How to Fix Hulu HDCP Errors

HDCP is an anti-piracy protocol that relies on communication between a video source, like a streaming player, and a monitor. Sometimes, HDCP ends up disrupting the streaming experience for paying customers. These errors are common with streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire TV. Below, we are going to talk about Hulu HDCP errors, their causes, and how to fix them.

HDCP Technology

Similar to Digital Rights Management (DRM), HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a security protocol designed by INTEL to protect content creators’ and distributors’ from piracy. It uses a key that requires authorization from the transmitting and receiving devices to encrypt a digital signal.

HDCP is crucial to protect creative content from unauthorized access. The issue with HDCP is that it ends up disrupting the streaming experience for paying customers engaging in legitimate activities. HDCP is built into many devices like Blu-ray players, cable boxes, and satellite TV receivers, Roku, Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV.

Hulu HDCP Errors

Hulu HDCP errors are accompanied with a High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) error message. These are device-specific, but generally look like this:

  • This content requires HDCP for playback.
  • HDCP isn't supported by your HDMI connection.

How to Fix Hulu HDCP Errors

If you encounter the HDCP error while streaming Hulu, it could be caused by an old monitor that’s unable to communicate to the source, HDMI or other technical issues. Here are a few steps to take to resolve the issue.

Solution 1:

  • Unplug the HDMI cable from your streaming device and TV
  • Turn off your TV and streaming device, and unplug them from the power source
  • Now, reconnect the HDMI cable to the both devices
    Note: Make sure that the cable fits firmly.
  • Plug your streaming device and TV back in and turn them on.

Chances are that the Hulu HDCP should be gone by now. In case it doesn’t, try one of the solutions below.

Solution 2:

The error could also come from loose ends of the HDMI cable. You can try switching the ends of the HDMI cord to see if it helps. Plug the end you use for the streaming device into the TV, and the TV end of the HDMI cable into your streaming device. HDMI cables are bi-directional, but this may result in the cables being more tightly fitted into the HDMI ports.

Solution 3:

The error could also be caused by a faulty HDMI cable. Try using another HDMI cable, and make sure that you’ve used it for Hulu on a different device previously.

Solution 4:

The HDCP error could also come from a faulty television port. Plug your HDMI cable into another port on your TV, and see if that resolves the error.

Solution 5:

If you have plugged your streaming device into an HDMI switcher or AVR (audio/video receiver), plug it right into the TV port. and see if that resolves the error.

Solution 6:

If all of the above fails, try plugging your device into a different television or monitor as a last resort.

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