Inviting friends over for a Netflix party and sharing the best scenes is quite delightful! There is a caveat though, many people report having issues with sharing their screens whenever they try to screen share Netflix. This is due to the stringent measures the streaming giant has put in place, which prevent piracy of their content. While one common resolution is to turn off hardware acceleration in your browser, one cannot deny the adverse effects that this may have on performance. Thankfully, other techniques allow users to screen share Netflix and other sites without forcing their computer’s performance to take a hit.

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How Does Hardware Acceleration Work?

Modern browsers have advanced features such as hardware accelerations whereby certain activities, such as video decoding, are done using the GPU instead of the CPU. This greatly improves the performance of the system and enhances the quality of end videos as well. But this feature can be complicated whenever a user is trying to stream DRM-enabled content, such as Netflix, resulting in a black screen during screen share.

Methods to Screen Share Netflix without Turning Hardware Acceleration Off

1- Use a Web Browser with the Correct Options Which is Compatible

There are some web browsers that have been known to have a better capability of sharing DRM videos compared to other browsers. For optimal streaming, it is recommended that you utilize either Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge as they have been designed for optimal streaming.

• Always ensure that the browser you use is up to date since updates usually have improved DRM compatibility.
• Launch an incognito or private window to avoid potential conflicts brought in by extensions.

2- Enable Window-Specific Screen Sharing

When using applications like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams for presentations, make sure to only share the application’s windows you need and not the entire screen.

• Instead, open Netflix in a reusable window.
• In the screen-sharing application, share the window containing the Netflix browser only. It also helps to avoid the black screen problem caused by DRM technology.

3- Assess Your Browser Extensions

Some extensions may block or disrupt Netflix playback during screen sharing.

• Pause the work of adblockers, VPN extensions, or download managers for the time being.
• Try using the screen share option again.
• If such work is critical, I recommend whitelisting Netflix web pages within the extensions.

4- Change Video Playback Settings

By changing the default regional settings, you might be able to lessen the load even further while bypassing issues during screen sharing.

• Open Account Settings on Netflix.
• Go to Playback Settings and from the drop down choose either Standard or Low below the quality settings.

5- Use Embedded Share via Third-Party Platforms with Screen Share Options

Unlike other platforms, Discord provides users with specific features that allow streaming of DRM content without sticking to certain limitations such as hardware acceleration turning off.

• Join a voice or video channel on Discord.
• Press the Share button to continue and choose the browser window where Netflix is running.
• Select the option Optimize for Streaming big blue button in the middle and then a green button.

6- Use a Secondary Device for Playback  

One possible solution is to play the Netflix program on another device as far as a capture card or other screen mirror can assist in displaying the connected devices’ screens.  

• Use either HDMI or wireless mirroring to link the device to your PC or laptop.  
• Instead, show the screen of the other device.  

  7- Update Graphics Drivers  

Graphic drivers that are not current may lead to issues with hardware acceleration and DRM compatibility. Ensure that the GPU drivers of your system are current:  

• For NVIDIA GPUs: utilize the GeForce Experience application.  
• For AMD GPUs: go to the AMD website and download the necessary updates.  
• For Intel GPUs: download the Intel Driver & Support Assistant.  

8- Test with Different Screen-Sharing Platforms  

Content-specific professionals suggest that some screen-sharing platforms are better than others when it comes to screen sharing while on the platform, some platforms are unable to work and then fall back to Google Meet or Microsoft Teams, for example.  

Conclusion  

It is entirely possible to share screens when sharing Netflix while on acceleration hardware, with a few browser and screen settings that need to be altered. By the use of specific screen-sharing techniques, the use of extensions to browsers, and managing the browser software updates, one will be able to watch Netflix while at the same time enjoying its effectiveness with their friends and family.  

Do not forget to ignore policies that prevent the sharing of Netflix content and apply these methods properly if you want to improve your overall experience while watching movies and videos. Enjoy the streaming!