10 Ways to Fix Netflix not Working Issue on Samsung TV

Endless buffering and error messages can interrupt your binge-watching sessions on Netflix. If Netflix is stuck on the loading screen, shows only a black screen, or freezes frequently on your Samsung TV, we have some tips to solve such issues. By clearing the Netflix cache, clearing its app data, and resetting the app settings, you can easily fix the Netflix not working problem on your Samsung TV. This step-by-step guide will help you unfreeze Netflix on your Samsung TV.

In most cases, Netflix errors are accompanied by certain error codes. We have a detailed list of Netflix error codes and their possible fixes.

Possible Causes behind Netflix Errors on Samsung TV

There could be many reasons why Netflix is not working on your Samsung TV. Below, we’ve listed some of them.

• Network Connection Problems: Internet connection issues can result in a poor streaming experience or even prevent you from accessing Netflix.
• Outdated Netflix App: If the Netflix app is out-of-date, you might get Netflix Error 1017 or a blacked-out screen.
• Outdated Tizen Operating System: An outdated firmware version installed could lead to compatibility problems with apps like Netflix.
• Samsung TV Settings Configuration: Sometimes the solution to your Netflix issues could lie within your TV’s settings. For example, if you have parental controls enabled, it may prevent you from accessing certain content on Netflix. Similarly, if your TV is set to a different time zone than your actual location, it could cause issues with scheduling and playback.
• Netflix Server Outages: At times, the problem may not be with your TV or internet connection, but with Netflix itself. The streaming service occasionally experiences server outages or maintenance that affect its availability on various devices.
• Corrupt App Cache and Data: Like any smart TV app, Netflix has its cache and data. Over time, they get dumped and cause issues.

How to Fix Netflix Issues on Samsung TVs

Now that we have identified the common causes of Netflix problems on Samsung TVs, let’s check out how we can troubleshoot and fix them.

Note: The process may slightly vary depending on your specific Samsung TV model, but these general steps should work for most models.

1. Check Your Network Connection

If you’re experiencing frequent buffering, freezing, or other playback issues, it’s possible that your internet speed may not be fast enough to support streaming. Netflix recommends a minimum internet speed of 3 MBPS for standard definition (SD) streaming and 5 MBPS for high definition (HD) streaming. However, for the best experience, they recommend speeds of at least 25 MBPS.

Make sure your smart TV is connected to the internet and has a strong Wi-Fi signal by running a network connection test using the Netflix app itself. Here is how to do that.

1. Open Netflix on your Samsung TV.
2. Press the Left button on the navigational pad of your TV remote to bring up the Netflix menu. Then scroll down to the last item in the menu (that is Notifications) using the Down button. Now, use the Right button to highlight the Get Help option and select it.
3. Select the Check your Network option in the Get Help menu. The test will take a few minutes to complete and will show you your internet speed at the end.

If your internet speed is below the recommended minimum, you may need to contact your internet service provider for a faster plan or troubleshoot any issues with your network connection.

You can try moving your router closer to the TV or using a wired Ethernet connection instead. If that doesn’t help, you can try the following tips to fix the internet connectivity problem on your Samsung TV.

• Reset network settings
• Try connecting to a different wireless network
• Set the DNS server and IP address manually. Make sure your device can connect to the following Netflix addresses:
  • secure.netflix.com
  • appboot.netflix.com
  • uiboot.netflix.com
• Turn off your router and restart it after a minute
• Perform a soft reset on your TV
• Unblock the MAC Address of your TV
• Disable Wi-Fi PMF on your router
• Change your modem and router

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2. Reload Netflix

If fixing the network connection didn’t fix the problem and you’re still encountering problems while trying to stream Netflix on your Samsung TV, you can try reloading the app. Doing so might fix temporary or minor glitches.

1. Open Netflix, press the Left button on the navigation pad to access the app menu and select the Get Help option.
2. In the Get Help section, go to the Reload Netflix option and select it.
3. The Netflix app would restart and the issue you were facing might have gone away.

3. Restart your Samsung TV, Modem/Router

Sometimes simply restarting your TV can solve any technical problems. Turn off your Samsung TV, unplug it from the power source for about a minute, then plug it back in and turn it on again. This will help clear any temporary glitches or errors disrupting Netflix services. Moreover, try unplugging your internet router/modem for a few minutes before plugging it back in and turning it on again.

4. Reset the Smart Hub on Samsung TV

The Smart Hub is the central hub for the apps on your TV, including Netflix. If there are any glitches or bugs within the Smart Hub, it can affect the performance of Netflix and other apps. Resetting the Smart Hub will refresh its settings and clear out errors causing issues.

To reset the Smart Hub on your Samsung TV:

1. Press the Home button on your remote control and navigate to Settings.
2. On the Settings page go to Support > Self Diagnosis.
3. Select Reset Smart Hub.
4. Resetting the Smart Hub might require you to enter your TV PIN. Enter your PIN (default PIN is ‘0000‘) if prompted.

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5. Sign Out of Netflix and Sign Back in

I was reading in one of the forums where a user said that signing out of Netflix fixed the issues he was having with the streaming service.

1. Open the app menu in Netflix by pressing the Left navigation button on your Samsung TV remote.
2. Navigate to Notifications and then go to the Get Help option using the Right button on your remote.
3. On the Get Help page, select the Sign out option.
4. Once you are signed out of your Netflix account, sign back in using your login credentials (email address and password) when prompted.

If you have multiple profiles set up under one account, choose which profile you want to make changes for before proceeding further.

6. Clear Netflix Cache and App Data on Samsung TV

Clearing the cache and data on your Samsung TV can help resolve various Netflix issues, including playback problems, error codes, and app crashes. This process may slightly differ depending on your Samsung TV model. Here is how to do it.

1. Press the Home button on your remote.
2. Navigate to Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > TV Device Manager > Show App List. On TV models released after 2020, go to Settings > All Settings > Support > Device Care > Manage Storage.
3. When you see the list of all apps installed on your Samsung TV. Highlight Netflix and select View Details.
4. On the View Details pop-up, select the Clear Cache option. You can also try clearing the app data to reset Netflix.

7. Reinstall or Update the Netflix App on Samsung TV

If clearing the cache and data didn’t resolve your Netflix issues, you may need to reinstall the Netflix app itself. This can help fix any corrupted files or settings that could be causing problems with the app.

To reinstall the Netflix app:

1. Press the Home button on your Samsung remote and select Apps.
2. On the Apps page, highlight the Settings (gear) icon in the top-right corner of the screen to view the app settings.
3. Now, highlight Netflix and select the Reinstall option.
4. The Reinstall option will be greyed out once you select it. Wait until the latest version of the Netflix app is installed on your Samsung TV.

Now go back and try to stream something on Netflix.

8. Update your Samsung TV’s Firmware

Does Netflix still get stuck on the loading screen, freeze, stop responding, or show only a black screen? If you haven’t updated your TV’s software in a while, it might cause compatibility issues with the latest version of Netflix. It’s a good idea to enable the automatic software update feature on your Samsung TV.

1. Press the Home button on your TV remote and select Settings.
2. Navigate to Support and select Software Update.
3. Turn on the Auto update option. To check for the latest software for your Samsung TV and install it, select the Update Now option.

Follow our detailed tutorial to install the latest software update on your Samsung TV. Once you have installed the latest firmware update, restart your TV and open Netflix.

9. Check for Server Outages

If none of the above solutions work, Netflix may be experiencing server outages in your area. You can check “Is Netflix down?“, or visit DownDetector to see if other users are also reporting issues with the streaming service.

10. Contact Netflix Support

If none of the above solutions work and you’re still experiencing issues with Netflix on your TV, it’s best to contact Netflix support for further assistance. They may be able to provide additional troubleshooting steps specific to your device or account. You can reach their customer service team through their website or app.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve any common issues with Netflix on your Samsung TV. If the problem persists, it may be a more complex technical issue that requires professional help.

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