‘Under the Banner of Heaven’ was one of my most-anticipated Hulu originals this year, but I totally forgot about it due to a busy schedule.
Last weekend, while skimming through Hulu on my TV, the show caught my eye again, and I started binge-watching it.
The first two episodes went by smoothly, but as soon as the third one started, the stream stopped and flashed ‘Error Code 301’.
The error was accompanied by a short message saying: Error playing this video.
I ignored it, restarted the Hulu app, and the episode worked fine for a few minutes until the error appeared again.
I had no idea what was wrong and took to the Internet to get rid of it.
Fortunately, with some patience and nifty Google searching, I found a solution that worked like a charm.
If you are facing ‘Error Code 301’ on Hulu, power cycle your Wi-Fi router and streaming device by disconnecting them from the power source and plugging them back in after waiting 60 seconds.
What is ‘Error Code 301’ on Hulu?
Hulu gives you ‘Error Code 301’ when it’s unable to access or play the content of your choice.
You can get this error on any streaming device, such as a Smart TV, computer, smartphone, and gaming console.
This error is accompanied by one of the following messages:
- Error Code: 301.
- Sorry, we encountered an error while playing this video. Please try restarting the video or selecting something else to watch.
- Error playing this video.
Why is Hulu Giving me ‘Error Code 301’?
You can get an ‘Error Code 301’ on Hulu for several reasons, ranging from app malfunction to server outage.
Here are some of the most common reasons for this error to pop up:
- Slow Internet connection.
- App malfunction.
- Software bugs.
- Outdated app/browser.
- Server outage.
Check Your Internet Connection
All streaming services require a stable and lag-free Internet connection to work properly.
If your Internet is slow or the router faces technical glitches, Hulu may give you an ‘Error Code 301’.
To eliminate this error, you need to ensure that your Wi-Fi router is at least providing you with the minimum Internet speed as recommended by Hulu:
| Content | Minimum Internet Speed |
| Hulu Library | 3 Mbps |
| Live Streaming | 8 Mbps |
| 4K Videos | 16 Mbps |
You can visit Speedtest by Ookla to check your Internet speed.
If your Internet speed is less than the Hulu-recommended speed, you can try to resolve it by power cycling your Wi-Fi router.
Follow these steps to do so:
- Turn off the router.
- Unplug it from the power source and wait for 60 seconds.
- Plug back the router and wait until all its panel lights turn green.
You can also improve the Internet connectivity on your streaming device by using an Ethernet cable to connect it to your Wi-Fi router.
Power Cycle Your Streaming Device
If your Internet is working fine and you still get an ‘Error Code 301’ on Hulu, your next step should be to power cycle your streaming device.
Doing so will clear your device’s memory and drain any remaining charge from it so that it works smoothly.
To power cycle your streaming device:
- Switch off the device.
- Disconnect it from the power supply.
- Wait for 60 seconds before connecting it back and switching it on.
Power cycling is also an effective fix if Hulu says “We’re having trouble playing this”.
Clear Cache
All Internet-related activities (including streaming Hulu) store cache and other temporary files in your streaming device’s memory/storage.
When working as intended, these files help you reload the website/app quickly.
However, they can accumulate over time and cause the streaming service not to work properly or produce errors like ‘Error Code 301’.
This can be easily fixed by clearing the cache.
Clear the Hulu App Cache
- Go to the ‘Home’ screen of your streaming device.
- Open ‘Settings’.
- Click on ‘Apps’.
- Select the ‘Hulu’ app.
- Choose the ‘Storage’ option.
- Tap on ‘Clear Cache’.
Note: The process may vary slightly depending on your streaming device.
Clear Your Web Browser Cache and Cookies
If you watch Hulu on your computer’s web browser, here’s how to clear its stored cache and cookies.
Google Chrome
- Launch the browser.
- Click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
- Hover on ‘History’ and select ‘History’ from the expanded menu.
- Select Clear browsing data.
- Choose a ‘Time Range’.
- Make sure ‘Cookies and Other Site Data’ and ‘Cached Images and Files’ are checked.
- Click on ‘Clear Data’.
Microsoft Edge
- Open the browser.
- Click on the three horizontal dots in the upper-right corner.
- Select ‘History’ from the panel.
- Choose ‘Clear History’.
- Be sure to check the boxes for ‘Cookies and Saved Website Data’ and ‘Cached Data and Files’.
- Tap on ‘Clear’.
Mozilla Firefox
- Launch the browser.
- Click on the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
- Select ‘Privacy and Security’.
- Choose ‘Clear Data’ under ‘Cookies and Site Data’.
- Make sure the box for ‘Cache’ is checked.
- Tap on ‘Clear’ to confirm.
Safari
- Click on ‘Safari’ in the menu bar.
- Choose ‘Preferences’.
- Tap on ‘Privacy’.
- Select ‘Manage Website Data’.
- Click on ‘Remove All’.
- Tap on ‘Remove Now’ to confirm.
Update the Hulu App
An outdated Hulu app can be troublesome for a smooth streaming experience.
If your Hulu app is outdated, it may be missing an important file or patch and, in turn, give you an ‘Error Code 301’.
You can get rid of this error by installing any pending updates for the app.
- Go to the ‘Home’ screen of your streaming device.
- Launch Play Store or App Store.
- Search for ‘Hulu’.
- Tap on ‘Hulu’ from the search results and see if an update is pending.
- Click on ‘Update’ and wait for the process to complete.
You can also fix the Hulu app not working on your Samsung TV by a simple update.
Reconfigure Date and Time Settings
You can face an ‘Error Code 301’ on Hulu if the date and time are not set correctly on your streaming device.
Check your device’s ‘Date and Time’ setting and ensure it is set to your correct local time.
Once done, check if Hulu works fine without giving you the error message.
Reinstall the Hulu App
In case none of the solutions detailed so far help you get rid of the ‘Error Code 301’ on Hulu, the Hulu app may be corrupt or missing an important directory.
Deleting the app and reinstalling it can help you solve this problem.
To delete the Hulu app:
- Go to the ‘Home’ screen of your streaming device.
- Open ‘Settings’.
- Click on ‘Apps’.
- Select the ‘Hulu’ app.
- Choose the ‘Delete’ or ‘Uninstall’ option.
- Confirm your choice.
- Restart your device.
- Go back to the ‘Home’ screen and launch the App Store or Play Store.
- Search for ‘Hulu’ and install it.
- Once done, launch the app and log into your account.
Note: The steps may vary depending on your device.
If your Hulu login has been blocked, turn off your VPN and check your network settings.
What to Do if Nothing Works
If you have gone through all the solutions covered in this article but still face the ‘Error Code 301’ on Hulu, you should check the Hulu server status.
Sometimes, due to high traffic or maintenance issues, Hulu servers face an outage and cause all sorts of errors.
You can visit DownDetector to check if Hulu is down in your area.
You can also contact Hulu Help Center and get in touch with a customer support representative to enquire about the error and ask for official help.
Is ‘Error Code 301’ Common For Hulu?
Many people have reported their experience with ‘Error Code 301’ on Hulu over the official Community forum, and Hulu has been quick with their response.
The official solution for this error from Hulu is to clear the app cache, but it did not work for me.
However, power cycling my Wi-Fi router and TV did the job.
If nothing works for you, reinstalling the Hulu app should be your last resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I fix an unresponsive Hulu app?
You can fix an unresponsive Hulu app by power cycling your streaming device and clearing the cache data files.
Is Hulu compatible with all streaming devices?
Hulu is compatible with a large number of streaming devices. Here is a list of all devices that can run Hulu.
How much does a Hulu subscription cost?
Hulu offers two main plans: Hulu (with ads) costs $7.99 per month, and the ad-free plan is priced at $14.99 monthly.
