Why Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV show a black screen
If Netflix, Disney+, the Apple TV app or another streaming service shows a black screen in Castpane, nothing is broken. Protected video cannot be mirrored to Castpane, or to any other third-party receiver.
Why it happens
Streaming services protect their video with DRM (digital rights management). When you mirror or send that video, Apple's protocol only hands it to receivers Apple has licensed, such as Apple TV and AirPlay-compatible TVs from partner brands. Independent receivers for Windows are not on that list. This is a limit of the protocol and applies to every receiver like Castpane.
What you see depends on the app: a black picture with sound, a black picture with no sound, or an error message in the app.
What you can do instead
- Watch the service directly on the PC, in its website or Windows app.
- Mirror things that are not protected: your own photos and videos, presentations, games, most websites, and apps that do not use DRM.
What about YouTube?
Sending a video with the AirPlay button inside the YouTube app is being tested. We will update this page once we know whether it works reliably.
Questions
Will a future update make Netflix work?
No. The restriction is on the sending side, in Apple's protocol, and is decided before the video reaches the PC. No update to a receiver can change that.
Do other receivers for Windows get around this?
No third-party receiver can show protected video. If a listing suggests otherwise, read its recent reviews.
Last updated October 11, 2026. Still stuck? Contact support.