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, contrary to what it was developed for, it actually ends up breaking streaming experience for honest paying customers. These errors are common with many streaming devices such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV. Below, we are going to talk about Hulu HDCP errors, their causes, and how you can fix them.

HDCP Technology

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

Needless to say that content producers certainly need license technologies to protect their content from unauthorized access or copy, the problem is that such technologies end up ruining streaming experience for honest paying customers engaging in legitimate activities. HDCP is built into many devices like Blu-ray players, cable boxes, and satellite TV receivers, as well as into streaming video devices like the 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 and look something 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 and similar issues. In all of these cases, here are a few things you can try to fix them.

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 a different solution.

Solution 2:

It could also be due to a loose ends of the HDMI cable and you can try switching the ends 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 be more tightly fitting into the HDMI ports.

Solution 3:

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

Solution 4:

It could also be due to a faulty television port. Plug your HDMI cable into another port on your TV and see if it 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 it resolves the error.

Solution 6:

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