Netflix Not Working on LG TV (It’s Likely Because of This!)
LG TVs are great because they allow you to download many popular streaming apps, like Netflix. But, what happens if Netflix stops working on your LG TV?
Luckily, there are several proven fixes that you can implement to correct the problem. Here’s what you should do right now to get the Netflix app working again.
Netflix Not Working on LG TV
If Netflix is not working on your LG TV, you need to power-cycle your TV. Unplug your TV from the wall and wait a FULL 60 seconds. While you wait, press and hold the power button on the TV for 30 seconds. After the minute is up, plug your TV back in.
Once your TV turns back on, go ahead and try using the Netflix app again. It should be working now!
Unplug LG TV from wall
While this fix sounds far too obvious, simply unplugging your LG TV from the wall socket is one of the most common ways to get Netflix working again.
The key here is to actually wait the FULL 60 seconds. Have a little bit of patience and make sure it’s been at least a minute before plugging it back in.
While the TV is unplugged, find and hold the power button on your LG TV for 30 seconds. Make sure you are holding the power button on your TV, and not your remote!
This will help to drain any residual power left in the TV and allows the TV to soft reset itself. This is different than simply switching the remote on and off!
Once you plug the TV back in after the 60 seconds, power the TV back on and the Netflix app should be working again.
If it is, great! If you’re still having trouble, try the additional fixes detailed below.
Check if the Netflix servers are down
If Netflix is still not working on your LG Smart TV, you should make sure that the Netflix servers aren’t down.
While this doesn’t happen that often, it’s a real possibility. You can also check Netflix on other devices, like your smartphone or laptop, to see if it’s down there too.
In this case, all you can do is wait for the servers to come back online.
If you follow the platform on social media, like Twitter, they might let their followers know when to expect Netflix to come back on. You can also check sites like Downdetector for information.
However, if the site’s not actually down, you can use the following methods to troubleshoot why Netflix isn’t working on your LG Smart TV.
Reinstall the Netflix app
If none of the above fixes worked, you’ll want to try reinstalling the Netflix app.
Go to the LG TV Home screen and find your Netflix app within the “App List”. From there, navigate all the way over to Edit App list and then select the Netflix icon.
Once you’ve done that, you’ll see a trash bin icon appear above the app. Press UP on your remote to highlight the bin and then “OK”. You’ll be asked to confirm the removal of the app, select YES.
You should turn your LG TV off and on again afterward. From here, you simply go back to the Apps section and install Netflix again.
You’ll want to test it right away by playing some videos. Hopefully, this fix worked for you!
If the app is constantly loading and buffering, you’ll want to move on to the rest of the fixes.
Reset your Wi-Fi router
If your router isn’t working correctly, it will cause Netflix to have issues on your LG TV. Check your smartphone or other devices at home that use Wi-Fi.
If they’re not connecting, then your router isn’t working as it should.
Simply unplug the router for a few minutes and then plug it back in. It will take a few minutes for the router to completely reset, but once it’s back online, it should help your LG TV connect with the Netflix app.
If you continue having internet connection problems, you’ll want to call your internet service provider’s customer service line for assistance.
Check your internet speed
Additionally, slow internet connections can make it very hard for your LG TV to stream video footage to your TV.
You should run an internet connection test and see what comes back.
You really want to see a download speed of at least 25-50 Mbps during this test. Yes, you might be able to sneak by with less, but you’re extremely likely to experience slowness and lag at speeds any lower than 25 Mbps.
Focus on the download speed number (not the upload speed), since streaming is a download process.
If the download speed isn’t least 25-50 Mbps, there are likely two reasons:
- You’re not paying for fast enough internet. You really want to get at least 200 Mbps because using WiFi instantly cuts this speed in half to 100 Mbps, and using a VPN cuts this in half again. You end up with 50 Mbps speed on a 200 Mbps plan!
- Your router is bad and/or you’re too far away from your router. If your router is old or low quality, it doesn’t matter how fast your internet is, you’ll experience slowness. Consider buying a new one. If your router is good, then consider getting a WiFi extender to get a stronger signal to your LG TV.
Update your LG TV
Your LG TV can run into a lot of issues if the software isn’t up to date. To correct this problem, simply check for any new LG TV OS updates.
All you need to do is look for the newest firmware update available for your TV model. Most of the time these updates happen automatically, but occasionally they get missed.
To check automatic updates:
- Press the Home/Start button on your remote
- Select Settings
- Choose All Settings
- Select General
- Go down to About this TV
- Ensure that Automatic updates is checked. You can also Check for updates here.
If automatic updates are not working for whatever reason, you can update your LG TV software manually.
To update your LG TV software manually:
- Find the applicable Product Support Page
- Go to the LG Support Home Page
- Type in and select your TV model number
- Download the file and unzip it (right click, Extract All)
- Put the file on the USB
- On the root of the USB drive, create a folder and name it “LG_DTV”
- Place the unzipped file into this folder (file type should be EPK)
- Insert USB into the back of your TV
- Follow the instructions on the screen
You’ll want to ensure you update your LG TV often to keep up with the newest software. Doing so ensures that the Netflix app remains compatible with your TV.
While you’re at it, you’ll want to consider checking for updates to the Netflix app. Older versions may not work well with your current LG TV OS.
Factory reset your LG TV
If nothing has worked yet, it’s time to try a full factory reset.
With the TV powered on click the Gear icon at the top of your remote.
Then go down to All Settings (Advanced Settings) > General > Reset to Initial Settings. Your TV will turn off and on again and then display the initial setup screen.
This will essentially restore your LG TV to the settings it had on the day you purchased the television. That means all account settings will be removed, and any installed apps will be deleted!
Factory reset LG TV without remote
If for whatever reason you do not have access to your TV’s remote, you can still factory reset your LG TV.
To do this find the power button on your TV. Depending on the model you have this may be on the right hand side, left hand side, or very bottom of the device.
With the TV on, press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds. If that doesn’t work, use the joystick panel control on the TV to navigate to Menu > All Settings > General > Reset to Initial Settings.
If you’re having trouble finding these buttons on your TV, or if you TV is mounted in a tight spot, there are other options.
First, consider plugging in a USB keyboard directly into the back of your LG TV.
You can then use the keyboard to navigate and reset your TV.
Another option, if you have a LG Smart TV, is to download the the LG ThinQ app to your smart phone.
After connecting your TV to the app, you can use your smart phone as a remote!
A final possibility is to grab a universal remote you have lying around and enter the appropriate LG code for the remote to get it working.
At this point you should have fully resolved your power issues but just in case you haven’t I’ve included some additional steps worth trying before calling it quits.
Once it’s done restarting, allow your LG TV a few minutes to reconnect.
You’ll most likely have to reinstall the Netflix app, but hopefully it’s working again!
Conclusion
There are plenty of ways that you can get the Netflix app to run on your LG TV. If it’s currently not working, you can try these fixes to correct the problem:
- Power-cycle LG TV
- Check if the Netflix servers are down
- Reinstall the Netflix app
- Restart your Wi-Fi router
- Check your internet speed
- Update your LG TV OS
- Factory reset LG TV
Were you able to fix Netflix on your LG TV? Make sure to leave us a comment below and let us know what worked!
