I remember downloading the Hulu app on my Samsung TV a while ago, but I never got a chance to browse through it.
Last week, upon hearing constant praise for its content library, I decided to spring for a Hulu subscription.
However, when I tried to open the app, I was met with a loading icon that persisted for about 10 minutes.
At this point, I knew something was wrong and relaunched the app, but it yielded the same result.
Luckily, I found a lot of literature on this problem on the Internet, and I was able to figure out what was wrong with Hulu within no time.
Here’s what you need to do to enjoy the latest Hulu content on your Samsung TV:
If the Hulu app is not working on Samsung TV, update the app via Settings > Auto Update. If an update is unavailable, you can get the Hulu app working on your Samsung TV by reinstalling it.
Check Hulu Servers Before Trying Anything Else
It is a possibility that the Hulu servers are simply down at the moment, and thus, the app on your Samsung TV is not able to communicate with them.
You can easily check if this is the case by visiting Downdetector or checking the Hulu Twitter handle.
Update the Hulu App
Samsung TVs can be picky about the version of the app you are trying to use.
If the version of the Hulu app on your TV is relatively old, it may not work at all.
To update the Hulu app on your Samsung TV:
- Press the Home key on your TV remote.
- Select the Apps tab.
- Click on the Settings icon in the top-right corner, depicted by a gear wheel.
- Turn on Auto-Update, which should be near the top right of the screen.
- If an update is pending, it will be downloaded and installed on its own.
If you have an older Samsung TV, the process is as follows:
- Press the Smart Hub key on your TV remote.
- Select the Featured tab.
- Choose the Hulu app.
- Press the Enter key.
- Scroll down and click on Update apps.
- Choose Select All and then Update.
Once the app has finished updating, launch Hulu, and it should work as intended.
Power Cycle Your Samsung TV
It is also possible that a software bug in your Samsung TV has trapped your Hulu app in the ‘not working’ state.
The easiest way to purge such glitches is to power cycle the TV.
Power Cycling is relatively easy; all you have to do is:
- Switch off your Samsung TV.
- Unplug it from the power source.
- Wait for about 60 seconds.
- Plug the TV back in and turn it on.
Power cycling is also known to fix the Samsung TV black screen of death.
Reinstall the Hulu App
Reinstalling the Hulu app can also help get rid of any faults in the app’s installation or software glitches, which may be causing the perpetual loading screen.
To uninstall the Hulu app:
- Go to the Home screen on your Samsung TV.
- Select the Apps tab.
- Choose Settings.
- Select the Hulu app, and when prompted, press Delete.
- Click on Delete twice.
To install the app again:
- Go to the Home screen.
- Open the Apps tab
- Look for the Search icon and type in Hulu.
- Click on the app and select the Install option.
Update Your Samsung TV
The Hulu app might not be functioning on your Samsung TV due to a software flaw, which you can easily resolve by updating the TV.
To update your TV:
- From the Home menu, go to Settings.
- Select the Support tab.
- Click on Software Update.
- Tap on Update Now.
Try using the Hulu app again after the updates have been installed to check for any problems.
Updating your Samsung TV is also an effective way to get Peacock working as intended.
Factory Reset Your Samsung TV
Factory resetting your Samsung TV will delete all your settings and preferences and reset the TV to the state it was in when you bought it.
This will purge software glitches across the board and allow you to use the Hulu app.
To Factory reset your Samsung TV:
- Open Settings.
- Select the General option.
- Choose Reset.
- Enter the PIN to reset (It’s ‘0000’ unless you have already set one).
- After the reset, you will have to install Hulu again.
After you have reinstalled the Hulu app, you will be able to view the content as you usually would.
Hulu and Samsung: A Perfect Match
Combining the extensive content library of Hulu with the superior image quality of Samsung TVs makes up for a fantastic entertainment setup.
This is precisely why I was annoyed when the Hulu app refused to work on my Samsung TV.
Thankfully, I was able to solve the issue by updating the app to the latest build.
If updating the app does not work, reinstalling it will do the trick.
In case none of these work, you should contact Hulu Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Samsung TVs support Hulu?
Hulu supports all Samsung TVs manufactured in and after 2016.
If you have an older TV, you would have to wait for Hulu to release support for older TVs.
How do I force restart Hulu?
You can force restart the Hulu app by simply closing the app and power cycling the TV.
To power cycle your TV, switch it off and unplug it from the power source. Wait for about 60 seconds and replug the TV.
How can I tell the year of manufacture of my Samsung TV?
You can find the year of manufacture of your Samsung TV by checking its serial number and cross-referencing it with the What model year is your Samsung TV webpage.
