I have been streaming Netflix via Apple TV for a few months now, and it has been a good journey for the most part.
However, while trying to watch Slumberland yesterday, the Netflix app was not responding to any input.
The app was not booting up; even its Home screen was not loading.
I was confused as it was the first time I was facing this problem, and I had no idea what caused it and how to resolve it.
I relaunched Netflix and even checked my Internet connection, but the app continued to be in a state of hibernation.
Not knowing what to do further, I started going through Netflix and Apple TV forums and came across other people like me.
After trying several troubleshoots, I finally found a fix that got Netflix working again and allowed me to watch the movie before someone spoiled it.
If Netflix won’t open on Apple TV, power cycle the Apple TV. To power cycle an Apple TV, unplug it from the power source and TV, wait for 60 seconds, plug it back in, and turn it on.
Power Cycle Your Apple TV
The Netflix app won’t work on Apple TV because of software glitches, low memory, or residual charge.
You can resolve all these problems by power-cycling the streaming player.
Power cycling will not only eliminate software bugs from your Apple TV, but it will also drain any residual or static charge from it. Doing so will reset the device to a working state.
To power cycle your Apple TV:
- Unplug it from the TV and power socket.
- Wait for 60 seconds.
- Plug it back into the TV and socket.
- Turn on the TV.
Power cycling is also an effective solution for Netflix not working on a Samsung TV.
Update Your Apple TV
For an app to work properly and smoothly on Apple TV, both the app and streaming device should be up to date.
If your streaming device’s OS is outdated or pending the latest update, you may face multiple problems with streaming apps like Netflix, including the app not opening at all.
That said, it’s quite easy to eliminate these problems by downloading and installing the latest updates.
Here’s how to check for Apple TV updates and install them:
- Launch Apple TV settings.
- Choose the System tab.
- Select Software Updates.
- Tap on Download and Install.
Your Apple TV will restart a few times while it downloads and installs the update. Make sure to keep it connected to the Internet and plugged into a power outlet.
Reinstall the Netflix App
Netflix may also not work on Apple TV if the app data is corrupt or its file directories are missing.
This can occur due to a faulty installation or power malfunctions.
Reinstalling the Netflix app can assist you in resolving this problem.
Note: You can only reinstall apps on Apple TV 4 and 4K, but not on older models such as Apple TV 2 and 3.
To uninstall the Netflix app:
- Go to Apple TV’s Home screen.
- Highlight Netflix.
- Press and hold the center of the remote’s clickpad or touch surface until the app starts to jiggle.
- Tap the Play/Pause button.
- Choose Delete.
To install Netflix:
- Launch the App Store.
- Search for Netflix.
- Click on the Netflix app and choose the Get or Install button.
Factory Reset Your Apple TV
The ultimate solution for Netflix not working on your Apple TV is to return the device to factory settings.
A factory reset will get rid of all software glitches and bugs in your streaming device.
Doing so will also restore settings to default, remove all installed apps, delete any stored data, and log you out of all user accounts.
Note: Keep your Apple TV plugged into the power socket until the reset process is complete.
To reset Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD:
- Go to Settings.
- Select the System tab and choose Reset.
- Choose the option to either Reset or Reset and Update. You can’t go wrong with either, but updating your device is the better choice.
- Once complete, set up the TV again.
To reset Apple TV (3rd generation) or earlier:
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Choose System and click on the Reset tab.
- Choose either Reset All Settings or Restore. The former option will merely wipe all data on your Apple TV, whereas the latter will remove all the data and install any software update, if available.
- Once done, set up the TV again.
If none of the solutions covered in this article get Netflix running on your Apple TV, you should contact Netflix Help Center.
Netflix and Chill
Netflix started as an on-demand movie delivery service when video rental stores like Blockbuster were king.
Since then, Netflix has slowly risen to the top among all OTT streaming platforms by putting out quality and original content.
However, all these positives mean nothing when the app refuses to open on your Apple TV.
This happened to me yesterday, but thankfully, power cycling resolved my problem within a few minutes.
If that does not work for you, try updating your Apple TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I download Netflix on my Apple TV?
You can download the Netflix app on your Apple TV by going to the App Store → Search for Netflix → Select Netflix → Press the Get or Install button.
Is the Netflix app free?
The Netflix app is free to download on all platforms, but you will need to purchase a subscription to stream its content.
How much does a Netflix subscription cost?
Netflix currently offers four plans to choose from:
The Basic plan with ads costs $6.99 per month, the Basic plan without ads $9.99, the Standard plan $15.49, and the Premium one is priced at $19.99.
