Unfortunately BBC iPlayer has Stopped? Why & How to Fix?

Do you ever get knackered when you receive the prompt “Unfortunately BBC iPlayer has stopped?” Can’t find ways to get rid of this error?

You’re lucky, because, in this tutorial, we’ll give you the complete steps of fixing this particular problem.

We’ll enumerate some of the reasons why this error occurs, as well as the resolution to it, in full!

To fix this error and to make your BBC iPlayer work back up again, force close the app and power cycle your device. Then, clear out cached data on the app, and then update its version. Try changing your device’s DNS settings, then proceed to uninstall/reinstall the app on your device.

In this guide, we’ll help you fix this problem regardless of the device you’re using.

But before we delve deep into that any further, what’s the cause of this problem? What’s the reason why BBC iPlayer has stopped working?

Reasons Why the Prompt “Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer Has Stopped Working” Appears

Just like you, many people experience this on a regular basis. Quite frankly, it seems like this is rather a more common issue.

Many experts suggest that the following are the roots of this particular error:

• Outdated software/firmware version
• Bugs/errors in the app
• Corruption in the cached data
• Incompatible DNS settings

NOTE: Understanding these causes will help us find the resolution to the problem faster because we’ll know where to look and what to do.

These are the most common culprits that cause the prompt to appear. Now that we know them, how do we solve it?

Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer Has Stopped – Complete Fix Steps

Here’s how you can completely fix and get over the error that your BBC iPlayer app has stopped working on your smartphone or tablet and your laptop or PC. 

Fixing the Error on Smartphones and Tablets

If you’re getting the error on your smartphone or your tablet, here are the steps to resolve it:

Step #1: Reboot or Power Cycle Modem/Router

The first thing you want to do is power cycle your modem/gateway or hub/router.

You can do this by simply unplugging the device from power, leaving it unplugged for about 15 to 30 seconds before plugging it back in.

Wait for three (3) to five (5) minutes for the device to reinitialize.

Step #2: Force Close the App

When the connection’s back on, what you want to do is force close the app. Force closing is a process of completely stopping the process of the app, not just minimizing it.

Force Closing on an iPhone/iPad

1. Swipe up from the bottom part of your screen and hold until you see the apps list.
2. While you see the list, drag the preview of the app upward to close it.

Force Closing on an Android Device

1. On your device, open Settings.
2. From there, navigate to Applications/Apps and select it.
3. Scroll down until you see the application you want to close.
4. Select the app and click Force Quit at the bottom corner.

Step #3: Clear the App’s Cache Storage

The next thing is to clear the cached data on your BBC iPlayer app. The process is similar on both Android and iOS devices.

1. Access Settings > Apps (Android) General > iPhone Storage (iPhone).
2. Then, select the app you wish to clear the cache of.
3. Once in, choose Clear Cache and Clear Data/ Offload App.

Once done, restart your device and you’ll be good to go.

Step #4: Update the BBC iPlayer Version in the Google Play Store/App Store

The next thing you want to do is to update the version of BBC iPlayer on your device.

For this step, you simply have to go to either the Google Play Store or the App store, and then search for BBC iPlayer.

Then, click Update to be able to update the app to its latest version. This process should have solved the prompt saying, “Unfortunately BBC iPlayer has stopped working.”

Optional Step: Uninstall and Reinstall BBC iPlayer

Should the problem still be persistent, the last thing you want to do is to uninstall and reinstall the app on your smartphone or tablet.

To do this, go to All Apps and locate BBC iPlayer. Press and hold it until you see the options and select Remove From Device or Uninstall From Device.

When it’s uninstalled, restart your device, and then download + install it again.  

That’s how you fix the process in smartphones and tablets. Let’s head onto the fix for gaming consoles and smart TVs.

Fixing the Error on Smart TVs

If you’re getting the error on your Smart TV or another similar device, here’s how you can fix it:

Step #1: Power Cycle Your Smart TV

Firstly, you want to start from a clean slate. So, what you want to do is restart or power cycle your smart TV.

You can do this by following these steps:

1. Turn the TV off either via its front panel or via the clicker.
2. After that, unplug it from the mains.
3. Leave it unplugged for about three (3) to five (5) minutes.
4. Plug it back and turn it on again.

NOTE: A power cycle should drain all the power from the telly. Turning it off without unplugging it would have backup power on its capacitors. Therefore, you need to unplug it.

Step #2: Power Cycle the Modem or Router

The next step is to power cycle your modem or router. Akin to how you power cycle your telly, you simply have to unplug it from power.

Leave it unplugged for about one (1) to two (2) minutes before plugging it back in again.

NOTE: You may have to wait for the device to reinitialize; it’s not like it’ll be available for use the moment you plug it in.

Step #3: Update the BBC iPlayer App

Then, you want to update the BBC iPlayer app on your smart TV. To do this, follow these steps:

1. When turned on, go to the Store sectionof your telly where you do downloads.
2. Then, search for BBC iPlayer.
3. Lastly, click Update to update the version of the BBC iPlayer programme.

You should see the confirmation that the app has successfully been updated when it’s done. When it does, power cycle your telly.

Step #4: Change Your TV’s DNS Settings

The next step would be to change up and modify your telly’s DNS settings.

Now, the process would vary from one telly to another. But, here’s a general structure of where you can do it and what you need to set:

1. Press [HOME] or [MENU] on your clicker.
2. After that, select Network > Network Status > IP Settings/DNS Settings.
3. Choose the option to set the DNS manually.

When you reach this setting, these are the values to put: Primary DNS – 8.8.8.8; Secondary DNS – 8.8.4.4.

Step #5: Configure Your Router’s WiFi Signal

The next step is to configure your router or hub’s WiFi signal. The process to do it is simple:

1. Open a browser and access your hub or router’s admin configuration panel.
2. Once in, navigate to WiFi/Wireless.
3. From there, check if you’re using 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.

If you’re using 2.4 GHz, modify WiFi Mode to 802.11n. On the contrary, if you’re using 5 GHz, change it to 802.11ac.

Step #6: Uninstall and Reinstall BBC iPlayer

Last, but most definitely not least is to perform uninstallation and reinstallation of the app on your telly.

To do this, go to All Apps and then choose BBC iPlayer. Long press [ENTER] or [SELECT] on your clicker to display the options you can do with the app.

Choose Delete or Uninstall. Once done, reinstall the BBC iPlayer programme to the list of apps on your telly.

After doing these steps, the BBC iPlayer programme on your smart TV should now work flawlessly.

Read Next: How to Get BBC iPlayer on Virgin Media?

Final Verdict

If your BBC iPlayer is constantly crashing with the prompt saying that it has stopped working, check your internet connection and restart your hub/router. Then, force close the application on the device and check if it’s on the latest version, update if it isn’t. Proceed to uninstall and reinstall the app.

If you keep on getting the “Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer has stopped” prompt and you’re getting sick of it, go back to our guide and we’ll help you solve it.

No matter what device you’re using, you can go back to this guide for the fix!