GoKawiilMost monitors have a resolution of 1080p or 1440p, which means they won't take full advantage of 4K streaming. Assuming the display meets the resolution requirements, getting Netflix's 4K content to play smoothly in Chrome also comes down to HDCP 2.2 support, which is a digital copy protection protocol that prevents unauthorized copying of 4K video. This requirement applies not only to the monitor you're using, but also to your computer's video output. If you're connecting your PC to an external 4K monitor or a TV, both the display itself and the specific port on your graphics card must support HDCP 2.2.
Also, your operating system must support the HEVC codec. While systems like macOS already come with native HEVC support, Windows users may need to purchase and install the HEVC Video Extensions package from the Microsoft Store to ensure they can watch 4K videos from Netflix on their PC using Chrome. Netflix has been gradually switching from HEVC to the more efficient AV1 codec, but support for HEVC remains a key requirement for 4K streaming on the platform.
With HEVC and HDCP 2.2 supported, the next step is to check your computer's hardware. According to Netflix, 4K content requires an Nvidia GeForce 1050 GPU or newer, or an AMD Radeon RX 400 GPU or newer. As for the CPU, your computer needs a 7th-generation Intel Core CPU or newer, or an AMD Ryzen CPU. Make sure your computer is also running the latest software and drivers. For PC users, Windows 11 is required.