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

Just when you finally had the time to relax and watch a movie…

Netflix stops working on your Apple TV.

It’s the last thing you’d want to happen.

Lucky you found this guide.

You’re now only a few troubleshooting steps away from enjoying your day.

Continue reading to find out:

What causes Netflix errors on Apple TV.
9 quick fixes you can do to solve this issue.
Whether you can reset Netflix on Apple TV (and how to do it).
And a lot more…

Why does Netflix not work on Apple TV?

Netflix doesn’t work on Apple TV because your OS needs to update. Sometimes, poor internet connection or server-related issues lead to this problem. In other cases, resolving some recurring Netflix errors requires resetting your Apple TV.

Netflix not working on Apple TV: 9 fixes

#1: Check your internet connection

A stable internet connection is necessary to experience quality streaming on Netflix.

So poor internet connectivity causes issues for every device.

Buffering and the “you’re not connected to the internet” prompt are sure to ruin anyone’s day.

So, make sure that your internet connection is working first. Before trying to find out other solutions to Netflix not working on your Apple TV.

“How can I check my internet connection?”

Run a quick internet speed test using Fast.com.

After that, make sure that your Apple TV connects to a network.

Here’s how you check it:

Go to “Settings.”
Tap on “Network.”
Check if it displays “Connected.”

“Oh. It says not connected. What do I do?”

Don’t worry. Apple says you can simply re-connect your Apple TV to your network.

Follow these steps:

Go to “Settings.”
Look for “Network.”
Choose “Wi-Fi.”
Click “Forget Network.”
On the remote, press “Menu” or “Back.”
Then select “Network” again and re-connect to your Wi-Fi.

And while you’re at it, restart your router too.

Simply disconnect your router’s power supply and wait for 5 to 10 seconds before plugging it in again.

This action will allow your internet connection to refresh. And improve your connectivity.

#2: Log out and back into Netflix

Some problems relating to streaming Netflix on your Apple TV are easy to solve.

And it’ll only take a few minutes of your time.

I’m talking about logging out and back into your Netflix account.

You see, account data sometimes get corrupted and cause problems.

But signing out fixes these errors.

Know that different Apple TV models have particular ways of signing out on Netflix.

According to Netflix, here’s how you can sign out of your account on Apple TV:

Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation)

Start from Netflix’s home screen.
If the account has profiles, choose “Switch Profiles.”
If the account doesn’t have profiles, choose “Sign Out.”
Key in your log-in details again.

Apple TV (4th gen) or Apple TV 4K (5th and 6th generation)

While on Netflix, press “Menu” on the remote.
Choose “Settings.”
Select “Sign Out.”
Key in your log-in details again.

Note: Wait for a few minutes before re-logging into your Netflix account.

#3: Force close Netflix

“I swear nothing works. I’m getting frustrated.”

Before you fling your Apple TV out the window (and you shouldn’t because it’s expensive)…

Instead, try to force close the Netflix app first.

What’s that?

A force close cancels or “kills” programs that crash.

Applications that behave crazy need a force close. It’s like when someone gets a time-out.

On that note, Netflix might not be working on your Apple TV because it’s crashing.

To fix it, perform a force close by:

On your Apple TV Siri remote, press the home button twice.
Choose and highlight Netflix among the recently opened applications.
Swipe up Netflix (or any application) to complete a force close.

“That’s it?”

Yep. Launch the application once again to see if this solved your problem.

#4: Restart your Apple TV

Surprise, surprise.

Before you go bananas thinking, “Why doesn’t my Apple TV work well?”

Let me tell you…

There’s another simple action that takes seconds to do.

You see, restarting your Apple TV can work wonders. And not only for Netflix but for all its other programs.

The only thing you have to remember is to restart your device all the way.

I’m talking about turning off your Apple TV. Followed by unplugging the power cord from the outlet.

And finally turning it on again in after a few seconds.

All in all, this might be the only thing your Apple TV needs.

You might also want to check out: Is Apple TV Worth It? 7 Pros and Cons

#5: Check if Netflix servers are down

Errors in Netflix’s servers cause problems within the application.

Considering Netflix’s whopping 214 million global subscribers, server errors are common.

So common that they have a page only for these issues. From there, you’d be able to see real-time Netflix problems.

Besides, it also shows you the current status of whether the website is down or not.

And by the way, it’s also possible to check Netflix’s server status by using a third-party website.

For example, Downdetector tracks Netflix (and other sites) for errors and other problems.

#6: Sign out Netflix from other devices

Netflix isn’t working on your Apple TV may be because you’re using the same account for various devices.

Netflix has a set limit about how many devices should connect to an account.

The monthly plan you choose determines this limitation.

If you can’t use Netflix from your Apple TV, sign out your account from other devices you’ve used it in.

Here’s how you do it:

For Android and iOS

Choose the “Netflix” application.
Click “Profile” located on the upper right corner of the screen.
Tap on “Sign Out.”

For Mac

On the browser, go to “Netflix.”
Once on Netflix, click on “Netflix Profile”.
Then choose “Sign Out of Netflix” and follow the on-screen prompts.

For Windows PC

Open the Netflix application on your PC.
Click “More Options” on the upper right corner of the screen.
Choose “Sign Out” and follow the on-screen prompt to finish.

After you’ve successfully signed out your account from other devices, go back to Netflix. And see if the app loads on your Apple TV.

#7: Reset your Apple TV

Resetting an Apple TV will bring it back to default or factory settings.

Factory settings are the original settings of your device.

In doing so, you’ll delete all your user accounts. Wi-Fi and other network configurations will reset, too.

Performing a factory reset is necessary if the Apple TV doesn’t work well.

Warning: Apple TV reset is not reversible.

“How do I reset my Apple TV?”

Here’s how:

On your Apple TV, look for “Settings.”
Go to the “Settings” and choose “Reset.”
Click “Reset” again and follow the prompts on-screen.

You have to be patient because this action takes several minutes to complete.

If the Apple TV doesn’t respond, do either of the procedures:

Apple TV and Mac with macOS Catalina or later

Unplug Apple TV from the HDMI cables and power supply.
Using a USB type C cable, connect Apple TV to your pc.
Look for “Finder” on your pc.
Click “Apple TV”
Then hit “Restore.”

Apple TV HD and PC with iTunes or macOS Mojave or earlier

Unplug Apple TV from the HDMI cables and power supply.
Connect Apple TV to PC with a USB type C cable.
Look for “iTunes” on your computer.
Select “Apple TV” from the list.
Choose “Restore.”

Connect to Apple’s Support if you have an Apple TV 4K. Or if the steps above don’t work,

Check out this step-by-step video to factory reset an Apple TV:

#8: Reinstall Netflix

Erase and re-install Netflix when it doesn’t work. It’s another super effective way to solve any issue.

As mentioned, your Apple TV gets corrupted when Netflix’s servers go down.

To fix this, you have to install a fresh copy of the app.

Follow the steps to uninstall Netflix on your Apple TV:

Look for “Netflix” on your TV’s home screen.
Highlight Netflix and click the “Play/Pause” button on your Apple TV remote.
Select “Delete” then follow the prompts on your screen to continue.

Once you’ve uninstalled the Netflix application, head to the App store. Install the application once again from there.

#9: Download Apple TV’s latest firmware

If none of the solutions above work, you should check if your Apple TV needs to install a firmware update.

Firmware updates are programs that improve your device’s performance. You have to install them, whenever possible.

“What if I don’t update my firmware?”

Outdated firmware versions cause a lot of problems on any device.

And this might be the reason why your Apple TV is crashing while playing Netflix.

With that said, you need to check if your device needs to install updates.