Netflix Not Working? Here's How to Fix It

Troubleshooting tips to help you fix common Netflix issues

Netflix may be one of the most-popular video streaming services on the planet but that doesn't mean that it's always a joy to use. A reliance on apps, internet connectivity, and third-party hardware can occasionally result in the Netflix not working: the official apps crashing, not opening properly, being unable to play movies and TV shows, or even just loading a black screen on your TV set or tablet.

These troubleshooting steps apply to all devices Netflix can be used from, including your computer, smartphone, tablet, smart TV, gaming device, or other streaming device.

General Netflix App Troubleshooting to Try First

Even though the Netflix app is available on various platforms, there are some solutions for fixing a faulty app that work across the board no matter what device you're using.

  1. Check if Netflix is down. If the Netflix app fails to load or a film or TV show won't start, it could simply be because the Netflix service itself is down or offline. Use that link to see if there's an issue with Netflix's servers. If there is, there's nothing you can do but wait for them to fix it.

  2. Restart your device. It's become almost a bit of a cliché but restarting your device will actually often fix a faulty app or system problem.

  3. Check your internet connection or phone signal. If your internet is down, Netflix won't work. Make sure your Wi-Fi or cellular connection is switched on and that your device hasn't been put in Airplane mode by accident. Also try other apps to see if they can connect to the internet.

  4. Reboot your router. If your internet is down or you seem to be connected but apps aren't working properly, the problem may lie with your network hardware.

  5. Update your Netflix app. As with a system update, it's equally important to keep the Netflix app up-to-date as the latest version may be needed to run on your device or to connect to the Netflix servers for streaming media. An app update could also fix any Netflix error codes, for example, the error code UI-800-3, that you're getting.

  6. Log out of Netflix and Log in again. A simple solution but an effective one and it only takes a few minutes to do.

  7. Reinstall the Netflix app. Often deleting the Netflix app and reinstalling it will fix any problems you're experiencing. Deleting and reinstalling an app is pretty easy to do on most devices and usually only requires downloading it again from the relevant app store.

    If you're having trouble reinstalling Netflix on a Samsung smart TV, highlight the Netflix app with your cursor, press the Tools button on your remote, and then select Reinstall.

  8. Sign out of Netflix on all devices. Occasionally, using Netflix on multiple devices, even if your membership allows it, can cause conflicts within the Netflix servers. You can fix this issue by logging out of Netflix on every device all at once. After logging in, you can do this on the Netflix website in the Account settings via the top-right icon. Make sure to click on Sign out of all devices, wait a few minutes, and then log back in on your device again.

    You can also do this from the app on your mobile device. Open the More menu at the bottom, tap Account, and choose Sign out of all devices.

  9. Update your operating system. Whether you're using a smart TV, gaming console, smartphone, or tablet, you should always try to keep it up-to-date with the latest operating system, as some apps will stop working if they know a system update is available. A system update can also fix any bugs that may be preventing the Netflix app from working correctly.

  10. Call your internet service provider. At this point, if Netflix's servers are working properly and you've tried all that you can to get the app working, the reason Netflix is down might be due to an issue with your ISP, which is out of your control.

How to Fix Netflix on a Roku

If the general tips above don't work in getting the Netflix app working on your Roku, the best solution may be to deactivate your connection to the app and then reactivate it. Here's how to do it on each Roku model.

  1. Roku 1: Press the Home button on your Roku controller and click on Settings and then Netflix Settings. You should see the option that says Disable. Click on it.

  2. Roku 2: From the Home Menu, highlight the Netflix app icon and press the star key on your Roku remote. Click on Remove channel and then click on it once again to confirm the deactivation.

  3. Roku 3, Roku 4, and Roku TV: Move the cursor to the left to open the Netflix menu from within the Netflix app. Click on Settings and then click on Sign out and then Yes.

How to Fix Netflix on a PlayStation 4 Console

Like the Xbox One, Sony's PlayStation 4 console can also run streaming apps like Netflix. Try these two solutions if you're encountering problems with your Netflix app on your PS4.

Netflix app on a PS4 console.
 Netflix
  1. Check if PSN is down. If the PlayStation Network online service is down, it could be preventing some of the apps from working. You can check if PSN is running via its official status page.

  2. Quit the PS4 Netflix app. PlayStation 4 apps will continue to run in the background even if you switch to a video game or another app. Closing your open apps can improve the performance of your PS4 and refresh the apps to fix any bugs that you may be experiencing. To close a PS4 app, highlight its icon on the home screen and press the Options button on your PS4 controller. A new menu will pop up with the option, Close Application. Click on it to close the Netflix app. You can now reopen it again as you usually would.

How to Fix Netflix on a Samsung Smart TV

Smart TVs are television sets that allow for apps to be installed directly onto them without any additional hardware. There is an official Netflix app for some smart TVs, and, unfortunately, Samsung's smart TVs are known to experience some problems with it.

A man using a smart TV
A smart TV comes with streaming apps already pre-installed.  Manuel Breva Colmeiro / Moment Open

Here are some solutions to try if the above troubleshooting tips fail to fix the problem.

  1. Unplug your Samsung smart TV for 30 seconds. Turning the TV on and off again can often work but leaving it off for at least 30 seconds allows everything to completely reset and start afresh when it's turned on next.

  2. Disable Samsung Instant On. Samsung Instant On may get your TV up and running faster, but this feature can conflict with apps such as Netflix. Turning it off may get everything working correctly again. To disable Samsung Instant On, open Settings and then click on General to disable the option.

  3. Do a hard reset. It should be the last thing you attempt when trying to get the Netflix app working again on your Samsung smart TV. A hard reset will return your TV to its factory settings which will delete all your smart TV apps and settings. Thankfully, doing a hard reset is something that the Samsung remote management team can do for you, and it only takes between five to 10 minutes. Call Samsung technical support on 800-SAMSUNG and ask for the Samsung remote management team to do a hard reset on your smart TV set.

As of December 2019, Netflix no longer supports older Roku devices. The streamer says that "technical limitations" prohibit support for these Roku models: Roku 2050X, Roku 2100X, Roku 2000C, Roku HD Player, Roku SD Player, Roku XR Player, and Roku SD Player.

How to Fix Netflix on an Xbox One Console

Microsoft's Xbox One consoles feature a variety of popular streaming apps such as Twitch, YouTube, and of course, Netflix. If you're having problems getting the Xbox One Netflix app working as it should, and you've tried all of the general advice mentioned above, you may need to try the following fixes.

Netflix app on an Xbox One console.
Netflix
  1. Check if the Xbox network is down. Many Xbox One apps and features won't work if the Xbox network online service is down.

    To check if it's working, visit the official Xbox network status web page and see if there's a green checkmark next to Xbox One Apps. If there's a checkmark, then Xbox network app functionality is working. If there isn't a checkmark next to it, then parts of the Xbox network may be down, and you'll have to wait for it to come online again. The outage could last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

  2. Quit the Xbox One Netflix app. If the Netflix app is buggy on your Xbox One, you can try quitting it and re-opening it again. To do this, press the circle X button in the center of your Xbox controller to bring up the guide and select the Netflix app from the list of recently used apps. Once it's highlighted, press the menu button with the three lines on your controller and then press Quit from the popup menu. Netflix should completely close, and you can now open it again as per usual.

FAQ
  • Why is Netflix not working on my Apple TV?

    If Netflix says it's currently unavailable, it may mean the app needs an update. It could also point to a connectivity issue. Some troubleshooting steps include restarting Apple TV, updating the firmware, and restarting your home network.

  • Why is my VPN not working on Netflix?

    If you're getting an error message that says "You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy," it means Netflix has detected that you're using a VPN and is blocking its server IP, or it could mean the VPN you're using isn't compatible with Netflix. If you're trying to watch content available in your own region, disconnect the VPN and try again. You can also try connecting to a different server, and/or updating the VPN software,

  • Why is my Netflix sound not working?

    If you're getting video with no sound, it commonly means there's a problem with the content you're watching or a problem with your speakers. Try playing another video to see if you get sound. If you don't, make sure the volume is turned up on your viewing device, check your device's audio settings, and restart it if necessary.

  • Why is Netflix Party not working?

    If you're having an issue with Netflix Party (now called Teleparty), first make sure that Netflix isn't experiencing problems using something like Downdetector. Then, make sure the host sent the correct link to each viewer. You can also try rebooting your computer and/or router, or uninstalling and reinstalling the Netflix Party extension.

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