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Firefox does not play netflix

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Firefox used to play netflix. Now it doesn't. Chrome plays netflix. Silverlight current. What's up?

Firefox used to play netflix. Now it doesn't. Chrome plays netflix. Silverlight current. What's up?

Chosen solution

We're still trying to nail down this issue but I'm pretty sure if you run Firefox in 32-bit mode, Netflix will work. To do that:

  1. Quit Firefox. Go to the Firefox menu and select Quit.
  2. Open your Applications folder
  3. Find Firefox in the Applications folder and click it once to select it. Then press command + i on your keyboard. An information window will open up.
  4. In the Firefox information window, check the box next to Open in 32-bit mode
  5. Close the info window and restart Firefox
Read this answer in context 👍 4

All Replies (8)

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Chosen Solution

We're still trying to nail down this issue but I'm pretty sure if you run Firefox in 32-bit mode, Netflix will work. To do that:

  1. Quit Firefox. Go to the Firefox menu and select Quit.
  2. Open your Applications folder
  3. Find Firefox in the Applications folder and click it once to select it. Then press command + i on your keyboard. An information window will open up.
  4. In the Firefox information window, check the box next to Open in 32-bit mode
  5. Close the info window and restart Firefox
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That did it! Thanks so much.

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I have the same problem with Firefox 9.0.1 and Silverlight.plugin 5.0.61118.0. But I can play Netflix OK with Safari, which I don't use otherwise. I'd rather not change the settings in Firefox since I have no idea what bits are or how the change would affect other sites. Is this going to get fixed in Firefox? Anytime soon?

Modified by janehere

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Some additional info:

This is what I've discovered. It does seem to be related to Firefox 9.0.1 64 bit mode but add-ons do not seem to be the problem.

(MAC OS X 10.6.8, Snow Leopard)

Safari 5.0.1 (latest release) does work with Silverlight 5.06.61118.0. (All extensions turned off; I only use Safari when a site doesn't work with my Firefox setup)

NETFLIX does NOT work with Firefox 9.0.1 and Silverlight 5.06.61118.0 in 64 bit mode even when I disabled all the add-ons including Ghostery, Add-block, Flash Block.

It does work in 9.0.1 in 32 bit mode with all add-ons enabled.

I reinstalled 8.0.1 (auto update turned OFF) from my old Firefox 8 DMG and it works both in 64 and 32 bit mode, all add-ons enabled.

In each case I had pop-up blocker turned off. I accept all cookies. The only exceptions to Ghostery are Twitter and Facebook.

Modified by CaptHuffnpuff

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Firefox 10 seems to have solved the Netflix problem with Silverlight 5.06.61118.0. on OS X Lion 7.2.

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Problem was solved by disabling FlashBlock Addin.

Netflix provided black screen.

Installed new Silverlight to no avail.


Firefox Mac 10.0.2 Silverlight Plugin 5.0.6.1118.0

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That 32 bit mode...used to work..up till a few days ago. I updated to Firefox 13.01. I installed Silverlight...didn't help.

I get this page from Netflix (see attached) when I try to click on any movie. Safari doesn't have this problem.


Also..I've lost the use of the Open New TAB button on my toolbar..among other toolbar buttons.

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I was having the same problems with Silverlight on Lion 10.7.4. Within the last few weeks, when I tried Netflix it said the plugin was down level and directed me to the site to download the DMG. I now have Silverlight at

"Sliverlight Plug-in 5.1.10411.0"

and I am not having any problems with Netflix.

Firefox 13.0.1, MacBook Air (mid 2012), Lion OS X 10.7.4