Troubleshooting Network Connection Issues
One of the most common causes of problems while trying to watch Netflix is weak or intermittent Internet connectivity. Frequent rebuffering or loading, problems starting the Netflix application, or trouble starting playback of a movie or TV show when you're trying to stream on your device generally indicates a slow or interrupted Internet connection.
Fortunately, we've got some great steps below that resolve most Internet connectivity problems.
What type of device are you using to stream Netflix?
Game consoles
Before you begin troubleshooting:
If you are on a work, school, hotel, or hospital public WiFi:
- Check with your network administrator to make sure streaming services such as Netflix are supported and not intentionally blocked.
- Many public networks have limited bandwidth.
If you're using a cellular data network or satellite internet:
- If possible, try a different network. Cellular data and satellite internet connections commonly have slower connections speeds than cable internet or DSL.
If your network supports streaming, and meets our Minimum Streaming Requirements, completing the steps below will resolve most connection issues.
If you haven't already, try turning your video game console completely off, wait for 10 seconds, and then power back on before trying to stream again. An incredible number of Netflix streaming problems can be fixed this way, and it's one of the easiest (and one of the most overlooked) steps you can try that is very likely to get you streaming again very quickly.
Although restarting your console can fix your problem right now, if you find you have to do it often, you'll probably want to troubleshoot your home network for a long-term fix.
For this step, make sure to leave your video game console and ALL of your home network equipment unplugged as a group for about a minute before plugging each device back in one by one.
-
Turn off or unplug your video game console.
-
Unplug your modem (AND your wireless router, if it's a separate device) from power for no less than 30 seconds.
-
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.
-
Turn your game console back on and attempt to stream Netflix again.
If you're connecting through a wireless router that's connected to your modem, and still can't connect after restarting your network, try bypassing the router and connecting directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable. This will help identify what's causing the problem by eliminating the router or wireless connectivity problems as a possible cause.
-
Turn off your game console.
-
Plug your game console directly into your modem using an Ethernet cable.
-
Unplug your modem from power for at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait until no new indicator lights are blinking on.
-
Turn on your game console and attempt to stream again.
If this step gets you streaming again:
- If you've bypassed your router and successfully connected to Netflix directly through your modem, it's likely that the router itself is the source of the problem.
- Bypassing the router will allow you to stream for now, but if this configuration isn't a perfect solution, you may want to contact whoever set up your home network for help resetting or re-configuring your router settings.
If you're still not able to stream:
- If you're connected directly to your modem and still can't stream Netflix, you may want to check with your equipment provider to make sure your modem and Internet service are functioning as intended.
If you were unable to complete this step:
- We strongly recommend attempting to connect your game console directly to your modem if you can--it will allow you to absolutely rule out your wireless router as the cause of any network connection issues. However, if there's no way for you to directly connect your device to your modem, it's okay to skip to Step 4.
If you're connecting over Wi-Fi and the above steps didn't help, try some or all of these steps to improve your wireless connectivity:
- Move your router to a new location to improve signal strength--you'll usually see better reception throughout your home if the router is in a central location.
- Wireless interference can cause big problems when trying to connect over Wi-Fi. Cordless phones, microwave ovens, or other wireless devices near your router can all cause wireless interference, so move them away from your wireless router.
- Elevate your router off the floor. A router on top of a bookshelf or desk will give you better reception than one that's hidden behind it.
Computer
Before you begin troubleshooting:
If you are on a work, school, hotel, or hospital public WiFi:
- Check with your network administrator to make sure streaming services such as Netflix are supported and not intentionally blocked.
- Many public networks have limited bandwidth.
If you're using a cellular data network or satellite internet:
- If possible, try a different network. Cellular data and satellite internet connections commonly have slower connections speeds than cable internet or DSL.
If your network supports streaming, and meets our Minimum Streaming Requirements, completing the steps below will resolve most connection issues.
If you haven't already, try turning your computer completely off, wait for 10 seconds, and then power back on before trying to stream again. An incredible number of Netflix streaming problems can be fixed this way, and it's one of the easiest (and one of the most overlooked) steps you can try that is very likely to get you streaming again very quickly.
Although restarting your device can fix your problem right now, if you find you have to do it often, you'll probably want to troubleshoot your home network for a long-term fix.
For this step, make sure to leave your computer powered off and ALL of your home network equipment unplugged as a group for about a minute before plugging each device back in one by one.
-
Turn off your computer.
-
Unplug your modem (AND your wireless router, if it's a separate device) from power for no less than 30 seconds.
-
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.
-
Turn your computer back on and attempt to stream Netflix again.
If you're connecting through a wireless router that's connected to your modem, and still can't connect after restarting your network, try bypassing the router and connecting directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable. This will help identify what's causing the problem by eliminating the router or wireless connectivity problems as a possible cause.
-
Turn off your computer.
-
Plug your computer directly into your modem using an Ethernet cable.
-
Unplug your modem from power for at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait until no new indicator lights are blinking on.
-
Turn on your computer and attempt to stream again.
If this step gets you streaming again:
- If you've bypassed your router and successfully connected to Netflix directly through your modem, it's likely that the router itself is the source of the problem.
- Bypassing the router will allow you to stream for now, but if this configuration isn't a perfect solution, you may want to contact whoever set up your home network for help resetting or re-configuring your router settings.
If you're still not able to stream:
- If you're connected directly to your modem and still can't stream Netflix, you may want to check with your equipment provider to make sure your modem and Internet service are functioning as intended.
If you were unable to complete this step:
- We strongly recommend attempting to connect your computer directly to your modem if you can--it will allow you to absolutely rule out your wireless router as the cause of any network connection issues. However, if there's no way for you to directly connect your device to your modem, it's okay to skip to Step 4.
If you're connecting over Wi-Fi and the above steps didn't help, try some or all of these steps to improve your wireless connectivity:
- Move your router to a new location to improve signal strength--you'll usually see better reception throughout your home if the router is in a central location.
- Wireless interference can cause big problems when trying to connect over Wi-Fi. Cordless phones, microwave ovens, or other wireless devices near your router can all cause wireless interference, so move them away from your wireless router.
- Elevate your router off the floor. A router on top of a bookshelf or desk will give you better reception than one that's hidden behind it.
Smart TV
Before you begin troubleshooting:
If you are on a work, school, hotel, or hospital public WiFi:
- Check with your network administrator to make sure streaming services such as Netflix are supported and not intentionally blocked.
- Many public networks have limited bandwidth.
If you're using a cellular data network or satellite internet:
- If possible, try a different network. Cellular data and satellite internet connections commonly have slower connections speeds than cable internet or DSL.
If your network supports streaming, and meets our Minimum Streaming Requirements, completing the steps below will resolve most connection issues.
If you haven't already, try turning your smart TV completely off and then back on before trying to stream again. An incredible number of Netflix streaming problems can be fixed this way, and it's one of the easiest (and one of the most overlooked) steps you can try that is very likely to get you streaming again very quickly.
Although restarting your smart TV can fix your problem right now, if you find you have to do it often, you'll probably want to troubleshoot your home network for a long-term fix.
For this step, make sure to leave your smart TV and ALL of your home network equipment unplugged as a group for about a minute before plugging each device back in one by one.
-
Turn off or unplug your smart TV.
-
Unplug your modem (AND your wireless router, if it's a separate device) from power for no less than 30 seconds.
-
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.
-
Turn your smart TV back on and attempt to stream Netflix again.
If you're connecting through a wireless router that's connected to your modem, and still can't connect after restarting your network, try bypassing the router and connecting directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable. This will help identify what's causing the problem by eliminating the router or wireless connectivity problems as a possible cause.
-
Turn off or unplug your smart TV.
-
Plug your smart TV directly into your modem using an Ethernet cable.
-
Unplug your modem from power for at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait until no new indicator lights are blinking on.
-
Turn on your smart TV and attempt to stream again.
If this step gets you streaming again:
- If you've bypassed your router and successfully connected to Netflix directly through your modem, it's likely that the router itself is the source of the problem.
- Bypassing the router will allow you to stream for now, but if this configuration isn't a perfect solution, you may want to contact whoever set up your home network for help resetting or re-configuring your router settings.
If you're still not able to stream:
- If you're connected directly to your modem and still can't stream Netflix, you may want to check with your equipment provider to make sure your modem and Internet service are functioning as intended.
If you were unable to complete this step:
- We strongly recommend attempting to connect your smart TV directly to your modem if you can--it will allow you to absolutely rule out your wireless router as the cause of any network connection issues. However, if there's no way for you to directly connect your device to your modem, it's okay to skip to Step 4.
If you're connecting over Wi-Fi and the above steps didn't help, try some or all of these steps to improve your wireless connectivity:
- Move your router to a new location to improve signal strength--you'll usually see better reception throughout your home if the router is in a central location.
- Wireless interference can cause big problems when trying to connect over Wi-Fi. Cordless phones, microwave ovens, or other wireless devices near your router can all cause wireless interference, so move them away from your wireless router.
- Elevate your router off the floor. A router on top of a bookshelf or desk will give you better reception than one that's hidden behind it.
Blu-ray player
Before you begin troubleshooting:
If you are on a work, school, hotel, or hospital public WiFi:
- Check with your network administrator to make sure streaming services such as Netflix are supported and not intentionally blocked.
- Many public networks have limited bandwidth.
If you're using a cellular data network or satellite internet:
- If possible, try a different network. Cellular data and satellite internet connections commonly have slower connections speeds than cable internet or DSL.
If your network supports streaming, and meets our Minimum Streaming Requirements, completing the steps below will resolve most connection issues.
If you haven't already, try turning your blu-ray player completely off, wait for 10 seconds, and then power back on before trying to stream again. An incredible number of Netflix streaming problems can be fixed this way, and it's one of the easiest (and one of the most overlooked) steps you can try that is very likely to get you streaming again very quickly.
Although restarting your Blu-ray player can fix your problem right now, if you find you have to do it often, you'll probably want to troubleshoot your home network for a long-term fix.
For this step, make sure to leave your Blu-ray player and ALL of your home network equipment unplugged as a group for about a minute before plugging each device back in one by one.
-
Turn off or unplug your Blu-ray player.
-
Unplug your modem (AND your wireless router, if it's a separate device) from power for no less than 30 seconds.
-
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.
-
Turn your Blu-ray player back on and attempt to stream Netflix again.
If you're connecting through a wireless router that's connected to your modem, and still can't connect after restarting your network, try bypassing the router and connecting directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable. This will help identify what's causing the problem by eliminating the router or wireless connectivity problems as a possible cause.
-
Turn off your Blu-ray player.
-
Plug your Blu-ray player directly into your modem using an Ethernet cable.
-
Unplug your modem from power for at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait until no new indicator lights are blinking on.
-
Turn on your Blu-ray player and attempt to stream again.
If this step gets you streaming again:
- If you've bypassed your router and successfully connected to Netflix directly through your modem, it's likely that the router itself is the source of the problem.
- Bypassing the router will allow you to stream for now, but if this configuration isn't a perfect solution, you may want to contact whoever set up your home network for help resetting or re-configuring your router settings.
If you're still not able to stream:
- If you're connected directly to your modem and still can't stream Netflix, you may want to check with your equipment provider to make sure your modem and Internet service are functioning as intended.
If you were unable to complete this step:
- We strongly recommend attempting to connect your Blu-ray player directly to your modem if you can--it will allow you to absolutely rule out your wireless router as the cause of any network connection issues. However, if there's no way for you to directly connect your device to your modem, it's okay to skip to Step 4.
If you're connecting over Wi-Fi and the above steps didn't help, try some or all of these steps to improve your wireless connectivity:
- Move your router to a new location to improve signal strength--you'll usually see better reception throughout your home if the router is in a central location.
- Wireless interference can cause big problems when trying to connect over Wi-Fi. Cordless phones, microwave ovens, or other wireless devices near your router can all cause wireless interference, so move them away from your wireless router.
- Elevate your router off the floor. A router on top of a bookshelf or desk will give you better reception than one that's hidden behind it.
Streaming players
Before you begin troubleshooting:
If you are on a work, school, hotel, or hospital public WiFi:
- Check with your network administrator to make sure streaming services such as Netflix are supported and not intentionally blocked.
- Many public networks have limited bandwidth.
If you're using a cellular data network or satellite internet:
- If possible, try a different network. Cellular data and satellite internet connections commonly have slower connections speeds than cable internet or DSL.
If your network supports streaming, and meets our Minimum Streaming Requirements, completing the steps below will resolve most connection issues.
If you haven't already, try turning your streaming player completely off, wait for 10 seconds, and then power back on before trying to stream again. An incredible number of Netflix streaming problems can be fixed this way, and it's one of the easiest (and one of the most overlooked) steps you can try that is very likely to get you streaming again very quickly.
If you're streaming player does not have a power button, unplug the power plug and wait 10 seconds, plug back in and allow it to reconnect.
Although restarting your streaming player can fix your problem right now, if you find you have to do it often, you'll probably want to troubleshoot your home network for a long-term fix.
For this step, make sure to leave your streaming player and ALL of your home network equipment unplugged as a group for about a minute before plugging each device back in one by one.
-
Turn off or unplug your streaming player.
-
Unplug your modem (AND your wireless router, if it's a separate device) from power for no less than 30 seconds.
-
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.
-
Turn your streaming player back on and attempt to stream Netflix again.
If you're connecting through a wireless router that's connected to your modem, and still can't connect after restarting your network, try bypassing the router and connecting directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable. This will help identify what's causing the problem by eliminating the router or wireless connectivity problems as a possible cause.
-
Turn off your streaming player.
-
Plug your streaming player directly into your modem using an Ethernet cable.
-
Unplug your modem from power for at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait until no new indicator lights are blinking on.
-
Turn on your streaming player and attempt to stream again.
If this step gets you streaming again:
- If you've bypassed your router and successfully connected to Netflix directly through your modem, it's likely that the router itself is the source of the problem.
- Bypassing the router will allow you to stream for now, but if this configuration isn't a perfect solution, you may want to contact whoever set up your home network for help resetting or re-configuring your router settings.
If you're still not able to stream:
- If you're connected directly to your modem and still can't stream Netflix, you may want to check with your equipment provider to make sure your modem and Internet service are functioning as intended.
If you were unable to complete this step:
- We strongly recommend attempting to connect your streaming player directly to your modem if you can--it will allow you to absolutely rule out your wireless router as the cause of any network connection issues. However, if there's no way for you to directly connect your device to your modem, it's okay to skip to Step 4.
If you're connecting over Wi-Fi and the above steps didn't help, try some or all of these steps to improve your wireless connectivity:
- Move your router to a new location to improve signal strength--you'll usually see better reception throughout your home if the router is in a central location.
- Wireless interference can cause big problems when trying to connect over Wi-Fi. Cordless phones, microwave ovens, or other wireless devices near your router can all cause wireless interference, so move them away from your wireless router.
- Elevate your router off the floor. A router on top of a bookshelf or desk will give you better reception than one that's hidden behind it.
Tablet or mobile device
Before you begin troubleshooting:
If you are on a work, school, hotel, or hospital public WiFi:
- Check with your network administrator to make sure streaming services such as Netflix are supported and not intentionally blocked.
- Many public networks have limited bandwidth.
If you're using a cellular data network or satellite internet:
- If possible, try a different network. Cellular data and satellite internet connections commonly have slower connections speeds than cable internet or DSL.
If your network supports streaming, and meets our Minimum Streaming Requirements, completing the steps below will resolve most connection issues.
If you haven't already, try turning your mobile device completely off and then back on before trying to stream again. An incredible number of Netflix streaming problems can be fixed this way, and it's one of the easiest (and one of the most overlooked) steps you can try that is very likely to get you streaming again very quickly.
Although restarting your device can fix your problem right now, if you find you have to do it often, you'll probably want to troubleshoot your home network for a long-term fix.
For this step, make sure to leave your device and ALL of your home network equipment powered off and unplugged as a group for about a minute before plugging each device back in one by one.
-
Turn off your mobile device.
-
Unplug your modem (AND your wireless router, if it's a separate device) from power for no less than 30 seconds.
-
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.
-
Turn your device back on and attempt to stream Netflix again.
If you're still running into issues after resetting your device and your home network, the root cause of the issue could lie with the network itself. If possible, connect your mobile device to a different Internet access point to rule out any potential home network configuration problems as the cause of the issue you're experiencing. Some examples:
- Attempt to connect to a different Wi-Fi network in range of your device.
- Bring your device to a neighbor's or friend's house and attempt to stream.
- If you have the ability to access a cellular data network on your device, try using it to connect to Netflix. While we generally don't advise streaming over a data network as a fix, it's a good way to see if a home network configuration issue is what's keeping you from streaming reliably.
If you're able to stream using a different Internet connection, we recommend checking with whoever set up your home network to resolve any potential issues with the way the network is configured.
If you're connecting over Wi-Fi and the above steps didn't help, try some or all of these steps to improve your wireless connectivity:
- Move your router to a new location to improve signal strength--you'll usually see better reception throughout your home if the router is in a central location.
- Wireless interference can cause big problems when trying to connect over Wi-Fi. Cordless phones, microwave ovens, or other wireless devices near your router can all cause wireless interference, so move them away from your wireless router.
- Elevate your router off the floor. A router on top of a bookshelf or desk will give you better reception than one that's hidden behind it.
If you're having network connection issues while trying to stream Netflix, the steps above are a great place to start. If you've tried all of our suggestions, and you're still having connection problems, don't worry--there's still plenty of help available to you.
If you're experiencing any of the following:
- If you are only able to stream when directly connected to your modem
- If you have to reset your wireless router frequently in order to stream
- If you can only stream when directly connected to the router, and not over Wi-Fi
- If the device you're using won't connect, but your other devices can
...you may want to contact the person that set up your home network. They should be able to help you determine if your router is properly set up to communicate with the other devices on your home network.
- If your device is prompting you to download an update
- If the device freezes up or doesn't respond to any button presses
- If the device shuts off unexpectedly or resets itself randomly
...you'll probably want to contact the manufacturer of your device. Let them know what's happening and when it happens--they'll know best how to fix the issue.
- If you can't connect to Netflix on any devices in your home
- If you're directly connected to the modem and still can't stream
- If your Internet connection in general seems slower than normal
...you may want to try using the same device at a friend or family member's house, or on a work or public network. If Netflix works on the same device when using a different Internet connection, you may want to check with your Internet service provider to make sure that there aren't any issues between your home and your service provider.
