Netflix Black Screen: What it is and How to Fix it

Ah, the dreaded Netflix black screen. You’re just trying to watch your favorite show when suddenly the screen goes blank, and all you see is an error message telling you that “Something went wrong.” Most of us have been there.

The good news is that the Netflix black screen error is never the sign of anything serious, and is typically easy to fix. The exact fix depends on what’s causing the problem in the first place. This guide looks at what the Netflix black screen issue is, what causes it, and how to fix it. Keep reading to find out how to quickly get back to your favorite content.

What Causes a Black Screen on Netflix?

There are a few different things that can cause the Netflix black screen error. These include:

• An out-of-date/faulty graphics card
• An issue with your HDMI cable
• Poor internet connection
• A temporary Netflix error
• An overloaded cache/temporary data
• The Netflix app needs to be reinstalled
• Your Netflix user account is the culprit

The most common culprit is an outdated or corrupted graphics driver. If your graphics driver is out of date, it may not be compatible with Netflix’s HTML5 player, which can cause the black screen issue. Other potential causes include problems with your internet connection, issues with your computer’s graphics card, or problems with Netflix’s servers.

Below we explain how to troubleshoot what is causing the problem and demonstrate how to fix the black Netflix screen problem.

How to Fix the Netflix Black Screen Error

You will first need to understand what’s causing the problem before you can fix it. Here are some of the things you can try to get back to streaming Netflix content:

Update Your Graphics Card Driver

If you’re seeing a black screen when trying to watch Netflix, it may be due to an outdated or corrupted graphics card driver. You can update your graphics card driver by following the steps below:

For NVIDIA Users:

1. Click “Start” and search for “Device Manager.”
2. Click on “Display adapters” to expand the section.
3. Right-click on your NVIDIA graphics card and select “Update Driver Software.”
4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
5. If an update is found, follow the prompts to install it.

For AMD Users:

1. Visit the AMD Driver Download page.
2. Select your product from the drop-down menu and click “Display Results.”
3. Click on the “Download” button next to the latest driver.
4. Run the driver installer and follow the prompts to install the update.

Check Your HDMI Cable Connection

If you’re using an HDMI cable to connect your computer to a TV or monitor, it’s possible that the cable is loose or disconnected. To check if this is the case, unplug the cable from your TV or monitor and plug it back in. Make sure that the cable is firmly inserted into the HDMI port and that there are no bent pins.

If you’re still seeing a black screen, try using a different cable. If that doesn’t work, try connecting your computer to a different HDMI port on your TV or monitor.

Restart Your Router

If you’re seeing a black screen when trying to watch Netflix, it may be due to an issue with your internet connection. Before anything, you should check that other apps and websites are working fine. If they are, it’s not the internet. If they aren’t, you need to restart your router.

To do this, unplug the power cord from the back of the router and wait 30 seconds before plugging it back in. Once your router has restarted, try streaming Netflix again.

Check The Netflix Server Status

If you’re still seeing a black screen when trying to watch Netflix, it may be due to an issue with Netflix’s servers. You can check the Netflix server status by visiting theNetflix Help Center.

If there is an issue with the Netflix servers, you will see a message that says “We’re having trouble playing this title right now. Please try again later or select a different title.”

Clear Your Browser’s Cache and Temporary Data

Still not working? The issue may be due to an issue with your browser’s cache or temporary data. You can fix this by clearing your browser cache, and cached images, and deleting any temporary files that could be causing problems with your system.

To clear your cache and temporary data in the Google Chrome browser, follow the steps below:

1. Click the “Menu” button in the top-right corner of the browser window (three dots) and select “More tools” to open settings.
2. Click on “Clear browsing data.”
3. In the “Time range” drop-down menu, select “All time.”
4. Make sure that all of the boxes are checked and click “Clear data.”

How to clear browser cache in Microsoft Edge:

1. Click the “Menu” button in the top-right corner of the Microsoft Edge browser window and select “Settings.”
2. Under “Clear browsing data,” click “Choose what to clear.”
3. Make sure that all of the boxes are checked and click “Clear.”

How to clear browser cache in Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click the “Menu” button in the top-right corner of the Mozilla Firefox browser window and select “Options.”
2. Under “Privacy & Security,” click on “Clear Data.”
3. In the “Time range” drop-down menu, select “All time.”
4. Make sure that all of the boxes are checked and click “Clear Now.”

How to clear cache in Safari:

1. Click the “Safari” menu at the top of the screen and select “Preferences.”
2. In the new window that appears, click on the “Privacy” tab.
3. Under “Remove all Website Data,” click “Remove Now.”

Uninstall and Reinstall the Netflix App

If you’re still having trouble, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the Netflix app. This helps to clear the app data and can resolve any corrupt system files. The exact instructions depend on the device you’re using. Here’s how to uninstall Netflix on Android devices, Apple devices, and a Smart TV.

How to uninstall Netflix on an Android device:

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. Tap on the “Menu” button in the top-left corner of the screen.
3. Tap on “My apps & games.”
4. Under “Installed,” tap on Netflix and then tap “Uninstall.”
5. Download the app again, log into your Netflix account and see if the issue is resolved.

How to uninstall Netflix on an Apple device (iOS 11 or later):

1. Tap and hold on the Netflix app icon until all of the icons start wiggling.
2. Tap on the “X” in the top-left corner of the Netflix app icon.
3. Tap “Delete” to confirm.
4. Go to the App Store, download, and launch Netflix.
5. Log into your account and see if it has fixed the Netflix black screen issue.

How to uninstall Netflix on a Smart TV

The process for uninstalling the Netflix app on a Smart TV varies depending on the make and model of your TV. For specific instructions, visit your TV’s support website or contact the manufacturer. Here are some generic steps:

1. Open the Settings menu
2. Select “Apps,” “All Apps,” or a similar option
3. Find and select Netflix
4. Select “Uninstall” or “Remove.” (This may be located in a different place depending on your TV’s make and model).
5. Confirm that you want to uninstall the app.

After the Netflix app has been uninstalled, go to your TV’s app store and download it again. Follow the prompts to log into your Netflix account and see if this resolves the issue.

Check Your Netflix Account

If you’re still experiencing problems, the issue may be with your Netflix account settings. You may not be on your primary profile, or you may not be up to date with the payments. If you haven’t paid, Netflix doesn’t take long to restrict your access to streaming content.

If it’s neither of these issues, try logging out of your Netflix account, then logging back in. This will reset your account settings and clear app cache and might get you back online.

Still Can’t Netflix Black Screen Problems?

Tried everything on this list and still having trouble when watching Netflix? If you’re certain that it’s not your computer’s video driver or internet, and there’s no problem with the streaming service itself, there’s only one thing left to do.

It’s time to contact customer support to see if they can fix Netflix black screen issues.