Chrome now streams Netflix in 4K on Windows 11

Netflix has updated its Windows playback requirements, and the big change is this: Google Chrome 117 or later now supports Ultra HD 2160p streaming on compatible Windows 11 PCs.

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So yes, Chrome can finally sit at the same table as Microsoft Edge and the Netflix app for 4K playback on Windows. That’s a pretty big shift after years of Chrome being stuck at 1080p, and sometimes even 720p, mostly because Microsoft Edge had the upper hand with PlayReady DRM while Chrome relied on Widevine for protected 4K streams.

There’s still a checklist. You’ll need a fully updated Windows 11 PC, a Netflix Premium plan, playback quality set to Auto or High, and at least 15 Mbps of bandwidth. Your hardware also has to be supported, which means newer Nvidia, AMD, Intel, or AMD Ryzen gear, plus a 4K 60 Hz display. If you’re using an external screen, it needs HDCP 2.2, and every active monitor connected to the system has to meet those same standards. In some setups, Netflix also says you may need Microsoft’s HEVC Video Extensions. If you watch Netflix in Google Chrome regularly, this is an update worth installing. Edge and the Windows app still have a few extras, though, including HDR and often Dolby Atmos. And on macOS, Chrome is still limited to 1080p, so you’ll need Safari if you want Ultra HD there. You can download Google Chrome directly from Google, and if your setup calls for it, the HEVC extension is available in the Microsoft Store.

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