Fix for netflix error code n8156-6013 Updated
So I posted a while ago about this stupid error from Netflix and Silverlight, back in June of last year actually, and there’s still no real fix for it. I have though figured out a way to use the new Silverlight 4 and not get the error and not have to revert back to SilverLight 3.
The fix is quick and easy just rename the mspr.hds file to something lese like oldmspr.hds.
I’m using Windows 7 Pro X64 version and it’s located at C:/ProgramData/Microsoft/PlayReady
Of course on Vista and XP the files location is elsewhere, but it should be right under Application Data in a similar location. You could also just search for the folder or file to find it and then open the location.
Renaming that file seems to fix the problem for now. When you rename it Windows will create another one in the folder actually. So it might fix the problem and it might not. As of right now though I’m watching Netflix with no issues, so I guess I’m temporarily happy until the next update of Silverlight anyway.
March 11th, 2011 at 12:08 am
Worked perfect thx
March 15th, 2011 at 5:44 am
On XP the path is: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\PlayReady
March 15th, 2011 at 5:45 am
PS – this worked BEAUTIFULLY. Thank you.
March 18th, 2011 at 7:48 am
Muchas Gracias!!!!!!!!
March 19th, 2011 at 11:33 am
Thanks, your solution worked on my XP Pro 32bit with SilverLight 4.0.60129.0.
Location of the offending mspr.hds in Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\PlayReady
March 21st, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Thanks for posting the fix.
It worked!
April 17th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Thank you, worked for me as well!! Awesome
May 17th, 2011 at 6:07 am
I have had this error annoy the crap out of me for the past week, after i updated microsoft on windows xp 32 bit.Thank you so much for saving me from more headaches. You probably saved them many customers from cancelling because of this(like i was planning to). Netflix should give you unlimited free service for your wonderful fix.
May 20th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
Two points.
First, the file may also be located in “C:\Users\All Users\Microsoft\PlayReady” for Win7 Pro x64. That’s where I found it.
Second, if it’s this location, it’s in a hidden folder, so you have to tell Windows Explorer to show hidden files and protected OS files.
Finally found it and fixed it.
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:10 pm
So simple, but so effective. Now if you can give me a quick fix for my W…………
June 12th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
that is awesome. thanks
June 20th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
I want to thank you for this fix.
I renamed the file at all is working great again.
WinXP 32Bit
June 20th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
U Rok Thanx u soooooooooo much!
June 22nd, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Maacho man !!! It really worked……. yeppi
June 23rd, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Maacho man !!! It really worked……. yeppi
LOL
worked as well, thanks.
Netflix tech supp should give you a bonus for it. People so many times know better than the software producers…
June 24th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
this didnt work too me : ( maybe i juz not doing it right :/
June 25th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
On mac it is under Machd\Library\Application Support\Microsoft\mspr.hds
Worked like a charm. Well done.
June 26th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Thank you! Much appreciated.
June 29th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
It REALLY works!!!! Thanks for the HELP!!!
June 29th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
I just got off the phone with Netflix and they had me delete the mspr.hds file. That didn’t fix it, so I tried to uninstall Silverlight in hopes of installing another version, but it won’t uninstall. Says it has an error. Any ideas on what I can try next? Thanks much.
July 2nd, 2011 at 11:18 pm
I work nights, and when it’s slow I watch movies. (Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone!) We recently upgraded all computers to Windows 7, and rumor was that you had to smooth-talk an IT employee in order to enable Netflix.
Thank you for your much easier solution! Gonna share this with co-workers.
July 3rd, 2011 at 3:14 pm
perfect, thanks dude
July 4th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
Wow! Updated my windows and sure enough, got the netflix errors. But, followed the directions and it’s working great. Thanks so much, the info is very appreciated
July 5th, 2011 at 9:49 am
I started receiving this error last weekend. I’ve tried every fix posted on the Web, but its still not working for me. I don’t know what else to do.
July 10th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Worked like a charm. Thanks for finding this fix.
July 12th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Omg, I tried everything else out there first but this is awesome, it worked!
July 13th, 2011 at 10:12 am
Great Simple Fix – Thanks So So Much! Win XP Pro 32 bit Latest Silverlight v4.0.60531.0 works with your fix. Found the mspr.hds file to rename by following info in comments.
July 15th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
For XP/XP64 the PlayReady directory is here: %allusersprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\PlayReady
easy three step fix is start->run and type cmd, then enter the following in the cmd.exe window: (this is one line and the quotes MUST be used)
move “%allusersprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\PLayReady” “%allusersprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\PLayReady-old”
I just renamed the entire directory. The silverlight player then re-installed the entire package and I was back in business.
July 16th, 2011 at 4:24 am
IT WORKS. We’re 4×4 again. Much thanks
tried so many things I wont go into them.
July 16th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
I got error:N8156-6023 and tried this but didin’t work what can I do?
July 16th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
Worked for me. Thx!
July 18th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
This worked on my mac thanks
July 21st, 2011 at 4:26 pm
thanks, your suggestion worked
July 22nd, 2011 at 5:50 pm
HiThere,
I am running XP Home SP-3 and had Silverlight 4. Kept getting the famous error code (listed above). Uninstalled Silverlight 4 and installed silverlight 3 as you suggested. Rebooted and now Netflix tells me “Silverlight is out of date”. clicked “Run this time” and Netflix is now working.
Going to try on my Windows 7 Home Premium (32 bit) machine. It’s getting the same error.
Thanks for the help.
Al Whitmire
July 23rd, 2011 at 8:40 am
Thank you!!!! It worked (and I have no idea what I’m doing)
Thanks again
July 24th, 2011 at 5:24 am
It worked. Thanks.
July 24th, 2011 at 10:54 am
Worked for me! Thanks so much!
July 26th, 2011 at 11:04 am
So I found these folders, but they are always empty.. even when i unhide everything.
cant find mspr.hdr
August 1st, 2011 at 10:13 pm
Thank bro… Worked perfectly!
August 5th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Worked like a charm, been trying to fix this for over a year now. Thanks a lot!!
August 9th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
You are a golden god. That has been pissing me off to no end for months. Perfect fix with no downgrading.
August 10th, 2011 at 10:03 am
Thanks! That worked perfectly!
August 11th, 2011 at 9:30 pm
Worked perfect, Thanks a lot!!
August 15th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Wow I can’t thank you enough!!!!!! i thought i had a virus or something lol.
August 19th, 2011 at 11:12 pm
well had silverlight team take over my computer for 3 hours and 2 tecs with no success today
tried fixes mentioned on here – deleting play ready and using revo uninstaller to get rid of registry keys and re-instaling 4
wow it goes on and on
any suggestions welcome
as with others i had this problem before and rolling back to ver 3 worked for 6 months – not anymore – aghhhhh
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:47 pm
I can’t thank you enough, I’ve been grappling with this for almost a year with no success.
August 25th, 2011 at 12:30 am
Thanks for this. I’ve been using your other fix (Silverlight Developer) for months now, and suddenly that no longer works after my most recent Microsoft update. However, this fix appears to have corrected the problem with Silverlight 4.
Once again, thanks for doing what Netflix and Microsoft are both too inept/lazy to do for their customers.
September 2nd, 2011 at 6:49 pm
The renaming of the file worked perfectly! Super easy: search, rename, play, ENJOY!!
Thank you!
September 3rd, 2011 at 7:34 pm
This site just solved my problem – THANKS!
I was on the phone with netflix help for 25 min and they couldn’t do (while they were very polite)
September 3rd, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Awesome, thanks!
September 9th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
This worked great for me. Thanks for the post.
September 13th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Thanks for this info, now I can watch movies and shows on my computer again, yay!
September 15th, 2011 at 11:01 am
I got the error code N8156-6023 and I’ve tried all the suggestions posted not only in this site, but in many others without any result. ¡Please someone help me!
September 19th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Thanks this worked for me!
September 20th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Not even netflix CS was able to help. Something as simple as that drives you crazy. Thank you.
September 21st, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Worked perfectly! Thank you!
October 1st, 2011 at 5:47 am
You are the man. You are the man. You are the man. I have been so pissed off at netflix since I uploaded Chrome yesterday. Thanks for saving the world from such needless torment and frustration that Netflix puts us through. Dr. Ron
October 8th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
what’s the location for windows vistA please!!!
October 8th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Anyone have the Windows Vista Home Premium location?
October 9th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Joe I have the same problem. My readyplay folder is empty. I have it showing hidden files but it still is empty. I tried dwldg silverlight 3 with the developer fix u had earlier, but Netflix will not accept that either wants to install silverlight 4.
October 10th, 2011 at 3:51 am
This worked for me, too. I’m on Mac OS X. To clarify an earlier post, it’s in your Macintosh HD’s base directory under:
/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/PlayReady
Just rename the file. You don’t even need to restart your browser.
October 10th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
:: IF THE ABOVE DID NOT WORK :: ANOTHER SOLUTION THAT WORKS!!! ::
I tried every solution presented for this problem. Renaming, reinstalling, renaming, restarting, renaming. It never helped on my work computer, due to permissions…? Either way, I found ANOTHER SOLUTION for Windows 7.
*** 1. Open your BROWSER with ADMINSTRATOR PRIVLEGES:***
Open your browser with administrator privileges. Right click on the browser icon and select “Run as Administrator”. This will properly set the MS PlayReady file mspr.hds and you can now watch the Netflix movie content even with limited user security privileges.
Now I can watch Netflix without any errors!
October 17th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
yes, thanks very much.
October 20th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
On a Mac you can do this in the Terminal:
sudo find /Library -type f -name mspr.hds -exec gzip “{}” \;
November 7th, 2011 at 11:44 pm
I found the Vista program data file it was a hidden file so change the view options of the folder. The next issue is that the playready file was empty. So now what?
November 17th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
The rename worked, thanks Kristofer…saved me a lot of time and frustration…w00t!
November 19th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
It worked perfectly! I dunno why this topic didn’t come up when I searched for Silverlight crashing, but after a solid month of doing everything I could think of short of reformatting (uninstalled silverlight, firefox, internet explorer, ran 2 separate uninstall cleaners to make sure silverlight was gone, ran combofix, etc) I was about one more day of frustration away from buying a roku player or some other crap. This was so easy, and so instant. You’re my hero <3
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:45 am
Hello Kristofer! Thank you Thank you Thank you. Tonight is the first time I have seen this stupidity and Thanks to you I have it resolved and Netflix streaming operational within minutes! Much gratitude!! Sincerely, Robert
November 25th, 2011 at 11:23 pm
Still works. Just came up with the issue. No longer a problem. Thanks again.
November 29th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
Still working as of today. I added more memory to my computer and the bios was re-set. Because of this the date was wrong. After I changed the date to the correct time my Netflix was still giving me the n8156-6013. 10 seconds after reading the above and changing the file name it seems to be working just fine. Thanks for the EASY fix!
December 5th, 2011 at 11:10 am
thanks for your help if everybody will post their knowloge including my self it would be a better world
December 7th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
OMG!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! =D it did work =D yay!!! i love you!!
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:19 pm
ADD me to the list of those whom this trick did not work for. I’m fairly handy with computers so I’m pretty certain that I applied your fix correctly. I did find the file and renamed it. I REVO uninstalled silverlight prior to attempting the fix, etc, etc, etc.
Still need help but dumping netflix is on the horizon. Thanks.
January 6th, 2012 at 1:28 am
I have had absolutely no success in finding this so-called “program data” file. I’ve even searched for it by typing it in directly and it’s not there. So now I’m even doubting it’s just hidden. Also there is no option for showing hidden folders on my computer, at least that I can figure out. I’m running windows 7 home. Any ideas?
January 6th, 2012 at 1:40 am
Nevermind last post. I typed in another websites suggestion to my computers search and found it. I typed in C:\Users\All Users\Microsoft\PlayReady to find mspr.hds and then I just deleted it. Netflix is fixed.
January 9th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
thanks to the last post I figured this out. Netflix is working just fine now. Thanks for the post.
January 10th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Thanks! Fixed my issue.
January 16th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
thanks
January 29th, 2012 at 7:33 pm
worked liked a charm
January 30th, 2012 at 2:31 am
Good lord, it works! Thanks a ton, this was getting annoying
February 24th, 2012 at 7:11 pm
Works great
Thanks a bunch!!!!!!!!!
March 1st, 2012 at 9:05 am
just had my first encounter with this on my mac running os X 10.5.8 and (more importantly) *in the midst* of a battlestar galactica rewatch. 8-0 WORKED A CHARM!! thank you so much.
March 2nd, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Sorry, but this didn’t work for me, unless you can tell me how to get around Netflix now wanting me to download the latest version of Silverlight before I can download movies. Running Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit. Cheers
March 3rd, 2012 at 4:22 pm
YOU. ARE. AWESOME!!! THANK YOU!
March 7th, 2012 at 9:03 am
WORKED… thanks dude.
March 8th, 2012 at 11:16 pm
Thank you ssoooooo much!
April 3rd, 2012 at 10:56 pm
Office Werqer Says:
October 10th, 2011
*** 1. Open your BROWSER with ADMINSTRATOR PRIVLEGES:***
Thanks Werger. The file rename solution didnt do anything, yours did. Vista 64bit, using the IE 32bit.
April 5th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Sadly, this problem continues to exist well in to April, 2012.
The fix still works though! W00t!
May 6th, 2012 at 11:22 am
Excelente solucion rapida y sencilla me funciono perfecto
Mil Gracias…..
May 8th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Thanks man. Worked two years ago and worked again in May 2012
You should ask Netflix for some money for the free support you’re providing.
June 13th, 2012 at 12:59 am
I have Windows 7 and I searched for “mspr.hds” because my path was different than C:/ProgramData/Microsoft/PlayReady. The file popped up, I changed it, and my Sons of Anarchy obsession can continue. Cheers
July 31st, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Great information and the fix worked. I can’t believe that neither Netflicks nor Microsoft could not figure this out. I was just about to cancel my Netflicks account for the 2nd time! Thanks
September 19th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Unfortunately this fix did not work for me. Now Netflix is requiring that I install version 4 before I can watch anything.
September 19th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Oh, it does work. I tried to do both fixes at once. Just renaming version 4 worked just fine.
September 27th, 2012 at 11:27 pm
I just right clicked the screen, went to silver-light and deleted it’s memory
October 15th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Omg I love you guy’s it worked!!!!!!!!!!
I been pulling my hair out for a hour or more
thank you so very very much!
November 2nd, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Thank you so much! Worked perfectly and my kids are happy
February 25th, 2013 at 10:02 pm
Thanks, buddy. Worked like a charm.