Skip to main content

The most common Netflix problems and how to fix them

When you finally get time to rest, there's nothing worse than problems with Netflix to get your blood boiling when you should be relaxing. There's just so many things that could go wrong, from your hardware and internet to Netflix's servers and everything in between. Where do you even start getting the service to work?

If this headscratcher is stressing you out when you should be relaxing, here are some great ways to get started addressing your problem. We can't guarantee a fix, but if you follow this article, you'll stand a great chance at fixing some of the most common issues we see with Netflix and get Netflix working again.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Netflix subscription

  • Internet connection

A laptop with a Netflix menu page on the screen.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Netflix may be down

Like all of the best streaming services, Netflix could be having an issue of its own; the problem might be out of your control. To check if Netflix is currently up and running, you can visit its official status page. Alternatively, you can head to a popular website such as DownDetector.com to check for any potential outages. If you’re a social media hound, a quick search for the hashtag #netflixdown on Twitter could convey helpful results.

Netflix app icon on Apple TV.
Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

Quick fixes for Netflix problems

Netflix is up and running, but you still can’t get connected — what’s up with that? If the problem is on your end, here are a few quick fixes you can attempt. Start with our first recommendation, then move on to the next if your issue isn’t resolved. Hopefully, we can get you back to the next episode of Ozark with only a few attempts.

Step 1: Close the Netflix app on your smartphone or tablet. If you’re on the web, close your web browser and try again.

Step 2: Restart your device; whether you’re on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, follow the age-old advice — turn it off and on again. Surprisingly, restarting your devices (and, then internet connection as well) is a common way to fix subtitle playback errors on Netflix.

Step 3: Check your internet connection; Look at your router and make sure all of the appropriate lights are on and not flashing. If your internet service provider is not suffering from an outage in your area, the solution could be as simple as resetting your router.

Step 4: Update the application. If you’re using Android or iOS, head to the Play Store or App Store to see if a new update has been issued.

Step 5: Lastly, try uninstalling the app and reinstalling it.

A wall-mounted TV with Netflix on the screen.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

More advanced fixes

If Netflix isn’t down and the above quick fixes didn’t work, you may have to spend a bit more time delving into the issue. The most probable cause is your home internet, and especially so in the case of constant buffering on Netflix, so begin by running a speed test using a website such as Speedtest.net. Netflix lists the following recommended speeds for different streaming quality levels:

  • 3.0 Mb per second - Recommended for SD quality
  • 5.0 Mb per second - Recommended for HD quality
  • 25 Mb per second - Recommended for Ultra HD quality

For more details on testing your device’s connection speed, we recommend visiting Netflix’s official website. If all else fails, you can reach out to the support team at Netflix, where they will be able to work with you on your issue. If Netflix can’t solve the issue, you can also reach out to your ISP’s support services for problems that may be affecting your internet connection.

Now you're all back up and running, we’ve rounded up the best movies on Netflix and best shows on Netflix that you can stream right now, if you need some inspiration.

Editors' Recommendations

Michael Archambault
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Michael Archambault is a technology writer and digital marketer located in Long Island, New York. For the past decade…
The most common Hulu problems and how to fix them
The Hulu icon in the Disney+ app.

Hulu is an incredible streaming platform available for smartphones, tablets, computers, and pretty much every major streaming device one can think of. Home to all kinds of movies and TV shows, there’s definitely no shortage of Hulu content to indulge in, but there are some other issues that may crop up.

Read more
How to share an Apple TV+ subscription with your family
The app home screen on an Apple TV.

Apple TV+ launched in 2019, and the service has quickly risen through the ranks of streaming platforms over the last four years or so. Home to award-winning movies and shows, there’s plenty of content to indulge in with an Apple TV+ subscription, so why not share the love with family members?

Read more
How to reset an Amazon Fire TV remote in less than 2 minutes
A trio of Amazon Fire TV remote controls held in a hand in front of a television.

Amazon Fire TV devices are among the best streaming devices you can buy. They're reliable, easy to use, and they offer access to the movies, TV shows, and sports content we love, all with a few button clicks on a slim and trusty Fire TV remote. But every now and then, you might find that you need to reset your Amazon Fire TV remote. Never mind why. It happens (but hopefully not too often). The reason doesn't matter.

The good news is that it's simple to reset an Amazon Fire TV remote. So much so that it made our list of the most common Amazon Fire TV stick issues. (And how to fix them.)

Read more