You might have noticed that watching Netflix on your PC was
a bit blurry. You’re not wrong. However, there are options to force Netflix to
stream in 4K Ultra HD.
For 4K Televisions with a dedicated set-top box, the process is different and
is usually more simplified. However, for PC users, you can follow this guide to
get the optimal 4K experience.
While Netflix does offer 4K playback on PC, achieving this level of quality requires a few steps. Ultra HD video demands certain software, hardware, and other requirements, and failing to meet just one could prevent the viewing of sharp 4K highly detailed playback.
Here are some of the common reasons why Netflix may not stream in 4K on your computer:
1. No 4K monitor, or no 4K TV with 2160p resolution.
2. No 4K (premium) Netflix subscription.
3. The original video content is simply not encoded in 4K.
4. Streaming quality settings are not set to high.
5. Incompatible software or hardware (see Netflix 4K system requirements)
Perceptively, here are the requirements for 4K Netflix on
your Windows PC:
1. First off, you’ll need to make sure that your computer monitor or TV
supports a resolution of 2160p which is also known as 4K or Ultra HD. You also
need to make sure that the HDMI cable supports higher bit rates and the HDMI
cable must be HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.1 as of writing this document in 2022.
2. If you haven’t subscribed to Netflix’s premium plan, you’ll only be able to
stream content in either 1080p on a standard subscription or 480p on basic. To
unlock 4K and playback on 4 simultaneous devices, you’ll need the premium plan.
In Canada the premium Subscription is $20.99 CAD/month.
3. Not all content on Netflix is available in 4K. A list of Ultra HD content on Netflix can be accessed from this following URL (https://hd-report.com/list-of-4k-ultra-hd-movies-tv-shows-on-Netflix/). It is current as of August 22nd, 2022. I am not sure how often this list is updated so you may need to search the web for a more current list.
4. If you haven’t opted for high-quality payback in your settings, Netflix will stream content at a lower resolution.
Click your Profile icon on the top-right of the screen and then go to “Account”.
About mid-way down
the screen under the “Profile & Parental Controls” click the down arrow
beside your name icon.
Look for the last item in that list called “Playback Settings” and the click the word “change” on the right-side.
You should now be in the “Playback Settings” page. Look for the very last option. On the very last option, make sure the circular button is selected beside “High” Best video and audio quality…
5. Modern hardware and software requirements. This section
has a few more parts. Here are the system requirements for streaming Netflix in
4K on your computer:
(A)
Compatible 60Hz 4K TV or display that supports
HDCP2.2. To play 4K video, you’ll need to use a display with a minimum 60Hz
refresh rate and HDCP2.2 support. If you don’t know your screen’s
specifications, you should check the manufacturer’s website for more
information.
(B)
25Mbps or higher internet connection. You’ll
also need a reliable internet connection with a minimum speed of 25Mbps to keep
up with all of the high-resolution content. If you’re aiming to stream content
in 4K, you’ll need an internet account that can accommodate the high data
usage. As noted on the Playback Settings screen, Ultra HD uses about 7GB of
data per hour.
Here’s how to check what resolution Netflix is using:
Play a video and press either Shift + Control + Option + D (Mac) or Shift + Control + Alt + D (Windows)
Inspect the Playing bitrate line to see the current resolution. If that line shows 3840 x 2160, then Netflix is streaming in 4K.
Press the key combination Shift + Control + Option + D (Mac) or Shift + Control + Alt + D (Windows)to close the bitrate overlay.
(C) The right software. Microsoft Edge for Windows, Safari for macOS, or the Windows Netflix app. On top of that, only certain browsers support 4K video, which is why you’ll need to use Edge, Safari, or the Windows Netflix app. You will also need HEVC Codec software. HEVC stands for High Efficiency Video Coding. The HEVC Codec can be obtained from this URL (https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/hevc-video-extensions-from-device-manufacturer/9N4WGH0Z6VHQ?hl=en-ca&gl=ca)* Also note that you may need to be signed into a Microsoft account in order to download the software.
D.(D) Powerful CPU, such as modern Intel or Apple silicon. Most modern CPUs should be able to handle 4K video. However, if you experience performance issues, check that your CPU, GPU, and all other components are up to the task.
E.(E) Compatible HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.1 cable. Finally, if you’re connecting your computer to a TV or display via HDMI, you’ll need to ensure that the cable supports 4K video.
Once you have everything set up correctly, when you view the descriptions of 4K content, you’ll notice “HDR” or “Ultra HD 4K” beside the descriptions.
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