It is hard to sit back to relax watching Netflix on your Smart TV when it won’t connect, open or load. When this happens, the last thing you want to do is use your brain to work out why and how you can fix it. In this article, I have listed all the troubleshooting methods to get Netflix up and running again, so that you can enjoy watching your favourite shows again.
If Netflix is not connecting on your TV, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue. First, check your internet connection and ensure that it’s working properly. If your internet connection is slow or unstable, it can cause issues with streaming services like Netflix. Try restarting your router or modem to see if that resolves the issue.
If your internet connection is working properly, try resetting your TV’s network settings by going to the TV’s settings menu and selecting “Network.” From there, select “Reset Network Settings” and follow the prompts.
It’s also possible that there is an issue with the Netflix app itself. Try deleting and reinstalling the Netflix app on your TV.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, it’s best to contact Netflix customer support for further assistance. They can help diagnose the problem and provide guidance on how to fix it.
I have outlined these fixes in a step-by-step format below. You might find it interesting how many devices and objects within your home can also affect your network connection.
Smart TV Netflix Not Loading/Opening
Netflix will not load or open when your internet connection is too slow or there are bugs or errors in the app or TV. Most of these issues can be resolved using the methods below, which I will explain in more detail further down.
- Troubleshoot your network
- Reduce the streaming quality in Netflix
- Update the TV and Netflix app
- Reinstall the Netflix app
- Reset the TV
Why Netflix is Not Loading/Opening on Smart TV
Slow Internet
Slow internet can prevent Netflix from loading menus and videos. If the internet is slow enough, the connection will time out before it has a chance to load. At a minimum, you need a download speed of at least 0.5MB/s to load Netflix, but 1.5MB/s is recommended.
On top of that, you need even faster internet to be able to stream any of the videos available on Netflix. Below are the recommended download speeds.
- 3MB/s for streaming Standard Definition content
- 5MB/s for streaming High Definition content
- 25MB/s for streaming 4K or Ultra HD content
You can check the download speed of your network through the Netflix app. Follow the steps below to check.
Step 1: From the Netflix home screen, navigate left to open the main menu.
Step 2: Navigate to ‘Settings > Get Help > Check your Network’.
Firmware Bugs or Errors
Bugs in the firmware or small errors that occur over time can also prevent Netflix from opening or loading. Bugs in the firmware relate to issues with the app’s coding and can only be fixed when the developers release an update with a ‘bug fix’. Errors are usually fixed by restarting or reinstalling the app, or resetting your Smart TV.
How to Fix Netflix Not Loading/Opening on Smart TV
Troubleshoot your Network
Troubleshooting your network to improve the connection involves the following methods. These processes have been explained in more detail further down.
- Restart the modem and/or router
- Restore default connection settings
- Reduce interference
- Use an Ethernet Cable
Reduce Streaming Quality
Reducing your streaming quality will enable the video to load with a slower internet connection. Lower quality means the video size is much smaller, making it quicker to download. This means that the video will be able to load.
To lower the string quality, follow the steps below. You will have a choice of ‘Low’, ‘Medium’, ‘High’, or ‘Auto’. “Low’ and ‘Medium’ qualities are lower than what you would expect for Standard Definition, and are therefore the safest options to choose from.
Step 1: Open Netflix in a web browser
Step 2: Open the ‘Account’ page
Step 3: Navigate to ‘Profile & Parental Controls > Profile > Playback Settings > Change’.
Step 4: Select your desired streaming quality.
Update your Netflix App and TV
Updating the Netflix app and TV will fix any bugs from the previous firmware and make sure they are both optimised. Performing updates will vary depending on which Smart TV brand you own.
Some TVs will allow you to highlight apps from the home screen, press a menu button on the remote and select ‘Update’ from there. However, most TVs will allow you to update the app through the app/channel store.
Step 1: Open the app store on your Smart TV.
Step 2: Find and select the Netflix app.
Step 3: Select ‘Update’ (if an update is available).
Updating the TV is usually done through the settings. You should be able to find an ‘About’ menu or ‘System Settings. In one of these menus you will find an option such as ‘Update System Software’.
Reinstall the Netflix App
Reinstalling the Netflix app will install the latest firmware as well as clear all temporary data files (clear the cache). You can reinstall the Netflix app through your TV’s app/channel store by following the steps below.
Step 1: Open your TV’s app/channel store.
Step 2: Find and select the Netflix app.
Step 3: Select ‘Delete’ or ‘Uninstall’.
Step 4: Restart your Smart TV.
Step 5: Repeat steps 1 and 2.
Step 6: Select ‘Install’.
Hard Reset your Smart TV
Resetting your Smart TV will clear any errors that have occurred, allowing the TV to start up again with a cleared memory. A hard reset does this by draining all residual power from the TV. This can be done via the steps below.
Step 1: Unplug your Smart TV from the power.
Step 2: Disconnect all devices attached to the TV.
Step 3: Press and hold the ‘Power’ button on the TV for 30 seconds.
Step 4: Wait another 10 minutes for the TV to fully discharge.
Factory Reset your Smart TV
A factory reset will not only clear the TV’s memory, it will also erase any downloaded apps/data and clear any saved preferences. This is usually attempted when other troubleshooting methods have not worked. The method will vary slightly depending on your Smart TV brand/model, but below is a guideline of how it can be performed.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on August 12, 2021.
Step 1: Press the ‘Home’ button on your remote.
Step 2: Navigate to ‘Settings > Advanced Settings > Device Preferences’.
Step 3: Find and select the ‘Reset’ option.
Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions.
Netflix not working on tv is a problem we hope one of the solutions provided above helped you resolve your problem. In the next section we’ll talk about Netflix not connecting to your smart tv.
Netflix Not Connecting on Smart TV
When Netflix cannot connect on a Smart TV, this is all related to issues connecting to the network. This issue requires you to troubleshoot the network, which can be done using the methods below
- Restart your modem and/or router
- Restore the default connection settings
- Reduce WiFi interference
- Use an Ethernet cable
Why Netflix Not Connecting on Smart TV
Using the Netflix app requires two successful connections. The first is the connection between your TV and the internet, and the second is the connection between the internet and the Netflix servers. If either of these are down, Netflix will have a connection error.
Your own WiFi network can be fixed by troubleshooting methods. However, if the Netflix servers are down. There is nothing you can do to connect to Netflix, other than waiting for them to fix the issue.
Sometimes if your Netflix Keeps Freezing it could be caused by Netflix servers intermittently going down while you are watching.
This will usually occur when maintenance is being performed, or when there are too many users accessing the server at once. You can check if the Netflix servers are down directly through their website, here.
How To Fix Netflix Not Connecting on Smart TV
Restart Modem/router
Step 1: Unplug the modem and router from the power.
Step 2: Wait at least one minute.
Step 3: Plug the modem back in and wait for it to start up.
Step 4: Once the modem has fully rebooted, plug the router back in.
Step 5: Once the router has fully rebooted, check your connection again.
Restore Default Connection Settings
Whether you have manually set up the network or not, you should check that the connection settings on your Smart TV are set to their defaults. This includes disabling any VPN that you are using (connecting directly to your WiFI) and resetting the DNS to ‘automatic’.
Reduce WiFi Interference
Interference can come in many forms around the house. Below is a list of devices that transmit wireless signals that can disrupt your network connection.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on August 12, 2021.
- Other WiFi networks
- Radios (such as baby monitors)
- Bluetooth devices (such as headphones)
- Microwaves
There are also solid objects, listed below, that can block the WiFi signal. You may need to move your modem/router to avoid these.
- Solid timber or concrete walls
- Water (such as an aquarium)
- Heated flooring
- Metal
You should also make sure your modem/router is close enough to your TV so you don’t lose signal strength. They should be at least one foot apart, but no more than 30 feet away from one another.
Use an Ethernet cable
An Ethernet connection (wired internet) will provide the strongest and fastest connection available on your network. It is very reliable, but can be awkward to install.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on August 12, 2021.