[FIX] Netflix Error Code F7053 1803 On Mozilla Firefox

The Error Code F7053 1803 is encountered on both Windows and Mac when Firefox users attempt to stream content from Netflix. In most cases, the error code is accompanied by the error message ‘Sorry, we’re having trouble with your request. Please reload the page and try again’.

Netflix Error Code F7053 1803 on Firefox

As it turns out, there are several different potential culprits that might end up causing the Error Code F7053 1803 with Netflix:

  • An issue with Private Browsing – The most common cause that causes this problem on both Windows and Mac is a Firefox bug related to private browsing that ends up causing issues with various streaming clients including Netflix. In this case, you can fix the issue by closing the Private browsing window and reopening it in a normal window. If you see this problem occurring regularly, you should update Chrome to the latest version available.
  • Cookies are disabled in Firefox – Another reason why you might see this error code is an instance in which your Firefox browser is not configured to save persistent cookies (which Netflix requires). In this case, you can fix the issue by accessing the Privacy & Security settings menu in your Firefox browser and ensure that it’s configured to save and store cookies.
  • Corrupted cookie data – However, this problem can also occur due to a cookie issue even if you have them enabled in your browser. Badly cached data is proven to be responsible for this particular error code. If this scenario is applicable, you should take the focused approach and clear the cookies related to Netflix and see if that ends up fixing the issue.
  • Corrupted cached browser data – Under certain circumstances (like right after an AV scan), Netflix might trigger this issue due to some inconsistency with your browser cache. In this case, you should be able to fix the issue by refreshing the Firefox browser.

Method 1: Turn off Private Browsing

If you’re encountering the F7053 1803 error code while streaming content from a private window in Firefox, you’re not the only one. There are a lot of users that are reporting this exact issue and Netflix even mentions it on their support page.

As it turns out, the problem occurs due to the fact that Firefox restricts certain data from being exchanged while in Private Mode. Since Firefox’s Mode is even more strict than Incognito (Google’s equivalent), Netflix will refuse to stream from it.

The fix in this case (on both Windows and Mac) is to simply turn off private browsing and stream content from Netflix from a normal window.

You can recognize if you are currently using a Private window via its purple icon. If you see it, simply close the window, then open a normal Firefox window and repeat the streaming attempt.

Closing the Primate Video

Note: You can do this on both Windows and macOS.

If you’re still encountering the same the F7053 1803 error even after you pen a normal Firefox window, move down to the next method below.

Method 2: Update Firefox to the Latest Version

As it turns out, Mozilla is already aware of this problem and in fact, they have already released a hotfix for this issue. To take advantage of it, you just need to update your Firefox browser to the latest version available.

Several affected users that were previously dealing with the F7053 1803 error have confirmed that updating Firefox to the latest version has successfully allowed them to get rid of the error. This is confirmed to be effective on both Windows and macOS.

If you already tried to Stream Netflix content from a normal window (not a Private Window), follow the instructions below to update your Firefox build to the latest version:

  1. Open your Firefox version and click on the action button in the top-right corner.
  2. From the newly appeared context menu, click on Help, and then click on About Firefox.
  3. In the About Firefox window, wait for the initial scan to complete and see if a new Firefox version is waiting to be installed.
  4. If a new update is found, click on Restart to update Firefox to start the updating process.
    Updating Firefox
  5. Once your browser restarts, open Netflix and see if the problem is now fixed.

In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 3: Enabling Cookies in Firefox

A lot of Netflix streaming issues originate from a cookie issue – This happens because the streaming service is conditioning the use of cookies regardless of the browser that you’re using. As it turns out, another fairly common instance that might end up causing the F7053 1803 error is a scenario in which your browser is configured to ‘forget’ history and cookies.

In this case, you should be able to fix the problem by accessing the Privacy & Security menu of Firefox and enabling Remember history. 

Here’s a quick guide on how to ensure that cookies are enabled on your Firefox browser:

Note: The steps below are performed on a Windows computer, but the menus for the Mac version are identical. So feel free to follow the instructions below even if you’re encountering the issue on the macOS version of Firefox.

  1. Open your Firefox browser and click on the menu icon (upper right corner).
  2. Next, from the newly appeared context menu, click on Options.
    Options - Firefox
    Options – Firefox
  3. Once you’re inside the Options menu, click on Privacy & Security from the vertical menu on the left.
  4. Next, move to the menu on the right, then scroll all the way down to History and set the drop-down menu below to Remember History.
    Forcing Firefox browser to remember cookies
  5. At the confirmation prompt, click on Restart Firefox Now and wait for the browser to restart.
  6. Once the next startup is complete, see if the problem is now fixed.

In case you’re still encountering the f7053 1803 error code when attempting to stream content from Netflix, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 4: Clearing Cookies related to Netflix

As it turns out, this problem can also be occurring due to a bad cookie that ends up determining Netflix to prevent the streaming from occurring due to security reasons. Fortunately, there is a focused approach that allows you to clear solely the Netflix cookie (without affecting any other saved cookie).

Several affected users have confirmed that they managed to fix the issue by clearing the Netflix cookie and then signing in with their account once again.

If you didn’t try to clear your Netflix cookie so far, follow the instructions below to clean the Netflix cookie with a focused approach that might end up fixing the F7053 1803 error:

  1. Open Firefox visit netflix.com/clearcookies. Accessing this link will end up clearing the Netflix cookies instantly and sign you out of your account.
    Note: This link will work on both Windows and macOS.
  2. Once you’ve done this and you are successfully signed out, click on the Sign In button in the upper right corner.
    Sign in Netflix
  3. Inside the Sign In window, insert your credentials to complete the sign-in operation, then repeat the action that was previously causing the error in Firefox and see if the problem is now fixed.

In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next fixing method below.

Method 5: Refreshing the Firefox browser

Some users that were also experiencing the F7053 1803 error on Windows have confirmed that they manage to mitigate the problem completely after doing a Firefox refresh. This procedure will essentially restore the browser to a factory state (cleaning any temp files, cookies and browsing data in the process)

However, refreshing your Firefox browser will not make you lose passwords and bookmarks.

If you are willing to give this potential fix a try, follow the instructions below:

  1. Open Firefox and press the action button in the upper left corner of the screen.
  2. Next, from the context menu, select the Help tab, then click on Troubleshooting Information.
    Accessing the Troubleshooting Information menu in Firefox
  3. Once you’re inside the Troubleshooting Information tab, go ahead and click on the Refresh Firefox button (under Give Firefox a tune-up)
    Giving Firefox a tuneup via the Refresh Firefox feature
  4. At the confirmation window, click on Refresh Firefox once again to start the operation.
    Refreshing Firefox
  5. After you start this procedure, your browser will automatically undergo a process that will export any user preferences and bookmarks into an external file.
  6. Once the operation is complete, the utility will ask you if you want to re-apply the custom customizations & add-owns. When this happens, you can either click on Restore all windows & tabs to export all of them or click on Restore only the ones you want to choose them yourself.
    Restore customization and add-ins
  7.  When the operation is finished, repeat the action that was previously causing the F7053 1803 error and see if the problem is now fixed.

In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 6: Using the Netflix UWP App (Windows 10 only)

If none of the potential fixes above have worked for you, one workaround that has helped a lot of Windows 10 users is to use the UWP app (Universal Windows Platform) to stream Netflix content instead of relying on your browser.

This procedure will end up circumventing any browser-related issues since the streaming is done entirely through the Netflix UWP app.

If this scenario is applicable and you’re willing to migrate towards the Netflix app, follow the instructions below:

  1. Open up a Run dialog box by pressing Windows key + R. Next, type ”ms-windows-store://home” inside the text box and press Enter to open up the home menu of the Microsoft Store.
    Opening the Microsoft store via Run box
  2. Once you’re inside the Microsoft Store, go ahead and click on the search icon, then type ‘Netflix‘ and press Enter to search.
  3. Next, from the list of results, click on Netflix and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation of the Netflix UWP app.
  4. After the application is installed, launch the Netflix UWP app, sign in with your account and see if the problem is now fixed.
    Launching the Netflix UWP app3/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.