Netflix Not Downloading on iPhone and iPad? Try These 15 Fixes
Important if you want to download and chill
Do you have trouble downloading Netflix movies and TV shows onto your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad? Various reasons such as connectivity issues, conflicting settings, and broken configurations often cause downloads to stall or fail.
Read on to learn what you can do to fix Netflix download issues on iPhones and iPads.
Look for an Error Code
Suppose Netflix throws out aDownload Failedmessage, selectCancel, and tap theAlerticon to reveal an error code. Then, visit theNetflix Help Centerand type in the code to figure out what it means and what you can do to resolve the issue.
For example, if you see error code10013, you likely have an active VPN (virtual private network). Another common error—10016–22005—indicates you’ve reached your download limit. In these cases, disabling your VPN and deleting previous downloads can help.
If you don’t see an error code or the recommendations from Netflix don’t work, start working your way through the fixes below to troubleshoot the issue.
1. Toggle Airplane Mode On/Off
Brieflyactivating Airplane Modecan help resolve minor connectivity issues preventing your iPhone or iPad from downloading Netflix movies and shows.
So, open the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen. Then, toggle theAirplane Modeicon on, then off.
2. Check Your Internet Connection
Next, make sure that there’s nothing wrong with your internet connection. The quickest way to do that is to visit your favorite websites in Safari. If they take too long or fail to load, then here’s what you can do:
3. Check the Netflix Server Status
Server-side issues with the streaming service can also result in failed and stuck downloads. To confirm, check theIs Netflix Down? pageon the Netflix Help Center. If there’s a problem with the servers, you must wait until Netflix resolves it. If not, move on to the next fix.
4. Cancel and Re-download
Sometimes, Netflix shows and movies can get stuck while downloading for no reason. When that happens, canceling and re-initiating stuck downloads can help.
To cancel a download, tap the progress indicator next to it and selectCancel download. Then, tap theDownloadicon to begin re-downloading it.
5. Force-Quit the Netflix App
If Netflix downloads continue to fail, try force-quitting and relaunching the Netflix app. Bring up the App Switcher (swipe up from the bottom of the screen) and drag theNetflixcard to the top of the screen. Next, relaunch the app and switch to theDownloadstab to resume your downloads.
6. Restart iPhone/iPad
The following fix involves restarting your iPhone or iPad. In some cases, a device reboot is all it takes to fix various app-related issues.
Open theSettingsapp, go toGeneral>Shut Down, and drag thePowericon to the right. Then, wait between 30 seconds to a minute and hold down theSide/Topbutton until you see the Apple logo.
7. Change DNS Servers (Wi-Fi Only)
If the issue is limited to specific Netflix titles only, consider changing your wireless network’sDNS (Domain Name System)servers to Google DNS. That improves online connectivity and raises the odds of locating the best Netflix servers for your downloads.
Open theSettingsapp and go toWi-Fi>Info>Configure DNS>Manual. Then, enter8.8.8.8and8.8.4.4into theDNS Serverssection and tapSave.
8. Disable iCloud Private Relay
Do you use iCloud+? If you do, make sure to turn off iCloud Private Relay. Although the feature improves your privacy, it can also cause severe slowdowns with your internet.
So, go toSettings>Apple ID>iCloud>Private Relay (Beta)and clear the switch next toPrivate Relay (Beta).
9. Check Your Download Settings
If movies and TV shows fail to download over mobile data, double-check your Netflix preferences to ensure that cellular downloads are allowed. Switch to theMoretab in the Netflix app and tapApp Settings—theWi-Fi Onlysetting must not be active.
Next, open theSettingsapp on your iOS or iPadOS device, tapCellular, and ensure that the switch next toNetflixis active.
10. Enable Background App Refresh
Background App Refresh is a core system function in iOS and iPadOS that allows apps to continue running in the background. If Netflix downloads tend to pause or fail when you switch apps, open theSettingsapp, tapNetflix, and make sure that the switch next toBackground App Refreshis active.
11. Disable Low Data Mode
Low Data Mode helps you save Wi-Fi and mobile bandwidth, but it can also prevent apps—such as Netflix—from downloading content in the background.
To disable Low Data Mode on Wi-Fi networks, open theSettingsapp, tapWi-Fi>Info, and deactivate the switch next toLow Data Mode. If you use mobile data, go toSettings>Cellular>Cellular Data Optionsinstead and disableLow Data Mode.
Low Power Mode is another feature that can have an adverse impact on downloads. If you see a yellow-colored battery icon on the status menu of your iPhone or iPad, go toSettings>Batteryand turn off the switch next toLow Power Mode.
12. Update Netflix and the System Software
Using an outdated version of the Netflix app on your iPhone or iPad can also result in download issues (not to mention other problems such as freezes and crashes). To update Netflix, search forNetflixon the App Store and tapUpdate.
Likewise, it’s essential you update iOS or iPadOS to the latest version. That will rule out any known system-related issues preventing Netflix from working correctly. To do that, open theSettingsapp and tapGeneral>Software Update>Download and Install.
13. Reset All Network Settings
If you continue to encounter issues while downloading Netflix over Wi-Fi or mobile data, we recommend resetting all network settings to factory defaults.
Open theSettingsapp and go toGeneral>Transferand Reset iPhone>Reset>Reset Network Settings. After the reset, go toSettings>Wi-Fiand reconnect to your Wi-Fi networks. Your cellular settings should automatically update.
14. Reset the Netflix App
Broken Netflix preferences can also play a factor, so try resetting the app to its defaults next. To do that, open theSettingsapp and go toNetflix. Then, turn on the switch next toReset. Follow that by force-quitting and relaunching the Netflix app. Don’t forget to reconfigure your Netflix preferences after that.
15. Uninstall and Reinstall Netflix
If none of the fixes above help, consider removing and reinstalling Netflix. That should rule out issues with a broken or corrupt app installation.
To do that, open theSettingsapp and go toGeneral> iPhone Storage. Then, selectNetflixand tapDelete ApporOffload App. Follow that by redownloading Netflix off the App Store. You must sign in with your Netflix account before using the app again.
Note: TheDelete Appoption removes all Netflix app data from your iPhone or iPad, whileOffload Appkeeps your former downloads intact.
Download Titles for Offline Viewing
It’s not uncommon for Netflix downloads to get stuck or fail on the iPhone or iPad. Thankfully, running through the more straightforward fixes above will almost always help the next time you encounter a similar problem. Keeping the Netflix app up-to-date will also minimize the chances of experiencing download-related issues going forward.
However, if none of the fixes work, you mustreach out to Netflix Supportfor assistance. If you feel that the issue is related to your internet, contact your internet service provider or wireless carrier instead.
Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio
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