Watching Netflix and chill on the couch after a long day sounds ideal – until the black screen of doom shows up. You excitedly fire up the latest hyped Netflix series, only to be greeted by a blank TV, no sound, and plenty of frustration.
We’ve all been there. One minute you’re binge-watching Ozark, and the next all you see is darkness. Thankfully, this annoying glitch can usually be fixed with a few simple troubleshooting steps. Let’s dig into the possible causes and solutions so you can get back to that cliffhanger episode ASAP.
Why Netflix Is Suddenly a Black Mirror
Before we charge into the dark realm, it helps to know why Netflix starts glitching out on us. The reasons behind the blank void fall into a few categories and this will help you know what to troubleshoot:
Internet Connection Issues
Netflix eats up a ton of bandwidth. If your WiFi suddenly tapers off, so does your video stream. Try disconnecting and reconnecting to refresh the connection.
Outdated App
Like any software, the Netflix app needs regular updates. If it’s outdated, it may have bugs that disrupt streaming. Check for app updates and install them.
TV Software Problems
If your smart TV OS (Roku, Android TV, etc.) encounters glitches, it can knock out Netflix even if the app is fine. Rebooting the TV usually irons out the software kinks.
Account Problems
Did your Netflix subscription lapse? Or maybe you’re behind on payment for premium channels added to your account? Netflix will cut off streaming until you fix account issues.
DNS Server Hiccups
Your TV talks to Netflix’s servers through an intermediary DNS address. If that gets jammed up, your Netflix connection gets interrupted. Switching DNS settings may get around it.
Too Many Streams
Using multiple Netflix profiles at once on different devices can sometimes overload your bandwidth and make the TV stream stutter and fail. Logging out other sessions can help.
Now that we know why sweet streaming can go sour, let’s dive into the solutions!
Easy Fixes for Netflix Black Screen on TV
The good news is most causes of the Netflix black screen are easy to fix yourself without waiting for tech support. Follow this basic troubleshooting checklist for a quick solution:
Step 1: Check Your Internet Connection
Since Netflix relies on your home internet to stream shows, a weak WiFi signal can turn your video into a spinning pinwheel of doom.
Start troubleshooting by verifying your network connection. Make sure any cables and routers are tightly connected. Reboot your modem and router if needed to refresh the connection.
Run a speed test to confirm your WiFi network has enough bandwidth to handle Netflix. You’ll typically need at least 5 Mbps download speed for smooth SD streaming, and 25 Mbps or higher for HD and UHD.
If your network checks out, try disconnecting your TV from the WiFi and reconnecting. This forces the device to re-establish the streaming connection, which sometimes fixes flakiness.
While you’re fiddling with the WiFi, also consider switching wireless channels on the router to reduce interference from neighbors. The 5GHz band tends to be less crowded than 2.4GHz.
Ethernet is ideal if your TV has a port – wire beats flaky wireless when it comes to steady streaming. Powerline network extenders are another good option to get a wired connection to your TV.
Step 2: Update and Reinstall the Netflix App
Once you’ve made sure your internet pipeline is primed for streaming, verify the Netflix app itself isn’t the culprit. Buggy, outdated software can leave you gazing into the black void instead of your favorite shows.
On most smart TVs, you can check for Netflix app updates in the system settings. Perform a manual update if one is available.
If that doesn’t work, uninstall and reinstall the Netflix app from scratch. This wipes any corrupted cached data that could cause the black screen of doom.
Reboot your TV after updating or reinstalling the app to clear any wonkiness from memory. This refreshes the full system software stack and ensures all apps play nice together.
Step 3: Restart and Update Your TV
While network and app issues are common causes of Netflix meltdowns, don’t rule out general TV software glitches. The operating system on smart TVs can get just as buggy as phones and computers.
Start by fully rebooting your TV – don’t just switch it to standby mode. Unplug the power cord for 60 seconds, then plug back in and relaunch Netflix. This cold reboot flushes any memory gremlins that may disrupt the app.
Next, check your TV software version. Like the Netflix app itself, keeping your TV OS updated is key to squashing playback bugs.
Most smart TVs let you view system info and check for updates in the settings. Perform a system software update if one is available.
Updating can take 15-30 minutes, so grab the popcorn you were about to binge eat anyway while you wait!
Step 4: Log Out Other Netflix Devices
Do other members of your household stream Netflix simultaneously on different devices? Having too many video sessions open at once can overwhelm your home network and cause playback failures.
Open the Netflix app on your phone or computer and log out of all active sessions. Keep just your TV logged in, then try streaming again. This throttles bandwidth usage to give your TV the missing boost it needs.
Limiting simultaneous streams ensures each Netflix profile has enough cushion to stream properly. You can tweak the number of concurrent streams allowed in your Netflix account settings.
Step 5: Check Your Netflix Account
Before you tear your hair out troubleshooting your TV and network, check for simple Netflix account issues that could block streaming.
First, log into your Netflix account online and confirm your subscription is current. Did you miss a monthly payment? Streaming gets cut off if your credit card lapses. Update your payment info to get access back.
While you’re logged in, look for alerts about account or payment problems. Resolve any billing details, expired cards, etc.
Also check if you recently added premium channels like HBO and then forgot to keep up with the additional monthly fees. Netflix suspends these add-ons until you pay up.
Once your core account and billing details check out, you should be clear to stream. If you keep getting the black screen on one profile but others work fine, try signing out and back in to reset the glitchy profile.
Step 6: Change Your DNS Settings
Here’s a bit more advanced troubleshooting trick to try if the standard steps don’t get Netflix working again.
DNS (Domain Name System) servers act as the intermediary between your TV and Netflix’s content servers. If those get overloaded or have issues, your streaming connection goes kaput.
You can often restore the connection by switching to alternate DNS servers. I like Google’s Public DNS servers:
Primary: 8.8.8.8 Secondary: 8.8.4.4
Here’s how to change the DNS settings on common smart TV brands:
Roku TV: Settings > Network > Advanced network settings > Custom
Samsung TV: Settings > General > Network > Network Status > IP Settings > DNS Setting
LG TV: Settings > All Settings > Network > IP Settings
Android TV: Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Advanced Options > DNS
Amazon Fire TV: Settings > Network > Network Settings
Once you save the new DNS servers, give Netflix a try. This DNS detour often paves right around any clogs in the streaming pathway.
Step 7: Powercycle Your Devices
As a last resort if all else fails, it may just take a good old fashioned powercycle to revive Netflix from the dead.
Here’s the three-step powercycle sequence:
- Unplug TV and modem/router from power entirely.
- Wait 1 minute, then plug the modem/router back in first.
- Once those are back online, plug TV power back in.
This forces your network components and TV to completely reboot and rebuild their connections to square one. It wipes any gremlins that may be lingering in the system.
Give the TV a few minutes after powercycling to reinitialize. Then open Netflix – this time the video gods will reward your valiant troubleshooting efforts with a functioning stream!
Step 8. Force Stop and Clear the Netflix App Cache
If restarting the device didn’t work, try force stopping and clearing the cache of the Netflix app. Clearing the app data forces Netflix to start fresh, deleting corrupt cached files that could cause black screens.
On mobile:
- Go to device Settings > Apps > Netflix > Storage
- Tap Clear Cache and Clear Data
On Roku:
- Press Home Five Times Quickly
- Highlight Netflix and press * to get options
- Select Clear Cache or Clear Data
On Android TVs:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Netflix
- Select Clear Cache and Clear Data
On Apple TV:
- Hold TV button and Menu button down together until app jiggles
- Swipe up on Netflix app to close
- Reopen Netflix and reload content
On Fire TV:
- Go to Settings > Applications > Manage All Applications
- Select Netflix and choose Clear Cache or Clear Data
Relaunch Netflix after clearing data and cache. Often this tricks Netflix into working again when all else fails.
You can also read on;
Free stream sites like Primewire
Free sites like Fmovies for streaming Tv shows
Know When to Call in the Pros
Still seeing the spinny wheel of doom or black screen after trying all these fixes? It may be time to call in reinforcements.
Contact your ISP and explain the streaming trouble. They can analyze your connection for issues, or may need to send a technician if there’s a line problem.
If your home network checks out, get tech support on the horn from whoever manufactured your TV. There could be an underlying hardware or software defect.
Describe what you’ve troubleshot so far, like updating the TV and apps. The tech can decide if your set needs service or replacement.
And reach out to Netflix support if needed, too. They can double check your account, test streams, walk through fixes, or submit errors to engineering if it’s a wider app issue.
Having the right team on your side is key when the TV screen slips to the dark side!
Conclusion
Armed with the knowledge of how to quickly troubleshoot and fix the notorious Netflix black screen of death, you can fearlessly stream to your heart’s content. Don’t let random tech gremlins ruin your next binge session. Master these tips and tricks to debug and resolve Netflix problems like a pro. Now grab the popcorn and queue up your favourites – it’s Netflix and chill time!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does Netflix work on my phone/laptop but not TV?
Mobile devices use less bandwidth so may still stream even if your home connection lags. Try resetting your router and checking your internet speeds.
Does a weak signal cause the Netflix black screen?
Yes, Netflix requires steady fast bandwidth to stream properly. Check for signal interference or move your TV/router closer together.
I restarted my TV but Netflix is still black, why?
Restarting alone may not fix software glitches. Also update your TV firmware and reinstall the Netflix app to eliminate bugs.
Netflix was working fine yesterday, now it’s black. What happened?
Sudden issues can be an internet outage in your area. Or someone else on your network may be hogging bandwidth. Try logging them off.
I see the Netflix logo but videos won’t play, just black.
This points to a network connection dropout between your TV and Netflix servers. Changing DNS settings may help restore it.
My TV shows WiFi signal strength but Netflix still doesn’t work?
Check for internet speed/bandwidth issues. You may have a strong router signal but slow overall network speeds.
I get error codes instead of Netflix loading, now what?
Write down the error codes and contact Netflix support. They can diagnose issues based on the specific error message.
How do I contact Netflix for black screen help?
Open the Netflix help centre in your browser or on mobile app. Click tech support options and they can troubleshoot with you.
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