Sony Crackle not working? Here’s how to fix

There are very few, if any, better free TV services than Sony Crackle. The free TV service has continued to wow many with hundreds of free shows that are easily accessible as long as you are connected to the internet.

However, in recent times, many users have started complaining that Sony Crackle is not working as it should. Some of the complaints revolve around a buffering issue, initialization failure, activation issues, and not working with Roku.

When Sony Crackle is not working, it could be due to a slow internet connection or compatibility issues with one of your plugins if you are using it on your browser. Many users have reported that the issues never seemed to stop even after trying several fixes.

In this guide, I will show you how to troubleshoot Sony Crackle and fix the stopping or initialization failure error.

Here are several issues you may be experiencing on Crackle and how to fix them:

The video keeps buffering on Sony Crackle

When the video keeps buffering, the issue could be brought about by slow download speeds. Test the connection speeds to ensure that it is 9.0 Mbps or more if you intend to stream HD content.

If the connection is okay, try restarting your device or disconnecting from the internet then reconnecting back.

Try out with other devices to find out if they are working fine. If they aren’t, then it is a general issue with your device or the internet connection.

If they are working as they should, then you should check if Crackle is down or if an issue has been reported on their Twitter page.

Crackle won’t play any video

According to many people who reported that Crackle is not working on Roku, the problem is usually with the display not showing anything even after clicking play on video.

If you are using a PC, then there is a chance you could be using an ad-blocker that hinders content from showing on Crackle.

Make sure to remove your ad blocker and any other plugin that might interfere with your content playback.

Crackle activation error

Activating Sony Crackle is a simple step that requires input on your device and Crackle’s website.

We have created a comprehensive guide for activating Crackle on Roku, Apple TV, and other devices.

If you cannot access Crackle’s website, then it is because of the website being down at that moment.

You should retry in a few minutes. If you aren’t getting an activation code, it is down to the servers being down or a problem with your app.

Try logging out and logging back into the app before you retry sending the code.

Crackle Initialization failure

It’s frustrating to get the message “Initialization failure” every time you open Crackle. This problem is brought about by an error on your browser or the app that prevents the app from loading content.

In most cases, clearing the app or browser cache will solve the problem. In other cases, you might be required to disable some extensions, especially ad blockers.

To clear browser cache:

• Click the three dots at the top right corner of your browser
• Hover on More Tools and select Clear browsing data
• Check Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files
• Select Clear Data and wait for it to complete before refreshing your stream

In the case of a problematic extension, follow these steps to identify and disable it:

• On your Chrome browser, click the three dots at the top right corner
• Go to More tools > Extensions
• Disable all extension and reload Crackle
• If it works, enable extensions one by one while reloading Sony Crackle each time

Once you identify the extension that prevents Crackle from playing, disable it while using the streaming service. You can then enable it afterward.

Hopefully, you have now fixed Crackle using the tips provided above and you’re enjoying free TV shows in clear quality.

If these steps didn’t solve your issue, get in touch with the Crackle customer support.