How-To Enable DRM in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. How-To Enable DRM in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge

Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a technological system that helps to control and protect the usage of digital content according to the requirements set by the content providers. It prominently plays a key role in TV broadcasting, digital cinema, music industry, and other sectors where content needs to be preserved against unauthorized distribution. The importance of DRM greatly escalates in the field of digital media, where it enforces usage policies and prevents piracy by encryption of content.

Understanding DRM

DRM typically compromises security technologies like encryption, watermarking, and DRM licenses to safeguard digital content. It includes various restrictions such as playback, copy, print, etc., depending on the discretion of the content provider. Additionally, digital platforms are moving towards HTML5 video format which necessitates distinctive DRM mechanism - the Content Decryption Module (CDM).

Reasons for DRM errors in your browser

Occasionally, DRM errors may pop-up while accessing digital content through your browser. This results from the lack of necessary DRM software or updates in your browser, wrong settings, presence of a VPN, ad-block or firewall, incompatibility of DRM scheme, outdated operating system, etc. Sometimes third-party software can also prevent DRM from functioning correctly.

Prevalence of DRM feature in browsers

Browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge support DRM technology, enabling seamless digital content consumption. OTT services, for example, Netflix, employ HTML5 based multi-DRM technology to deliver content, which can be accessed directly in the browser without the need for additional plugins.

Importance of third-party extensions in DRM feature

Third-party extensions can play a vital role in the configuration of DRM. While some extensions might hinder the execution of DRM, others can aid seamless streaming and content viewing. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that your browser set-up is optimized for DRM processes.

How to Enable DRM in Google Chrome

Enabling DRM in Google Chrome is a straight-forward process which involves a few simple steps. Knowing how to enable DRM can ensure seamless access to DRM-protected content on several platforms.

Opening Chrome settings

Start by opening the Google Chrome browser on your device. Look for the three dots on the top-right corner of the screen, which represents the options menu. Click on it and navigate to the 'Settings' option. In the settings, you can manage all aspects of Chrome, including DRM settings.

Navigation to Privacy and security panel

Within the 'Settings' tab, scroll down until you find 'Privacy and Security.' This section encompasses many essential privacy and security settings, wherein the 'Site settings' fall under.

Accessing Site settings

Click on 'Site settings'. This option will redirect you to another settings page, including permissions and features for sites, and you will find the 'Additional content settings' option here.

Managing Additional content settings/Enable Protected Content 

Click on 'Additional content settings'. Here, you'll find various site-specific settings. Among these, locate the 'Protected content' tab. This is the option that controls the DRM content in Google chrome.

Click on 'Protected content' tab, and you will see two options under it. Ensure that both 'Allow sites to play protected content (recommended)' and 'Allow identifiers for protected content (computer restart may be required)' options are switched on. This will enable DRM content in your Chrome browser. Remember to restart your computer if necessary for the changes to take effect.

How to Enable DRM in Mozilla Firefox

Enabling DRM in Mozilla Firefox plays a crucial role in ensuring you have unrestricted access to DRM protected content. Here is a guide on how to enable DRM in Mozilla Firefox.

Opening Firefox settings

In order to enable DRM, the first thing you need to do is open Firefox and access the settings. You can do this by clicking the three horizontal lines icon in the top right corner of the screen. Once clicked, a dropdown menu opens. Here, select 'Preferences' (or 'Options') which will direct you to the settings page.

Locating the DRM content section

Within the settings page, locate the 'General' panel. Scroll down to the 'Digital Rights Management (DRM) Content' section. This section holds all the settings related to DRM content.

Enabling DRM-controlled content

Under the 'Digital Rights Management (DRM) Content' section, there should be a checkbox that says 'Play DRM-controlled content.' By default, the box may not be checked. Click on the box to mark it, which will allow Firefox to play DRM-controlled content. Next, ensure that the Widevine Content Decryption Module, provided by Google Inc, is activated. You can do this by heading to the Add-ons Manager plugins panel and ensure Widevine is enabled. If DRM content does not play despite making these settings, consider toggling off and on the 'Play DRM-controlled content' option, which forces Firefox to reload DRM components.

How to Enable DRM in Microsoft Edge

Enabling DRM in Microsoft Edge can greatly enhance your multimedia experience as it allows the play of DRM protected content on the internet. The steps to do this are simple and easy to follow.

Accessing Edge settings

Start by launching Microsoft Edge on your device. On the top-right corner, you will find the 'more options' button (three dots). Click on it and a dropdown menu will appear. From the options provided, select 'Settings'. This will open the settings menu where you can manage various aspects of the browser, including DRM settings.

Selecting Cookies and site permissions panel

Within the settings tab, locate the 'Cookies and site permissions' section. This panel is responsible for managing various site permissions, including the settings for protected content.

Enabling Protected content IDs

In the 'Cookies and site permissions' section, click on the 'Protected content' option. Here, you will find two sub-options. Ensure that 'Allow sites to play protected content (recommended)' and 'Allow identifiers for protected content (computer restart may be required)' are both enabled. If these settings were previously disabled, you might need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.