Chrome through your distribution’s package manager. Restart Chrome after the Linux update.
On Android, open the Play Store. Tap your profile icon, then open Manage apps & device. Find Chrome under Updates available, then tap Update.
On a Chromebook still receiving updates, connect to the internet. Select the time, then open Settings > About ChromeOS. Select Check for updates.
After the update downloads, select Restart in the Update device notification. Chrome updates with ChromeOS.
Repair Widevine on desktop Chrome
For persistent desktop DRM errors, Netflix recommends updating the Widevine component. This repairs the component; it does not turn on protected-content permission.
Enter chrome://components in Chrome’s address bar, then press Enter or Return. Find Widevine Content Decryption Module, then select Check for update. Restart Chrome after a successful update.
If the Widevine entry is missing, install the latest Chrome from Google’s official Chrome download page. This component workflow does not apply to Android or iOS and is not available on every Chromebook. If the update does not resolve Netflix’s M7702-1003 error, try reinstalling desktop Chrome using the steps below.
Reinstall Chrome for a persistent component error
Close Chrome before uninstalling it. On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Find Google Chrome, open its More menu, then select Uninstall.
On Windows 10, open Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Select Google Chrome, then select Uninstall.
On macOS, move Google Chrome from Applications to Trash.
On Linux, remove google-chrome-stable through your package manager. Google documents sudo dpkg -r google-chrome-stable for systems using dpkg and sudo rpm -e google-chrome-stable for systems using RPM.
Using another browser, download Chrome from Google’s official Chrome page. Follow the installation instructions for your platform.
Retry playback in Chrome. Uninstalling alone does not enable DRM. Leave browsing-profile data intact unless you intend to remove local information; deleting it is optional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the DRM switch in Chrome on iPhone or iPad?
Chrome’s iPhone and iPad content settings have no documented protected-content switch. The Android Protected Content instructions do not apply to iOS.
Why are Chrome’s protected-content controls disabled in Guest mode?
Chrome disables its main protected-content controls in Guest mode. Open Chrome outside Guest mode to change them.
What if my work or school device will not let me change DRM settings?
Ask your administrator to review ProtectedContentIdentifiersAllowed for identifier restrictions and ComponentUpdatesEnabled for blocked component updates. On managed compatible Chromebooks, the administrator also controls content-protection verification through Verified access in Google Admin console.
Can I change a desktop site’s identifier permission from its address bar?
Yes, on Windows and ChromeOS where the permission is available. Visit the site. Select View site information beside the address. Open Site settings. Set Protected content IDs to Allow. Alternatively, select Reset permissions to remove a previous denial, then revisit the site and grant its request.