Netflix loading problems usually come from your internet connection, browser cache, or account issues — not Netflix itself

When Netflix won't load, the problem is almost always one of four things: your internet is too slow or unstable, your browser has corrupted data stored from previous visits, your device's system clock is wrong, or your account has a payment issue. Netflix itself rarely goes down for everyone at once. Start by checking which of these four is actually happening, because the fix for each one is different.

The fastest way to narrow it down is to try Netflix on a different device right now — a phone, tablet, or different computer. If it works there, the problem is with your original device or browser, not your account or internet. If it fails everywhere, the problem is your internet connection or your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Restart your router and modem first — unplug them for 30 seconds, plug them back in, and wait two minutes before trying Netflix again.
  • Clear your browser's cached data by going to Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data, select "All time", and check "Cookies and other site data" before clicking Clear.
  • Check your system clock by looking at the time in your device's corner — if it is wrong by more than a few minutes, Netflix will refuse to load.
  • Test Netflix on a phone or tablet using the Netflix app instead of your browser to rule out browser-specific problems.
  • If Netflix loads on other devices but not your computer, the issue is your browser or device, not your account or internet.

Restart your router and modem to fix connection problems

A restart clears temporary data that can cause Netflix to hang or fail to load. Unplug your modem (the device that connects to your internet provider's line) and your router (the device that broadcasts WiFi) from power. Wait 30 seconds — this matters, because it takes that long for the devices to fully discharge. Plug the modem back in first and wait for all its lights to stop blinking and settle into a steady pattern, usually one to two minutes. Then plug in the router and wait another two minutes for it to fully start.

After the router is fully booted, try Netflix again. This fixes the majority of loading problems because routers can get stuck in a state where they drop packets or slow down specific services. If you are on WiFi, move closer to the router or switch to a wired connection with an ethernet cable if your device supports it. WiFi can be unstable, especially if you are far from the router or if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth.

Clear your browser's cache and cookies

Your browser stores data from websites you visit, and sometimes this stored data becomes corrupted and prevents Netflix from loading. Open your browser settings — in Chrome, click the three-line menu in the top right, then Settings. In Firefox, click the three-line menu and select Settings. In Safari on Mac, click Safari in the top menu and select Settings.

Look for a section called Privacy, History, or Browsing Data. Click "Clear browsing data" or "Clear history". A window will appear with checkboxes. Make sure "Cookies and other site data" is checked, and set the time range to "All time" or "Everything". Click the button to clear. After clearing, close the browser completely and reopen it, then try Netflix again.

If Netflix still will not load in that browser, try a different browser entirely — download Chrome if you use Firefox, or Firefox if you use Chrome. If Netflix loads in the other browser, the problem is your original browser, and you can either keep using the new one or reinstall the original browser.

Check that your device's system clock is correct

Netflix checks your device's internal clock to verify your account and license. If the clock is wrong by more than a few minutes, Netflix will refuse to load. Look at the time displayed in the corner of your screen — on Windows it is the bottom right, on Mac it is the top right. Compare it to the actual time. If it is off by more than five minutes, that is likely your problem.

On Windows, right-click the time in the bottom right corner and select "Adjust date and time". Turn on "Set time automatically" if it is off. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select System Settings, then click General and Date & Time. Make sure "Set date and time automatically" is turned on. After fixing the clock, close Netflix completely and try again.

Check your account payment method and subscription status

If Netflix loads but shows an error message about your account, the problem is usually a payment issue. Log into your Netflix account on a web browser (not the app) and go to Account > Billing details. Check whether your payment method is listed as expired or declined. If it is, update it with a valid credit card or payment method.

Also check that your subscription has not been canceled. On the Account page, look for your plan information. If it says your membership has ended, you will need to restart your subscription before you can watch anything. If you see a message saying your account is being used on too many devices at once, sign out of Netflix on all devices except the one you are using right now, wait a few minutes, and try again.

Test Netflix on a different device to isolate the problem

Open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet, or try Netflix on a completely different computer. If it loads and plays without problems on the other device, the issue is with your original device or browser, not your account or internet connection. This tells you to focus on fixing that specific device — clearing cache, restarting the browser, or reinstalling the Netflix app.

If Netflix fails to load on every device you try, the problem is either your internet connection (in which case other websites will also load slowly) or your account (in which case you will see an error message about your account or payment method). If your internet is slow, contact your internet provider or move closer to your router. If it is an account issue, fix your payment method as described above.

Reinstall the Netflix app if you are using a mobile device

If Netflix will not load on your phone or tablet, uninstall the app completely and reinstall it. On iPhone or iPad, press and hold the Netflix app icon on your home screen, select "Remove App", then "Delete App". Go to the App Store, search for Netflix, and tap "Get" to reinstall it. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, find Netflix, tap "Uninstall", then go to the Google Play Store and search for Netflix to reinstall it.

After reinstalling, sign back into your account and try to load a show or movie. This fixes problems caused by corrupted app data that a simple restart cannot solve. If Netflix still will not load after reinstalling, the problem is your internet connection or account, not the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Netflix down right now?

Netflix rarely goes down for everyone at once. If Netflix will not load on any of your devices, the problem is almost always your internet connection or your account, not Netflix's servers. Check a website like DownDetector to see if other people are reporting problems, but assume the issue is on your end first.

Why does Netflix load on my phone but not my computer?

The problem is your computer or its browser, not your account or internet. Try a different browser on your computer, or clear your browser's cache and cookies as described above. If Netflix works in a different browser, uninstall and reinstall your original browser.

What if I see an error code instead of a loading screen?

Error codes tell you what went wrong. Common ones are UI-113 (sign-out and sign back in), NSES-500 (restart your device), and M7111-5059 (clear your browser cache). Search for the specific error code on Netflix's help site to find the exact fix for that code.

Can a VPN or proxy stop Netflix from loading?

Yes. Netflix blocks many VPNs and proxies to prevent people from accessing content outside their region. If you are using a VPN, turn it off and try Netflix again. If Netflix loads without the VPN but not with it, your VPN is the problem.

Why does Netflix load but then stop playing halfway through?

This is usually a connection problem, not a loading problem. Your internet is dropping packets or slowing down during playback. Restart your router, move closer to it if you are on WiFi, or switch to a wired connection. If it keeps happening, contact your internet provider.