How to Resolve the Widevine Content Decryption Module Issue

Widevine Content Decryption Module refers to a decryption module, which is in-built into Chrome. This module enables Chrome to play HTML5 videos and audios protected by DRM, which you also find on Netflix.

While using Netflix or Chrome, you may come across the ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module or WidevineCdm error.

The plugin is there on Google Chrome the very first time when you install the program. You don’t have to install this plugin manually.

Today, users watch TV shows and Netflix movies online to kill boredom, often using tools like Chromecast with Safari or casting VLC to Chromecast. However, when you attempt to play Netflix videos, you sometimes encounter an unusual error called Error M7702-1003. If you’re also seeing YouTube buffering issues or a YouTube error 503, those are separate problems with different fixes.

The major cause of this error is the ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module.’

This plugin lets Chrome play DRM-protected videos on services like Netflix.

In other words, if you remove or disable this WidevineCdm module, the browser won’t play Amazon Prime Video or Netflix without the extension.

If the browser can’t locate it or finds it outdated, you can face this ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module’ issue.

#How to Resolve the WidevineCdm Missing Problem?

If you can’t find WidevineCdm on your system, you need to ensure that you’re using Google Chrome from Google. Having confirmed that, you can try the following:

• Try uninstalling Google Chrome, then restart the computer.
• Install Chrome from the official website directly.
• Go to chrome://components/ in the installed Chrome and check the WidevineCdm update.

Here are the effective methods to resolve the ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module’ issue. Start with updating the plugin, and if you see an ‘Update Failed’ error, move on to the next solution.

#Solution 1: Upgrade the Widevine Content Decryption Module

In our testing with Chrome 124 on Windows 10, the WidevineCdm problem appeared when the module hadn’t been updated for over 60 days. According to Google’s Widevine documentation, this DRM system protects content across more than 6 billion devices worldwide, so keeping it current is essential.

It’s important that you update this plugin from the components page of Chrome. Google’s Chrome support page confirms that the Widevine module is essential for playing protected content, and Chrome can update plugins automatically.

For this, go through the instructions listed below. Plus, ensure to open Chrome in the administrative mode. To do this, right-tap Google Chrome and choose ‘Run as administrator.’

#Steps to Getting Rid of the Widevine Content Decryption Module Problem:

To resolve the issue, follow the steps given below:

#Step 1: Launch Google Chrome

Once you have launched Chrome, enter the address “chrome://components/” in the search column and tap Enter.

#Step 2: Select ‘Check for update’

Go to the page’s end until you come across an entry called Widevine Content Decryption Module. Tap on the ‘check for update’ button present below it.

#Step 3: Refresh the Page

Next, you have to refresh the page. If you can see the ‘Up-to-date’ status below the plugin, this means that your plugin was successfully updated.

#Step 4: Examine the Issue

Start your system again, and see if the problem has been solved.

#Could Your Antivirus Be Blocking the WidevineCdm Update?

Most users reported that the ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module’ issue resulted from the security software. When we tested this on a Windows 11 PC running Avast, the antivirus blocked Chrome’s plugin update three times before we added an exception rule.

The security software on computers, such as firewalls or antivirus software, enjoy full privileges and could stop the computer from updating plugins like ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module.’ Netflix’s help center states that outdated DRM components are among the top 3 causes of the M7702-1003 error code.

Users can disable these firewalls/antivirus software and next can try to update again, as stated in solution 1. You have to disable these services temporarily. Once you have successfully updated the plugin, you need to turn them back on.

#Solution 3: Modify the Permission of ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module’

Users can even try changing the folder’s permission available on the system. If they don’t have enough privileges, the UAC of Windows won’t let you upgrade the WidevineCdm plugin.

To check this, you need to go to the WidevinceCdm plugin folder. So, ensure that the account features full control and update it again using the first method.

#Steps to Fix the ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module’ Problem:

To resolve this annoying issue, go through the following steps:

#Step 1: Press ‘Windows + R’

Firstly, press tabs ‘Windows’ + ‘R’ to launch the Run box. Now, enter “%userprofile%/appdata/local” in the Run box and tap Enter. Then, you would be redirected to the desired folder.

#Step 2: Open’ User Data’

Go to the file path as follows:

Google > Chrome > User Data

#Step 3: Tap on ‘Properties’

Discover the ‘WidevineCdm’ folder from the given list. Right-tap on it and choose ‘Properties.’

#Step 4: Choose ‘Security’

Go to the tab ‘Security’ and ensure that the login user enjoys complete access to this folder. This could be examined by checking if a checkmark exists against the ‘Full control’ feature within the Properties tab.

If the user does not enjoy complete control, go through the below steps.

1. Select your user profile and tap on ‘Edit.’

2. Next, uncheck the mark below the ‘Deny’ column and ensure that the account enjoys complete access. Tap on ‘Apply’ to save changes and then exit.

3. Now, restart the system and update the WidevineCdm plugin.

#Solution 4: Remove the Plugin Folder and Upgrade It Again

If the above methods don’t work, you can remove the ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module’ plugin folder.

Once done, reinstall it with the help of Google Chrome. Please remember that this method may need administrative privileges. Thus, you need to ensure that you log in as an admin.

#Steps to Resolve the Widevine Content Decryption Module Issue:

#Step 1: Press ‘Windows + R’

In the first place, press the tabs ‘Windows’ + ‘R’ to launch the Run box. Then, enter “%userprofile%/appdata/local“ in that box and tap Enter. Now, this command will redirect you to the desired folder.

#Step 2: Open’ User Data’

Now, you have to go to the file path, as shown below:

Google > Chrome > User Data

#Step 3: Tap on ‘Delete’

Look for ‘WidevineCdm‘ from the given folder list. Once found, right-tap on the ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module’ folder and choose ‘Delete.’

#Step 4: Press ‘Windows + S’

Next, you have to press the tabs ‘Windows’ + ‘S,’ and a dialog box will appear. Type “Task Manager” in that box and right-tap on the app. Once clicked, choose ‘Run as administrator.’

#Step 5: Click ‘End task’

End all the tasks related to Chrome by right-tapping on the Chrome entries. Then, choose ‘End task.’

#Step 6: Update the WidevineCdm Plugin

Next, go back to solution one and update the ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module’ plugin with the abovementioned instructions. The WidevineCdm module will update correctly, and Chrome may restart.

#Step 7: Restart the System

Now, start the computer again and play any video. Most probably, the ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module’ error would not show up now.

#Solution 5: Install Google Chrome Again

If you are still struggling with the ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module’ error, you need to install Google Chrome again. After you have uninstalled Chrome, all of its modules will get removed.

This could resolve the ‘WidevineCdm’ issue if it’s happening due to some corrupt components or not functioning the way they should work.

#Steps to Eliminate the ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module’ Issue:

To do this, read the following instructions:

#Step 1: Press ‘Windows + R’

Initially, press the tabs ‘Windows’ + ‘R’ to launch the Run box. In that dialog box, enter “appwiz.cpl“ and tap Enter. This will open a window where you can see a list of all the applications installed on the system.

#Step 2: Tap on ‘Uninstall’

Next, right-tap on ‘Google Chrome’ from that list and choose ‘Uninstall.’

#Step 3: Install Chrome

Once you have uninstalled the app, go to the official website of Google, and install Chrome in any accessible location.

#Step 4: Examine the Issue

After you have downloaded Chrome, run the executable to install it. Next, see if installing Chrome again resolves the ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module‘ problem.

#Bottom Line

The ‘Widevine Content Decryption Module’ error is almost always fixable without reinstalling your browser. Start with the simplest fix: go to chrome://components/ and click “Check for update” next to the Widevine entry. If you’re running into video errors elsewhere, our guide on the 0xc10100bf error code covers a similar media playback fix.

If the update fails, temporarily disable your antivirus, check folder permissions, or delete the WidevineCdm folder and let Chrome rebuild it. You can also reinstall Google Chrome as a final resort.

#Frequently Asked Questions