Microsoft revealed a remake of the classic video wallpaper feature DreamScene for Windows just yesterday. Today, Microsoft is confirming that recent versions of its Windows 11 operating system are plagued by a video playback issue.
Microsoft reveals information about the issue on the known issues and notifications page of Windows 11, version 24H2. Windows users who run the most recent version of Windows 11 on their devices may "experience problems playing protected content" writes Microsoft on the page.
The issue may occur after installing the non-security preview update of August 29, 2025 or later updates. Microsoft released the September 2025 cumulative update for Windows 11, version 24H2 on Tuesday 9, 2025 to the public.
Microsoft explains that the issue affects applications that use Enhanced Video Renderer with HDCP enforcement, or Digital Rights Management (DRM) for digital audio. Users may "experience copyright protection errors", such as "frequent playback interruptions, freezing, or black screens" according to Microsoft.
However, the issue does not affect video streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Max. In other words, the issue is affecting media playback apps, for instance DVD or Blu-Ray playing apps, or digital TV apps.
Enhanced Video Renderer is a legacy component that is replaced by Simple Video Renderer (SVR). This component is part of MediaPlayer and IMFMediaEngine. Microsoft does not name-shame any apps that still rely on the legacy component for playback. The apps affected by the issue are unknown because of this.
Microsoft says that it is working on a resolution for the issue. It plans to release updated information in the future, "when it is available". Affected users have just a few options at this point:
- Downgrade the operating system to an earlier version that has a patch level pre-August 29th.
- Switch to using a playback app that is not affected.
- Avoid watching DRM-protected content in the apps until Microsoft resolves the issue.
Options one and two should fix the issue on the user's device, but they come with problems of their own. Uninstalling the September 2025 patch leaves the operating system vulnerable to potential attacks targeting the vulnerabilities that Microsoft fixed in the update.
Switching to another app may work, but since Microsoft did not provide a list of apps that are affected or do work, it is a hit-and-miss kind of situation. The developer of an app might provide an update to address the issue, for instance, by moving from using Enhanced Video Renderer to Simple Video Renderer.
All in all, the best option for most users is to sit this one out and wait for an official patch to arrive.
Now You: do you watch DRM-protected content on your Windows desktops? Are you affected by the issue? Feel free to leave a comment down below.
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