Learn what causes Netflix not to work on Chrome and how you can fix the specific issue.
If Netflix won’t load or play videos on Chrome, it could be due a problem with your network, device, or Netflix account. In some cases, you might be dealing with a Netflix server outage.
Luckily, getting Netflix to work on Chrome has never been so easy. These issues are more common than you might think, and with the help of this article, you should have it up and running again in no time!
Depending on the issue you are facing and its severity, there are a number of possible fixes you can try out.
1. Lower the resolution
Netflix, by default, automatically changes clarity based on your internet speeds. But this often comes at a risk of crashing your browser, especially if your computer doesn’t have enough memory.
Switch to a much lower resolution to prevent Chrome from crashing or Netflix not playing content. For example, if you were trying to stream in 4K, switch to 1080p.
NOTE: Streaming 4K content in a browser or PC that doesn’t have the recommended specs might lead to constant buffering or crashing.
2. Force-refresh the page
Force-refreshing a page is a simple way to dump cache and free up precious memory on your PC or Mac.
The new window will have a fresh instance of Netflix that is free from the issues that were causing the streaming service not to work in the first place.
If you are using a Windows PC, press Ctrl+ R to force refresh a page. And if you are on a Mac, press Cmd + Shift+ R keys simultaneously.
3. Disable Chrome extensions
Have you added a new extension to Chrome lately? It could be causing a conflict with Netflix.
If not, then an existing extension may have been updated and hindered Netflix from working correctly in the process.
Try disabling Chrome extensions one by one, starting with the recently installed. Make sure to refresh your browser and check if Netflix is working after each step.
4. Clear cache on Chrome
Another reason for Netflix failing to work on Google Chrome may be that there is a buildup of cache.
The cache, will in most cases, cause videos to buffer frequently. In some cases, Netflix will keep crashing immediately after launching a video. This is especially the case if you are seeing a white screen.
To clear your Chrome cache:
- Click the hamburger icon (three vertical dots) at the far left of the browser window.
- Open Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security.
- Select Clear Browsing Data.
- Go to the Advanced tab.
- Check Browsing History, Cookies and Other Site Data, and Cached Images and Files.
- Click on Clear Data.
Give it a few seconds for Chrome to delete the data from your device. You can now close the browser and re-open it again before you try streaming content from Netflix.
This method is also effective for Chromebook users.
Install a fresh copy of Chrome
If all the other methods have failed, your best bet is to install a fresh copy of Chrome. Make sure that your data is saved by logging into your Chrome profile first.
Uninstall the app by visiting Apps & Features on Windows or dragging the Chrome app icon to trash on Mac.
Once you’ve deleted Chrome, download and install a fresh copy of the app. Log in to your profile and then sign in to Netflix. Try playing any video to find out whether it is working now.
If you are using Chromebook and you can’t download Netflix, go to the apps page and search for Netflix. Make sure you’ve updated your OS to the latest version to avoid bugs.