Netflix DRM Explained: How to Download DRM Videos & Fix DRM Problems

Netflix has a built-in download service. However, it is limited to mobile devices. Due to the Netflix DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection, all downloads will be encrypted and imposed with certain limits. Because of it, we can't actually own the videos we pay for on Netflix.

It's impossible to remove Netflix DRM directly with the official Netflix app. But there are workarounds that can help us get the source MP4 video files and enjoy Netflix downloads without DRM.

In this article, I will guide you to learn about how Netflix DRM works, how to save DRM-protected videos on Netflix for more compatible offline viewing, and how to fix Netflix DRM problems. Of course, I'll explain the legality related to Netflix DRM removal and introduce what we should not do.

What is Netflix DRM?

Before we fix the Netflix DRM problem, let's understand why this happens so you stop wasting time on "magic fixes" that don't work.

How Does Netflix DRM Work?

Have you ever wondered, "Why can't I screenshot Netflix?" The DRM is always the culprit, which is often paired with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection). They control access/use of media. Think of it as a digital handshake between Netflix's servers and your monitor.

A black screen also happens when we screen record Netflix videos. When you hit play on Bridgerton, Netflix sends an encrypted video signal. Our browser (Chrome/Edge) decrypts it only for our eyes. However, when we launch a screen recorder like OBS, Discord, or QuickTime, Netflix detects a "foreign" software intercepting that signal. It deliberately cuts the video feed, leaving us with:

• Black Screen: The most common outcome.
• Audio Only: We can still hear the dialogue, but the screen is blank.
• Error Code: Sometimes followed by a browser crash (e.g., Error D7361).

The "Widevine" Trap on Netflix: L1 vs. L3

This is the technical detail most guides ignore, but it explains why your quality sucks even if you do manage to record. The Widevine DRM tech that Netflix uses actually performs at different levels:

Widevine L1 (Security Level 1): Required for 1080p Full HD and 4K. It relies on a secure hardware environment. Browsers protect this rigorously, making it nearly impossible to screen record.

Widevine L3 (Security Level 3): The lower security level. Some "hacks" force your browser into this mode to allow recording, but Netflix automatically throttles the quality to SD (480p/540p).

If you manage to screen record Netflix by disabling settings, you are forcing yourself into L3 mode, meaning you are stuck with blurry, low-quality video.

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To get 1080p or 4K without the black screen, you need a tool that can handle L1 decryption. Check the following Method 1 to learn about KeepStreams for Netflix.

How to Download DRM-Protected Videos on Netflix?

As mentioned above, the reason you get a black screen is HDCP. Screen recorders try to "grab" the encrypted signal you're playing, and Netflix simply blocks the video feed. To fix this, you shouldn't try to record the screen. You need to download the RAW FILE.

The "Permanent" Fix: Use KeepStreams

KeepStreams for Netflix is a professional tool designed specifically for downloading Netflix videos. Equipped with various additional features, KeepStreams aims to download DRM-protected videos in Full HD 1080p and save the Netflix downloads into MP4 or MKV video files directly from the source.

Unlike screen recorders that just capture pixels (and often fail), KeepStreams connects directly to Netflix's servers. It acts like a browser but has the unique ability to get the source videos without DRM encryption during the download process. This means you get a pure MP4 or MKV file that plays on any device—Mac, iPhone, Android, or even your TV—without any black screen issues.

KeepStreams for Netflix

Download movies and TV shows for unlimited, forever offline viewing on Netflix. No more worries about Netflix DRM problems.

• Work on Windows PC and Mac.
• Provide a 30-day free trial to save 3 full Netflix films.
• Save Netflix videos in source quality up to FHD 1080p.
• Support Atmos audio, EAC3 5.1, and AAC 2.0 audio.
• Apply Dolby Vision, VP9, AV1, HDR10, and more video codecs.
• Convert Netflix downloads into MP4/MKV files.
• Detect and remove commercials while downloading.
• Choose to save subtitles into separate SRT files.
• Save audio and subs in various languages.
• Schedule downloads at a set time.
• Enjoy batch download at 10x faster speed.

 Free Trial  Free Trial

Learn More

Because of the convenient built-in browser, we can download Netflix videos with KeepStreams as easily as we do in Chrome. Here are detailed steps to download DRM-protected videos:

In the built-in browser, you'll visit the official site of Netflix. Log in to your own account here to allow KeepStreams analyze the videos you want to download.

You will see a download screen where you can customize your own downloading settings, such as the specific quality, audio, and subtitles. Once you have made your selections, simply click on the "Download Now" button to initiate the download.

You can always check the downloading process in "Downloading". Once you've completed the downloads, click the file icon in the "Downloaded" section to open the local folder on your PC, and get the MP4 video files.

Here's the video tutorial:

The "Free" Fix: Disable Hardware Acceleration

If you aren't ready to commit to a professional downloader yet, there is a "hack" that involves tweaking your browser settings. I used to do this back in college to capture memes for Twitter.

The concept is simple: By disabling Hardware Acceleration, you are effectively telling your browser, "Don't use the graphics card to render video." This forces Netflix to switch from the secure, high-quality player (Widevine L1) to a basic software player (Widevine L3). Here's how to do it:

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While this removes the black screen, you might notice your laptop fan spinning louder. Your CPU is now doing all the heavy lifting to decode the video. Plus, don't expect 4K or 1080p crispness here.

If you're using Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings (click the three dots in the top right).
2. Navigate to System on the left sidebar.
3. Toggle OFF the switch for "Use graphics acceleration when available."
4. Crucial Step: Restart Chrome completely for the change to take effect.

If you're using Microsoft Edge, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > System and Performance.
2. Turn OFF "Use graphics acceleration when available."
3. Restart the browser.

If you're using Firefox, it's often more lenient with DRM than the 2 browsers above. You might not even need to disable acceleration, but if you do get a black screen, the setting is under Settings > General > Performance (uncheck "Use recommended performance settings").

Limits of Netflix DRM Explained

If we don't use the 2 methods to save DRM-protected videos on Netflix, the official Netflix app will be the last choice. It's safe, quick, and high-quality, but the downloads come with DRM protection. Therefore, the Netflix offline viewing limits are inevitable. Here's the comparison:

Here are the detailed limits on offline viewing, if we save videos via the official app without Netflix DRM bypass:

Each device is permitted to download a maximum of 100 titles (for the premium plan only). Ad-supported plans are capped at 15 downloads per device per calendar month, with an automatic reset on the 1st. Several readers hit an annual re-download limit on specific titles—that's expected behavior, not a bug.

The number of devices you can download to is limited according to your subscription plan*

If you see "You have downloads on too many devices." (NQL.23000 / 10016-23000), it means you've hit your plan's download-device limit. Use Manage Download Devices to remove old devices you no longer use, or switch to a plan that allows more devices. This is the official, fastest fix.

Downloaded content comes with a limited offline viewing period, ranging from 48 hours to 30 days, depending on the specific condition. There are 48 hours from the moment a downloaded video is played until it expires. After the expiration date, the content will be automatically deleted.

Not all videos can be downloaded. What's more, due to copyright, some titles can only be downloaded a certain number of times in a year.

[Bonus] Netflix DRM Troubleshooting: Fix Common Errors & Black Screens

Sometimes, even when we're not trying to record the Netflix videos, the DRM is glitching out. Such a Netflix DRM problem happens sometimes. And here is how to fix the most common ones.

1. The "Sony TV" & Smart TV Black Screen

You can hear the audio of the show, but the screen on your Sony, Samsung, or LG TV is pitch black. This is almost always an HDMI Handshake Failure. The DRM protocol (HDCP) thinks your HDMI cable isn't secure. to fix it, try:

• Power Cycle: Unplug the TV from the wall for 60 seconds.
• Check the Cable: Ensure your HDMI cable supports HDCP 2.2 (especially for 4K content). If you are using an old cable from 2015, that's likely the problem.
• Bypass It: If the TV app keeps failing, use Method 1 (KeepStreams) to download the MP4 file to a USB drive and plug it directly into the TV. No internet or handshake required.

2. Common DRM Error Codes (M7701-1003 / D7361)

If you see these codes in your computer browser, Netflix's Widevine CDM (Content Decryption Module) is broken.

• Error M7701-1003 usually happens in Firefox: Go to about:addons > Plugins > Make sure "Widevine Content Decryption Module provided by Google" is set to "Always Activate."
• Error D7361-1253 indicates a display driver issue: Update your graphics drivers (NVIDIA/AMD) or simply switch to the KeepStreams method to avoid browser reliance entirely.

Conclusion

In recent years, streaming services have only gotten stricter with their DRM protections. While browser hacks (Method 2) might work for a quick 2-minute clip, they are becoming increasingly unreliable for watching full movies in high quality.

If you're still wondering "how to bypass Netflix DRM" or "how to decrypt Netflix downloads," a valid Netflix subscription plus KeepStreams can be a nice choice. It offers the only "set it and forget it" solution, and turns a rented stream into a permanent library.

With KeepStreams, even computer novices without the technical know-how of DRM analysis and video link extraction can easily download DRM-protected videos on Netflix.