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Video is distorted, glitchy, skips or stutters

If your Netflix video quality is distorted, glitchy, or if it skips or stutters while playing, it means there's either an issue with your device or the video cable connecting your streaming device to your TV.

Note: If your video quality is low, blurry, or pixelated, follow the steps in the How to get the best video quality article.

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

Follow these steps if you watch Netflix on a TV or TV-connected device, such as a streaming stick, media player, cable or set-top box, Apple TV, Xbox, or PlayStation console.

If you get the same problem with other TV shows or movies, skip these steps.

If other TV shows or movies play normally, you can tell us about the problem.

  1. Using a web browser, go to Viewing Activity in your account.

  2. In the list, find the TV show or movie with the issue and click Report a Problem.

  3. Follow the instructions, then click Report Problem.

Our content teams will work on fixing the issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you can still watch other TV shows and movies. For more information, go to How to report issues with a title.

  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. Go to the Netflix home screen and press the back button on your remote to get to the menu.

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

    If the menu is on the left: At the bottom, select Get Help, then Sign out, then select Yes.

  3. Sign back in, then try Netflix again.

If your device is on an error screen:

  1. Select More Details.

  2. Select Sign out or Reset.

  3. Sign back in, then try Netflix again.

If you can't find Get Help or Sign out:

  1. Using your remote, press these buttons in this order: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Up, Up, Up, Up.

  2. On the menu that appears, select Sign out, Reset, or Deactivate.

There might be an issue with the connection between your device and the TV.

To fix the problem:

  1. Make sure you're using an HDMI cable.

  2. Try reversing the ends of the HDMI cable.

  3. Bypass any receivers or sound systems in use by connecting your device directly to your TV using an HDMI cable.

  4. Try connecting to a different HDMI port on your TV.

  5. Try a new HDMI cable.

  6. If available, try an HDMI port on another TV.

    • If you can stream on another TV, there may be an issue with the HDMI port on the original TV. Contact the TV manufacturer for help.

These steps may remove apps, data, or settings saved on your device. Before you continue, make sure to have your Wi-Fi name and password and Netflix sign-in information ready.

To fix this issue, you'll need to contact the company that made your device.

When you talk to them, ask for their help with these steps. After each step, try Netflix again to see if it fixed the problem.

  1. Update your device's firmware or software to the latest version.

  2. Restore your device to its original settings, like when you first got it.

If they can't fix the problem or these steps don't work, you'll need to use a different device to watch Netflix.

If you get the same problem with other TV shows or movies, skip these steps.

If other TV shows or movies play normally, you can tell us about the problem.

  1. Using a web browser, go to Viewing Activity in your account.

  2. In the list, find the TV show or movie with the issue and click Report a Problem.

  3. Follow the instructions, then click Report Problem.

Our content teams will work on fixing the issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you can still watch other TV shows and movies. For more information, go to How to report issues with a title.

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.

  1. From your Android phone or tablet, open the Netflix page in the Play Store.

  2. Tap Update.

Note: If you don't see this option, your app is already up to date.

Troubleshooting

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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.

These steps may remove apps, data, or settings saved on your device. Before you continue, make sure to have your Wi-Fi name and password and Netflix sign-in information ready.

To fix this issue, you'll need to contact the company that made your device.

When you talk to them, ask for their help with these steps. After each step, try Netflix again to see if it fixed the problem.

  1. Update your device's firmware or software to the latest version.

  2. Restore your device to its original settings, like when you first got it.

If they can't fix the problem or these steps don't work, you'll need to use a different device to watch Netflix.

If you get the same problem with other TV shows or movies, skip these steps.

If other TV shows or movies play normally, you can tell us about the problem.

  1. Using a web browser, go to Viewing Activity in your account.

  2. In the list, find the TV show or movie with the issue and click Report a Problem.

  3. Follow the instructions, then click Report Problem.

Our content teams will work on fixing the issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you can still watch other TV shows and movies. For more information, go to How to report issues with a title.

  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.

  1. Go to the home screen, then tap App Store.

  2. Tap Search, and enter "Netflix".

  3. In the list, find and tap Netflix, then tap Update. You may need to enter your Apple ID password. If you forgot it, follow Apple's steps to reset it.

  4. When the update is done, try Netflix again.

You can update your iPhone or iPad to the latest available iOS or iPadOS version from the Settings app. Visit Apple's support site to get the exact steps or to troubleshoot an issue.

Make sure your video adapter is supported

  1. Remove all cables connected to the adapter, then connect it to your iPhone or iPad.

  2. Go to Settings > General > About > Apple HDMI Adapter.

  3. Check the Model Number.

For issues with iPhone and iPad devices with a USB-C port, these options may help:

  • Make sure your TV or display is set to the correct video input source.

  • Make sure your video cable or adapter supports HDCP 2.2.

  • Try reversing the ends of the video cable or adapter.

  • If possible, try connecting to a different video port on your TV or display.

These steps may remove apps, data, or settings saved on your device. Before you continue, make sure to have your Wi-Fi name and password and Netflix sign-in information ready.

To fix this issue, you'll need to contact the company that made your device.

When you talk to them, ask for their help with these steps. After each step, try Netflix again to see if it fixed the problem.

  1. Update your device's firmware or software to the latest version.

  2. Restore your device to its original settings, like when you first got it.

If they can't fix the problem or these steps don't work, you'll need to use a different device to watch Netflix.

If you get the same problem with other TV shows or movies, skip these steps.

If other TV shows or movies play normally, you can tell us about the problem.

  1. Using a web browser, go to Viewing Activity in your account.

  2. In the list, find the TV show or movie with the issue and click Report a Problem.

  3. Follow the instructions, then click Report Problem.

Our content teams will work on fixing the issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you can still watch other TV shows and movies. For more information, go to How to report issues with a title.

Netflix streaming performance may improve if you close browser tabs, applications and programs that may be taking up your computer's memory and processing resources.

  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.

For update instructions, click the link for your browser below.

If there are no updates available, or your browser isn't listed, go to the next step.

Make sure you're using a supported video cable type:

Note: If you're using a video cable adapter, both ends of the connection must also be a supported type.

  • HDMI, or HDMI Mini

  • USB-C (also known as Type C)

  • Thunderbolt

  • DisplayPort, or DisplayPort Mini

If you're still having a problem and your video connection is supported, or you're not using an external display, continue to the steps below.

If you tried the steps above and are still having trouble, follow the steps for your specific type of computer below.

  1. Right-click the desktop.

  2. Select Display Settings.

  3. Select Advanced Display Settings.

  4. Select Display Adapter Properties.

  5. Select the Monitor tab.

  6. Select Screen refresh rate.

  7. Select a screen refresh rate of 120 Hz or lower.

  8. Select Apply.

  9. Try Netflix again.

  1. From the taskbar or the Start menu, click Microsoft Store to open it.

  2. Click More > Downloads and Updates.

  3. To the right of Netflix, click Download.

  4. When the update is finished, try Netflix again.

Use the links below to get steps to check for updates to your version of Windows, then try Netflix again.

Computers with Windows XP, Vista, 7, or 8.1 installed are no longer supported by Microsoft and can't update to a version that works with Netflix. To explore your options or learn more, go to Microsoft's support site.

  1. Bypass any HDMI converters by connecting your monitor directly to your computer.

  2. If you're using an HDMI cable, try reversing the ends, or try a new HDMI cable.

  3. If you are using multiple monitors, unplug them from your computer, then plug them back in one at a time, trying Netflix after each attempt.

    • If you only experience this error with one monitor, you may have a copy protection issue. We recommend contacting the monitor manufacturer for more assistance, or leaving the device disconnected while streaming.

Update your Mac computer

Follow Apple's steps to install updates and upgrades for macOS, then try Netflix again.

Update your computer

  1. Connect your computer to the internet using Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Updates cannot be installed while connected via a cellular network.

  2. Click on the status area (in the lower right corner, where your account picture appears).

  3. Select Settings.

  4. Select About Chrome OS from the menu on the left side of the page.

  5. Select Check for and apply updates.

  6. Your computer will install any necessary updates. Once the updates are installed, select Restart to update.

  7. After your computer has restarted, try Netflix again.

If you're having a different video issue, go to the video issues with Netflix article for more help.

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