Fix Released for Windows DRM Error Preventing Video Playback (KB5034275)
If you’ve recently tried to watch a purchased or rented movie on your Windows PC and were met with a cryptic error message, you’re not alone. Many users have reported frustrating playback failures, often accompanied by codes like VOD_POPUP_DRM_INIT_FAIL or VOD_POPUP_DRM_LICENSE_ACQUISITION_FAIL. This issue has prevented users from accessing content they rightfully own, but a specific fix is now available.
The problem stems from a recent Windows security update that inadvertently created a compatibility issue with Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology on certain hardware. This update began enforcing a stricter DRM standard that isn’t supported by all processors, leading to the playback block.
Who Is Affected by This Playback Issue?
This specific DRM problem doesn’t impact all Windows users. The issue is primarily confined to PCs running certain versions of Windows with older hardware. You are most likely affected if your system meets the following criteria:
- Operating System: Windows 11 (versions 23H2 and 22H2) or Windows 10 (version 22H2).
- Processor: You are using an 11th Gen Intel Core processor or an older CPU.
The core of the issue is that these processors may lack hardware support for a specific content protection technology known as PlayReady 3.0 SL3000. The recent Windows update made this a requirement for playing back protected content from services like the Microsoft Store, causing playback to fail on systems that couldn’t meet the new standard.
The Solution: A Manual Update Is Required
To resolve this issue, Microsoft has released an out-of-band (OOB) update. An OOB update is a special patch that is not distributed automatically through the standard Windows Update service. This means you will not receive the fix by simply checking for updates in your Settings; you must manually download and install it.
The update that fixes the DRM video playback problem is KB5034275.
How to Install the Fix and Restore Video Playback
Installing this update is straightforward, but it requires visiting the official Microsoft Update Catalog. Follow these steps to get your movies playing again:
- Identify Your System: First, confirm which version of Windows you are running (Windows 10 or Windows 11) and whether it’s a 64-bit system (most modern PCs are). You can find this in
Settings > System > About. - Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog: Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft Update Catalog website.
- Search for the Update: In the search bar on the catalog site, type KB5034275 and press Enter.
- Download the Correct Version: You will see a list of downloads for different versions of Windows. Find the one that matches your operating system (e.g., “Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems”) and click the “Download” button next to it.
- Install and Restart: Run the downloaded file to install the patch. Once the installation is complete, restart your computer to ensure the changes take full effect.
After restarting, the DRM issue should be resolved, and you will be able to play your purchased and rented video content without errors. If you were experiencing this frustrating problem, taking a few minutes to manually install this update is the definitive solution to restore full functionality.
Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-drm-video-playback-issues-now-partially-resolved/
