So many users have complaining about Netflix not working on Roku TV. If you experiencing this issue, then you are on the right page.
You are probably trying to open your Netflix app on Roku but it’s not loading, or you open the app and it crashes, taking you back to the Home screen after showing for just a few seconds on Roku.
In this guide, I am going to show you how to fix Netflix app not working on Roku TV and streaming stick.
So, if that sounds like what you are looking for, let’s get started.
Netflix not working on Roku TV – How to Fix
If Netflix is not working on Roku TV, it can be due to device compatibility, outdated app, server issue, corrupt cache files, or slow network. You can fix it by ensuring your device compatibility, updating Netflix app, removing and reinstalling Netflix, power cycling your Roku device and fixing network issue.
Now, I will show you how to do all these and more step-by-step, one after the other.
Let’s get it.
1. Check if your Roku device still supports Netflix
This is one thing you need to get off the list before you start troubleshooting your device, or finding other faults.
Netflix is not supported on some old Roku devices anymore. These include Roku HD, HD-XR, SD, XD, XDS, and also the Netgear-branded Roku XD and XDS units.
If your Roku was manufactured prior to 2011, it probably won’t work with Netflix.
If you don’t know what your Roku device model number is, go to the Roku Settings menu and then select System > About
The normal Netflix app is supported on the devices below:
- Roku 4 (4400X)
- Roku Express 4K (3940X)
- Roku Express 4K+ (3941X)
- Roku Premiere (3920X, 4620X)
- Roku Premiere+ (3921X, 4630X)
- Roku Smart Soundbar (9100X)
- Roku Streambar (9102X)
- Roku Streambar Pro (9101X)
- Roku Streaming Stick+ (3810X, 3811X)
- Roku Streaming Stick 4K (3820X)
- Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ (3821X)
- Roku Ultra (4640X, 4660X, 4670X, 4800X)
- Roku Ultra LT (4662X)
In fact, you can watch Netflix in Ultra HD on all of these Roku devices, and with the exception of Roku 4, you can also stream in HDR on these devices.
As long as your Roku device supports Netflix, then the next step should help you fix the issue immediately.
By the way, this applies to all Roku models including Roku streaming stick, Roku Premiere+, Roku express, Roku Ultra, and all RokuOS TV brands like Hisense Roku TV, TCL Roku TV, Onn. Roku TV, Westinghouse Roku TV, Element Roku TV, RCA Roku TV and others.
2. Power Cycle Your Device or Do a System Restart
Another way to fix Netflix not working on Roku TV is to either power cycle your Roku device or do a system restart.
Though similar, the two are not the same thing. However any of them can solve your issue of Netflix lagging, crashing or being slow on your Roku.
To Power cycle your Roku device:
- Power off your Roku TV
- Next, unplug your TV
- Hold down the power button on your TV for 15-20 seconds
- After that, plug it back in and turn it on.
This is also called the soft reset.
To do a system restart:
- Go to setting via your Roku TV remote
- Next, go to System > System restart > Restart
In any of the cases, once your TV is back on, try to access the Netflix app again and see if it works.
Many users who complained about Netflix not working on Roku TV have been able to fix it via system restart or power cycle.
3. Update Netflix app
Another common reason why Netflix fails to work or crash back to home screen on Roku is using having an outdated version of the app/channel on Roku.
Therefore, you want to check if there is an available updated version of the app (that comes with the latest firmware), and if any, go ahead and update it.
- To do that, select the channel on the Home screen
- Next, press the Options (*) button to check for an update.
This fix applies to all Roku models including Roku streaming stick, Roku Premiere+, Roku express, Roku Ultra, and all RokuOS TV brands like Hisense Roku TV, TCL Roku TV, Onn. Roku TV, Westinghouse Roku TV, Element Roku TV, RCA Roku TV and others.
This should fix your issue of Netflix being slow, lagging, crashing or not loading on Roku.
4. Remove and Reinstall Netflix app
Another reason why Netflix app won’t launch, or crashes back to the Home screen is due to corrupt files.
In that case, what you want to do is to remove Netflix app, restart the Roku to clear its memory and then reinstalling Netflix back.
NOTE: It is very important to restart Roku after you remove Netflix app. This is necessary to delete the saved files which are possibly corrupt from your device.
Now, here’s how to go about it:
A. Remove the Netflix App
- Highlight the app
- Next, press the Options (*) button on the remote controller
- Finally, click Remove
B. Restart Roku from settings:
- Go to Settings
- Then, select System > System restart > Restart
C. Re-install Netflix App
- In the menu options, scroll down to Streaming Channels, press OK
- Select Search Channels
- Find ‘Netflix‘ from the list
- Click Add Channel, then wait for it to be added.
- Open it has been successfully added, click on Go to channel to open Netflix on Roku.
Again, this applies to all Roku models and all RokuOS TV brands like Hisense Roku TV, TCL Roku TV, Onn. Roku TV, Westinghouse Roku TV, Element Roku TV, RCA Roku TV and others.
5. Clear Roku TV’s Cache
Try clearing Roku TV cache if you are still experiencing the issue.
To do this, all you need is your Roku TV remote.
Once you have it, follow the procedures below (in the order as listed below) to clear your cache:
- First, select the Home tab
- Now, press the ‘Home’ button on your TV remote 5 times
- Next, press the ‘Up arrow’ ⬆️ button on your remote once
- After that, press the ‘Rewind’ ⏪ button twice
- Then, press the ‘Fast forward’⏩ button twice
If you do this correctly in that other, your TV should go blank and restart after a few seconds. Now, your TV cache has been cleared.
Once your TV restarts, try to open the Netflix app again and the issue should be fixed – whether it’s Netflix not loading, crashing, lagging or being very slow.
6. Restart Network Router
Another reason why Netflix may not work on Roku TV, crash or lag is slow network. It can also be responsible for audio lag on Roku.
One quick way to fix this is to restart your network router.
To do this, unplug it, wait for 60 seconds and plug it back in.
Once this has been done, make sure the Wi-Fi has been connected and try to access Netflix via your Roku Tv or Roku streaming stick.
7. Check Netflix Server
If the issue is not network, you’ve cleared your cache, restarted Roku, updated Netflix app and also reinstalled Netflix app as instructed above and you are still experiencing the issue, then it might be from Netflix server.
What you want to do is check if their server is online by using another device.
One way to do this is check if their website (netflix.com) is online and working by accessing it from another device (your phone, PC).
NOTE: It’s better you try to access the website while in incognito mode, after clearing your browser cache or preferably from a device you hadn’t accessed Netflix website from in the past.
This is to ensure that your browser tries to load a fresh page directly from their server and you are not seeing a cached version of the website on your browser in a case where their server is down.
More importantly, try to login and see if you are able to login to the website.
8. Contact Netflix
If you have followed all the tips stated above, your Netflix should be working by now.
However, if Netflix app is still not launching after following the troubleshooting guide, the only thing you can do is to contact Netflix for support.
9. Contact Roku
Normally, the issue should be fixed by now.
However, if you are still unable to get Netflix to work, then you should get support from Expert.
You can do that by contacting Roku support (or any of the Roku TV brand partners’ support team)
Depending on the brand of Roku device you use, you can contact their support team with the phone numbers below.
Roku TCL: 1-877-300-8837
Hisense Roku TV: 1-888-935-8880
Sharp Roku TV: 1-888-935-8880
LG Roku TV: 1-800-243-0000
Insignia Roku TV: 1-877-467-4289
Philips Roku TV: 1-866-309-5962
Bottom Line
That’s all for now on troubleshooting Netflix not working on Roku TV issue.
If you found the article helpful, kindly drop a feedback using the comment section and let me know which of the tips helped fix the issue for you.
Have any question? Feel free to drop by using the comment section below.
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