Netflix Not Working? Here’s How to Troubleshoot

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Is Netflix not loading, or does it keep crashing on your phone, TV, or computer? Are you getting errors like “Can’t connect” or “Can’t access servers”? Whatever issue you are facing with Netflix service on your device, this guide aims to help you. Let’s check the different ways to fix Netflix not working on Android, iPhone, TV, and PC.

Content

1. Restart Device (All)

The first thing that you must do if Netflix isn’t working is restart the concerned device. Similarly, you should also restart your Wi-Fi router. To restart your phone or PC, simply turn it off and on. To restart the Wi-Fi router or TV, unplug it from the power supply for a few seconds, then plug it back in.

2. Check Netflix Status (All)

Often, nothing is wrong with the Netflix app on your phone, TV, or PC, but the problem is with the Netflix servers. You can easily check whether the Netflix service is down by using the Downdetector website. Open the website and enter Netflix in the available box. You will see the outage status.

3. Check the Internet Connection (All)

You must ensure that the Internet connection is working on your device. To test whether it’s working, open any website in a browser on your phone or PC. Similarly, try opening a different app on your smart TV. If that also doesn’t open, the problem is with your Internet connection. Try changing the DNS server to Google DNS, OpenDNS, or any free DNS service.

Pro Tip: learn how to fix your smart TV not connecting to Wi-Fi.

4. Check the Device Limit (TV & PC)

If Netflix isn’t working on a TV or PC but works on the phone, you must check whether your Netflix account has the right to watch on a bigger screen. Basically, Netflix offers a basic mobile plan that lets you watch only on a mobile phone and not on TV or PC. You must be subscribed to that plan only.

To check your Netflix plan on Android, iPhone, or PC, follow these steps:

  1. Open Netflix on your device.
  2. Tap on the profile picture icon at the top and select “Account” from the menu.

  1. Scroll down to see the plan name under “Plan details.” For instance, we have a “Basic” plan that allows watching on bigger displays. If your plan says “Mobile,” you won’t be able to watch it on TV or PC. You can check the Netflix plans on the official website.

Tip: get up to speed about all the features that you can access in the Netflix plan with ads.

5. Update the App (All)

If you haven’t updated the Netflix app in a while, chances are that the Netflix not working problem is happening due to a bug in the app. You must update the Netflix app.

  1. Open App Store (iPhone) and Play Store (Android). Search for Netflix. Tap on the “Update” button if you see one.

  1. On your PC, try refreshing the Netflix website page in your browser.
  2. On your smart TV, go to the App Store for your TV, search for Netflix, and hit the “Update” button, if available.

6. Turn Off VPN (All)

Are you using a VPN on your phone, computer, or TV to watch Netflix? You should try turning it off to see if that fixes Netflix’s problems.

7. Turn On Cellular Data (iPhone)

If Netflix doesn’t work on mobile data but works on Wi-Fi, chances are that you have restricted the access of cellular data to the Netflix app. To grant access, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and go to “Netflix.”

  1. Enable the toggle next to “Cellular data (or Mobile data).”

Tip: learn how to fix it when cellular data isn’t working on your iPhone or iPad.

8. Clear Cache and Data (Android, TV and PC)

On Android and supported smart TVs, like Samsung, you can also try clearing the cache to fix the issue of the Netflix app crashing. Doing so will only remove the temporary files from the Netflix app and won’t affect your downloaded content or any other settings in the Netflix app.

Android

  1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
  2. Go to “Apps -> Netflix.”

  1. Tap on “Storage” and press the “Clear cache” button.

  1. Restart your Android phone.
  2. If clearing the cache doesn’t help fix the Netflix issues, you should clear the Netflix app data as well by pressing the “Clear data” button shown in step #3.

Note: doing so will remove the downloaded Netflix TV shows and movies from your phone. In addition, you’ll also be signed out of your account.

TV and PC

We are covering the steps to clear the cache or Netflix app on Samsung smart TVs. The steps may differ on another TV model.

  1. Open “Settings” on your TV.
  2. Go to “Support → Device Care.”

  1. Select “Manage storage.”

  1. You will see the installed apps. Go to Netflix and press the “View Details” button underneath.

  1. Select “Clear cache” on the next screen.

  1. On PC, try deleting your browser’s cache and see if that helps.

9. Sign Out of Your Netflix Account (All)

Netflix errors like “Can’t connect,” “Can’t access servers,” etc., can be resolved by signing out of the Netflix account. Signing out will not hamper your Netflix watch list or recommendations and will only log you out of your account. Ensure that you know your account’s password.

To sign out of your Netflix account on Android and iPhone, tap on the profile picture icon at the top of the Netflix app. Scroll down and tap on “Sign out,” then sign in again.

10. Reset Netflix App (iPhone)

If nothing helps you fix Netflix not working on your iPhone, you should reset the Netflix app. Doing so will sign you out of your Netflix account and delete any downloads. It will not have any impact on your watch list, recommendations, etc.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap on “Netflix.”

  1. Enable the toggle next to “Reset.”
  2. Go back and open the “Recent apps” screen. Swipe up on the Netflix app to close it.
  3. Open the Netflix app again and sign in again to your account.

11. Reinstall Netflix App (Android, iPhone and TV)

A promising solution when it comes to fixing issues with Netflix on all devices is to reinstall the Netflix app. Before you can reinstall it, you must first uninstall it. Reinstalling the Netflix app will sign you out of your account, delete downloads, and restore the settings customizations you have made to the original settings.

Pro Tip: you can also try installing an older version of the Netflix app using APK instead of updating the app on Android.

iPhone

  1. On iOS, long-press on the Netflix app in the App Library.
  2. Select “Delete app.”

  1. Once deleted, open App Store and search for Netflix. Tap on the “Download” button.

Android

  1. On Android, open the Settings app.
  2. Go to “Apps -> Netflix.”

  1. Press the “Uninstall” button.

  1. After the app has been uninstalled, open the Google Play Store and search for Netflix. Press the “Install” button.

Smart TV

  1. On your Samsung smart TV, go to the “Apps” screen.

  1. Select the gear-shaped icon at the top to view all of the installed apps.

  1. Go to Netflix. When a menu shows up, select “Reinstall” from the menu. Wait for the app to uninstall and reinstall.

12. Reset Network Settings (Android, iPhone and TV)

The last resort in fixing the issue of Netflix not connecting or not working is to reset the network settings on your iPhone, Android phone, and TV. Doing so will restore all of the network settings, like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc., to their default values and remove any saved devices.

iPhone and Android

  1. To reset network settings on your iPhone, go to “Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset network settings.”

  1. Similarly, to reset network settings on Android, go to “Settings → System (General Management) → Reset → Reset network settings.”

  1. After resetting network settings, add the Wi-Fi details again and try using the Netflix app.

TV

To reset network settings on your smart TV, (in this case Samsung), go to “Settings → General → Network → Reset network.”

Download Movies from Netflix

Once Netflix starts working on your device, learn how to download movies from Netflix for offline viewing. Also, check out the best tips to enhance Netflix viewing.

All images and screencaps by Mehvish Mushtaq.

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Mehvish Mushtaq

Mehvish is a tech lover from Kashmir. With a degree in computer engineering, she’s always been happy to help anyone who finds technology challenging. She’s been writing about technology for over six years, and her favorite topics include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, social media, and web apps.

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