Your Television Cannot Support HDCP? 3 Proven Fixes!

We’re all annoyed when we try to watch a TV show in high quality and get an error message that says, “Your TV does not support HDCP”.

You’ve landed on the right page if you are also experiencing a similar issue right now, and in this guide, I’ll show you how to fix your HDCP error on your TV.

Technically, Your TV may not be able to play HDCP-protected content if it doesn’t support HDCP. Digital content is protected by High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, a system used by companies like Blu-ray discs and cable companies to prevent unauthorized copying.

HDCP-protected content must be compatible with your TV’s HDMI input for it to work. Most new TVs are compliant with HDCP, but many older televisions aren’t. You will still be able to watch standard-definition content and DVDs if your TV does not support HDCP but can not view Blu-rays or other HD content from sources like your cable box or game console.

Now, the question is how do you know if your TV supports HDCP content or if it is HDCP-compliant?

To find out if your TV is HDCP-compliant, check its documentation. It should list the specific inputs that are HDCP-compliant.

If you are still uncertain, you can contact the manufacturer of your TV and ask them. Alternatively, you can connect an HDCP-protected device to your TV and see if it plays without any issues.

Those TVs that do not support HDCP will not be able to view full HD content from Blu-ray players or other HD devices. DVDs and Blu-rays will still play, but they will not look as good as they would on a compliant TV.

What does HDCP mean on a TV screen?

HDCP for playback Error On TV
HDCP for playback Error On TV

High-bandwidth digital content protection is known as HDCP. As it travels across connections from devices such as Blu-ray players, game consoles, and set-top boxes to HDTVs, projectors, and digital displays, high-definition (HD) video and audio content is protected by this form of digital copy protection developed by Intel Corporation.

TV HDCP 2.2 Error
TV HDCP 2.2 Error

For piracy prevention, digital rights management (DRM) typically performs one of two tasks: it locks purchases to the purchaser and it locks content to authorized devices.

Example 1: If we try to share premium HD content using an HDMI cable, HDCP detects the content protection, and we can only hear audio without the picture.

HDCP Error On TV
HDCP Error On TV While Playing Disney+ Content

Example 2: DRM occurs when you purchase an album on iTunes, but you can only listen to it on devices associated with your account.

Example 3: If you buy an operating system or video game that can only be installed on one computer, then you have been subjected to DRM.

What do you do if your TV doesn’t support HDCP?

Confused Person Icon With HDMI

Don’t worry, It is possible to troubleshoot an HDCP-compliant device connected to a TV or monitor that says “your television cannot support HDCP video over your high-definition connection” if you receive an error message telling you that this is the case.

So let’s proceed and see what are the different ways available to fix HDCP errors on TV.

Method #1 Reset your TV to factory settings

Reset TV To Factory Settings
Reset TV To Factory Settings

To begin with, the most simple way to fix this problem would be to perform a factory reset on the TV, yes as simple as it sounds.

Unplugging the TV for at least 12 minutes will force it to forget the software error. If you don’t know how to do a factory reset, then just unplug it from the power source.

As a result, it will lose all the electricity it holds in its transformers and capacitors, which will cause the TV to return to its factory defaults after all of the energy savings. The custom settings will be lost, but after you turn the power back on the TV, you should no longer see HDCP errors on your screen.

Note: Be careful not to handle the HDMI cable with the equipment on, it will get damaged if you do, just like the firewire or thunderbolt cables on a computer.

Method #2 Change the HDMI cord

Change HDMI Cord

In order to ensure the compatibility of your HDMI cord with your equipment, make sure you switch to a different HDMI cord, because due to the different voltage specifications, their compatibility can differ.

Method #3 Change HDMI connection for COMPONENT

Change HDMI To RCA
Change HDMI To RCA

In spite of the fact that switching to the RCA component might not seem like the best solution since you will need an optical connection for the audio if you want to keep the 5.1 surround sound, switching to the RCA component can get the job done.

Although COMPONENT handles the same amount of pixels for the HD connection, they do not use the same software on either the TV input or output, so no HDCP error occurs when this type of connection is used.

Most of the time, the first method solves the HDCP error on almost all of the TVs that throw HDCP errors when they encounter them, but in case the first method does not solve your problem, then proceed to the remaining two above-mentioned methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know if your television supports HDCP and is HDCP compliant?

In order to tell whether your television supports HDCP, check its back, or check your owner’s manual for the HDCP logo.
Alternatively, you can ask the manufacturer of your television whether it is HDCP-compliant if you can’t find the logo.

Do all HDMI ports support HDCP?

No, It is not true that all HDMI ports support HDCP. Some older TVs and monitors do not come equipped with the necessary HDCP hardware.

How do I bypass HDCP on my TV?

A few methods exist to bypass HDCP on your TV. One way is to use an HDMI splitter. This will let you connect your HDMI device to your TV without HDCP. 
Another method is to use a component video cable. By doing so, you will also be able to bypass HDCP compliance and connect your device to your TV without HDCP.

How do I fix HDCP compliance?

In order to fix the HDCP compliance error on your TV, there are several different methods that can be used, such as using an HDMI splitter, switching from HDMI to RCA component, resetting your TV to factory settings, etc.

How do I turn HDCP off?

All televisions are equipped with HDCP, and this feature cannot be disabled in any way.

How do I reset HDCP?

There are a few things you can do if you have trouble with HDCP. You can start by restarting your TV. If it doesn’t work, unplug the TV for 30 seconds and plug it back in. For further assistance, you may need to contact the manufacturer of your television.