Last weekend, I was all set and excited to binge-watch Netflix’s Wednesday on my Samsung Smart TV, only to realize that the Netflix app was not working!
I tried opening the app multiple times, but it wasn’t responding.
Trying to find a solution to get Netflix working on my TV again, I read through several websites and watched relevant videos on the internet.
All those efforts finally paid off as I found the perfect solution that worked for me. Phew!
If you’re stuck in a similar situation, trust me, I know exactly how it feels.
To help save you time and let you quickly get back to streaming, here’s how I fixed the issue:
Netflix not working on your Samsung TV can be solved by performing a soft reset on your TV. Unplug your TV from the power socket and wait at least 60 seconds before plugging it back in.
Soft Reset Your Samsung TV
There are two ways in which you can soft reset your TV.
To soft reset your TV via remote:
- Press and hold the power button on your remote until the TV turns back on.
This performs a quick reset and may solve the Netflix app issues.
If the issue still persists, here’s an alternative way to soft reset your TV:
- Unplug your TV from the wall socket
- Make sure that it is unplugged for at least 60 seconds
- Plug the TV back in the socket to complete a soft reset
A soft reset is also known to fix Samsung TV flickering.
Sign Out of Your Netflix Account
Yes, signing out and signing back into your Netflix account can help fix issues with Netflix on your Samsung TV.
A traditional yet effective way of signing out is using the old Konami code through the same old pattern.
Follow these simple steps to sign out of Netflix using the Konami code:
- Click on the Netflix app on your Samsung TV
- Once on the Netflix home screen, press the given pattern on your remote: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Up, Up, Up, Up
- If the sequence is followed, you will be logged out of your Netflix account and redirected to the Netflix Log-in home page
As an alternative, you can sign out of Netflix using the settings as well:
- On the Netflix home screen, navigate to your Netflix profile section
- Select the Get help option
- Finally, select Log out
Reinstall the Netflix Application
Assuming none of the above fixes worked for you, you can now try to reinstall the Netflix app on your Samsung TV.
Here’s the guide to uninstall and reinstall the Netflix app:
- Press the Home button on the TV remote
- Select Apps from the menu
- Navigate to the Netflix app icon
- Select Delete to uninstall
It’s best to reboot your TV before reinstalling Netflix.
Now, continue with the reinstallation.
- Turn your Samsung TV back on and ensure that the network connection is stable
- Use the Smart Hub button on your TV remote
- On Smart Hub, select Settings
- Navigate or search for the Netflix application
- Click install on the Netflix app icon
A fresh installation will also resolve the Netflix crashing problem.
Update Samsung TV & Netflix App (If Available)
To fix minor bugs and issues with applications, staying up to date is highly recommended.
Update Samsung TV software:
- Go to Settings and select the Support Tab
- Select the Software Update option
- If the TV software update is available, click on Update Now
Update Netflix App:
- Press the Home button on the TV remote
- On the Home screen, click on Apps
- Once in the Apps menu, navigate or search for the Netflix app icon
- If any updates are available, you’ll find Update Now button in the app description
You can also turn on auto-update for all applications by clicking on the settings icon in the top right corner of the Apps menu.
If your Samsung TV is not connecting to Wi-Fi, power cycle your router.
Disable Samsung TV’s Instant-On Feature
The instant-on feature on your Samsung TV allows it to start instantly once you press the Power button.
However, users have reported issues with this feature as it can negatively impact the performance of applications and their smooth functioning.
In fact, disabling the Instant-On feature can help fix issues with the Netflix app as well.
Here’s how to turn off the Instant-On feature on your TV:
- Open Settings on your Samsung TV
- Select the General option
- Navigate to the Instant-On feature and turn it off
Use the “Reset Smart Hub” Feature
The Smart Hub is a personalized app store for your Samsung TV.
Performing a smart hub reset will log you out of all the applications and remove them from your device.
Once done, you have to restart the TV, log back in and install all the necessary applications.
As this is similar to a factory reset setting, I’d recommend you use this feature only when none of the above methods have fixed your issue.
If you’ve decided to go with this method, follow the given instructions:
- Press the Home button on your remote
- Select Settings from the Menu
- Now navigate to the Support option
- Click on the Device Care option and select Self Diagnosis
- Once in the Self Diagnosis Menu, click on the Reset Smart Hub option
- When asked for a PIN, enter 0000, which is the default value
- Enter the PIN and confirm
Get in Touch With Netflix or Samsung Support Team
If nothing has worked for you till now, you can visit Samsung Support and get professional help based on your TV model.
Their support team will try to diagnose the problem and provide possible solutions.
If it turns out to be a hardware issue, you can also request a repair service that comes with a 90-day repair warranty.
You can also reach out to the support team at Netflix Help Center for issues like a black screen with no sound issue, freezing, or being stuck at loading.
Connect with them over a call or chat with a verified Netflix Customer Service agent (less than 1 minute response time) regarding your problem.
Check Your Internet Connection
The potential cause of Netflix not working on your Samsung TV can be an unstable internet connection.
Thus, it is essential to ensure that your internet is working properly.
You can perform some easy manual network checks as follows:
- Check your network or connection speed through other devices (smartphones, laptops, etc.)
- Use any app that requires a high-speed internet connection, such as YouTube, and check if it is working properly (no buffering or streaming issues)
- Perform a simple google search or speed test on Google
If these checks reveal any network issues, restarting your WiFi Router can help them.
To do this:
- Unplug your router from the power outlet
- Wait for about 30 seconds, and then plug it back in
- Connect your Samsung TV to the router and try to access Netflix again
Check if Netflix is Down
It’s always better to verify if the Netflix servers are unavailable, which may be why Netflix is not working on your Samsung TV.
Here’s how to check if the Netflix servers are down:
- Visit the Netflix Help Center & check the current server status.
- You can also visit a third-party website, Downdetector, which provides the real-time status of Netflix servers and any issues reported by the users.
If Netflix is down, unfortunately, all you can do is wait till they fix it.
SMART Suggestions: Alternative Ways to use Netflix on your Samsung TV (100% Working)
If you’re still reading, it is most likely that you’ve tried almost all the above methods, but none of them worked.
I can understand how disappointing that can be but what if I tell you that you’re just a few minutes away from streaming that Netflix show or movie on your Samsung TV?
All you have to do is choose any one of these alternatives to start using Netflix on your Samsung TV right away!
Pair Your Phone/PC with Samsung TV
One of the easiest alternatives to start with you can always connect or pair your phone or PC with Samsung TV.
Though the process varies depending on the smartphone you’re using, you need to share the screen of your phone/PC with Samsung TV while using the Netflix app on your phone.
This can be done through a wired connection using an HDMI cable or wirelessly through the screen-sharing option.
Note that this method does not work if you’re subscribed to the Netflix mobile plan.
Couple A Compatible Streaming Device
You can also couple a streaming device compatible with Netflix on your Samsung TV.
Though a lot of Samsung Smart TVs have built-in Chromecast that can be used to stream Netflix from your phone, you can also go for streaming devices if the feature is not available on your TV.
Some leading streaming devices include Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, and Apple TV.
You may have any of these streaming devices at your home, or you can even choose to buy one based on your preferences.
To use USB stick streaming devices (Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Chromecast) on your Samsung TV, follow the given steps:
- Plug the device into the HDMI port of your Samsung TV
- Switch the source of your TV to the HDMI port where the device is plugged in
- Once the streaming device starts, add Netflix under the Apps/Channels section
- Open the Netflix app and start streaming
Netflix and Chill, Finally
A soft reset is the most preferred solution to get Netflix running back on the Samsung TV and has worked for most users.
This process closes all the applications safely and clears the RAM on your device, potentially fixing any bugs or issues related to the Netflix app.
If your Netflix app keeps crashing or showing a black screen, signing out or reinstalling the app is most likely to fix the problem.
Ensure that the Samsung TV software and the Netflix app are up to date to avoid any loading issues or slow streaming problems.
These updates fix minor bugs or compatibility issues in some cases.
Even if these methods didn’t work, it’s obvious to be skeptical about buying a streaming device as an alternative choice for streaming.
The main reason why I’d recommend opting for a streaming device is that Smart TVs often have freezing or crashing issues with applications due to insufficient processing power.
Streaming devices such as Roku, Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV Stick offer the best streaming experience as they’re equipped with the latest software and excellent processors.
Moreover, these devices have a user-friendly interface, better streaming platform options, and also provide easy integration with smartphones.
Thus, spending a few extra dollars to enjoy the best picture quality and smooth streaming experience is absolutely worth it.
Using any of the above methods or alternatives, I hope that the most satisfying Tudum sound has already started on your Samsung TV, as Netflix is up and running perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to fix Netflix suddenly not working on my Samsung TV?
Perform a soft reset on your Samsung TV to solve any issues related to the Netflix app.
Unplug your TV from the power socket and wait for at least 60 seconds before plugging it back in. Once done, try accessing the Netflix app again.
How do I get Netflix back on my Samsung TV?
- Click on the Smart Hub button on your Samsung TV remote
- Navigate or search for the Netflix app icon
- Open the Netflix app and click on Sign in
Is Netflix having a problem now?
To check if Netflix servers are down, you can visit their official status page or verify with a third-party website like Downdetector to get real-time status updates about Netflix server issues.
