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How Do I Fix Streaming or Downloading Problems on Netflix?

In a nutshell: If you encounter streaming or downloading problems while trying to watch your favorite show on Netflix, or an interesting new movie, you're probably both frustrated and eager to get the problem fixed as quickly as possible. There are a number of different things that could be causing the problem, but one of the fixes described below should do the trick.

Introduction

If you encounter streaming or downloading problems while trying to watch your favorite show on Netflix, or an interesting new movie, you're probably both frustrated and eager to get the problem fixed as quickly as possible. There are a number of different things that could be causing the problem, but one of the fixes described below should do the trick.

What You'll Need

If you get an error code while trying to download or stream something on Netflix, you can always go to the help page and search for that error code. You should be able to find an article telling you how to solve the problem.If you are watching Netflix from your computer, you can always try clearing the cache and cookies for Netflix, because old cache items or cookies can sometimes cause performance issues.If you are watching from a computer or phone, run an internet speed test to make sure your download speeds are up to Netflix requirements.If you are watching Netflix on a game console, you can also try to uninstall and reinstall the Netflix app.If you are using a VPN, try shutting it off. They can sometimes interfere with the streaming service.

Go to the Netflix home screen.

Select the Get Help option from the menu.

You may need to click your profile icon first. The layout depends on the device you are using.
If you cannot get to the Get Help option, press these buttons on your remote control, in this order: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Up, Up, Up, Up. Then, from the menu that appears, select the Sign Out, Reset, or Deactivate option.

Click on Sign Out.

Click Yes.

Sign back in to your Netflix account.

Try streaming or downloading whatever you were watching again. If the problem persists, continue on with the next step.

Turn your device off.

If it has a power cable, unplug it.

Wait 15 seconds.

Plug your device back in and start it up again.

If that didn't work either, turn your device off once again, then unplug your modem and router.

This will reboot your home network, which could be the source of the problem.

Wait 30 seconds.

Plug your modem and router in again.

Wait 60 seconds.

Restart your device.

Go to the Netflix home screen and select the App Store option.

You can also try updating the Netflix app.

Do a search for Netflix.

Select Netflix.

Select Update.

If nothing else has worked so far, go to the Netflix Help page and search for your problem there.

Netflix help page

If you find something about your problem there, follow whatever instructions you find for fixing the problem.

Conclusion

If you have tried everything else and still can't fix the problem, call a Netflix customer service representative and ask for help. The customer service center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Further questions?

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Jeff truly believes that all customers deserve good service. He’s been building tools, inventing phone tree hacks and helping customers since before his days at GetHuman. He's also a Google GDE and involved in the Angular community.

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Netflix

Asked 6 years ago
Updated 2 months ago
Viewed 2,221,310 times
Streaming trouble
Download Trouble
Netflix account
technical issues
internet speed

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