When Netflix not loading on Samsung TV, it’s essential to first determine the culprit, which is easy by following this guide.
Here we’ll unwrap everything so let’s begin with the essentials!
When Netflix is refusing to load on your Samsung TV, restart the platform along with the television ahead of everything.
The thing to check next is the firmware version of the Netflix app as well as whether your Samsung TV is securely connected to a WiFi network.
Let’s dig deeper!
Why Is the Netflix App Not Loading On Samsung TV?
If Netflix refuses to load on your Samsung TV, there are multiple important factors that we must consider.
Like other platforms, Netflix requires an internet connection, hence your Samsung TV must be connected to the WiFi or via Ethernet cable if an Ethernet port is available.
Here are all possible reasons why Netflix not loading on Samsung TV (chronologically):
- Connection issue with Samsung TV
- A problem with the wireless network
- Outdated version of the Netflix app
- Corrupted Netflix app, cache data
- Active VPN/proxy software service
- Enabled parental controls restrictions
- Temporal Netflix server maintenance
Try This First!
Load Netflix on another device connected to the same WiFi network. This way you’ll know if the problem is with your Samsung TV or not.
Try Netflix both through the browser and through the software application to check whether the service would work.
Note: Feel free to use your mobile smartphone!
Netflix Not Loading On Samsung Smart TV – 8 Solutions!
Tip: Follow the steps below in chronological order!
1. Check the TV’s WiFi Connection!
You cannot stream Netflix without a proper WiFi connection on your Samsung TV.
There are particular connection speed requirements for Netflix and your Samsung TV must meet them!
How to Check if Samsung TV is Connected?
- Click the Home button on your Samsung remote control.
- Navigate to the “Network” tab in the “General” section.
- Scroll down and then press on the “Network Status” button.
- Check if your Samsung TV is currently connected to the network.
How to Connect Samsung TV to WiFi?
- Press MENU on the remote control.
- Head into the “Network” options section.
- Navigate to the “Network Settings” tab.
- Press on “Network Type” > “Wireless”
- Wait for the Samsung TV to find your network.
How to Connect Samsung TV via Ethernet?
To connect your Samsung TV to your network router via wire, you’ll need to check whether your Samsung TV model is equipped with an Ethernet port.
If yes, then you’ll need a long enough Ethernet cable to connect your Samsung TV to one of the yellow ports of your network router.
Info: Once Samsung has identified your network, highlight the connection using the remote control and type the security password.
2. Restart Netflix & Samsung TV
A straightforward solution to the problem is to restart Netflix and the Samsung TV.
This is an effective way to address multiple issues at once so in addition, we’ll perform a power circulation.
Here’s how to restart Netflix and power cycle your Samsung TV:
- Use the Samsung TV remote to exit Netflix.
- Press the “power button” on the remote.
- Unplug the power cord of the television.
- Wait for at least 4 – 5 minutes.
- Reconnect the TV’s power adapter.
- Turn on the TV and launch Netflix.
Info: To power cycle your Samsung TV properly, you must keep it unplugged for at least 5 minutes!
3. Update Netflix to the Latest Version!
Running Netflix on an outdated version is not recommended at all, since you’ll not have access to the latest content, updates, and bug fixes of the platform.
The loading problem of Netflix may have something to do with the version, so we must apply a firmware update before all else!
- Netflix usually releases an application updated once or twice a month!
Follow these steps to update Netflix on your Samsung TV:
- Press the “Smart Hub” button on your remote.
- Highlight and enter the “Featured” section.
- Navigate to the Netflix app from the list.
- Hold the “Enter” button to appear on the menu.
- Select “Update apps” from the list.
- Choose “Select All” as the next option.
- Press on the “Update” button to start.
Alert: Your Samsung TV requires a stable WiFi connection to update applications!
4. Clear the Netflix App’s Cache
If you’ve been using Netflix for a while now and Netflix not loading on Samsung TV out of a sudden, it may be due to a corrupted data cache.
Using a platform regularly causes excess files to pile up, filling up your TV’ storage and significantly slowing down the performance.
Here’s how to clear the Netflix application’s cache data on Samsung TV:
- Go into your Samsung TV Settings.
- Scroll down and press on “Apps”.
- From there, select “Netflix” next.
- Choose “Clear Cache” from the page.
Reminder:
Other applications on your Samsung TV also generate a cache that can be cleared the same way as we’ve described above.
If there are unused apps, uninstall them, as far as the apps that you’re frequently using, clear their cache data every month to keep your Samsung TV fast!
5. Enable or Disable a VPN Service!
In some cases, Netflix may not permit access to these users who have their original IP masked with a VPN.
Such location-altering services allow your device to wirelessly connect with servers all across the globe and assign an IP address different from its own.
VPN + Netflix Explained
In case you didn’t know Netflix is not the same in all countries. Some shows and movies are available in some countries, while others are not available in other regions of the world.
When connecting through a VPN we can alter our location to a different server in a different country.
Then, access content on Netflix that otherwise would not be available to us.
Do I Need a VPN?
If you’re at home, and you’ve enabled a VPN to access Netflix from a different location of the world, you may not always succeed.
Try connecting to a different server (IP) and check whether Netflix would load on your Samsung TV. (If not, disable the VPN).
Simplified: Disable any activated VPN (if you’re at home) or enable a VPN (if you’re abroad) to access your home Netflix.
- Best VPN Recommendation: AtlasVPN
How to Enable/Disable VPN?
The VPN does not necessarily need to be activated on our Samsung TV, hence such service only has to be installed and activated on a WiFi-connected device.
Note: VPN exists under a smartphone app, browser extension, or computer or TV software!
6. Reinstall Netflix On your Samsung TV!
Perhaps, reinstalling Netflix will help with the loading problem of the Netflix platform.
We will teach you how to completely remove the application from your Samsung TV and then download the app cleanly from the content store to start fresh.
Here’s how to reinstall the Netflix app on your Samsung television:
- Press the Home button on your Samsung TV remote.
- Scroll down to the “Apps” tab and enter it using “OK”.
- Go to “Settings” and then locate the Netflix app.
- Highlight the platform and then choose “Delete”.
- Press “Home” on your Samsung remote control.
- Access the content store of your Samsung TV.
- Locate the Netflix application and download it.
Alert: Uninstalling Netflix will sign you out of the associated account!
7. Deactivate Samsung TV Parental Controls
Since Netflix may include content inappropriate for children, your Samsung TV’s parental controls system may consider the platform as an adult-only.
In such a case, you must make sure that there are no applied restrictions towards the Netflix app.
Here’s how to deactivate your Samsung TV’s parental controls:
- Launch the “Settings” app on your Samsung TV.
- Navigate into the “General & Privacy” section.
- Scroll down and enter “Parental Settings”.
- Enter the parental PIN (“0000” by default).
- Select “Program Rating Lock Settings”.
- Choose “Deactivate” or “Turn Off”.
Info: If you don’t know what PIN you’ve set on the Samsung TV, there’s a way to reset it!
How to Reset Samsung TV Parental PIN:
- Hold the “power” button to put your TV in standby mode.
- Press the following buttons next: “Mute” > “8” > “2” > “4”.
- The parental controls PIN is now reset back to “0000”.
Tip: Type down the new value for the parental PIN if you wish to change the code!
8. Restore Samsung TV’s Initial Settings!
Finally, in case nothing else worked it’s time to factory reset your Samsung TV, in order to solve the not loading app problem.
If nothing worked so far, this Netflix issue may not be related to this app only, but to other apps as well, which makes your Samsung TV the primary suspect.
Tip: Create backup at Settings > Samsung Account > Samsung Cloud
Here’s how to factory reset your Samsung TV:
- Launch the Settings of the TV.
- Navigate to the “General” tab.
- Press on the “Reset” button.
- Enter your PIN (“0000” default).
- Press on the “OK” button next.
- Wait for the reset to complete.
Info: Once your Samsung TV’s factory reset has started, do not press any remote buttons or interact with the TV.
Quick Recap:
We’ve learned that when Netflix not loading on Samsung TV, the first step is to check whether the TV is connected to the internet and if the internet is reliable.
The next step is to restart Netflix as well as the Samsung TV and disable parental controls and VPN.
Read Next: Why Is Netflix Not Working on Xfinity? – Easy Solutions
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.