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TV show or movie loads slowly or keeps buffering

If your TV show or movie loads slowly or you experience buffering or rebuffering while Netflix is playing, your device may have a weak or unstable internet connection.

Note: If Netflix freezes or gets stuck loading, follow these steps instead.

To fix the problem, follow the steps for your device.

These steps will fix this issue on smart TVs and devices that connect to a TV, including streaming sticks and media players, cable boxes, Apple TV, and Xbox or PlayStation game consoles.

Public networks:

For Wi-Fi in places like a café, hotel, or school, ask if video services like Netflix are blocked.

Private networks:

Check if your connection is slower than our recommended speeds and contact your internet service provider if you need help.

Connections like mobile hotspots, cellular, or satellite networks might be too slow to use Netflix.


To check your connection speed using the Netflix app on your device, follow the steps below.

  1. Go to the Netflix home screen and press the back button to get to the menu.

  2. If the menu is at the top: Go left to your profile icon, select Get Help, then Check your Network.

    If the menu is on the left: At the bottom, select Get Help, then Check your Network.

    Note:If you don't see Get Help, go up and select Settings.

  3. The Netflix app will verify that you can connect to the internet and reach Netflix. It will also check your connection speed.

  4. Once the test is complete, make sure that your speed meets Netflix's internet speed recommendations.

  1. Unplug your device from power.

  2. Press the power button on the device once and wait 1 minute, or leave it unplugged for 3 minutes instead.

  3. Plug your device back in.

  4. Turn your device on and try Netflix again.

  1. Turn off or unplug your smart TV.

  2. Unplug your modem (and your wireless router, if it's a separate device) from power for 30 seconds.

  3. Plug in your modem and wait until no new indicator lights are blinking on. If your router is separate from your modem, plug it in and wait until no new indicator lights are blinking on.

  4. Turn your smart TV back on and try Netflix again.

Tablet and modem show succesful Wi-Fi connection

To get a better signal you can:

  • Move your router and your device closer to each other. If possible, put them in the same room.

  • Move your router away from other wireless devices and appliances.

  • Keep your router in an open space off the floor. Routers get better reception when on a desk or bookshelf.

If the steps don't fix the problem, contact your internet service provider (ISP) for help fixing a network connection issue.

Your ISP can:

  • Check for an internet outage in your area.

  • Fix common router or modem issues and incorrect network settings.

  • Restart or reset your network's connection.

While talking with your ISP, let them know:

  • Whether the issue happens only on one device, or other devices on the same network.

  • Whether your device connects using Wi-Fi or directly using a cable.

Before you finish talking with your ISP:

  • Using a web browser, go to fast.com to test your internet speed and connection directly to Netflix.

  • Try playing Netflix again to make sure the problem is fixed.

Public networks:

For Wi-Fi in places like a café, hotel, or school, ask if video services like Netflix are blocked.

Private networks:

Check if your connection is slower than our recommended speeds and contact your internet service provider if you need help.

Connections like mobile hotspots, cellular, or satellite networks might be too slow to use Netflix.


If you're watching Netflix from your computer or mobile phone or tablet, you can check your internet connection speed at fast.com.

  1. Using a web browser, visit fast.com.

  2. Wait for the test to complete, then make sure your internet speed meets our internet speed recommendations.

Tablet with power icon indicating turn off process

  1. Turn off your phone or tablet. Make sure it's turned off, not just locked.

  2. Turn it back on.

  3. Try Netflix again.

You can update your Android device's OS (operating system) from the Settings app. Visit Google's support site to get the exact steps or to troubleshoot an issue.

Resetting modem and device, 30-sec timer, cable unplugged.

  1. Turn off your device, then unplug your modem and router from power.

  2. After 30 seconds, plug in your modem and router.

  3. Wait 1 minute, then turn on your device.

  4. Try Netflix again.

Note:Some devices, modems, and routers might take longer to reconnect to the Internet.

Tablet and modem show succesful Wi-Fi connection

To get a better signal you can:

  • Move your router and your device closer to each other. If possible, put them in the same room.

  • Move your router away from other wireless devices and appliances.

  • Keep your router in an open space off the floor. Routers get better reception when on a desk or bookshelf.

If the steps don't fix the problem, contact your internet service provider (ISP) for help fixing a network connection issue.

Your ISP can:

  • Check for an internet outage in your area.

  • Fix common router or modem issues and incorrect network settings.

  • Restart or reset your network's connection.

While talking with your ISP, let them know:

  • Whether the issue happens only on one device, or other devices on the same network.

  • Whether your device connects using Wi-Fi or directly using a cable.

Before you finish talking with your ISP:

  • Using a web browser, go to fast.com to test your internet speed and connection directly to Netflix.

  • Try playing Netflix again to make sure the problem is fixed.

Public networks:

For Wi-Fi in places like a café, hotel, or school, ask if video services like Netflix are blocked.

Private networks:

Check if your connection is slower than our recommended speeds and contact your internet service provider if you need help.

Connections like mobile hotspots, cellular, or satellite networks might be too slow to use Netflix.


If you're watching Netflix from your computer or mobile phone or tablet, you can check your internet connection speed at fast.com.

  1. Using a web browser, visit fast.com.

  2. Wait for the test to complete, then make sure your internet speed meets our internet speed recommendations.

  1. Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons at the same time until the sliders appear. Drag the top slider to turn your device completely off.

    • If the sliders don't appear, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the red slider appears, then drag the slider.

  2. After 10 seconds, press the Sleep/Wake button.

  3. Once your device powers on, try Netflix again.

Resetting modem and device, 30-sec timer, cable unplugged.

  1. Turn off your device, then unplug your modem and router from power.

  2. After 30 seconds, plug in your modem and router.

  3. Wait 1 minute, then turn on your device.

  4. Try Netflix again.

Note:Some devices, modems, and routers might take longer to reconnect to the Internet.

Tablet and modem show succesful Wi-Fi connection

To get a better signal you can:

  • Move your router and your device closer to each other. If possible, put them in the same room.

  • Move your router away from other wireless devices and appliances.

  • Keep your router in an open space off the floor. Routers get better reception when on a desk or bookshelf.

If the steps don't fix the problem, contact your internet service provider (ISP) for help fixing a network connection issue.

Your ISP can:

  • Check for an internet outage in your area.

  • Fix common router or modem issues and incorrect network settings.

  • Restart or reset your network's connection.

While talking with your ISP, let them know:

  • Whether the issue happens only on one device, or other devices on the same network.

  • Whether your device connects using Wi-Fi or directly using a cable.

Before you finish talking with your ISP:

  • Using a web browser, go to fast.com to test your internet speed and connection directly to Netflix.

  • Try playing Netflix again to make sure the problem is fixed.

Public networks:

For Wi-Fi in places like a café, hotel, or school, ask if video services like Netflix are blocked.

Private networks:

Check if your connection is slower than our recommended speeds and contact your internet service provider if you need help.

Connections like mobile hotspots, cellular, or satellite networks might be too slow to use Netflix.


If you're watching Netflix from your computer or mobile phone or tablet, you can check your internet connection speed at fast.com.

  1. Using a web browser, visit fast.com.

  2. Wait for the test to complete, then make sure your internet speed meets our internet speed recommendations.

  1. Shut down your computer through the menu:

    • Mac: In the upper left, click the Apple menu, then click Shut Down.

    • Windows: Click the Start menu, then click Power > Shut down.

    • Chromebook: In the bottom right, click the time, then click Sign out > Shut down.

  2. Leave your computer off for at least 10 seconds.

  3. Turn it back on, then try Netflix again.

Resetting modem and device, 30-sec timer, cable unplugged.

  1. Turn off your device, then unplug your modem and router from power.

  2. After 30 seconds, plug in your modem and router.

  3. Wait 1 minute, then turn on your device.

  4. Try Netflix again.

Note:Some devices, modems, and routers might take longer to reconnect to the Internet.

Tablet and modem show succesful Wi-Fi connection

To get a better signal you can:

  • Move your router and your device closer to each other. If possible, put them in the same room.

  • Move your router away from other wireless devices and appliances.

  • Keep your router in an open space off the floor. Routers get better reception when on a desk or bookshelf.

If the steps don't fix the problem, contact your internet service provider (ISP) for help fixing a network connection issue.

Your ISP can:

  • Check for an internet outage in your area.

  • Fix common router or modem issues and incorrect network settings.

  • Restart or reset your network's connection.

While talking with your ISP, let them know:

  • Whether the issue happens only on one device, or other devices on the same network.

  • Whether your device connects using Wi-Fi or directly using a cable.

Before you finish talking with your ISP:

  • Using a web browser, go to fast.com to test your internet speed and connection directly to Netflix.

  • Try playing Netflix again to make sure the problem is fixed.

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