(9 Fixes) Netflix Not Working On Smart TV [Updated 2023]

So you bought yourself a nice 42-inch smart TV.

You take it out of the box. And you’re mesmerized by how clear, crisp, and colorful it is.

You want to test it out.

So you go and click Netflix, and then…

An error code?!

If this or the like happens to you, don’t worry.

Just…

Keep reading to discover:

• 9 ways to fix the Netflix app on your smart TV.
• Which devices in your home can cause a Wi-Fi interruption.
• How you can update your payment settings in case Netflix can’t turn itself on.
• And so much more…

Why is Netflix not working on my smart TV?

Netflix on your smart TV isn’t working because you have internet or payment issues. It could also be that you need to update either your device or the app. Special characters on your username are also known to close Netflix. Lastly, check if Netflix itself is down. 

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Netflix not working on smart TV: 9 fixes

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#1: Check your network connection

When you try to open your Netflix, do you encounter any one of these error codes?

• 1011.
• 1012.
• 1016.
• 0041.
• 5403.
• 11853.
• 12001.
• UI-400.
• -11800.
• AIP-705.
• TVP-832.

If so, then your problem should have something to do with your network connection.

Fortunately, you can often easily fix this problem.

Just follow these 3 steps:

Step #1: Power cycle modem or router

Often, your modem or router just needs a restart.

In this case, you can easily power cycle them by:

1. Waiting for 15 seconds.
2. Plugging the modem first.
3. Waiting for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Plugging the router back in.
5. Powering it both on.

Now, using any gadget, check your Wi-Fi connection.

Did it work?

Then check if your smart TV can now connect to the Wi-Fi.

If it’s working properly, you can just skip the other steps and start microwaving your popcorn.

However, if not…

Step #2: Remove interference

Not everyone knows this…

But some everyday appliances and furniture can actually interfere with your Wi-Fi connection.

Here are some examples of them:

• Mirrors.
• Radars.
• Thick walls.
• Baby monitors.
• Microwave oven.
• Wireless devices.
• Other people’s WIFI.

What you can do is remove all interfering objects around your TV and the modem.

After that, check again if your Wi-Fi’s now connecting to your TV.

Still no?

Then, proceed to…

Step #3: Use ethernet cable

Do you have an ethernet cable lying around?

Newer models of smart TVs now support ethernet.

So, if you’re having a spotty Wi-Fi connection…

Fix it this way…

You see, it’s more reliable to use an ethernet cable instead.

In fact, besides reliability, there are a couple of good reasons to use ethernet instead of Wi-Fi. By using it, your internet experience would be:

• Faster.
• Have less latency.
• Have better security.
• Become easy to set up.
• Have fewer dropped connections.

And so you could say, migrating to using ethernet isn’t rocket science.

Just plug it into your TV and router.

Once you receive a success pop-up on your TV, you’re now connected to the internet.

For a more detailed explanation of how to connect an ethernet cable to your TV, watch this video:

#2: Power cycle your TV

Processes can get stuck when you open an app.

When that happens, your Netflix can forcibly close itself on startup.

And, sometimes, repeatedly trying to open the app on your home menu won’t help.

What you can do instead is to power cycle your TV.

This can get rid of all the residual charge on your device.

Thus, restarting its mainboard.

And, what’s more, you can complete this process in just a minute by:

1. Turn your TV off.
2. Unplug it from the outlet.
3. Hold the power button of your TV for 30 seconds.
4. Wait another 30 seconds.
5. Plug your TV back in.

#3: Factory reset

Was your Netflix working before until it didn’t anymore?

Instead of trying your hardest to fix it…

Why not just reset your app or your TV?

A factory reset completely wipes all new data from your TV.

Basically, anything you’ve changed or added since you bought it.

If you can afford to delete your downloaded shows, then a factory reset is worth a try.

Reset TV

Factory resetting differs for each manufacturer.

But here’s how you can do it for Samsung, Sony, and LG:

For Samsung

1. Go to your home menu.
2. Select ‘Settings’.
3. Choose ‘Support’.
4. Press ‘Self Diagnosis’.
5. Press ‘Reset’.

For Sony

1. Go to your home menu.
2. Select ‘Settings’.
3. Press ‘System Settings’.
4. Go to ‘Customer Support’.
5. Select ‘Factory Settings’, then choose ‘OK’.

For LG

1. Go to your home menu.
2. Select the gear icon on the left side.
3. Go to ‘General’.
4. At the bottom, press ‘Reset to Initial Settings’.

Reset Netflix

The next step you need to do is reset your Netflix.

How?

By clearing the stored cache and data.

For Samsung

1. Press the ‘Home’ button on your remote.
2. Select ‘Settings’.
3. Go to ‘Support’.
4. Press ‘Device Care’.
5. Select ‘Manage Storage’.
6. Hover over Netflix, then press ‘View Details’.
7. Click both ‘Clear Data’ and ‘Clear Cache’.

For Sony

1. Go to your home screen.
2. Press left, then select ‘Apps’.
3. Hover over Netflix.
4. Long press the ‘OK’ button.
5. Select ‘Info’.
6. Click both ‘Clear Data’ and ‘Clear Cache’.

For LG

1. Go to your home menu.
2. Select ‘System Settings’.
3. Press ‘Application Manager’.
4. Look for and select Netflix.
5. Press ‘Clear Cache’.

#4: Buy a streaming device

Sometimes, you can try everything, but nothing can fix your problem.

The same goes for Netflix on smart TVs.

However, there’s a quick workaround for this.

You’ll have to spend a little bit more money, though.

Streaming devices are usually used in legacy TVs that can’t install streaming apps.

But you can use it instead of your smart TV’s firmware in order to use Netflix.

Here are a couple of highly-recommended streaming devices:

• Apple TV.
• TiVo Stream 4K.
• Nvidia Shield TV.
• Amazon Fire Stick.
• Chromecast with Google TV.
• Roku Streaming Stick or Express Box.

Just buy one among that list and plug it in on your TV.

This should solve your Netflix problem in no time.

#5: Check payment status

Think really, really hard.

When’s the last time you’ve paid for your Netflix subscription?

Since Netflix bills automatically, some of us forget that we’re even paying for it.

In regards to your billing, Netflix lists the following things to keep in mind:

1. Take note of time zones when it comes to billing.
2. Your payment can be delayed if you use third-party payment methods.
3. When your billing date is on the 31st, you’d be billed on the 30th for months without 31 days.

When your card gets declined, Netflix always restricts your account from opening.

So is your card maxed out?

Don’t worry. Adding another payment method is easy.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Using your laptop or desktop PC, go to Netflix’s official website.
2. Sign in.
3. Click your icon in the upper right corner.
4. Go to ‘Account’.
5. Select ‘Manage Payment Info’ on the right.
6. Press ‘Add Payment Method’.
7. Enter your payment details.

#6: Update the Netflix app

The next thing you can try is to update your app.

“But, Peter, do we still need to update Netflix on our smart TV?”

And the answer is yes.

Updating your Netflix app ensures that its UI and engine are always up-to-date.

Unfortunately, updating an app on a smart TV differs for each brand.

Each manufacturer has its own different operating system and app manager.

Here’s a detailed explanation of how to update your Netflix for some smart TVs.

For Apple TV

1. Press the ‘Home’ button on your remote.
2. Select the ‘App Store’.
3. Press ‘Purchased’ at the top of your screen.
4. Select Netflix.
5. Click ‘Update’.

For Samsung

1. Press the ‘Home’ button on your remote.
2. Select ‘Apps’.
3. Click the search button.
4. Type ‘Netflix’.
5. Select Netflix once it appears.
6. Press ‘Install’ or ‘Update’.

For Sony

1. Go to your home screen.
2. Select the ‘Google Play Store’ app.
3. Click the search button.
4. Type ‘Netflix’.
5. Press ‘Install’ or ‘Update’.

For LG

1. Press the ‘Home’ button on your remote.
2. Open the LG Content Store.
3. Then, go to ‘Apps’.
4. Netflix should appear on the list of apps.
5. Select ‘Install’ or ‘Update’.

#7: Delete special characters

Does your name on Netflix contain any apostrophes, symbols, or emojis?

Have you received an error code ATV-ui31?

If so, your Netflix isn’t booting up because of the special characters on your name.

Fortunately, customizing your profile doesn’t take long.

To edit your profile, you can:

1. Open a web browser.
2. Sign in.
3. Go to the Netflix manage profiles page.
4. Click the profile you want to edit.
5. Under ‘Name’, enter the new username without special characters.
6. Press ‘Save’.

However, this isn’t just limited to the Netflix app itself.

Are you using Chromecast?

Furthermore, does your profile name on Chromecast also have special characters?

If the answer is yes, change it now.

It can also interfere with opening your app.

You can change your Chromecast name using these steps:

1. Go to your ‘Home’.
2. Press the ‘Settings’ icon.
3. Select ‘Device Information’.
4. Tap ‘Device Name’.
5. Enter your new name.
6. Press ‘Save’.

#8: Update firmware

When you get an error saying that the app is incompatible with your TV, consider this:

Maybe the problem isn’t with Netflix…

But with the smart TV itself.

Your TV runs using a firmware.

This is a piece of software that allows your device to run smoothly by constantly updating it.

Sometimes, when your firmware is outdated, newly updated apps won’t be able to run.

When that happens, this is how you can manually update your firmware:

For Samsung

1. Press the ‘Settings’ button on your remote.
2. Select ‘Support’.
3. Go to ‘Software Update’.
4. Press ‘Update Now’.
5. Wait for a few minutes, then your TV will restart.

For Sony

1. Press the ‘Settings’ button on your remote.
2. Select one of the following: Customer Support, Setup, or Product Support.
3. Go to ‘Software Update’.
4. Select ‘Network’.
5. Choose ‘Yes’ or OK’.
6. Wait a few minutes for your TV to finish updating.

For LG

1. Press the ‘Home’ button on your remote.
2. Go to ‘Settings’.
3. Select ‘General’.
4. Scroll down and go to ‘About This TV’.
5. Press the ‘Check for Updates’ setting.
6. Wait for the update to finish.

#9: Wait

No, seriously.

Just chill and…wait.

Netflix themselves are no stranger to a service outage.

For how long, you ask?

Well, that depends.

Service outages can range from minutes to several hours.

In the meantime, you can check this page to see if Netflix is down in your area.

BONUS: Contact Netflix support

Have you tried all of our fixes but so far, nothing has worked?

Don’t fret. It’s not the end for your Netflix yet.
If you encounter any problems, you can contact the Netflix Help Center for assistance.