Want to know how to fix Hulu error metadata-2? We’re here to help you!
Hulu metadata-2 is a common error when there’s a problem with the video you’re trying to play. It happens on any device wherein Hulu can’t access the video’s metadata.
To fix the Hulu Metadata-2 error, you want to check for any issues with your internet connection. Changing your configuration, such as using different DNS settings and disabling your VPN, will also resolve this.
Now, let’s talk about all the ways to fix this problem.
Troubleshooting Hulu Error Metadata-2- 8 Proven Fixes
Before trying any solutions below, ensure your internet connection is strong enough to stream videos. Test your speed using online tools like Speedtest.com or Fast.com.
#1: Force Stop the Hulu App on Your Device
When you force-stop the Hulu app on your device, you need to refresh the app and clear any temporary glitches that may cause the error. Then, reopen it to see if this fixes the problem.
iPhone
- Double-tap the Home button or swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
- The app switcher will display all of the apps currently open.
- Navigate to find the Hulu app.
- Swipe up to close it.
Android
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Apps.
- Look for Hulu and tap on it.
- Tap Force Stop and then OK.
Smart TV
- Navigate to Settings.
- Click on Apps.
- Click Manage Installed Applications.
- Select Hulu.
- Click Force Stop and then OK.
After force-stopping the Hulu app, launch it again. Now try playing the video and see if it works.
#2: Clear Your Browser Cache If You’re Using a Browser
If you are watching Hulu on your browser, you should clear your browser cache and cookies.
These files accumulate over time and cause errors or conflicts with some websites, like Hulu.
To clear the files on your browser cache, follow these steps:
Chrome
- Click on the three-dot icon at the upper right corner of the browser window.
- Select Settings.
- Click on Privacy and Security.
- Click Clear browsing data.
- Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- Choose a time range.
- Click on Clear Data.
Firefox
- Click the three-line menu icon at the top right corner.
- Choose Options, then Privacy and Security.
- Click the Cookies and Site Data item.
- Click on Clear Data.
- Check the boxes for Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content.
- Click on Clear.
Safari
- Click on Safari at the top left corner of the screen.
- Select Preferences.
- Click on Privacy.
- Click Manage Website Data.
- Click on Remove All and confirm.
Note: When clearing your browser cache, ensure you only delete the data you want to get rid of, as deleting too much will cause some websites to load more slowly.
#3: Remove Temporary Files from Your Hulu App
The temporary files on your Hulu app store information about your app usage and settings.
When you see the Hulu error metadata-2, it indicates that the temporary files are corrupted and cause conflicts and errors with your app.
Follow these steps to remove temporary files from your Hulu app:
Android
- Go to Settings.
- Select Apps and choose Hulu from the list.
- Tap on Storage.
- Select Clear Cache and tap on OK.
iOS
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select General.
- Go to iPhone Storage.
- Find the Hulu app from the list of apps.
- Tap on Offload App to delete Hulu but keep your data.
- Go to the App Store and reinstall the app.
Smart TV
- Go to Settings.
- Select Apps.
- Click on Manage Installed Applications.
- Select Hulu from the list.
- Click on Clear Cache and OK to confirm.
Removing temporary files from your Hulu app does not only help with the storage but also improves the app’s performance.
#4: Check Hulu Server Status for Outages
Sometimes, the issue isn’t on your end but on Hulu’s. The Hulu servers may be down or experiencing technical issues. To check, you need to use online tools like Downdetector.com.
Here’s how to check the Hulu server status on Downdetector:
- Go to the Downdetector website: downdetector.com/status/hulu.
- Enter Hulu in the search bar.
- Click on the Check Status button.
- You will see a map with reports of outages in different areas.
- You will also see a timeline of the reports.
Tip: If you see a lot of reports of outages in your area, it’s likely Hulu’s server is down. In this case, you need to wait until they are fixed.
#5: Disable Your VPN
If you use a VPN to access Hulu’s content, you may encounter a metadata-2 error because Hulu uses geo-restrictions to limit its content to certain regions. If Hulu detects you are using a VPN, it may block your access.
To fix this, you need to turn off your VPN. Here’s how to do it:
- Open your VPN client software.
- Click on the Disconnect or Turn Off button.
- You may be prompted to confirm your action.
- Click on Disconnect or Turn Off again to continue.
VPN: Hulu is capable of detecting if you’re using a VPN, and it blocks your connection. A service to use with Hulu is AtlasVPN, as they update their servers regularly, so platforms can’t block them.
#6: Log Out of All Devices on Your Hulu Account
If you encounter the metadata-2 error, you may have logged in to multiple devices on your account. This causes errors or conflicts if you exceed your plan’s limit of simultaneous streams.
To resolve the issue, try logging out of Hulu on all devices except the one you’re currently using.
- Open the Hulu app.
- Tap on the Profile icon in the top right corner.
- Tap on Account.
- Under the Your Account section, tap on Manage Devices.
- Tap on Log out of all devices.
- Confirm your action.
- Tap on Log Out to continue.
Pro Tip: Consider upgrading to a plan allowing more simultaneous streams to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable viewing experience on Hulu.
#7: Update Your DNS Settings
If you have trouble accessing Hulu on your browser and keep receiving the metadata-2 error, you may be dealing with incorrect or incompatible DNS settings.
To fix this, update your DNS settings to use a different DNS server.
Windows
- Open the Settings app.
- Click on Network & Internet.
- Click on Change Adapter Options in the left sidebar.
- Right-click on your network adapter and choose Properties.
- Select the Internet Protocol Version 4 option and click Properties.
- Click on Use the following DNS server addresses radio.
- Enter your preferred DNS server addresses in the respective fields.
- Click OK to save your changes.
Mac
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on Network.
- Select the network connection you want to change the DNS for.
- Click on the Advanced button.
- Click on the DNS tab.
- Click on the + button to add a new DNS server address.
- Enter your preferred DNS server addresses in the respective fields.
- Click on the OK button to save your changes.
Here are some of the proven third-party DNS to use to improve your connection:
- Google: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
- Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
- OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
Note: You may need to restart your computer for the changes. Then, try playing Hulu again.
#8: Disable Your Browser Extensions
If Hulu isn’t working on your browser, some extensions may be causing problems.
To avoid conflicts, it’s best to turn off your ad blockers, pop-up blockers, VPNs, and scripts.
Chrome
- Open Chrome.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the browser window.
- Select More Tools.
- Click on Extensions.
- Find the extension you want to disable and toggle it off.
- Click on the Remove button to uninstall it.
Safari
- Open Safari.
- Click on Safari, then Preferences.
- Click on the Extensions tab.
- Find the extension you want to disable.
- Uncheck the Enabled checkbox.
- Click on the Remove button to uninstall the extension.
Note: If unsure which extension is causing the metadata-2 error, disable all extensions and enable them individually until you find the culprit.
Recap
The Hulu error metadata-2 commonly occurs when you have a slow or unreliable internet connection. To fix this, ensure you have stable and fast internet and check for server outages. If the issue persists, force close the Hulu app on your device.
For more Hulu troubleshooting articles, visit our blog!
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Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.