How to Fix Issues with Netflix On an Apple TV

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn How To:

• Fix most common Netflix issues with your Apple TV

Before We Begin:

• Have a working Netflix account

2. Restart

Your Apple TV does not have a power button. There are three methods for restarting it:

Restart via Settings

1. Select Settings.
   

1. Select System.
2. Select Restart.
   

Restart via the Remote

1. Hold down the TV and Menu buttons.
   

1. Let go when the light on your device flashes.

Restart via Power Cycle

1. Unplug the power from the Apple TV.
   

1. Wait 10 seconds.
   

1. Plug the power back in to the Apple TV.

3. Reboot

One of the main causes with the inability to get on the Internet is that your networking equipment could have malfunctioned. Sometimes performing a reboot will resolve this issue.

Your network may consist of one or more of the following networking devices:

Modem

This is the primary device used to get you on the Internet.

• Has either a coaxial cable, fiber cable, or phone cord plugged into it.
• Typically has 1 or 2 Ethernet ports which connect to a router.

Gateway

This is an all-in-one device that has both a modem and a router built in. It is a primary device used to get you on the Internet.

• Has either a coaxial cable, fiber cable, or phone cord plugged into it.
• Typically has 3 or 4 Ethernet ports which connect to a your computers and smart devices.
• Typically has Wi-Fi built into it

Router

This device allows you to connect multiple devices to your Internet connection using a single external IP address.

• Typically has 3 or 4 Ethernet ports which connect to a your computers and smart devices.
• Typically has Wi-Fi built into it.

Switch

This device helps to extend the wired functionality of devices by providing your additional Ethernet ports.

• These are typically plug and play.
• This device is not a router.

Access Point

This device will provide wireless access to your existing network.

• Used to extend the range of your network
• Usually plugged into a router / gateway via Ethernet connection.

Range Extender

This device will extend the range of your existing WiFi network by rebroadcasting your WiFi network.

• Standalone device plugged into a power source.
• Usually located 15-30 feet from the router.

Next we will want to power cycle the networking devices.

Modem / Gateway

1. Unplug the power from the device.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug the power back into the device.
4. Wait for the device to go online.

Router

1. Unplug the power from the device.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug the power back into the device.
4. Wait for the device to go online.

Switch

1. Unplug the power from the device.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug the power back into the device.

Access Point / Range Extender

1. Unplug the power from the device.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug the power back into the device.

4. Network Test

1. Push the home button on your remote.
   

1. Choose Settings.
   

1. Choose General.
   

1. Choose Network.
   

1. Choose Test Network.
   

1. Choose OK.

5. Test the App

Open your Netflix app and test if it works.

6. What's next?

7. Connect to Wi-Fi

Depending on which generation of Apple TV you have, the menus and options might look slightly different on your screen.

• On Apple TV 4K or Apple TV (4th generation) you will find the Network option directly in the Settings menu.
• On Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation) you will have to go into Settings then General to find the Network option.

Below are the steps for the latter:

1. On your Apple TV go to Settings.
   

1. From there go to General.
   

1. Then go to Network.
   

1. And go to Wi-Fi.
   

1. Wait for the list of Wi-Fi networks to populate, then select your Wi-Fi networks name and type in the password if needed. If your Wi-Fi network is set up to be hidden the select Other instead and type in your Wi-Fi network name.
   

1. When typing in the password, keep in mind that it is case sensitive. To change cases or switch to special characters you have to use the options highlighted in the image below. Select Submit to connect to the Wi-Fi network.
   

1. Once connected, select Done and the Network screen will show your Wi-Fi connection details.
   

8. What's next?

9. Reset Password

Reset your password by sending yourself a password reset email from Netflix.

1. Navigate to https://www.netflix.com/LoginHelp.
   

1. Type the email tied to your Netflix account and choose how to reset your password.
   

1. Selecting email will send you an email with a link to resetting your password.
2. Selecting text message will send you a verification code through your cell phone.
3. Selecting voice call will call your selected number with the verification code needed to reset your password.

10. Change Your Language and Subtitles

1. Sign in to https://www.netflix.com/ on a computer or mobile browser.
   

1. If prompted, select your profile picture.
   

1. Visit the Account section of the Netflix website.
   

1. Under My Profile, select Language.
   

1. Select your preferred language.
   

1. If your preferred language is already selected, select English and sign out, then repeat the steps above.
2. Return to the device experiencing the issue and sign out and sign back in to save this setting.
3. Changing the language for your profile will also change the subtitle and dubbing options you see, putting your preferred language first on available titles.

11. Uninstall Netflix

1. Highlight Netflix.
   

1. Hold down the touch surface of the remote until the icon for the app begins to jiggle.
   

1. Press the Play/Pause button.
   

1. Select Delete.
   

12. Install Netflix

1. Launch the App Store.
   

1. 
   
2. Select or Search for Netflix.
   

1. 
   
2. Tap Install to download the app.
   

1. If you purchased the app before, use the Purchased icon instead.

13. What's next?