My Galaxy S23, possessing Widevine L1 certification for HD online streaming, intermittently displays L3 certification instead. Restarting the device temporarily resolves this to L1, but the issue recurs after several days, despite three subsequent software updates. This has been an ongoing problem.
The issue of your Galaxy S23 intermittently switching from Widevine L1 to L3 is often related to software inconsistencies, DRM key management, or security verification failures. Since restarting temporarily restores L1, it suggests a software or security-related glitch rather than hardware failure. Here’s what you can do to resolve this:
1. Check DRM Info
Download the DRM Info app from the Play Store and check the Widevine certification.
If it shows L3, restart and check again.
If it reverts to L1 after restarting but later switches back to L3, proceed with the steps below.
2. Clear Cache & Data of Streaming Apps
Go to Settings → Apps → [Your Streaming App] → Storage & Cache.
Tap Clear Cache, then Clear Data.
Restart the phone and check if L1 stays active.
3. Reinstall Affected Streaming Apps
Uninstall apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+.
Restart the phone.
Reinstall the apps and log in again.
4. Ensure Device Integrity with Play Protect Certification
Go to Play Store → Profile (top-right) → Settings → About.
Ensure Play Protect certification says "Device is certified".
If not, this could indicate a security issue affecting Widevine.
5. Wipe Cache Partition
This can help if old system files are interfering.
1. Power off your phone.
2. Press and hold Volume Up + Power until you see the Samsung logo.
3. Use volume buttons to navigate to Wipe Cache Partition.
4. Select it with the power button and confirm.
5. Reboot the phone.
6. Check for Software Corruption
Since three updates haven’t fixed it, you may need to manually flash official firmware using Odin:
Download the official latest firmware for your model from SamMobile or Frija.
Use Odin to flash the firmware (ensure Home_CSC is used to retain data).
7. Factory Reset (If Nothing Else Works)
Back up important data.
Go to Settings → General management → Reset → Factory data reset.
8. Contact Samsung Support
If the issue persists, Samsung may need to reissue DRM keys. Some users have reported success in fixing this via Samsung's service center.
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