What To Do When The Netflix Icon/Button Isn’t Working?

Netflix is a streaming app that is absolutely everywhere. It is crushing the market on all platforms.

What to do when the Netflix button isn’t working? Uninstall and reinstall the app. Go to your smart TV’s or smartphone’s Settings, find the Apps section, uninstall and reinstall the app.

However, even the biggest apps can run into some issues from time to time. If your Netflix app is giving you some trouble, then you must read the rest of this article for effective solutions. Check out the list of the Best Streaming Devices on Amazon now!

Why Is the Netflix Button Not Working on Your Smart TV/Phone?

Netflix has a different app on each of the platforms they are on. The general layout is the same, but the program for each app is different. This is necessary for them to match with the program of the platform.

Today we will talk about how to fix the Netflix app when it is not opening on your smartphone or smart TV.

There are plenty of reasons why the Netflix app does not seem to open, even if you repeatedly select the Netflix icon from your TV’s or phone’s app menu. Go through the list below and decide which one would be more probable for your device.

1. Reinstall the App

I’ll give you the best tip right away. The most likely cause of your app malfunctioning is the software bug. To get rid of it, simply go to your smart TV or phone settings, find the “Apps” section, delete the app, and then reinstall it.

Tip: Before installing the app back, power cycles your TV by unplugging it from the wall for 60 seconds. If the issue is on your phone, reboot it and then install the Netflix app back.

2. The Service is Down

If Netflix is working on upgrading its services, their servers would probably be down for some time. Check if Netflix is down from their website. You cannot do anything about this.

3. Check Your Internet Connection

Check your Wi-Fi router. If your internet is not working, then your Netflix app will not work. Sometimes the app does not open because of this. So, make sure your internet is always working when you are operating the Netflix app.

You can reset your router by pressing and holding the reset button or by unplugging it from the power source for about a minute.

4. Netflix is Unavailable

Netflix might be blocked in your region, which is why its app wouldn’t open on your device. Even if it is not blocked in your region, your ISP (internet service provider) might have blocked it from their end. You can call them to fix this issue.

5. Disable the VPN

If you are using a VPN service, then the app will not open. Some VPN services do not work with Netflix, causing the app the crash. A simple fix would be to not use your VPN service when operating the Netflix app.

6. Adjust the TV’s Settings

Most smart TVs have features like “Instant-On” (for Samsung) that hinder the performance of apps like Netflix. You should turn off all unnecessary features such as this and then re-try the Netflix button.

7. Check for Updates

Checking for updates is also a viable solution as Netflix may fix the “button not working” bug as soon as they get information that it is not working in a certain smart TV model.

Simply go to your TV’s or phone’s app settings and see if there are any updates available.

There can be other causes for this problem since the app program is pretty complex. However, there are the most common causes for the problem.

Why Is the Netflix Button Not Working on Your Remote?

If the button does not start working after you have resolved the issues listed above, then we must focus on the remote control. Sometimes the issue resides in the button on the remote. The probable causes for this situation are listed below, and the solutions are given in the next section.

1. Check the Batteries

Check the batteries in the remote control. Work out batteries result in a weakened connection between the remote and the TV. This may result in the button not working at times.

2. Check other Streaming Apps

You must check if other streaming apps (Like YouTube) and their respective buttons on your remote are working for you. If these other apps are working, it means that the causes given in the section above are at play.

3. Check the Remote Setup

If none of the buttons (for apps) work on your remote, it means that the remote has not been set up properly or the remote is faulty. In both of these conditions, you must set up the remote again or contact your manufacturer for a new remote. A remote reset guide must be written in the TV’s guide (it comes with the box at the time of the purchase).

The app button on remote controls is a relatively new feature, so not many causes have been identified. However, no matter the cause, the solution to this problem tends to work most of the time.

What to Do When the Netflix Button Isn’t Working?

Follow the list of solutions below to fix the problem permanently.

1. Replace the Batteries

Check and replace the batteries of the remote. Even if your batteries are relatively fresh, try switching them anyway to see if it makes any difference.

2. Clean your Remote

It is possible that the Netflix button on your remote, or any other button, got stuck and is constantly draining the energy from your remote. Here is what you can do:

1. Take the batteries out.
2. Clean your remote from any dust and dirt.
3. Press each and every button on your remote a few times.
4. Place the batteries back in.

3. Power Cycle Your TV

Sometimes the problem can be not with the remote itself, but with the TV. Power cycling is a quick and effective way to solve a lot of TV-related issues, including this one.

1. Unplug your TV from the wall.
2. Press and hold the power button on your remote for 30 seconds.
3. Plug the TV back in.

4. Update your Netflix App

Update the Netflix app manually. You can find this option in the app store or the “options” menu of your app. Your app won’t work properly unless it is running the latest software.

5. Unpair the Remote

If nothing so far is working, you can unpair your remote from the TV and then pair it back. Follow the instructions of your particular TV manual to do that.

6. Check your Internet

Check and confirm if your internet is working. If your other wireless devices are working fine, the problem was unlikely caused by your internet connection.

To be on the safe side, you can always reset your router by pressing and holding the reset button or by unplugging it from the power source for about a minute.

7. Reinstall the app

Delete the app and then reinstall it again. We have discussed this tip previously because it is the most effective way to solve the issue in many cases.

These solutions may fix this bug for you. Check out the list of the Best Streaming Devices on Amazon now!

Conclusion

Netflix is a useful streaming app that can easily be accessed by the “Netflix button” on your remote. However, this button is a new feature and may run into a few issues. Apply the solutions given in the article to solve this issue once and for all.