Is your Freeview Play not working and you’re not sure what’s causing this nuisance to happen? Is it a problem stopping you and your mates from watching LIVE football in your flat?
Worry not, because, in this guide, we’ll give you the handy fixes for it! In fact, we’ll be giving you the best tips so that you’ll know how to work around this dilemma, so that the next time you experience it, you’ll know what to do!
If Freeview Play is not working on your smart TV, first check if your WiFi connection is stable. After that, update your TV’s firmware or software. Then, change your network settings from DHCP to Static IP.
Before we get to that, let us first briefly discuss the common problems that cause your Freeview Play to have this error.
Reasons Why Freeview Play Fails to Work on Some TVs
The usual and most common causes why Freeview Play wouldn’t work on your telly, as well as other devices, could be knackering.
They’re so complex that, most of the time, the culprit isn’t just a single problem. Instead, it can be a combination of different causes. The most common reasons why this happen include:
- Your internet speed is lower than what’s required by Freeview Play
- The TV or streaming device is not connected to a stable internet connection
- Your device is overloaded (needs a restart or reboot)
As we mentioned, it could be one (1) or more of these problems that can cause Freeview Play not to work properly. So, how do we approach this? Is there a process that would be able to fix it even without knowing the cause?
Yes! In fact, our guide will be focused on fixing the problem no matter what error or problem is causing it!
How to Fix Freeview Play Not Working
Unlike other guides out there, our tutorial will be covering the complete steps in fixing or resolving the problem of why Freeview Play is not working.
Step #1: Check Your Internet Speed/Connection
Freeview Play is a program that gives you channels over-the-air (OTA) via an internet connection. In case you didn’t know, they have a requirement of at least 2 Mbps for speed in order for you to have a seamless watching experience.
So, the first step is to check and see if your internet speed/connection is at par with the requirement.
Step #2: Check Channels 100 or 264
Then, the next step is to check other channels that are internet-connected, such as channels 100 and 264. When you find that there’s no problem here, then it could be a dilemma with your television.
Step #3: Update Your TV’s Firmware or Software
Next, update the firmware or the software of your telly. To do this, follow these steps:
- Access [MENU] on your television and navigate to Settings.
- From there, navigate to Support > Software Update.
- You’ll know that your software is outdated when the update is available.
- From here, you just have to update your software.
NOTE: The wording may vary from one brand to another. However, that’s the usual path of how you update your telly’s software.
Step #4: Retune Your Television
After that, the next thing you want to do is to retune your telly. Retuning it would allow your player to scan all available OTA channels.
WARNING: Do not retune during extreme weather conditions.
To retune your television, follow these steps:
- Go to [HOME] and access Settings.
- From there, navigate to Programmes > All Programme Tuning & Settings.
- Select Auto-Tuning or Tuning > Check Digital Only Search.
NOTE: Akin to updating the firmware, the wordings may vary. But, this is the typical process of how you retune your smart TV.
Step #5: Change From DHCP/Auto IP to Static IP
Several users reported this to be the primary solution. So, try changing the network settings from DHCP or Auto IP to Static IP.
You can do this by accessing All Settings > Network > Edit. From there, change it from DHCP/Auto IP to Static IP and change the DNS to: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Step #6: Power Cycle Your Television
Lastly, restart or power cycle your TV. Do it manually by unplugging it from the main power for about 15 to 30 seconds before plugging it back in again.
NOTE: Do not just turn it off. Make sure that you unplug it from the wall outlet in order to drain the power that has been stored on the telly.
Once you finish this process, your Freeview Play should be working perfectly again! The dilemma of LG Freeview Play not working, or from any other TV brands will surely come to an end!
While it may sound complex and difficult at first, it’s actually an easy process!
Freeview Play is Still Not Working, What Should I Do?
If your Freeview Play is still not working, the next thing you have to do is contact your TV manufacturer’s customer support team.
Let them know about what the problem is, as well as the steps that you were able to accomplish.
Read Next: How to Fix Freeview Signal Problems?
Shouldn’t I Contact Freeview’s Customer Support?
Freeview Play is an app or a program that should work if it’s compatible with the device. In the first place, if your device is not compatible with Freeview Play, you wouldn’t be able to download and install it on the telly.
When you contact Freeview about this matter, they’ll tell you to contact your telly’s manufacturer. So, skip that part and speak directly with a tech rep!
If Freeview Play is not working, try to ensure that you are connected to a stable internet connection. Then, update the software of your smart TV, and try retuning Freeview channels on it. Proceed to change the connection from auto (DHCP) to static IP.
Read Next: How to Get BT Sports on Freeview?
Bottom Line
When you find that your Freeview Play is not working, don’t panic! It could be a simple dilemma that might not require you to speak to an expert about it.
Nevertheless, this guide on how to fix the Freeview Play not working error will be all you need!
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.