Fix Netflix DRM Error N8156-6013

Couple of weeks ago I restored my computer from an image based backup because the hard drive failed. Everything went smoothly (thanks Acronis), but for some reason any attempt to watch Netflix content resulted in that DRM error suggesting my date/time were incorrect.

[The problem]

[Solution] A bit of poking around on the Internets…and the fix is to rename a single file (thanks Mike Thopson). Here’s how on Windows 7:

[step 1] Browse to “C:ProgramDataMicrosoftPlayReady”.

[step 2] rename “mspr.hds” to “mspr.hds.old”.

[step 3] Retry watching a movie on Netflix in your favorite browser.

…and on OS X:

[step 1] Navigate to “/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/PlayReady/” in Finder.

[step 2] rename “mspr.hds” to “mspr.hds.old”.

[step 3] Retry watching a movie on Netflix in your favorite browser.

Hope it helps


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19 responses to “Fix Netflix DRM Error N8156-6013”

  1. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    Worked well, thanks.

  2. Juan Avatar
    Juan

    Got this error after changing my motherboard, didn’t noticed the date was wrong, however, the error kept coming up even after restarting my PC and reinstalling Silverlight. This fix worked like a charm, Thanks!

  3. Juan Avatar
    Juan

    Lurking around I found that this happens after changing the motherboard even if date/time are correct, my iTunes and Windows activation are acting funny as well. I’m starting to hate DRM…

  4. justin Avatar
    justin

    nice fix

  5. greg Avatar
    greg

    thanx! worked great.

  6. Rob the Rican Avatar
    Rob the Rican

    Let me just tell you, you’re a beast, how in the world did you find this fix. That made it work immediately, and I did the same thing, restored from an image playing around with my RAID1 setup, I would have never figured this out and I’m certain some jackass at neither Netflix or MS or anywhere else would have figured that out. Thanks again.

  7. SilentSam Avatar
    SilentSam

    Been working with PCs for more than 30 years. So I realize that although there are only 2.4 million lines of code in Windows and apps, there are 14.3 million ways they can fail. Today, when software fails (even if there are hundreds of reports on the web), you can’t count on the software provider to provide a fix. But, fortunately, you can count on some geek to be smart enough and helpful enough to put the fix on the web. If that weren’t the case, then I would not be able to fix most of the problems I encounter.

    Been running Netflix on Windows 7 for many months now without any trouble and then the stupid Digital Rights Message (DRM) error message appears saying that I can stream a movie because the date on my PC could be wrong. WRONG!

    Knew it was not worth the time to call Netflix, so David, thanks very much (and Google search too).

  8. SilentSam Avatar
    SilentSam

    A typing error – below, in CAPS.

    Been working with PCs for more than 30 years. So I realize that although there are only 2.4 million lines of code in Windows and apps, there are 14.3 million ways they can fail. Today, when software fails (even if there are hundreds of reports on the web), you can’t count on the software provider to provide a fix. But, fortunately, you can count on some geek to be smart enough and helpful enough to put the fix on the web. If that weren’t the case, then I would not be able to fix most of the problems I encounter.

    Been running Netflix on Windows 7 for many months now without any trouble and then the stupid Digital Rights Message (DRM) error message appears saying that I can (CAN’T) stream a movie because the date on my PC could be wrong. WRONG!

    Knew it was not worth the time to call Netflix, so David, thanks very much (and Google search too).

  9. John Guinan Avatar
    John Guinan

    David

    Thank you very much. Worked right out of the gate. I am in awe of brainiacs who simplify life.

  10. Marianne Avatar
    Marianne

    Thanks– that was an instant fix! And I am not even Sure why mine stopped working. A new hard drive was installed last year but didn’t notice a problem until today!

  11. Daniel Baranowski Avatar
    Daniel Baranowski

    Thank you so much i almost canceled my subscription because of this after i changed my RAM

    1. David Vielmetter Avatar

      Glad to hear it…man I should ask for subscriptions kept kickbacks from Netflix 🙂

  12. LadyG Avatar
    LadyG

    OMG ty ty ty. I was getting so frustrated with how long it took to fix this, the tutorials on YouTube were even more pathetic….your simple explination was perfect….ty ty ty

  13. rodney Avatar
    rodney

    Okay guys, how do deal with this using windows XP pro?

    1. David Vielmetter Avatar

      on XP Pro:
      Quit all open browsers – including this window! You may want to print the following steps.
      Press and hold the Windows key and tap the letter R on the keyboard at the same time.
      Type %allusersprofile% then select OK.
      Open the Application Data Folder.
      If the Application Data folder is missing, you need to show hidden files and folders as shown below:

      NOTE: If you enable Show Hidden Files and Folders, be sure to change back to Do Not Show Hidden Files and Folders when you are done troubleshooting.
      Click on Tools.
      Click on Folder Options.
      Click on the View tab.
      Show Hidden Files and Folders.
      Click OK.
      (continued)
      Open the Microsoft folder.
      Open the PlayReady folder.
      If your PlayReady folder is missing, you either do not have administrative privileges or your Silverlight installation has become corrupt and needs to be reinstalled.
      To continue, log in as an administrator on your computer, or take your computer to your system administrator for more help.
      Click here to see How to clean a corrupted Silverlight installation and then reinstall Silverlight.
      Right-Click on mspr.hds and click Delete.
      If unable to delete mspr.hds file, skip to the part where you need to clean up a corrupted silverlight install.
      Open a web browser and try to play the title again.

  14. pinkypinks Avatar
    pinkypinks

    having a DRM N8156-6013 error on my netflix. tried uninstalling and reinstalling it but nothng has changed. also can not find this folder everyone keeps telling me to rename in my computer to fix the problem. no idea how to fix it as i’ve had free trials before and never had this problem??

  15. Jairo Avatar
    Jairo

    Muchas gracias funciono perfectamente”” saludos.

  16. Alberto Avatar
    Alberto

    Not working for me, I have followed every single step and nothing. Removed all .Net apps, removed the PlayReady, uninstalled and reinstalled Silverlight, nothing, I have have every possible solution listed on the web and nothing, I keep getting the same bs. Frustrating!

  17. […] Fix Netflix DRM Error N8156-6013 | David Vielmetter – Lurking around I found that this happens after changing the motherboard even if date/time are correct, my iTunes and Windows activation are acting funny as well…. […]