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  • Software and digital services
  • Streaming service

PFE 9903

Sky PFE 9903 on Sky Go app: video capture software active

Verified with sources3 sourcesReviewed Oct 19, 2026
Technician coming? See the 2 steps they must show you

Risk level

Low

Usually safe to check without specialist tools.

Urgency

Low

Quick answer

“Code: PFE 9903” on the Sky Go app for PC or Mac means Sky Go has detected a programme capable of capturing video running on your computer and stopped playback. Close any screen-capture or media software via Task Manager or Activity Monitor and try playing the show again.

Safety first

Stop and check this first

  • Do not attempt to bypass screen-capture detection or use VPNs, ad blockers or Apple's Private Relay with Sky Go: Sky states these are not supported and all capture software must be disabled to watch.
  • Sky warns that uninstalling the Sky Go app on Windows or Mac deletes any downloads you currently have saved on that computer.

Safe checks you can perform

  • Close capture programmes through Task Manager on Windows
  • Stop screen-sharing and media tools in Activity Monitor on Mac
  • Restart or cleanly reinstall the Sky Go app on PC or Mac

Leave these tasks to a qualified professional

  • Do not attempt this professional task: Technical support from your computer manufacturer
  • Do not attempt this professional task: Sky service status check and official support review

What a technician must be able to justify

Technician visit

These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.

These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.

  1. Technical support from your computer manufacturer

    What they doIf you still see PFE 9903 and are unsure which programme on your PC or Mac uses screen capture, your device manufacturer's technical support helps identify and disable it.

    They must show youwhich background process or preinstalled utility was flagging screen capture detection.

    In writingthe exact programme name disabled and the steps to stop it launching automatically at startup.

  2. Sky service status check and official support review

    What they doThe operator's official support verifies on the personalised service status page and account settings whether any wider Sky Go desktop issue applies.

    They must show youthe Sky Go service status result and the active device list on your Sky account.

    In writingthe support reference, the OS and Sky Go version checked, and the outcome.

Before accepting a part or repair

Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.

Follow these steps

Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.

  1. Close capture programmes through Task Manager on Windows

    No special tools

    Who:
    you, on your Windows PC.
    How:
    press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager. Look for programmes such as GameCapture.exe, Recorder.exe, SnippingTool.exe, VideoCapture.exe, ScreenCapture.exe, fraps.exe, OBS.exe, Quick Time, VLC or CyberLink Media Player software, select each programme name and click End Task, then close Task Manager.
    Result that matters:
    no screen-capture or media-recording process remains active while Sky Go is running.
    If your show plays in Sky Go:
    note which programme triggered PFE 9903 so you can close it before watching.
    If PFE 9903 still appears on Windows:
    check for other background capture tools or restart the Sky Go app and PC.
    Evidence to keep:
    a note of the programmes ended in Task Manager and a screenshot or photo of the PFE 9903 prompt.

    Evidence: You appear to be running software capable of capturing video. Code: PFE 9903 | Sky Help

  2. Stop screen-sharing and media tools in Activity Monitor on Mac

    No special tools

    Who:
    you, on your Mac.
    How:
    select Finder on your dock, open Applications on the sidebar, double-click Utilities and then double-click Activity Monitor. Select programmes such as AirParrot, AirFlick, AirPlayer, Debut, OBS, Quick Time, VLC, FLV player, i-movie or CyberLink Media Player software, click Stop in the top-left corner and close Activity Monitor.
    Result that matters:
    macOS stops every background capture or streaming utility that blocks Sky Go playback.
    If playback starts without PFE 9903:
    keep those utilities closed while using Sky Go.
    If the error remains on macOS:
    force quit Sky Go with option + command + esc and restart your Mac.
    Evidence to keep:
    the list of processes stopped in Activity Monitor and your macOS version.

    Evidence: You appear to be running software capable of capturing video. Code: PFE 9903 | Sky Help · Troubleshooting Sky Go error messages (PC/Mac) | Sky Help

  3. Restart or cleanly reinstall the Sky Go app on PC or Mac

    No special tools

    Who:
    you.
    How:
    end or force quit the Sky Go app and restart your computer. If the issue persists, uninstall Sky Go via Control Panel > Programs and Features on Windows, or on Mac delete SkyGoInstaller from Downloads, Sky Go from Applications and the Sky Go folder inside ~/Library/Application Support/, then reinstall from sky.com/watch/sky-go.
    Result that matters:
    a clean Sky Go desktop installation running on a non-beta Windows or macOS release.
    If reinstalling resolves the error:
    remember to run Sky Go as an Admin if it was installed under an Admin account.
    If PFE 9903 still shows after a clean install:
    contact your computer manufacturer's support or Sky support.
    Evidence to keep:
    the date you reinstalled Sky Go and confirmation that your OS is a live release rather than a beta.

    Evidence: Troubleshooting Sky Go error messages (PC/Mac) | Sky Help

Still not solved

If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.

Where this code applies

A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.

Primary scope

System
Software and digital services
Brand
Sky
Product type
Streaming service

Known code variants

  • Code: PFE 9903
  • error PFE 9903 Sky Go
  • PFE 9903
  • PFE-9903
  • running software capable of capturing video PFE 9903
  • Sky Go error PFE 9903
  • Sky Go PFE 9903
  • software capable of capturing video PFE 9903

What it means

In Sky Help's official article for Code: PFE 9903 and its Sky Go on-screen message guides, which cover Sky's UK and Republic of Ireland (UK/ROI) service, Sky explains that the Sky Go app checks for screen capture programmes and stops playing if any are detected, showing “You appear to be running software capable of capturing video. If you want to watch this show, please ensure that all capture software is disabled and try again. Code: PFE 9903.” Other app versions, operating systems or devices may differ, and the error code alone never proves that any computer hardware is faulty.

Warnings and stop conditions

  • Mediumeditorial warning

    Do not attempt to bypass screen-capture detection or use VPNs, ad blockers or Apple's Private Relay with Sky Go: Sky states these are not supported and all capture software must be disabled to watch.

    Evidence: You appear to be running software capable of capturing video. Code: PFE 9903 | Sky Help · Troubleshooting Sky Go error messages (PC/Mac) | Sky Help

  • Lowsource verified

    Sky warns that uninstalling the Sky Go app on Windows or Mac deletes any downloads you currently have saved on that computer.

    Evidence: Troubleshooting Sky Go error messages (PC/Mac) | Sky Help

Symptoms and causes

Probable causes · in order

  • Screen capture or recording utility running on Windows or macOSCommon

    Sky states that PFE 9903 appears if you are trying to use or already running a screen capture programme such as OBS, SnippingTool.exe, GameCapture.exe, Recorder.exe, fraps.exe, AirParrot or Debut.

    Evidence: You appear to be running software capable of capturing video. Code: PFE 9903 | Sky Help

  • Media player or video tool with capture features open in the backgroundPossible

    Sky's example list also includes common media software such as VLC, Quick Time, CyberLink Media Player software, FLV player, Multi-Media player and i-movie running while Sky Go is open.

    Evidence: You appear to be running software capable of capturing video. Code: PFE 9903 | Sky Help

  • Sky Go desktop session hung or not launched with matching Admin rightsLess common

    In its PC/Mac Sky Go troubleshooting guide, Sky notes that if you installed Sky Go as an Admin you must run it as an Admin each time, and that beta operating systems are not supported.

    Evidence: Troubleshooting Sky Go error messages (PC/Mac) | Sky Help

Virtual technician

Does PFE 9903 still appear after these checks?

Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.

Start diagnosis

Sources and technical references

  1. 1

    You appear to be running software capable of capturing video. Code: PFE 9903 | Sky Help

    Sky · 2026 · official_doc

  2. 2

    Enter your on screen message - Sky Go | Sky Help

    Sky · 2026 · official_doc

  3. 3

    Troubleshooting Sky Go error messages (PC/Mac) | Sky Help

    Sky · 2026 · official_doc

Sources: You appear to be running software capable of capturing video. Code: PFE 9903 | Sky Help · Enter your on screen message - Sky Go | Sky Help · Troubleshooting Sky Go error messages (PC/Mac) | Sky Helpreviewed 2026-10-19 · verified

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