Widevine Content Decryption Module (WidevineCdm) is a built-in plugin in Google Chrome. This module comes packed with Google Chrome when you install it for the first time. It helps Chrome in playing DRM-protected HTML5 video and audio. If this plugin is missing or not updated, then you receive the Widevine Content Decryption Module Error.
Fix Widevine Content Decryption Module Error
There are various ways through which you can Widevine Content Decryption Module this error. Some of those methods are given below for your convenience.
Method 1: Updating the Widevine Content Decryption Module
To implement this method, you need to run Google Chrome in Administration mode. Then this plugin can be updated by Google Chrome itself. Follow the below-given steps for further procedure.
Step 1: Firstly, Right-click on Google Chrome icon and select Run as Administrator.
Step 2: After Google Chrome starts, go to the address bar and type “chrome: //components” address and press Enter.
Step 3: After that, scroll to the extreme end of the page Select Check for Updates beneath the entry Widevine Content Decryption Module.
Step 4: Now, refresh the page. If the status below changes to Up to Date, then your plugin has been updated.
Step 5: Afterwards, restart your system and see if the error has resolved or not.
Method 2: Disable Security Software
If you are using Windows Defender Security Center or any other third party anti-virus software. Then also you can get Widevine Content Decryption Module Error. The reason being, it is a malware or any corrupt program, and due to Microsoft’s new security feature, new Windows update does not allow any app or program to get updated on their own.
Therefore, to update any component within Chrome, you need to turn off Windows real-time protection. You can find this in Windows Defender Security Center. If you are using any third party anti-virus then, disable it before starting the update.
Afterwards, re-enable your security software. Now, restart your computer software to check if the problem still persists or not.
Method 3: Full Control to Edit WidevineCdm Folder
If the above methods do not work for you, there is no need to panic. You can solve this problem in more than one ways. You can try and change the permission of the folder in your system first. But, the Windows User Account Control will not allow you to update the plugin, if you do not have sufficient privileges.
Henceforth, what you have to do is, go to the plugins folder and make sure that your account has full control. Afterward, you can update the plugin as in method 1.
Follow the below-given steps to know how to get full control.
Step 1: At first, in chorus press Windows + R this will open the Run Dialog Box.
Step 2: In Run Dialog Box type, “%userprofile%/appdata/local” and after that hit Enter.
Step 3: As a result, the required folder will be displayed on the screen.
Step 4: Now, traverse the following path Google ⇒ Chrome ⇒ User Data.
Step 5: In the new window, navigate to the folder WidevineCdm in the list of folders. When found, Right-Click on it and select Properties.
Step 6: Now, in Properties, go to the Security Tab. Here you have to check whether there is a tick in front of the Full Control option or Not. If not, then make sure you do it before exiting. For that, follow the further steps.
Step 7: Select your profile and click on Edit to modify your settings. There must be a tick in front of the Full Control under the Deny column. Uncheck it and then click on apply to save changes. This will grant you full control.
Step 8: At last, restart your system and update your plugin using the first method. After that check, if the Widevine Content Decryption Module Error still persists or not.
Method 4: Delete WidevineCdm Folder
There is one more method which you could try to implement to resolve the error. You can try to delete the plugin folder. You can again install it from Chrome. Though you have to make sure that you are running your chrome as Administrator because to implement this method, you need administrative rights.
To execute the solution, follow the below-given steps.
Step 1: At first, simultaneously press Windows + R, this, in turn, will open the Run Dialog Box.
Step 2: In Run Dialog Box type, “%userprofile%/appdata/local” and after that hit Enter.
Step 3: As a result, the required folder will be displayed on the screen.
Step 4: Now, traverse the following path Google ⇒ Chrome ⇒ User Data.
Step 5: In the new window, navigate to the folder WidevineCdm in the list of folders. When found, right-click on it and select Delete.
Step 6: Now, Go to Recycle Bin and Right-click in the blank area. Then, select Empty Recycle Bin option.
Step 7: Later, together with press Windows key + R. This, in turn, will open the Search Dialog Box.
Step 8: Then in the Search Dialog Box type taskmgr.
Step 9: After that, whatever the result will open and press Shift + Enter it will open it as Administrator.
Step 10: Afterwards, End-all Chrome Related Task. After that, Right-Click on each Chrome Entry and select End Task.
Step 11: Now, use the first method to update Chrome. After the update Chrome will restart.
Step 12: Finally, restart your computer system and check if the Widevine Content Decryption Module error has resolved or not.
Method 5: Reinstalling Chrome
If none of the above methods worked for you, then the best way to remove this Widevine Content Decryption Module error is through uninstalling and then reinstalling Chrome. By doing this, all the packages and modules associated with Chrome will also be deleted. So, if there is any corrupt program or module related to Chrome, it will also be deleted along with it.
Go through the below-given steps to implement the solution.
Step 1: Firstly, together with press the Windows key + R. This will open the Run Dialog Box.
Step 2: In the Run Dialog Box, type “appwiz.cpl.” A window will open listing all the applications installed in your system.
Step 3: Now, Navigate Google Chrome. When reached, Right-Click on it and select Uninstall.
Step 4: Afterwards, go to the official Google website and Download the Latest Version of Google Chrome browser.
Step 5: Finally, run the Executable and Install it. At last, restart your computer system and check if the error has resolved or not.
Finishing
The above mentioned are the best ways through which you can get rid of the Widevine Content Decryption Module Error. Before implementing any method, go through the whole article and then select the best suitable method for you.