How to Fix Issues with Netflix On an Android Phone

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn How To:

  • Fix most common Netflix issues with your Android Device

Before We Begin:

  • Have a working Netflix account
Netflix Icon

2. Restart

  1. Hold down the power button on your Android device.
    Depending on the manufacturer and model of Android device you have, the location of the power button will vary.
  2. A prompt will appear on-screen. Select Restart.
Power prompt with Restart highlighted.

If the menu does not pop up, continue to hold the power button, and your Android device will shut off.

  • If you had to shut down your Android device, wait 30 seconds before turning your device back on.

3. Reboot

One of the main causes with the inability to get on the Internet is that your networking equipment could have malfunctioned. Sometimes performing a reboot will resolve this issue.

Your network may consist of one or more of the following networking devices:

Modem

This is the primary device used to get you on the Internet.

  • Has either a coaxial cable, fiber cable, or phone cord plugged into it.
  • Typically has 1 or 2 Ethernet ports which connect to a router.

Gateway

This is an all-in-one device that has both a modem and a router built in. It is a primary device used to get you on the Internet.

  • Has either a coaxial cable, fiber cable, or phone cord plugged into it.
  • Typically has 3 or 4 Ethernet ports which connect to a your computers and smart devices.
  • Typically has Wi-Fi built into it

Router

This device allows you to connect multiple devices to your Internet connection using a single external IP address.

  • Typically has 3 or 4 Ethernet ports which connect to a your computers and smart devices.
  • Typically has Wi-Fi built into it.

Switch

This device helps to extend the wired functionality of devices by providing your additional Ethernet ports.

  • These are typically plug and play.
  • This device is not a router.

Access Point

This device will provide wireless access to your existing network.

  • Used to extend the range of your network
  • Usually plugged into a router / gateway via Ethernet connection.

Range Extender

This device will extend the range of your existing WiFi network by rebroadcasting your WiFi network.

  • Standalone device plugged into a power source.
  • Usually located 15-30 feet from the router.


Next we will want to power cycle the networking devices.

Modem / Gateway

  1. Unplug the power from the device.
  2. Wait 30 seconds.
  3. Plug the power back into the device.
  4. Wait for the device to go online.

Router

  1. Unplug the power from the device.
  2. Wait 30 seconds.
  3. Plug the power back into the device.
  4. Wait for the device to go online.

Switch

  1. Unplug the power from the device.
  2. Wait 30 seconds.
  3. Plug the power back into the device.

Access Point / Range Extender

  1. Unplug the power from the device.
  2. Wait 30 seconds.
  3. Plug the power back into the device.

4. Check Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.

To check if your Android mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi:

  1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
Android Settings.
  1. Select Wi-Fi.
Settings with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  1. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned On, then select the Wi-Fi network that says Connected under it.
Wi-Fi settings with Wi-Fi On switch and connected network highlighted.
  1. Here, you'll see the basics of your Wi-Fi connection, with the Wi-Fi network name at the top, and other information such as Signal Strength, Link Speed and the Frequency you're connected at and the Security type of the network.
Wi-Fi Properties.

More Details

  1. To see more information about your connection, select Cancel.
  2. Select the Settings gear in the top right corner.
Wi-Fi Settings with settings gear highlighted.
  1. Here, you'll see a variety of information related to your connection at the bottom, such as the MAC (Media Access Control) address and IP addresses your Android device has been given.
Configure Wi-Fi with MAC and IP address info highlighted.

5. Test the App

Open your Netflix app and test if it works.

Netflix Icon

6. What's next?

7. Connect Wi-Fi

  1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
Android Settings.
  1. Select Wi-Fi.
Android Settings with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  1. Select your home network from the list.
Wi-Fi settings with Wi-Fi network highlighted.
  1. Enter your Wi-Fi password, then select Connect.
Wi-Fi password dialog with password and Connect highlighted.

8. What's next?

9. Reset Password

Reset your password by sending yourself a password reset email from Netflix.

  1. Navigate to https://www.netflix.com/LoginHelp.
https://www.netflix.com/LoginHelp
  1. Type the email tied to your Netflix account and choose how to reset your password.
Netflix's password reset
  1. Selecting email will send you an email with a link to resetting your password.
  2. Selecting text message will send you a verification code through your cell phone.
  3. Selecting voice call will call your selected number with the verification code needed to reset your password.

10. Change Your Language and Subtitles

  1. Sign in to https://www.netflix.com/ on a computer or mobile browser.
netflix.com
  1. If prompted, select your profile picture.
Who's watching? Select Netflix profile. Screenshot.
  1. Visit the Account section of the Netflix website.
Netflix account tab
  1. Under My Profile, select Language.
My profile language tab
  1. Select your preferred language.
Netflix language list
  1. If your preferred language is already selected, select English and sign out, then repeat the steps above.
  2. Return to the device experiencing the issue and sign out and sign back in to save this setting.
  3. Changing the language for your profile will also change the subtitle and dubbing options you see, putting your preferred language first on available titles.

11. Uninstall Netflix

  1. Locate Netflix on your Home Screen or App Drawer. Tap and hold the app icon, and start dragging it around.
Netflix on an android
  1. Drag the icon to Uninstall at the top then release.
netflix icon being dragged
  1. When prompted if you want to uninstall, select OK.
Netflix uninstall confirmation

12. Install Netflix

  1. Open the Play Store, then select the Search Bar at the top.
Google Play Store.

Google Play Store with Search highlighted.
  1. Type in Netflix, then select Netflix from the list.
Search for Netflix with Netflix highlighted.
  1. Select Install.
Install button
  1. Select Open to open the app.
Open button

13. What's next?