Don’t get me wrong, while I enjoy watching shows and movies on Netflix, there are certainly a lot of things about the service that frustrate me. For one, the constant price hikes over the past few years have been ridiculous. It’s crazy to think that, in just 10 years, the monthly price of Netflix’s Premium 4K tier has risen from $12 to a staggering $27. And then there’s the fact that Netflix ended casting support last year, which means I can’t use my iPad to quickly cast a show to my TV anymore.

But above all else, what has truly frustrated me about Netflix for almost a decade is how much worse it looks when I watch on my PC using Google Chrome. The quality has always been capped at 1080p, so I couldn’t take advantage of the 4K quality I pay for, as I can on my TV. However, after years of users asking Netflix to change this, the streaming giant has finally followed through.

Netflix now supports 4K streaming in Google Chrome

There are a number of requirements to get it to work

Credit: Netflix / Google / Pocket-lint

In its most recent update, Netflix has finally brought 4K support to Google Chrome, meaning you can now stream in full 4K using the Chrome web browser on your PC. While this is a long-awaited change, there are quite a few caveats.

For one, to stream in 4K with Chrome, you must be running Windows 11. That means if you’re using macOS or Linux, unfortunately, you’re out of luck. You’ll still be limited to 1080p on Mac with Chrome, and 720p on Linux.

But even if you have a Windows 11 PC, there are some hardware requirements you’ll need to meet. Your PC needs to have an Intel 7th-generation CPU or newer or an AMD Ryzen CPU, along with a GeForce GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 400 series GPU or newer. You’ll also need to make sure your video drivers are up-to-date, and your Chrome is updated to version 117 or newer.

Additionally, to stream Netflix in 4K through Google Chrome, you must have a 4K display connected to your PC running at 60Hz or higher. That means if your laptop has a lower-resolution display, or you’re using a lower-resolution monitor, Netflix won’t stream in 4K at all. This is different from YouTube, which lets you stream 4K video even if you don’t have a 4K display. Any 4K monitor you’re using also needs to support HDCP 2.2, although most modern 4K monitors do.

It’s worth noting, too, that Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 supports 4K Netflix, as does Safari on Mac, so there are alternatives if you don’t use Chrome.

Of course, the best way to watch Netflix is still through the app on your TV or a streaming device like a Fire Stick, Roku, or Apple TV, since you can take advantage of a wider range of features that can make content look and sound much better, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos.

That said, I’ve been using Chrome for well over a decade, and when I’m not at home or just feel like watching something at my desk, being able to finally stream Netflix in 4K is a huge upgrade. I’m honestly just glad to see Netflix roll out an update that actually makes a positive difference for once and doesn’t cost me anything extra.

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