Enable Silverlight in Chrome 42+

Troubleshooting Video Playback Issues in Chrome

Many individuals now regularly enjoy television shows and films directly within their web browsers. However, difficulties can arise when video playback fails in a preferred browser.

This post from SuperUser addresses a user's challenge in restoring functionality to Amazon Instant Video within Google Chrome.

Understanding the Problem

Users sometimes encounter issues preventing videos from playing correctly in Chrome. This can be a frustrating experience, disrupting entertainment and access to online content.

The following Q&A session, sourced from SuperUser—a segment of the Stack Exchange network—provides a solution to this specific problem.

SuperUser Q&A Session

Stack Exchange is a collaborative platform comprised of numerous question-and-answer websites. SuperUser is a dedicated section within this network.

The core of this discussion centers on restoring the ability to stream Amazon Instant Video content using Google Chrome, offering a practical fix for affected users.

Important Note: The original question and answer are available on SuperUser for further details and community discussion.

Addressing Silverlight Compatibility in Modern Chrome Browsers

A SuperUser user, Louis, has inquired about enabling Silverlight functionality within Google Chrome, specifically version 42 and subsequent releases.

The user reports having Silverlight 5 correctly installed on a 64-bit Windows 8.1 system, yet encounters issues when attempting to utilize Amazon Instant Video and run Silverlight test applications.

The Core Issue: Chrome's Discontinuation of NPAPI Support

The problem stems from Google's decision to remove support for the Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface (NPAPI) in Chrome version 45.

Silverlight relies on NPAPI to function within web browsers, meaning its native operation in Chrome was discontinued with this change.

Workarounds and Alternatives

Despite a correctly functioning Silverlight installation, direct compatibility with modern Chrome versions is no longer possible without specific configurations.

The user has already identified a workaround: utilizing Internet Explorer for accessing Silverlight-based content.

Understanding the Limitations

It's important to recognize that Silverlight is a legacy technology.

Microsoft officially ended mainstream support for Silverlight in October 2014, and extended support concluded in October 2021.

Potential, Though Limited, Solutions

While not officially supported, some users have reported success enabling NPAPI support through command-line switches in older Chrome versions.

However, this method is unreliable, often unstable, and is unlikely to work consistently across different Chrome updates.

Recommended Approach

Given the end of Silverlight support and the inherent instability of workarounds, the most practical solution is to transition to alternative technologies.

Consider utilizing platforms and services that support modern web standards like HTML5 video, which are natively compatible with Google Chrome.

Summary

Enabling Silverlight in Chrome version 42 and later is not directly possible due to the removal of NPAPI support.

Using Internet Explorer remains a viable option for accessing existing Silverlight content, but long-term reliance on this technology is discouraged.

Addressing NPAPI Deprecation in Google Chrome

A SuperUser community member, TD.512, provides insight into a common issue faced by users.

Google declared in September 2013 its intention to discontinue support for NPAPI – the Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface. With the release of Google Chrome 42, NPAPI support was disabled by default, effectively preventing plugins such as Silverlight and Java from functioning. According to the Threat Report, the outdated architecture of NPAPI has been a significant contributor to system instability, security vulnerabilities, and coding difficulties.

Alternative APIs are available for companies like Microsoft and Oracle to update their web plugins. It is anticipated that these companies will transition to these modern alternatives. However, currently, as noted in a Microsoft article, Microsoft Silverlight may experience compatibility issues with current Chrome versions. The following steps may be necessary:

1. Enter 'chrome://flags/#enable-npapi' into the Google Chrome address bar.
2. Choose the 'Enable' option.
3. While accessing a website requiring the plugin (such as Netflix or Amazon Instant Video), right-click on the affected content and select 'Run this Plugin'.
4. (Optional) Express amusement at Google Chrome’s initial assessment of the SuperUser community.

Further contributions to this explanation are welcome in the comments section. For a more comprehensive discussion and additional perspectives from other knowledgeable Stack Exchange users, please visit the original discussion thread.