How to Tell If Netflix Is Down or It’s Just You

You're settled into the comfiest spot on the couch, snacks in hand, and the unthinkable happens [...]

By Libby Birk

You're settled into the comfiest spot on the couch, snacks in hand, and the unthinkable happens — Netflix won't load. Or worse, you're in the middle of an Orange Is the New Black binge when that dreaded tiny "loading" circle or error message appears and won't go away.

Netflix isn't immune to outage issues, so it's possible Netflix could be down. But what if the issue is on your end? That could mean you could easily fix the problem and be on your merry way.

Here's how to tell if Netflix is down or if you can fix the problem yourself.

What a Netflix issue looks like

There are typically four signs you'll see if your computer or device is struggling to connect with Netflix (making the problem is on your end). Either Netflix will completely fail to load, or it will partly load, or you will see an error message, or Netflix will load but won't allow you play a title.

Continue on to see how to easily fix those issues.

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What to do when Netflix totally fails to load

If all you're getting is a blank screen, there are a number of methods you can use to remedy your situation. (When this issue occurs on a Roku, smart TV, gaming system, tablet or smartphone, Netflix just simply won't open.)

Using the same device you're having trouble on, open a different streaming app or go to a different website. If that other app or site loads, then you know the problem is specific to Netflix. If it doesn't load, you should reset your internet router by unplugging it and plugging it back in. You might as well restart your device as well.

If that doesn't work, make sure the platform you're using and your Netflix app are both up to date with applicable updates. That could include your Netflix app, your browser or your system.

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What to do when Netflix only partially loads

In one of the most common issues with Netflix connectivity, sometimes part of Netflix's site and your profile will load, but the actual content on the page will be completely black or contain huge gaps with missing titles.

A simple page refresh will usually do the trick. Try it a few times before giving up. It also never hurts to reset your router and device.

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What to do when Netflix loads but won't play a title

Netflix is proof that even when things look good, that doesn't mean everything is alright under the hood. When you can see all the title cards, categories and profile info — but the title you select simply won't play — try a few of the solutions mentioned before.

Make sure your app and software are up to date. Refresh the page and restart your browser or device. Hopefully that does the trick, but if not — that's when you know the problem lies in Netflix's hands.

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What to do when Netflix shows an error message

This occurs when matter how many times you refresh or reload Netflix, you can't get rid of the same error code from the streaming giant. Luckily, Netflix provides a pretty handy help page in the troubleshooting section of its website that matches error codes to potential solutions.

Just enter the error code or message you're seeing right into the search bar, and Netflix will give you simple step-by-step instructions for how you can fix the issue.

You can always do a cautionary "Netflix" search on Twitter to see if anyone else is complaining about an outage. Check out the "Is Netflix Down?" page in the help center and if that's still not showing anything, go to Down Detector for a more thorough analysis.

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What to do when Netflix is actually down

If you're confident the issue is not on your end, you could call Netflix at (1-866-579-7172) or live chat with a representative. Make sure you have your account code ready (scroll to the bottom of your Netflix home page and click on "Service Code").

Aside from that, you'll just have to wait it out on a different streaming service like Hulu or HBO Now/Go. And don't panic! Netflix is a streaming beast and will be back soon.

When the entertainment giant is finally back up and running, make sure to check out the new list of movies and TV shows coming to Netflix this summer to add to your list:

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TITLES COMING TO NETFLIX SOON

Avail. 7/1/18:

Blue Bloods: Season 8

Bo Burnham: what.

Chocolat

Deceived

Finding Neverland

Get Smart

Happy Gilmore

Hawaii Five-O: Season 8

Interview with the Vampire

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park III

Madam Secretary: Season 4

Menace II Society

NCIS: Season 15

Pandorum

Penelope

Queens of Comedy: Season 2

Rica, Famosa, Latina: Seasons 1-4

Scooby-Doo

Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed

Spanglish

Stealth

Swordfish

The Boondock Saints

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

The Princess Diaries

The Voices

Traitor

Troy

Van Helsing

We Own the Night

We the Marines

What We Started

Avail. 7/2/18:

Dance Academy: The Comeback

Good Witch: Season 4

Romina

The Sinner: Season 1

Avail. 7/3/18:

The Comedy Lineup-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 7/5/18

Blue Valentine

Avail. 7/6/18:

Anne with an E: Season 2-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee: New 2018: Freshly Brewed-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

First Team: Juventus: Part B-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Free Rein: Season 2-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Inside the World's Toughest Prisons: Season 2-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Sacred Games-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Samantha!-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Somebody Feed Phil: The Second Course-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

The Fosters: Season 5 New Episodes

The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter-- NETFLIX FILM

The Skin of The Wolf-- NETFLIX FILM

White Fang-- NETFLIX FILM

Avail. 7/7/18:

Scream 4

Avail. 7/9/18:

Lockup: Extended Stay: Collection 1

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TITLES COMING TO NETFLIX SOON

Avail. 7/10/18:

Drug Lords: Season 2-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 7/12/18:

Gone Baby Gone

Avail. 7/13/18:

How It Ends-- NETFLIX FILM

Jim Jefferies: This Is Me Now-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain

Sugar Rush-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 7/15/18:

Bonusfamiljen: Season 2-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Going for Gold

The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale: Part 2-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 7/20/18:

Amazing Interiors-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Dark Tourist-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Deep Undercover: Collection 3

Duck Duck Goose-- NETFLIX FILM

Father of the Year-- NETFLIX FILM

Fix It and Finish It: Collection 3

Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh: Season 4-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Jimmy: The True Story of a True Idiot-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Last Chance U: EMCC & Life After-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Last Chance U: INDY: Part 1-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Luna Petunia: Return to Amazia: Season 2-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 7/22/18:

An Education

Disney's Bolt

Avail. 7/24/18:

The Warning-- NETFLIX FILM

Iliza Shlesinger: Elder Millennial-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 7/27/18:

Cupcake & Dino - General Services-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Extinction-- NETFLIX FILM

Orange Is the New Black: Season 6-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Roman Empire: Reign of Blood: Master of Rome-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

The Bleeding Edge-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

The Worst Witch: Season 2-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Welcome to the Family-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 7/28/18:

Shameless: Season 8

The Company Men

Avail. 7/29/18:

Her

Sofia the First: Season 4

Avail. 7/30/18:

A Very Secret Service: Season 2-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 7/31/18:

Terrace House: Opening New Doors: Part 3-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

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