This Netflix App not Working Problem is mostly caused by a server-related issue or an error that occurred on your device. It is also possible that your internet connection is running slow or a third-party application is affecting Netflix.
Just by looking at the possible causes, you get a sense of how long troubleshooting can take and could eat up all your free time.
In this guide, we’ve listed the most effective solutions to fix Netflix App not working on your device.
1. Check Netflix Servers.
As we’ve mentioned above, this problem is often caused by a problem with Netflix servers. In this case, you must check its status first before making any changes to your device. You can visit their dedicated status page, where they show the current situation of the platform.
However, if the website is not accessible, you can also use third-party tools like Downdetector to check the current status of Netflix and the past issues it encountered.
If the servers are down, the best thing to do for now is to wait until Netflix gets everything sorted out. You can also try the remaining methods below and hope that something works out.
2. Try Lowering the Stream Quality.
If you experience playback issues and Netflix is not working, your connection could be struggling to handle the bandwidth requirement of Netflix. In this case, we suggest that you lower the stream quality to reduce the load on your internet connection.
To do this, follow the steps below to guide you on the process:
- First, open your Netflix account using a browser.
- After that, go to your Profile and open the Account tab.
- Now, select the Profile you are using and open Playback Settings.
- Lastly, change the stream quality or select Auto to let the platform decide which settings are best for you.
Once done, go back to Netflix and check if the problem is solved.
3. Sign Out of All Devices.
Another reason why the Netflix app is not working on your device is that you’ve reached the max number of devices that can use your account. Depending on the subscription you avail, Netflix sets a maximum number of devices that can access your account.
If this limit is reached, Netflix might not work on your device unless you sign out other devices.
To sign out your account on all devices at once, follow the guide below:
- Open your preferred browser and access your Netflix account.
- After that, hover your cursor to your Profile icon and click on the Account tab.
- Now, go to the Settings tab and click on Sign Out of All Devices.
- Finally, click on Sign Out.
After logging out your account to all devices, go back to Netflix and see if the problem is solved.
4. Check and Reset Your Internet.
Since Netflix is an online platform, a stable internet connection is required to use the app without problems. Netflix also requires a minimum internet bandwidth of 1.5 Mbps to enjoy its services without issues.
To check if your network meets that requirement, run a speed test using Fast.com to measure its upload and download bandwidth.
If the test indicates that your connection is slow, restart your router to refresh the link with your service provider’s servers.
After restarting your router, perform another test to check if your network is now running correctly. Contact your ISP if you continue to experience network issues or upgrade your current subscription to increase your connection’s bandwidth.
5. Turn Off VPN.
Netflix goes against the use of VPN services when accessing their platform. Due to licensing issues, Netflix is forced to remove some shows on their platform in specific regions. However, VPNs can bypass this restriction and could put them under legal sanctions.
Besides, VPNs can also affect your network’s performance and make it difficult for your device to communicate with Netflix.
If you are running a VPN service on your device, turn it off before using Netflix.
6. Clear Netflix App Data on Smartphone
Netflix recommends clearing the app data on your smartphone if you face a freezing screen on your device. When you clear the app data from your smartphone, it removes all the stored information and resets the permissions. Therefore, it might look like you installed the app freshly. Follow the steps below to delete the Netflix app data from your smartphone.
- From the home screen on your device, navigate to Settings.
- Select General. If you don’t see General, continue to the next step.
- Select Apps or Applications.
- Select Manage Applications, Application Manager, or Manage All Apps. If you don’t see these selections, continue to the next step.
- Scroll down and select Netflix. If you don’t see Netflix, check the Downloaded tab.
- Select Storage. If you don’t see Storage, continue to the next step.
- Select Clear Data or Clear Storage, then OK.
This method will remove all your Netflix data, and you can start fresh. Note that it will remove any shows you downloaded inside Netflix as well. Though it shouldn’t mess up any subtitle settings in your profile, if it does, you can turn off subtitles on Netflix again after logging in.
7. Reinstall Netflix on your Device
If you can’t find the option to delete Netflix app data, it’s better to reinstall the app. It will work similar to the last method, and you will get the latest version of the app. Now, each device has a different approach to removing the apps. We will see how to remove Netflix on Windows OS, Android, and iOS devices.
On Android, you can reinstall Netflix by doing the following:
- Open your device’s application drawer and find Netflix from the list.
- Now, long press its app icon until the selection screen shows up. Lastly, click on Uninstall and then Ok to delete Netflix.
For iOS users, follow the guide below to remove Netflix:
- On your home screen, find the Netflix app from the list. If it’s not on the home screen, check your App Library.
- Now, tap and hold down its app icon to access the options menu. Then, click on Remove App.
- Lastly, confirm your choice by tapping the Delete app option.
On a Windows computer, follow the below steps.
- Click on the magnifying glass icon or press Ctrl+S.
- Search for ‘Netflix’ and Click on Uninstall to remove the app.
- Lastly, click on the Uninstall button in the pop-up to confirm your choice.
After uninstalling Netflix from your device, go to the app store and reinstall the Netflix app to start fresh with the app. I recommend downloading the app from the official app store only.
8. Update Netflix.
Bugs and glitches can occur on Netflix, and their team addresses these issues through updates. However, if you don’t usually update your applications, your device won’t get the necessary patches and cause problems over time.
If the Netflix app is not working on your device, update it to the latest version and see if the problem goes away.
On Android devices, you update Netflix by doing the following:
- Launch the Google Play Store on your device and access the side drawer by tapping on the Menu button.
- Next, tap on My Apps & Games to check for updates.
- If available, tap on the Update button next to Netflix to install the latest version.
For iOS users, follow the guide below to update Netflix:
- On your device, open the App Store from the home screen.
- Now, tap on your Profile icon from the top right corner of the display.
- Finally, look for Netflix on the list and tap the Update button.
If you are on a Windows computer, see the steps below to update Netflix:
- First, open the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC.
- Click on More Options afterward and select Downloads and Updates.
- Lastly, click on the Download button beside Netflix to install the update.
For other devices, please go to Netflix’s Help Center and look for the dedicated guide for your system.
9. Report the Problem to Netflix.
At this point, we suggest that you ask Netflix for help if none of the methods above worked for you.
Contact their customer support and report the problem you‘ve been experiencing on the app. Ensure that you provide all the necessary information like your account details, the device you use, and a screenshot of the error to make it easier for their team to address the problem.
This ends our guide in fixing the Netflix app if it is not working on your device
I am Komal Hatwaani, aims to provide readers with informative and engaging content that covers everything from technology and business to entertainment and lifestyle. This website dedicated to delivering high-quality content that informs, entertains, and inspires our readers.
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