Picture in Picture for Videos

Hulu picture-in-picture on Chrome

Hulu has no picture-in-picture button on the web, but Chrome can float many Hulu videos in an always-on-top window. It depends on the title: on-demand shows usually pop out, some live and protected content does not. Here is how to try it and what to do when it refuses.

Updated · Applies to Picture in Picture for Videos 1.6

Tutorial · Videoexample.com/watchMEDIA CONTROLSTutorial videoexample.comEnter picture-in-picture
The media controls button lists whatever is playing and offers “Enter picture-in-picture”.

How to float Hulu in Chrome

  1. Install Picture in Picture for Videos. Free, no account.
  2. Open hulu.com and start the episode. Wait until the video itself is playing, past any ad break.
  3. Click the extension icon in the Chrome toolbar.
  4. Move and resize the window. Keep the Hulu tab open in the background; closing it stops playback.

Without an extension, click the media controls button in the Chrome toolbar and choose “Enter picture-in-picture”. Hulu’s player covers Chrome’s right-click menu, so the right-click method rarely works there.

What to expect

ContentFloats?Notes
On-demand shows and filmsUsuallyStart playback first
Trailers and previewsYesUnprotected video
Hulu + Live TV channelsVariesMore restrictions on live streams
During ad breaksUnreliableThe player switches source; wait for the show

We list Hulu as “varies” on our supported sites page for this reason. No extension can promise every Hulu title.

If the window does not appear or is black

THREE CAUSES COVER MOST CASES1Video has not started playingPress play, then click the icon2Permission is switched offchrome://settings/content/pictureInPicture3Site restricts picture-in-pictureCheck the supported sites list
Check these three in order before anything else.
  • Make sure the show is playing, not paused on the title card or in an ad.
  • Check Chrome’s permission at chrome://settings/content/pictureInPicture and remove hulu.com from “Not allowed”.
  • Update Chrome and your graphics driver if the window opens black while audio plays.
  • Disable other video extensions for the Hulu tab; ad and subtitle tools often replace the player.

The fallback that always works

Open Hulu in its own small Chrome window and pin that window on top. On Windows, Microsoft PowerToys has an “Always On Top” shortcut (Win+Ctrl+T). On macOS, third-party window tools do the same. You get a full Hulu player, with subtitles and controls, floating over your work.

Other streaming services

Netflix, Prime Video and Hotstar pop out with one click; see Netflix picture-in-picture on Chrome. For anything that refuses, the general checklist is in Picture-in-picture not working in Chrome.

Frequently asked questions

Does Hulu support picture-in-picture in Chrome?

Hulu’s web player does not have its own picture-in-picture button. Chrome’s picture-in-picture can still float many Hulu videos, but Hulu restricts it on parts of its catalogue, so results depend on the title and on live versus on-demand content.

Why is the floating window black on Hulu?

Hulu streams are copy-protected. On some combinations of graphics driver and Chrome version, protected video is not drawn outside the main tab, so the window is black while audio plays. Updating Chrome and the graphics driver fixes some cases.

Does picture-in-picture work with Hulu + Live TV?

Live channels are more restricted than on-demand shows. Some float and some refuse. If a channel will not pop out, running Hulu in its own small always-on-top window is the dependable alternative.

Does Hulu picture-in-picture work on a smart TV or phone?

That is controlled by the Hulu app and the device, not by a browser. A Chrome extension only affects Hulu in desktop Chrome; check the Hulu app’s own settings on phones and TVs.

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