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Why is Netflix Not Working on My Laptop? [10 easy solutions]

Why is Netflix Not Working on My Laptop

Netflix, as the most established streaming service available, is almost always the first choice for refueling yourself after a long, exhausting day.

And, of course, there is nothing more infuriating than discovering that Netflix is not working on your laptop.

Given that nothing occurs in a vacuum, there is very certainly a reason for this as well. Therefore, what may be the source of that hiccup?

And then how can we rectify the situation? Let’s take a closer look at the responses below.


Why Is My Laptop’s Netflix Not Working?

There are various reasons why Netflix may stop working on your laptop, however, some of the most prevalent and often experienced issues include the following:

  1. A Netflix application that is out of date or has been compromised in some way
  2. Inadequate internet connections
  3. Drivers for devices that are out of date or incompatible – notably network and graphics drivers
  4. Your laptop’s date, time, and region settings are incorrect.
  5. Some subtle conflict between the operating system of your device and the application
  6. Netflix may have been denied access to your laptop’s graphics hardware.
  7. Significant DNS cache and Microsoft PlayReady file accumulation
  8. Numerous cumulative OS upgrades are forthcoming.
  9. Your Netflix account may require a refresh – sign out and log in again.
  10. Netflix servers may be unavailable throughout the nation.

How to Resolve Netflix Not Working Issues on a Windows 10 Laptop?

Now that we’ve identified the most likely causes of Netflix opening to a black screen or displaying error codes on your laptop, let’s look at how such a problem might be resolved.

However, if you haven’t rebooted your laptop recently, merely restarting it may resolve such difficulties by flushing out all the usual system flaws that have accumulated as a result of your OS functioning flawlessly 24 hours a day.

Additionally, restart the Netflix app. If it does not work, continue downward.

1. Attempt to Update the Netflix App

There might be a file corruption issue, or your Netflix app could be in desperate need of an update if it has been exhibiting difficulties recently. What to do is as follows:

  1. To start the app, press the Windows logo key, type Microsoft Store in the search field, and then press Enter.
  2. Within the (store) app, tap on Library from the left-side panel. (If you’re using an older version of Microsoft Store, you can access Downloads and updates by clicking on the three horizontal dots in the upper right corner of the app window.
  3. You can check for and update all installed apps from there. In the list, look for the Netflix app and see whether it says “Update available.” If this is the case, click the Update button, wait for the process to complete, and then check to see if the issue has been repaired.

2. Verify That Your Internet Connection Is Working Properly

Occasionally, the issue occurs as a result of your device’s contact with Netflix servers being slowed down by a sluggish broadband connection.

Verify that this is not the case on your end. To be on the safe side, you may want to restart your network fully.

Simply disconnect your WiFi router/modem and allow it to rest for a few minutes. Reset everything and check to see if Netflix is back up and functioning.

3. Keep Your Device Drivers and Operating System Up to Date

Ascertain that your Windows is up to date by accessing the Settings menu on your device (tap the Windows logo + I keys simultaneously) and selecting Update & Security.

If you see any outstanding updates, force them to complete them by commencing the update process.

Additionally, you may need to check for changes to your display and network drivers. This is how:

  • At the same time, press the Windows logo + X keys and pick Device Manager from the list.
  • To begin, scroll to Display adapters, double-tap to enlarge it, right-click on the drop-down menu that appears (your display driver), and pick “Update driver.”
  • Second, in the main Device Manager interface, locate Network adapters and repeat Step 2 to do that upgrade as well.

You may easily understand how the entire driver update process works by reading some other postings, such as this (how to fix a poor WiFi signal on an HP laptop) – Method 4 in particular.

4. Verify that the Date/Time/Region Settings on Your Device Are Correct

A disruption in the date, time, and time zone settings on your laptop (which may occur for any cause) may also result in certification and other similar issues, preventing you from seeing some websites.

Verify that all of these settings are accurate on your device. If not, this is almost certainly why Netflix is not working on your Windows 10 laptop.

You may quickly update your date, time, and region settings using the Control Panel menu or through your system’s settings.

Once everything is in order, check to see whether the Netflix issue has been repaired. If not, continue down.

5. Reset the Windows Advanced Netflix App on your computer.

Adhere to the steps outlined below:

  1. Navigate to System Settings (by pressing the Windows logo + I simultaneously) and select Apps from the main menu.
  2. Following that, locate Netflix in the list of installed applications (or simply search for it using the box above), press on it, and then choose Advanced Settings.
  3. On the following screen, you’ll see three options: Terminate, Reset, and Uninstall.
  4. Read the explanations beneath each one to determine what each choice performs and tap the one that appears most relevant.

For this circumstance, I’d recommend selecting the Reset option. Alternatively, choose the one that you believe will work best for you.

6. Launch the Associated Windows Troubleshooter

If this does not resolve the issue, use the Windows troubleshooter. This is how:

  1. To troubleshoot, navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot (from the left pane).
  2. On the right, click Additional Troubleshooters.
  3. Navigate to the very bottom of the subsequent interface to locate Windows Store Apps.
  4. To run the troubleshooter, tap on it and then on the Run the troubleshooter button.
  5. Windows will automatically check for and resolve probable faults and malfunctions, prompting you to take the appropriate measures.

Hopefully, this will completely resolve the situation for you and Netflix will resume normal operation on your laptop.

7. Allow Netflix priority access to your GPU.

  1. Select System from the Settings menu.
  2. Glide the slider to the right of the screen and click on Graphics settings at the bottom (make sure Display is selected on the left pane).
  3. Select Universal app from the dropdown box next to Choose an app to establish preference and Netflix from the following box.
  4. Subsequently, tap the Add button located beneath that box.
  5. Finally, when the Options icon appears, touch on it, check the box next to High Performance, and click Save.

You should now be able to access Netflix without it crashing or working to work.

8. Attempt to Clear the DNS Cache and Modify the DNS Server Address

Let’s check whether changing the location of the IP addresses’ storage helps.

  1. Press the Windows logo key, type cmd in the search field, then click Run as administrator to start Command Prompt.
  2. To begin, enter ipconfig/flushdns and press Enter. Following that, type netsh Winsock reset and press Enter once again.
  3. When the success notifications are displayed, exit the program and restart it. It may go swimmingly now.

To Modify the DNS Server Address, follow these steps:

Navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > towards the bottom of the screen, choose “Network and Sharing Centre” > pick your WiFi and click “Properties” > Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” from the drop-down menu and click “Properties” once again > Select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and type 8.8.8.8 in the box preceding Preferred DNS server, and 8.8.4.4 in the box preceding Alternate DNS server.

Ensure that you save your modifications and exit.

9. Delete All Microsoft PlayReady Files

  1. To open File Explorer, simultaneously press the Windows logo + E keys.
  2. Choose the primary system drive, i.e. disk (C:).
  3. Use the search box in the upper right corner to look for mspr.hds

When the search is complete and a list of matching files appears, pick them all and click the Delete button.

Reboot and check to see whether Netflix is working properly now.

10. Check for Netflix Server Outages or Account Issues

Finally, if nothing works, you may wish to check to see if the issue is isolated to you or if the service is down nationally due to technical concerns.

You can learn more about this by visiting the Netflix help center page.

If the issue is isolated to you, consider resetting your password or uninstalling and reinstalling the program from scratch.

I’m hoping that works for you.


Conclusion on Why is Netflix Not Working on My Laptop

Netflix crashing and not working correctly is one of the most prevalent problems encountered by laptop users, particularly those running Windows 10.

However, if you have a firm grasp of the usual reasons for this error, you can resolve the situation in a matter of seconds.

This essay will educate you on the most likely and significant reasons why even such a large streaming service may cease to function on your laptop.

Additionally, there are 10 sure-fire solutions to such a predicament listed above.

Continue reading and let me know whether you’ve finally gotten a solution to the long-awaited query “Why is Netflix not working on my laptop?”

And if you’re still confused, you can always catch up in the comments section below.


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Avatar for William Larson

William Larson is a computer engineering graduate and a techy writer and a laptop enthusiast based in New York who is the man behind BestLaptopsVenture.com, where he reviews and writes professionally about laptops & cutting-edge technology with more than 12 years of experience in the industry. He tends to spend most of his time researching the best laptops. His love for studying laptops enables him to assist others to find the best laptops. He has written and managed content for tech websites like Laptops, Computers, T-Sprint, and TracFone Wireless, etc. On YouTube, he reviews laptops, How to guides, Tips, peripherals, and hold giveaways. You can follow him on Twitter.

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