Peacock TV Content Not Available On This Device: How I Fixed It

Imagine getting a playback error while watching an episode you had been waiting for over a week. 

Something similar happened to me last night. 

I finally got the time to catch up on my favorite show but as soon as I pressed the play button, I got a playback error that said:

“Content not available on this device” 

I was very disappointed but upon research, I found that I am not the only Peacock TV user facing the error. 

After attempting a couple of troubleshooting methods, I finally landed on a solution that fixed the issue for me. 

The content not available on this device issue with peacock TV can be fixed by clearing the cache of the Peacock TV app. For this, you will have to open the app settings menu on the device you are using.

What causes the issue on Peacock TV?

The Peacock TV content not available error can occur due to various factors ranging from server outages to problems with your device.

From my research, I have narrowed down the cause of the error to 4 key issues:

1. Problems with the Peacock TV app
2. Issues with your internet connection
3. Issues with your streaming device
4. Service outages

Clear App Cache Data 

All applications, including the Peacock TV app, store data as cache to ensure faster loading times and to provide a better user experience.

However, over time, cache data can accumulate leading to slower app loading time and an overall affected functionality. 

This can also be caused by corrupted cache files.

These issues can lead to playback error and to fix them you must clear the app cache.

To clear the cache data on your Android phone:

• Go to settings
• Select ‘Apps’
• Tap on show all apps
• Select the Peacock TV app
• Tap on storage & cache
• Tap on clear cache

To clear cache data on your iPhone:

• Go to settings
• Tap General
• Select iPhone storage
• Wait for the list of your apps to load
• Select the Peacock TV app
• Click on the offload app option

To clear cache data on your TV:

1. Navigate to settings
2. Select System
3. Click on Storage
4. Selected internal storage
5. Select clear cache

To clear the cache on your browser 

• Press Control + H 
• Click on clear browsing data
• In the time range dropdown, select all time
• Select “Cached images & files.”

• Click on clear data

To clear cache data on the Fire TV stick

1. Navigate to settings
2. Select applications
3. In the manage applications menu, select the Peacock TV app
4. Select clear cache and clear data.

Once you have cleared the app’s cache data, relaunch the Peacock TV app to check if the playback error is fixed.

Power Cycle Your TV / Streaming Device

If your Peacock TV playback error is not fixed by clearing the app’s cache, the next step is to power cycle your TV or streaming device.

Power cycling your device clears the temporary memory gets rid of any temporary bugs and glitches and drains out the remaining power from the device, which can solve playback errors.

To power cycle, your TV or streaming device, disconnect the device from the power source and wait for at least 2 minutes before plugging it back in.

Check if the issue is resolved by relaunching the Peacock TV app on your TV or streaming device.

Power Cycle Your Wi-Fi Router.

To rule out issues with your internet connection, head to speedtest.net and check your internet speed.

You need at least 8 Mbps to watch HD content and about 20 Mbps to watch 4K content on the app.

Also, ensure your ping time is reasonably low enough to stream content. A reasonable ping time is 200 milliseconds or lesser.

If your Wi-Fi connection is unstable, it is better to power cycle your Wi-Fi router or the modem.

This will reset your internet connection and clear any temporary bugs.

To power cycle your Wi-Fi router, disconnect it from the power supply and wait for at least a minute before plugging it back in.

Update The Peacock TV App

The developers of Peacock TV periodically release updates to quash bugs and bring new features. 

Using an outdated app can cause issues leading to playback errors.

Hence, it is imperative to update the Peacock TV app to the latest version on your TV or streaming device.

To update the app to the latest version.

1. Open the app store or play store of your device
2. Search for the Peacock TV app 
3. Select “Update now” to download and install the latest updates

Relaunch the Peacock TV app and check if the playback error has been resolved.

If you are using the Peacock TV app on your Smart TV, uninstall and reinstall the application. 

Disable Your VPN

VPNs are great for privacy and handy to bypass region-based content restrictions.

However, sometimes VPNs can interfere with the functionality of streaming services.

To ensure this is not the case, disable the VPN on your TV or streaming device by going to the network settings or by clicking the ‘Disconnect’ button on your VPN app.

Check if the issue is resolved by relaunching the Peacock TV app.

Tweak DNS Settings on your Wi-Fi Router or Desktop

DNS provides a domain name to IP address mapping for devices connected to the Internet.

In simple words, DNS is the phonebook of the internet.

By default, your internet service provider will assign you a DNS server, but sometimes the default DNS servers can hinder the device’s ability to connect to different servers.

To change the DNS settings of your router, log in to your router’s web console by typing “192.168.1.1” or “192.168.0.1” in your browser’s address bar.

Click on advanced, navigate to the internet settings, change the primary and secondary DNS to the desired values, and click on save.

To change DNS settings on your Windows Computer

• Open control panel
• Change the view under View by to Small icons or Large icons.

• Click on network and internet
• Click on the network and sharing center
• Click on change adapter settings on the left pane
• Select the network adapter you are connected to
  1. If you are connected to Wi-Fi, click on Wi-Fi
  2. If you connect to the internet with a wired connection select the local area connection
• Right-click on the selected network adapter
• Click on Properties 
• Select internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
• Click on Properties
• Select Use the following DNS addresses checkbox.
• Type in 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 or 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 in the primary and secondary DNS fields

To change DNS settings on your Mac

1. Select settings from the Apple menu
2. Click on the network in the sidebar
3. Click on a network service on the right
4. Click on details
5. Click DNS (you might have to scroll down)
6. Type in 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 or 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 in the primary and secondary DNS fields

Relaunch the Peacock TV app on your TV or streaming device and check if you can watch content without playback errors.

Still Facing The Playback Error?

If you are still unable to watch your shows on Peacock TV due to the content not available playback error, make sure that the Peacock TV is not facing downtime.

You can check if Peacock TV is down using a third-party tool like downdetector or Servicesdown. 

On another note, also check that the payment method that you have added to the account is working and your payment was done successfully for the recent billing cycle. 

In case your payment did not go through, the platform will not let you stream media.

Alternatively, you can contact Peacock TV support by visiting the Official Peacock Help Page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Peacock TV?

Peacock is a new streaming service from NBCUniversal. It combines the best features of streaming and live TV. 

Is Peacock TV free to watch?

Peacock TV offers limited content as free to watch. You don’t need to enter your credit card information to watch free content.

However, for the best experience, you must upgrade to the paid premium plans.

How much does Peacock TV cost?

Subscription to Peacock TV will cost you $4.99 and $9.99 per month for their premium and plus plans respectively.

What is the difference between the Premium and plus plans?

The key difference between the two plans is that with the plus plan, you will have an ad-free experience with the option of downloading and watching select content offline.

Does my device support Peacock TV?

You can access Peacock TV from various devices and browsers. Currently, Peacock TV is officially supported on 

Web Browsers:

• Chrome 75+ (Windows/Mac)
• Firefox 88+ (Windows/Mac)
• MS Edge 80+ (Windows/Mac)
• Safari 12+ (Mac)

Mobile and Tablet Devices:

• Android: 6.0 or above
• iOS: 14 or above

TVs, Consoles and Streaming Devices:

• Amazon Fire TV and Fire tablets (OS 6 and above)
• Android TV’s ( Android 5.1 and above)
• Nvidia shield
• Apple TV (Gen 4 and above)
• Chromecast
• Hisense VIDAA (2021 and newer)
• LG smart TV (web os 3.5 or above)
• Playstation 4
• Playstation 5
• Roku 2 (4210X model only)
• Roku 3 & 4 (model 4200X or later)
• Roku Streaming Stick (model 3600X or later)
• Roku Express/Express+ (model 3900X or later)
• Roku Premiere/Premiere+ (model 3920X or later)
• Roku Ultra/Ultra LT (model 4640X or later) 
• Roku TV and Smart Soundbar (model 5000X or later)
• Samsung TV (2017 or later)
• Vizio smart TV SmartCast 2.0 or 3.0 (from 2016 and newer)
• Xbox One
• Xbox Series X
• Xbox Series S
• Contour Box with Voice Remote
• Contour Stream Player
• Xfinity: XG1v1 (Arris), XG1v3, XG1v4, XG2v2, XiD, Xi3, Xi5, Xi6, Flex