Sony is considered a trustworthy brand and their Android TVs are great for watching your favorite shows on Netflix. However, even Sony TVs can encounter problems with the Netflix app. In this article, I will outline all the common issues people face when watching Netflix on a Sony TV, so that you know what to do when these issues arise.
Netflix may not work on a Sony TV if the app or TV is not up to date or the software needs to be reset. Most issues occur if there is no internet connection or the network is slow, however, it could be your TV settings affecting the audio/video. Some older TV’s are simply no longer compatible.
There are many solutions to these problems, which I will explain in detail below. You may also find that Netflix is not working from the Sony remote, but there are also easy solutions to this that you could try.
Sony TV Netflix Not Working
Below are all the possible reasons that the Netflix app is not working on your Sony TV. Most problems can be narrowed down to these reasons, and I will continue to discuss each of these throughout the article, as well as their solutions.
Problems with the App’s Firmware
The Netflix app could be out of date, meaning there are firmware bugs that are affecting the app’s performance. The firmware can also experience errors that require the app to be reset. Below is an overview of how you can fix this.
o Update the app
o Reinstall the app
Problems with your Sony TV
Sometimes the issue could be with your TV. The firmware on the TV may be out of date, the TV may be too old, or the firmware may have an error. Below is a summary of the solutions to these issues.
· Update the TV
· TV is not compatible
· Hard reset the TV
· Factory reset the TV
Internet Issues
If it is not the app or the TV, problems with your internet are the most common reason why Netflix does not work on a Sony TV. This could be due to no internet connection at all, or could be because your internet is too slow. If you have no internet at all, below are the top solutions you could try.
· Reset your modem/router
· Use a WiFi booster
· Minimise WiFi interference
· Contact your providers
If your internet speed is too slow, you can still watch Netflix using the following methods, or trying the solutions mentioned above. I will explain how to check your internet speed below.
· Lower the Netflix video quality
· Use an Ethernet cable
If it is the sound or video you are having trouble with, there are a number of settings you should check in the TVs settings. I have mentioned these towards the end of the article.
If you happen to have a different brand of tv please checkout our netflix not working on a smart tv article.
Netflix Not Connecting on Sony TV
Netflix will not connect on your Sony TV if you are experiencing issues with your internet. The first thing you will need to do is check your connection and the connection speed. Then you should try the troubleshooting methods listed below.
Check your Connection
You can check your internet connection through the Netflix app on your TV. This will also provide you details regarding the speed of your internet. To do this, follow the steps below.
Step 1: From the Netflix Home screen, navigate left to the menu.
Step 2: Select ‘Settings’ (the cog icon).
Step 3: Select ‘Check your Network’.
Keep in mind that if the other apps on your Sony TV are able to connect to the internet, it may be an issue with the Netflix app itself. This could be issues with the firmware, which I will discuss further down.
If your internet is working, you should compare your download speeds to the minimum requirements for Netflix. In order to just load the Netflix app, you need at least 0.5MB/s, but it is recommended to have 1.5MB/s. However, to stream any content, you will need more than that, which has been outlined below.
· 3MB/s: minimum for streaming in Standard Definition
· 5MB/s: minimum for streaming in High Definition
· 25MB/s: minimum for streaming in 4K or Ultra HD
Reset the Modem/Router
Step 1: Unplug both the modem and router (if you have one) from the power.
Step 2: Wait for at least one minute with the power unplugged.
Step 3: Plug your modem back in and wait for it to fully restart.
Step 4: Plug your router back in and wait for it to fully restart.
Step 5: Check your internet connection again.
Performing a simple reset should allow any small errors to be cleared from these devices. It will also allow them to re-establish a connection with the TV.
Move the Modem or Use a WiFi booster
Make sure your modem or router is within 30 feet of your TV in your home. Ideally, they should be in the same room, but should also be at least one foot apart. Having your modem too far away can cause the signal to drop out several times, or you may lose signal completely to the TV.
If you can’t move your TV and modem closer together, a WiFi booster is a small device that usually plugs into a power socket in your home and will bridge the gap between the two. This device should be positioned between your modem/router and TV so that it connects to the network, but so your TV is also within its range.
Minimise Interference
Interference can come from many areas within your home. This can be physical objects or other transmitted signals in the area. Below is a list of interferences that you should consider removing or minimizing to improve your internet connection.
Solid Objects
· Thick timber or concrete walls
· Water (such as an aquarium)
· Metal
· Floor heating
Transmitting Devices
· Microwaves
· Radios (such as baby monitors)
· Other networks
· Bluetooth devices
Check with your Providers
Sometimes you may not have internet because your service provider is performing maintenance on the network or they may be experiencing issues themselves. You should be able to determine if your provider is still running normally by calling their support line.
Another thing to consider is whether or not the Netflix servers are down. This can also occur from maintenance, or could be due to an overload of users. This is common when a new TV show is released.
You can check the status of the Netflix servers though their website, here. If either of these is affecting your internet, you can only wait until these providers have solved the issue.
Lower the Netflix Video Quality
Lowering the video quality on Netflix will enable you to stream content with slower download speeds. Your internet download speed only needs to be faster than the time it takes to download the show. Lower quality videos will download faster because they are smaller in size.
You can change the video quality through the account page in Netflix on a web browser. Therefore, once you have Netflix open on a computer, follow the pathway below to change the streaming quality from ‘High’ or ‘Auto’, to ‘Low or ‘Medium’.
Account > Profile and Parental Controls > Playback Settings > Change
Use an Ethernet Connection
Another option is to use an Ethernet connection. Ethernet will always provide faster download speeds than WiFi because it is a direct connection between your TV and modem or router.
If this is an option for you, it could speed your internet up enough to use Netflix seamlessly. Otherwise, you could try some of the other troubleshooting methods mentioned above.
Sony TV Netflix Not Available/Found or Disappeared
Some Sony TVs are not compatible with the Netflix app. As of 2019, some TV models from 2009-2011 have too many technical limitations that make newer versions of the Netflix app incompatible with the TV. As a result, Netflix is no longer available on these models.
For a full list of Sony TV models that are no longer supported, you can visit the Sony website. If your model is not listed, it may be another issue with your TV. Unless you are experiencing internet issues, which are listed above, you could try resetting your TV.
Hard Reset your Sony TV
Step 1: Unplug the TV from the wall.
Step 2: Disconnect all devices from the TV.
Step 3: Press and hold the ‘Power’ button on the TV for 30 seconds.
Step 4: Wait another 10 minutes to drain all power.
Step 5: Plug the TV back in and reconnect all devices.
A hard reset of the TV will clear any small errors that have occurred in the software. These may have been affecting the function of the main menu or Google Play Store, hiding the Netflix app.
Factory Reset your Sony TV
A factory reset will erase all downloaded content and preferences from your TV, returning it to the state you bought it in. This is why a factory reset is usually one of the last steps in troubleshooting, but it is very effective.
Step 1: Press the ‘Home’ button on your remote.
Step 2: Navigate to Settings > System > About > Reset > Factory Data and Reset.
Step 3: Select ‘Erase Everything’.
Step 4: Confirm the reset by selecting ‘Yes’.
These steps vary slightly between different Sony models. You may also find a factory reset under ‘Device Preferences’ or ‘Storage and Reset’.
Sony TV Netflix Black/Blank Screen/No Picture/Pictures Dark
You may have a blank screen if Netflix is not connecting to the internet. For solutions to this problem, refer to the information earlier in this article. Otherwise, there are options below that you can try.
Update the Netflix App
Step 1: Press ‘Home’ on your remote.
Step 2: Open the Google Play Store.
Step 3: Select ‘Manage Apps & Device’.
Step 4: Find the Netflix App.
Step 5: Select ‘Update’.
Updating the Netflix app will install the latest firmware. This will fix any bugs in the previous firmware, which may have been causing the issue with the blank screen. These bugs can cause a wide range of issues, so keeping the app up to date is a good idea.
Reinstall the Netflix App
Step 1: Open the Google Play Store.
Step 2: Select your profile in the top right of the screen.
Step 3: Navigate to ‘Manage Apps & Devices > Installed’.
Step 4: Find the Netflix app.
Step 5: Restart the TV.
Step 6: Open the Google Play Store again.
Step 7: Search for and select the Netflix App.
Step 8: Select ‘Install’.
Reinstalling the app will install the latest software, and also erase any software errors from the app. This includes clearing the cache, which can sometimes cause the app to freeze if it has become overloaded.
Update the TV
Step 1: Press the ‘Home’ button on your remote.
Step 2: Navigate to ‘Help > Status & Diagnostics > System Software Update’.
Step 3: Select ‘Check for a System Software Update’ or ‘Software Update’.
If you cannot find this option, you may have a model that does not support manual updates. These models will always check for updates automatically. As I mentioned earlier, updates are essential to fix bugs in the firmware that affect the function of the TV.
Sony TV Netflix Sound/Audio/Volume Not Working
There are several things that could cause the sound to fail in your Netflix app, or in your Sony TV. First, make sure the volume on the TV or speakers are not too low and that you have not muted the sound.
You should also try restarting the TV and ensuring your app and TV is up to date. If you have checked these general troubleshooting tips and you still have no sound, you should try the recommendations below.
Check Connections
Check your connections to any speakers for the TV. The connections should be secure and you should make sure you are using the correct cable. Sometimes cables can also fail, so try a different cable if you can to see if this is the issue.
You should also check that there are no headphones plugged into the back of the TV (if you are not using them). Having headphones left in the TV will automatically divert the sound through the headphone speakers.
Check the TV Settings
The TV settings can play a large role in audio problems. You can find these settings under ‘Sound’ in the ‘Settings’ menu, but keep in mind that they vary depending on which model you have. You can try changing various settings, but those listed below may be causing the sound to cut out.
· Sound Output should be set to ‘TV Speakers (unless you are using a speaker system)
· ‘Audio Out’ should be fixed
· ‘MTS’ settings should be ‘Main’ or ‘Stereo’
· ‘Simulated Effect’ should be off
· Make sure the speakers are not set to the centre speaker
Sony TV Remote Netflix Not Working
If the Netflix button is not working on the Sony remote, you should first check that the batteries are working by trying them on a different device. Next, you should try resetting the remote, following the steps below.
Step 1: Remove the batteries from the remote.
Step 2: Press and hold the power button on the remote for 30 seconds.
Step 3: Reinsert the batteries and try the remote again.
You may also have a stuck Netflix button. This is usually caused by debris lodging itself between the button and the touch-pad underneath. You can either dismantle the remote to clean the touchpad, or press the Netflix button repeatedly when the batteries have been removed to dislodge the debris.
Alternatively, it may seem the button is not working simply because the Netflix app is not loading. To fix this, you should try the troubleshooting tips mentioned throughout this article, including resetting the TV, or checking your internet connection.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on August 5, 2021.
Sony TV Netflix Login/Sign-in Problems
When you cannot log in, there is no harm in double-checking you have the correct username and password. Keep in mind that the password is case sensitive as well.
If you still can’t log in, check your email for any communication from Netflix saying that your password has been reset. If this is the case, you may need to repeat the reset process to create a new password.
You can also try reinstalling the Netflix app in case there is a firmware bug or error causing the problems. You could also try resetting the TV.
Sony TV Netflix Not Full Screen
Wide mode is normally disabled when using streaming apps such as Netflix on a Sony TV. This can be frustrating if you want a full cinematic experience while streaming.
You can zoom in while watching a show on Netflix by one of two ways. First try using the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ arrows to zoom in and out. Failing this, you should try zooming in and out with the ‘Yellow’ and ‘Blue’ buttons on the remote.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on August 5, 2021.
Alternatively, you could press the ‘Options’ button on the remote while watching the show. In these options, you should select ‘Full Screen’ or ‘Actual Size’ to make the video full screen.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on August 5, 2021.