Netflix access problem/Sony TV

I'm having the weirdest problem with Netflix, and only with Netflix. I have a Sony Smart TV (Android). When I want to access Netflix, I have to first unplug my TV, wait 5 seconds or so, then plug it in again. Otherwise, Netflix won't open; the red circle just keeps spinning. After plugging in, the TV appears to reboot, and then Netflix works fine. I do not have this problem with Amazon, Google Play, or anything else.

I've tried the various troubleshooting suggestions, such as signing out of my Netflix account, then signing back in, rebooting the modem, etc. Nothing helps.

Any thoughts?


There might be an update to the Netflix app on your TV.


mrincredible said:
There might be an update to the Netflix app on your TV.

 How would I check?


I'm not entirely sure with a Sony. With my Samsung TV there is a hub where I can go into settings, select an individual app and look for updates. It also has an auto update feature that takes a few minutes to run and generally runs just when I want to sit down and relax in front of "The Expanse".

So maybe from whatever screen you go to to launch Netflix there's a "Settings" icon. Or you may have to access Settings in Netflix itself.


mrincredible said:
I'm not entirely sure with a Sony. With my Samsung TV there is a hub where I can go into settings, select an individual app and look for updates. It also has an auto update feature that takes a few minutes to run and generally runs just when I want to sit down and relax in front of "The Expanse".
So maybe from whatever screen you go to to launch Netflix there's a "Settings" icon. Or you may have to access Settings in Netflix itself.

 Thank you. I'll see what I can find. I think I pretty much fiddled with every setting, but I'll give it another look. I suspect this has more to do with the TV software than with Netflix, but who knows. I know that Netflix is "built into" the TV (there's a Netflix button on the remote) and that auto update is turned on. And yet, an Android reboot seems to always be required to view Netflix. Makes no sense.


I'm curious how old the TV is.

I think the next TV I get might be a dumb display that I can connect a streaming device to. I worry that the Smart Tv's are going to have a limited lifespan given the memory and processor needs that always seem to be marching forward. I can see in the future where I have to add something like a Roku or Chromecast once my current TV is unable to run the most recent version of Netflix or Amazon or Hulu or Disney+ because they are all bloated beyond usability. 

Whoops. Thread drift. 

There might be an update for the firmware for the TV itself?


I have the same issue as well for my Sony Android TV.  Just purchased it last December. Instead of powering it off / pulling the plug, I go into Home on the remote, scroll all the way to the bottom and select Settings.  From there I select Apps from the setting menu, wait for all the system apps to load and then scroll down to Netflix's and select it.  I use the Force Stop option and then re-open netflixs, which then works.  Annoying. 


Regards,


RCH


mrincredible said:
I'm curious how old the TV is.

There might be an update for the firmware for the TV itself?

 The TV is less than 3 years old.

Re firmware: Supposedly auto update is turned on.


rch2330 said:
I have the same issue as well for my Sony Android TV.  Just purchased it last December. Instead of powering it off / pulling the plug, I go into Home on the remote, scroll all the way to the bottom and select Settings.  From there I select Apps from the setting menu, wait for all the system apps to load and then scroll down to Netflix's and select it.  I use the Force Stop option and then re-open netflixs, which then works.  Annoying. 



 Thanks. I will give that a try. 

Interestingly, I've had more problems with this high-priced, top-of-the-line Sony that I ever had with an LG TV. They seem to be predominantly software-type problems that occur mainly when the TV interacts with a streaming source, such as Netflix or Pandora. I will say that my LG TVs were not "smart" TVs, so I don't know if this sort of thing is common with all smart TVs. Technology sure is great when it works, but what a pain in the butt when it doesn't!


Honestly, buy a Fire TV stick or cube - often on sale. This category of electronics evolves so quickly and I think too many of these devices with this built in simply are not capable of keeping up.

I did this a few months ago. Best decision -- TV only a couple years old, and with the new Fire interface -- its worlds easier to use. And should the TV last a couple more years, I'll just buy a new Fire or Google (or Roku, Apple, etc) box to keep it up to date.


rch2330 said:
I have the same issue as well for my Sony Android TV.  Just purchased it last December. Instead of powering it off / pulling the plug, I go into Home on the remote, scroll all the way to the bottom and select Settings.  From there I select Apps from the setting menu, wait for all the system apps to load and then scroll down to Netflix's and select it.  I use the Force Stop option and then re-open netflixs, which then works.  Annoying. 



Regards,


RCH

 That method did work, but it's a pain, isn't it? I'm not sure it's easier than unplugging.

How did you ever figure that out??


peteglider said:
Honestly, buy a Fire TV stick or cube - often on sale. This category of electronics evolves so quickly and I think too many of these devices with this built in simply are not capable of keeping up.
I did this a few months ago. Best decision -- TV only a couple years old, and with the new Fire interface -- its worlds easier to use. And should the TV last a couple more years, I'll just buy a new Fire or Google (or Roku, Apple, etc) box to keep it up to date.

 I'm not familiar with this device. How would it resolve the Netflix problem?


unicorn33 said:


peteglider said:
Honestly, buy a Fire TV stick or cube - often on sale. This category of electronics evolves so quickly and I think too many of these devices with this built in simply are not capable of keeping up.
I did this a few months ago. Best decision -- TV only a couple years old, and with the new Fire interface -- its worlds easier to use. And should the TV last a couple more years, I'll just buy a new Fire or Google (or Roku, Apple, etc) box to keep it up to date.
 I'm not familiar with this device. How would it resolve the Netflix problem?

 So a Fire stick or cube (or other similar streaming boxes) handles all that stuff that’s now wonky in your TV. And better, more elegantly, with many more options if you desire.

I love the Fire Cube - voice control turns tv on/off, easily changes channels, and searches for shows/movies across cable as well as Amazon and Netflix... 


peteglider said:


unicorn33 said:


peteglider said:
Honestly, buy a Fire TV stick or cube - often on sale. This category of electronics evolves so quickly and I think too many of these devices with this built in simply are not capable of keeping up.
I did this a few months ago. Best decision -- TV only a couple years old, and with the new Fire interface -- its worlds easier to use. And should the TV last a couple more years, I'll just buy a new Fire or Google (or Roku, Apple, etc) box to keep it up to date.
 I'm not familiar with this device. How would it resolve the Netflix problem?
 So a Fire stick or cube (or other similar streaming boxes) handles all that stuff that’s now wonky in your TV. And better, more elegantly, with many more options if you desire.
I love the Fire Cube - voice control turns tv on/off, easily changes channels, and searches for shows/movies across cable as well as Amazon and Netflix... 

 But the Fire stick/cube would still be connected via the same TV operating system, so wouldn't it encounter the same Netflix problem?


unicorn33 said:
 But the Fire stick/cube would still be connected via the same TV operating system, so wouldn't it encounter the same Netflix problem?

 No.  It connects via an HDMI port and the TV serves solely as a monitor at that point.  


I wish it was easier to find a simple display with 4 HDMI ports and a component input.


Steve said:
 No.  It connects via an HDMI port and the TV serves solely as a monitor at that point.  

 Oh, that's interesting. Hmm...


The Fire Stick is a good idea. These things are cheap so you can replace them easily. I don't have experience with the Fire, but I have an Apple TV (which is the functional equivalent) and a Roku stick. It's a "lump" that sits between your network and your HDMI port. Even the Apple TV is pretty inexpensive.



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