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"This content requires HDCP for playback" Apple TV fix


Perhaps you are having issues viewing Netflix, iTunes or any other streaming content via your Apple TV device?


First, the short answer regarding the fix (in most cases)...

1). Leave your Apple TV device ON.
2). Turn OFF your TV for 10 seconds.
3). Turn ON your TV.
4). Now attempt to view the content on your Apple TV (hopefully without error).
Behind the answer...

Depending on the content being streamed, there is an authentication process that takes place when you request content. The user is usually oblivious of the this, that is until something goes wrong.

HDCP stands for (H)igh bandwidth (D)igital (C)ontent (P)rotection. Even if you are only mildly interested in the 'what' of HDCP, I highly recommend checking out this simple yet concise and exhaustive explanation on Wikipedia, which can be found here...


More specific information regarding the HDCP issue and Apple TV can be found here...



Comments

  1. finnbearMay 5, 2013 at 9:33 PM

    Received the above error message for the first time in over a year of use of Apple TV. I followed the above instructions and it worked!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. R. Charles CarrAugust 4, 2017 at 7:18 PM

      Awesome, it's been 2 months hopefully you have not encountered the problem again. Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 30, 2013 at 11:48 PM

    Thank you -- that worked for me.!

    ReplyDelete
  3. FrankSeptember 16, 2014 at 5:46 AM

    Thanks so much... I have had my apple tv for upwards of a year or more and this is the first time I saw this message. I went on a bunch of sites who gave all of this extraneous and wrong advice; tried yours and it worked right away. Thanks so much!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. onesontwocatsOctober 29, 2014 at 3:56 PM

    OMG, I think I'm in love. Thank you for curing the bane of my Apple TV. I can't wait to read the rest of your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  5. JenniferJanuary 9, 2015 at 1:29 AM

    It worked! Thank you so much!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. JimboSeptember 18, 2015 at 10:40 PM

    It the above solution does not work for you, as it did for me, try this, it worked for me: unplug your apple tv including hdmi cable. Go to your TV and reset it to its original factory settings, hook back your apple tv, open your TV, and voilà! it works!

    ReplyDelete
  7. B.G. BrybryDecember 8, 2015 at 1:29 AM

    Wow, thought it would be too simple to work but worked for me also

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2016 at 8:11 PM

    Rebooted the cable router and everything worked again

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousApril 8, 2017 at 10:18 PM

    I've been trying for an hour to fix this issue or find an answer, and this fix worked immediately. Thank you very much! Brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownOctober 4, 2017 at 12:30 AM

    Thank you!!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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