Netflix errors are the damnation of every streaming buff out there. Imagine you getting ready for a binge spree, setting everything up to perfection, with all your cozy cushions and your stash of snacks. With the lights out and your couch ready, and the moment you turn on Netflix to play your show for the night, you see this error message:
Pardon the interruption. We’re having trouble playing Netflix. Please make sure you’re using the latest version of Firefox and try again.
This error is specific to Windows users and Mac users, and will prevent your from streaming any Netflix movies.
Read on if you’re looking for step-by-step guide to fixing the Netflix error code F7701 1003.
The Causes of the Netflix Error Code F7701 1003
The Netflix Error code F7701 1003 is caused because of an issue with the Widevine Content Decryption Module (CDM) found in your browser.
The CDM is responsible for letting us consume content that is copyright protected and its copyrights are managed by the Digital rights management system or DRM for short. If Netflix shows error code F7701 1003, it indicates that there is a communication problem between Netflix servers and your browser’s decoder. This happens because Netflix content is copyrighted or simply put, DRM content and it is prohibited to copy Netflix content. A problem with CDM will prevent you from accessing DRM content.
How to Fix Netflix Error Code F7701 1003
During our testing phase, we figured out that the Error F7701 1003 is specific to the Mozilla Firefox browser, and is found on both Windows and Apple PCs.
Follow the steps below to get rid of the F7701 1003
Refresh
Sometimes, the solution is as simple as refreshing Firefox. You’ll have to just refresh the Netflix tab, by using the refresh button or pressing F5. This works because with refreshing the Netflix tab, the browser’s CDM is refreshed and the connectivity between Netflix and your CDM can be re-established.
Quit Firefox
Sometimes, for Windows users, the Firefox browser can act up. Not loading properly, not loading all the modules, or simply corrupting the cache data. In this case, force-stopping and then restarting the browser refreshes all functions and temporary data, removing concerns of corrupted cache memory.
To do this on a Windows PC, follow the step below
- Launch Task-manager using Ctrl+Shift+Del
- Find Firefox in the running programs
- Click on Firefox
- Choose End Task
- Start Firefox again
- Check if Netflix is working now
Enable Cookies
Netflix uses your browser’s cookies in order to store temporary information that helps in smoother streaming experience. This is true for all internet browsers.
If you encounter the Netflix error F7701 1003 in intervals, this means there’s a problem with the cookies Netflix is allowed to save on your browser. If Firefox is blocking cookies, Netflix won’t be able to run properly.
To enable Firefox cookies, follow the steps below:
- Select Mozilla Firefox
- Open Menu by clicking on the menu icon
- Find Options (Specifically Windows OS users)
- Go to Preferences (Specifically Apple OS users)
- Go to Privacy and Security
- Select the Enhanced Tracking Protection settings
- Set it to Custom
- Deselect Cookies
- Restart Firefox
- Check Netflix
Don’t use Private Browsing
As explained, Netflix can’t function without saving cookies on your browser. But the cookie feature is disabled in an incognito Firefox session by default. The only way around this is to switch back to the browser’s normal mode from the private window.
You can check for a purple sign in the top right corner of your browser window – having that purple mask shows you’re browsing in incognito mode.
Restart Firefox after you’ve switched to default mode and see if Netflix works now.
Enable Digital Rights Management on Firefox
Despite complying to the Digital Rights Management protection standards, in Mozilla Firefox sometimes the feature is turned off. This will cause error F7701 1003 in your PC. It would be wise to check if DRM is not disabled on your browser, and enable it if it is disabled.
Follow the steps below to activate DRM module on your Mozilla Firefox browser:
- Click on the Menu icon on top right in your Firefox browser
- Go to General section from the drop-down menu
- Go to DRM content and check it
- Restart your Firefox browser
- Check if Netflix is working
Update Firefox Content Decryption Module
Sometimes the problems aren’t related to activating or de-activating your widevine content decryption module (CDM) but simply that of updating your CDM. You’ll have to update Firefox in order to update the CDM.
Follow the steps below to update the Widevine Firefox plugin.
- Launch Firefox
- Go to Plugins page by using the Command + Shift + A key for Mac
- Go to Plugins page by pressing the Control + Shift + A key for Windows
- Scroll to the Plugins section and choose the Widevine Content Decryption Module
- Click the gear icon and click Check for Updates
- Wait for updates to be downloaded
- Restart Firefox
- Sign in to Netflix account and check if its working
Update Mozilla Firefox
There may be times when your Firefox browser isn’t updated and this can cause it to malfunction resulting in the Netflix error code F7701 1003. The simplest way is to check for available updates and update your browser if you don’t have the latest available version of Firefox. If you don’t have the latest version, you’ll have to reinstall Firefox.
Follow the steps below to update your Firefox browser
- Launch Firefox
- Go to About section in the menu
- Check for Updates
- If a new version is available, download it
- Restart Firefox
- Sign in to your Netflix account
- Check if Netflix is working
Refresh Mozilla Firefox
If none of the above-mentioned solutions work, you’ll have to reboot your Firefox browser entirely. This will remove all stored data in your browser and basically reset it to its default settings. After you install Firefox, this hard reboot will remove all add-ons, cookies, history and specific settings you may have set up in your browser.
But this will also make your Netflix work as well. So do this only if all the other solutions in the blog post fail at fixing the Netflix Error Code F7701 1003.
Follow the steps below to reset your Mozilla Firefox:
- Go to Menu
- Go to Help
- Go to Troubleshooting Information
- Click Refresh Firefox button
- Restart Firefox
- Check Netflix
Conclusion
Keep following the solutions provided in this blog and you’ll be able to fix Netflix error code F7701 1003 within 10 minutes at your home without any additional hassles.
Happy Streaming!
Related: Netflix Error Code M7111-5059: What it is and How to Fix it?
Related: Netflix Proxy Error: What it is and How to Fix it?
Related: Netflix Error Code NW-2-5: What it is and How to Fix it?
