Popcorn? Check. Free-flowing drinks? Check.
Cuddly pillows and blankets? Check.
Netflix? Loading. And loading. And loading some more.
“What’s going on? My movie night’s ruined!”
Well, what you’re seeing is the Netflix red circle of death.
But fret not. We’ve got easy fixes for that.
Continue reading to find out:
- 7 easy fixes for the Netflix loading problem.
- How to keep your Netflix app up to date to avoid experiencing glitches.
- How to fix network connection issues that can prevent Netflix to load.
- How running multiple different apps can impact your Netflix app’s performance.
- And this is just the beginning…
Why is my Netflix stuck on the loading screen?
Your Netflix is stuck on the loading screen because of connection problems, cache data error, or a possible glitch on your device. You can fix those issues by doing a power cycle. Other effective solutions include clearing the Netflix app’s cache, and closing and relaunching the app.
Netflix stuck on loading screen: 7 fixes
#1: Check if it’s a network connection problem
Netflix getting stuck on the loading screen is a common issue. Some users refer to it as the Netflix red circle of death.
But it’s really not as serious as it sounds.
And if you’re experiencing it, one of the first things you need to check is your internet connection.
The reason for this is that Netflix requires certain download speeds to run smoothly.
Are you trying to watch on Standard Definition (SD)?
Then you’ll need at least 1 Mbps. Moreover, the higher, the better.
How about if you’re streaming in High Definition (HD)? Then you need at least 3 Mbps for 720p. And about 5 Mbps for 1080p.
And if you’re trying to go for the best picture quality, 4K or Ultra Hight Definition (UHD)…
You’ll need at least 15 Mbps.
Wondering how far you can go with your bandwidth?
Then, here’s a really fast way to check your network speed:
- Go to Google.com.
- Type in “internet speed test”.
- Click the Run Speed Test button.
What if you’re having connection issues? I suggest this quick fix:
It’s none other than doing a power cycle on your modem and router.
What’s that?
A power cycle is a simple process of restarting any device.
This is how you can do it:
- Unplug your modem and router from the outlet.
- Wait for about 30 seconds to a minute.
- Plug the modem and router back in.
And this normally resolves many internet connection issues.
Of course, it’s also possible that the network issue isn’t on your end.
It can also be on the Netflix servers’ end.
Yes, Netflix may be the most established streaming service. But even they aren’t immune to outages.
But what’s great about Netflix is they’re always transparent about it. You may simply visit their “Is Netflix Down?” page to see if there’s an outage.
And if Netflix is down, simply wait for their engineers to fix it.
Moreover, Netflix outages are rare and never long. So you won’t have to wait for that much.
#2: Perform a power cycle on your device
Portability is one of the best things about Netflix. This means you can stream using various devices. Including:
- Laptops.
- Smart TVs.
- Gaming consoles.
- Phones and tablets.
You can even get Netflix on a non-Smart TV through streaming devices like an Amazon Fire TV Stick.
If you’re experiencing a Netflix loading loop on any of those devices…
And you’ve confirmed it’s not a network connection issue…
The next best course of action is to simply perform a power cycle.
For Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming sticks
This should be the process:
- Power off your device using a remote.
- Unplug it from the outlet.
- Wait for about half a minute.
- Plug your device back in and power it on.
For laptop users, whether it’s a PC or a Mac
The fastest way to power cycle is this:
- Press and hold the Power button on the keyboard. This should automatically shut down your device.
- Wait for 30 seconds.
- Press the Power button again to turn it on.
Doing a power cycle varies per smartphone
But generally, it requires pressing a side button. You should then see the option to switch off your phone.
A power cycle works because it gives your device a fresh start. For many users, a simple reset is enough to fix their Netflix loading problem.
#3: Force-stop and relaunch the Netflix app
An alternative to restarting your device is force-stopping just the Netflix app. And then relaunching it.
With this, you can achieve the same app reset that a power cycle provides. You can do this without the need to turn off your device entirely.
Are you trying to watch Netflix from a web browser?
If so, simply close the tab where you’re trying to watch it. And then open it again on another tab.
If you’re watching Netflix from an iPhone or other iOS device, here’s how to force stop:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen up to the middle.
- Remove your finger from the screen.
- Swipe up one more time.
For Android device users, here are the steps:
- Open the Settings menu.
- Look for the Application Manager menu, or something similar.
- You’ll see a list of all apps running. Navigate to Netflix.
- Tap the Force Stop option.
You may then go ahead and relaunch the Netflix app.
#4: Sign out of your Netflix account then sign back in
This is another quick but effective method. Many users struggling with the loading screen did this to fix it.
Simply log out of Netflix. And then sign in again.
The fastest way to log out of all devices is through a web browser.
These are the steps to do it:
- Open a web browser and log in to your Netflix account.
- Look for the dropdown on the right of the screen. Then select Account.
- Navigate to Settings and click Sign Out of All Devices.
- Click the Sign Out button to confirm.
For a visual guide, you may check out this Youtube video:
You may also log out using the mobile app.
To do that:
- Open the Netflix app on your phone.
- Look for the More icon on the bottom right corner and click it.
- Select Sign Out.
- Tap the Yes button to confirm.
Once you’re logged out, wait for about 30 seconds to a minute. Then try to log back in. Check if you’re now able to stream a video.
#5: Close other apps to free up memory space
Devices like Smart TVs, phones, and laptops use memory.
It’s the storage space for temporary files and data. You use that whenever you run any app or program on your device.
And when you open too many apps at once…
The memory becomes full. And your device will struggle to run apps.
This is likely the case for your Netflix struggling to load.
You may have too many other programs open in the background. Causing the memory to fill up. And struggle to perform at an optimal level.
So regardless of the device you’re using…
Try to close other apps that you’re not currently using. Then run Netflix on its own.
#6: Clear the Netflix app’s cache
Netflix has a cache that contains temporary files. Such as your recent searches. Or videos that you watched and paused before finishing.
But sometimes, cache data can become corrupt. And this may cause glitches. Such as the inability to stream videos.
So clearing your Netflix app’s cache could also fix your loading issue.
For Smart TV users, clearing Netflix’s cache is as simple as turning off your TV. And then turning it on.
If you’re using a smartphone, the steps will vary. But you should look for the App Manager option on your device.
You’d then be able to find an option to clear the Netflix app’s cache.
Once the cache is cleared, your Netflix app should run without a hitch.
#7: Check if there are updates available for the Netflix app
Netflix releases updates from time to time to improve its product.
Users are typically notified if there are updates available.
And when there are, it’s always good practice to install them. Since an outdated Netflix app is much more likely to have glitches.
But even without notifications, you can still check and install available updates.
For iOS users, here’s how to do it:
- On your Home screen, look for the App Store icon. Then tap it.
- Select Profile.
- Navigate to Netflix.
- Select Update.
For Android users:
- On your phone, launch the Play Store app.
- Type in Netflix in the search bar.
- Tap the Netflix app then tap Update.
As for Smart TVs and streaming device users, the process should be similar.
Look for the option that manages installed apps. Navigate to Netflix. You should see an option to install updates.
Bonus: Uninstall and reinstall the Netflix app
So you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps. And you’re still not able to stream. Your Netflix app is still stuck on loading.
Then a fresh install should do the trick.
For iOS device users, here are the simple steps to uninstall and install Netflix:
- Tap and hold the Netflix icon on your Home screen.
- Select the Remove App option. This will delete the Netflix app completely.
- Then reinstall it by going to the App Store and searching for Netflix.
For Android devices:
- Launch the Play Store app.
- Search for Netflix.
- Look for the Uninstall option and tap it. Tap OK to confirm.
- Close and then relaunch the Play Store.
- Look for Netflix and click install.
The process should be similar for all Smart TVs and streaming devices.
Further reading: 8 Steps To Reinstall Netflix On Samsung Smart TV