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RefactorRPG

Safari can't open Netflix

What can I do to fix the issue of Netflix not playing videos in Safari

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Sep 28, 2021 6:36 AM

Posted on Sep 29, 2021 12:06 PM

Thank you for your attempt to help, but it was superficial.

Videos no longer play for Netflix or Amazon. This is not a Netflix problem, nor an Amazon problem. Both still play in Google Chrome. This is a Safari problem. Why did videos stop playing in Safari. The guidance you provided above seems to miss that fact. I would prefer to still use the Apple Safari browser instead of Chrome. When I do a search for this subject, there are lots of Apple mac users experiencing this. There s.b. an Apple support resolution; not a "call Netflix", "call Amazon", finger pointing. This happened because of a change in Apple software (i.e. Downloaded and installed MacOS Big Sur).

If Apple has dropped support for the video drivers that Netflix, Amazon, and others have coded to, just say so. Evidently whatever Chrome is doing works. Why is that? Someone at Apple knows. Please provide better support; there are thousands of us that would like help with this.

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Sep 29, 2021 12:06 PM in response to barberlives123

barberlives123

Sep 29, 2021 7:32 AM in response to RefactorRPG

Hello RefactorRPG,

We understand Netflix isn't playing videos in Safari on your Mac. We'd be happy to help!

For any issues you may be experiencing with Safari on your Mac, we'd recommend following the guidance provided here: If Safari on Mac doesn't open a webpage or isn’t working as expected .

If the issue continues, we'd recommend reaching out to Netflix directly.

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. Have a good one!

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netflix for mac problems

How To Fix Netflix Not Working On Your Mac (inc. Safari and M1/M2/M3 Macs)

There’s nothing more frustrating than kicking-back to watch a movie or TV series and finding that Netflix is not working properly on your Mac.

Unfortunately there’s no official Netflix app for Macs so Netflix streaming problems via a web browser are very common on macOS.

This means there’s also no official way to download Netflix content on a Mac although there are workarounds to watch Netflix offline and download shows on a Mac .

The most common Netflix playback issues on macOS are things such as cache problems, plugin failure error messages, a black screen with no player controls, external monitor issues, mysterious n8151, n8010 and 2105 error codes and other problems caused by adware.

Often, these streaming issues can be fixed with a few of the solutions suggested here.

Note that if you’re experiencing buffering on Netflix or slow streaming speeds , you might find that using a VPN helps .

Using NordVPN can speed up your internet connection to prevent buffering on Netflix as it re-routes traffic around Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that throttle your bandwidth when streaming.

Using a VPN also allows you to watch Netflix in another country other than the one you are in as a VPN re-routes your traffic around regional restrictions.

You May Also Like:

  • How To Watch Netflix Offline on Mac

Quick Navigation

Before You Start

1. clear your netflix browser cookies, 2. netflix error s7361-1253, 3. run windows on your mac, 4. netflix & safari problems, 5. use html5 to stream netflix, 6. activate auto-play in safari, 7. use a netflix streaming device, 8. netflix display errors in safari using html5, 9. ads or popups when streaming netflix, 10. force netflix to play in hd or hdr on your mac, 11. force netflix to play in 4k (ultra hd), 12. use an unofficial netflix app, 13. fix silverlight netflix issues on older macs, 14. safari problems with silverlight, 15. uninstall silverlight on mac automatically, 16. uninstall silverlight on mac manually, 17. silverlight problems in firefox, and finally….

Before you start tearing your hair out trying to work out why Netflix isn’t working on your Mac, we strongly advise checking the Netflix Service Status Page .

Very often when Netflix isn’t working it’s because there’s been a serious server outage or technical issue which will be displayed on the service status page with a message like “We are having technical issues on netflix.com right now. Please try again later.”

is netflix down

If this is the case, then none of the solutions we cover here will help. You’ll just have to wait until Netflix has restored the service – which doesn’t usually take long.

With this in mind then, here are the most common ways to fix Netflix streaming problems on a Mac.

If your cookies are outdated or corrupted then Netflix won’t play on your Mac. It’s easy to fix this however.

Simply go to netflix.com/clearcookies and Netflix will automatically clear your cookie cache and sign you out of Netflix.

Then just sign-in again to Netflix to start watching a movie or TV show.

netflix error S7361-1253

If you’re seeing the message “Netflix Error S7361-1253” then it’s probably because you need to update macOS .

To check which version of macOS you are using, do the following:

  • Go to the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen.
  • Click on About This Mac from the Menu that drops down.

If it shows that you are still using macOS El Capitan, then Netflix can’t use HTML5 to stream to your browser and you’ll need to update to the latest version of macOS.

If you’re not sure how to do this, you can find full instructions how to update a Mac here .

One solution to Netflix playback problems on Mac is to run Windows on your Mac using software such as Parallels .

This enables you to use the Netflix Windows app to watch Netflix shows within Windows on macOS.

There are various ways to run Windows on a Mac and we recommend our guide on the best ways to install Windows on a Mac for more on this.

Mac users with Macs that were made before 2011 got a nasty shock when they updated to Safari 12 which was released in 2018.

Those with older Macs suddenly found that Safari 12 no longer supported the Silverlight plugin that pre-2011 Macs needed to play Netflix.

In 2014 Netflix started switching from using Microsoft’s Silverlight plugin to HTML5 to stream video and the latest versions of Safari 12 to Safari 17 all use HTML5 to stream video.

However, Macs made before 2011 (except a select few) can’t use HTML5 for streaming but could still keep using Silverlight to watch Netflix in 1080p.

You need a Mac from 2012 onwards to be guaranteed of being able to stream Netflix in HTML5.

Unfortunately for security reasons, Apple decided to stop supporting Silverlight in Safari 12 which means if you’ve got an older Mac, you can no longer watch Netflix in Safari.

Usually Netflix will keep prompting you to install Silverlight but Safari can’t install it anymore.

cant open netflix on safari

If it says your Mac is at least from early 2011 and you’re running macOS El Capitan or later, you should be able to stream Netflix in HTML5.

netflix macos el capitan html5

If however your Mac is from 2010 or earlier, you’ve got these options:

  • The easiest solution is to use another browser to watch Netflix preferably Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome . You can also use the lesser known Opera browser. Firefox, Chrome and Opera still support the Silverlight plugin so you’ll be able to watch Netflix although the maximum resolution will be 720p on older Macs.
  • If you use Apple’s Time Machine , restore an earlier back-up of your Mac so that you can go back to Safari 11. This is a more drastic solution but will basically roll-back your Mac to an earlier state. Note that any other applications or changes you’ve made to your Mac since the roll-back will be lost.
  • Use Apple TV to stream Netflix instead. If you haven’t got one, an Apple TV is a modest investment which allows you to watch Netflix and a whole host of other channels on your TV.
  • Use an iPad to stream Netflix. Although there’s no Netflix app for Macs, there is an official Netflix app for iPads . The iOS app also allows you to download Netflix shows and movies on your iPad for offline viewing.

If you’re using a Mac made in 2011 and still using Silverlight to stream Netflix, you should definitely switch to HTML5 to solve any playback problems.

Silverlight causes a multitude of problems streaming on Macs and as you’ll see, half of this troubleshooting article covers ways of fixing them.

Since 2014, these problems were eliminated when Netflix moved to using HTML5 to stream movies in full 1080 HD.

To ensure that you’re watching Netflix using HTML5, follow these instructions:

1. Newer Macs: Upgrade to the latest version of macOS Sonoma and use Safari, Firefox, Chrome or Opera

If you’re already running macOS El Capitan or above, Safari, Firefox, Chrome and Opera automatically support Netflix streaming in HTML5.

To upgrade to Sonoma though, you must have an Apple Silicon Mac with the M1 or M2 chip (although some Intel chip Macs are supported by it).

You can see which Macs are supported by macOS Sonoma here .

You can also install macOS Sonoma on unsupported Macs although it’s not easy unless you’re an experienced Mac user.

If your Mac doesn’t support Sonoma, your best option is to update to the previous version of macOS which is macOS Ventura via the Mac App Store.

2. Older Macs: Switch to Google Chrome

If you’re still using an older version of OS X (from OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard onwards) Google Chrome allows you to stream Netflix in HTML5 on older versions of OS X although you must “force” it to do so.

Simply open Netflix in Google Chrome, go to Netflix Playback Settings and select Prefer HTML5 player instead of Silverlight:

netflix for mac not working - netflix playback settings

Close Chrome and then reopen it and you should find Netflix plays using the HTML5 player instead of Silverlight.

For more, you can see the full system requirements on Mac for streaming Netflix in HTML5 here .

If you’re sure Safari is using HTML5 to stream Netflix but still having problems, make sure that video Auto-Play is activated for websites.

To do this go to Safari > Preferences and select the Website tab across the top. Make sure that Auto-Play is enabled.

netflix not playing on mac - safari autoplay

It’s also worth checking nothing is blocking Netflix under the Content Blockers options too. When you’ve done, reload the page to see if Netflix starts working again.

If you regularly have problems streaming Netflix on your Mac, you may want to consider getting a dedicated box to stream Netflix or a USB TV stick such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick .

These plug into your Mac’s USB port and are far more efficient at streaming Netflix than your Mac. You’ll also get other benefits such as access to Hulu (Limited Offer: $5.99 per month) , ESPN and HBO Now.

While Silverlight is the main culprit for problems with Netflix, HTML5 isn’t without its problems sometimes.

One common problem is that when you try to watch Netflix in Safari with external monitors connected to your Mac, HTML5 may not work.

Some users report experiencing a “Please ensure your monitor is HDCP compliant and is not mirrored using airplay” error when trying to play Netflix videos using Safari in HTML5 mode.

safari hmtl5 error

It seems to mostly affect those using a Thunderbolt-VGA adapters and although there is no official solution or fix for this problem, there are a few tricks that have worked for some. They are:

safari develop enable

The in the Develop menu in Safari, select an older version of Safari:

safari user agent

This basically makes Safari revert back to an older version that Netflix works properly with. Note that if you open a new tab, you’ll have to do this process again. Other fixes include:

  • If you’re using DisplayLink drivers for your monitor, updating to the latest DisplayLink drivers can also help.
  • Try using a a Thunderbolt-DVI adapter instead
  • Switch to Chrome for Netflix streaming
  • If you’re getting a “Plugin Failure” error message when connecting an external monitor, it may be a conflict between Netflix and your graphics card.

netflix plugin failure mac

If you’ve got a newer MacBook Pro, it has two graphics cards – an integrated HD Graphics 4000 card and a more powerful discreet Nvidia GT 650M card.

Your Mac switches between the two silently in the background depending on the demands of your Mac.

Silverlight will not work if your Mac is using the discreet graphics card which it often switches to if you plug-in an external monitor.

To fix this, all you have to do is close down all other apps (including your browser) and unplug the external monitor to make your Mac switch to the default Integrated graphics card.

Restart your browser and open Netflix and start watching a movie or show.

You can then re-attach the external monitor and it will work.

You can download a useful app called gfx which tells you which graphics card your Mac is using and allows you to force your Mac to use either the integrated or discreet graphics card (although not if you’ve got an external monitor attached).

If you’re getting ads and popups when streaming Netflix on your Mac, then it’s possible adware or malware is installed on your Mac.

Adware and malware can get installed on your Mac when you accidentally click on malicious ads or install an application which is bundled with adware or malware.

Fortunately, it’s easy to get rid of adware on Mac by using Malwarebytes for Mac . You can read more about how to remove adware on Mac here .

Netflix automatically chooses the bitrate to play videos on your Mac based on your connection speed and even if you have a fast connection, it doesn’t always select HD by default.

To force Netflix to play in HD on a Mac simply click on the video window to make sure it’s selected, hold down the Control+Shift+Option+S keys at the same time and Netflix will manually switch to HD.

You can also watch Netflix in HDR on supported Macs by following these instructions on how to watch HDR on a Mac .

You can force Netflix to stream in 4K on a Mac (UltraHD) as long as it has Apple Silicon processor or Apple T2 Security chip.

If you’re using an external monitor, it will also of course need to support 4K or be a 5K monitor. External displays must have a minimum refresh rate of 60Hz and be connected with an HDCP 2.2 rated cable.

To make Netflix stream in 4K make sure you have to the following:

macOS Big Sur 11.0 or later on your Mac.

  • The latest updated version of Safari for your version of macOS
  • Make sure your Netflix subscription supports streaming in UHD.
  • Check that your internet connection supports speeds of 15 megabits per second or higher.
  • Set the Netflix Streaming quality to Auto or High.

Although there is no official Netflix app for Macs there is an official Netflix app for iPad and iPhone which allows you to watch Netflix movies and TV shows within the app.

The iOS app also allows you to watch Netflix offline on your iPad and iPhone.

netflix for ipad

There are also some unofficial Netflix apps available for Mac.

However, in general we don’t recommend them because they basically have all the same problems as using a browser.

If you’re using a pre-2011 Mac you’ll still have to use Silverlight in Chrome, Firefox or Opera to stream Netflix. If you’re having playback problems then it’s almost certainly because of the troublesome Silverlight plugin.

Silverlight is a plugin by Microsoft which Netflix used to deliver video to users although as we’ve already made clear, it’s now been replaced by the more reliable HTML5 standard on Macs made from 2011 onwards.

Note that there’s no version of Silverlight for PPC Macs and no way to make Netflix work on a non-Intel Mac .

Even if you can find an old version of Silverlight to install on your PPC Mac, Netflix will request you to upgrade to an Intel Mac before it will play anything so it’s not even worth trying.

The first thing to do is to make sure you definitely have Silverlight installed by going to the Silverlight test page . If Silverlight is installed on your Mac, you should see something like the following result on the Silverlight test page.

netflix-not-working-mac-silverlight-test

If you haven’t got it installed at all, you can download it from Microsoft or simply try to play a video in Netflix which will prompt you to perform the installation automatically.

Netflix also provides full instructions how to install Silverlight on a Mac here .

If you’re installing Silverlight for the first time, you may receive the message “ Silverlight.dmg cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer “.

This is a security measure in the latest versions of macOS to prevent applications being installed that have not been verified by Apple on the Mac App Store.

To bypass this Right-click or Ctrl click on “Silverlight.pkg” and then click “ Open” and select the option that reads: “Silverlight.pkg” is not from the Mac App Store.

Are you sure you want to open it? Opening “Silverlight.pkg” will always allow it to run on this Mac. Installation will then continue as normal

If you’ve already got Silverlight installed and it’s fully updated, then it’s likely something has gone wrong with the plugin.

The real problems start when this plugin starts to malfunction so if you’re experiencing problems with Silverlight, there are various fixes and solutions you can try described below.

Signs that something is wrong with Silverlight on Mac are errors such as:

  • Being constantly prompted to reinstall Silverlight (known as “install looping”)
  • Getting an error code such as error 2104, error 2015, error n8151 or error n8010
  • Videos not loading
  • Blank or black screens with no player controls
  • Silverlight keeps crashing
  • Videos keeps freezing
  • Netflix is choppy
  • Netflix full screen mode is not working
  • “Netflix plugin failure” error messages

If you’re experiencing any of the above, here is a complete list of steps how to fix them. There are also specific problems with Netflix in Firefox on Mac, which we’ve gone into more detail further down.

netflix for mac - chrome clean cache

  • If Netflix keeps asking you to reinstall Silverlight even though it’s already installed, it may be because your browser is trying to access an outdated or corrupted cookie file. To fix this, make sure you are logged-into Netflix and go to https://www.netflix.com/clearcookies . You will then be automatically logged-out of Netflix. Go to Netflix Home then Member Sign In to log back in and try to play a movie or TV show again.
  • If this doesn’t work and you’re using Chrome, check that Silverlight is definitely installed by typing: chrome://plugins/ into the Chrome URL bar and scroll down the list to see if Silverlight is installed and enabled

silverlight plugin chrome

  • If you have the HTTPS Everywhere plugin installed, disable it by clicking on the HTTPS Everywhere icon.

disable https everywhere

  • Disable any antivirus software you may be using.

If you’re using Safari 11 or earlier, you must ensure that Safari isn’t blocking Netflix access to the Silverlight plugin. To do this:

  • Go to “Preferences” in Safari in the top Menu bar
  • Click the “Security” tab and then go down to “Manage Website Settings…”

netflix not working on mac - safari security settings

  • Select “Silverlight” in the plugins list. If you see the critical security issue warning, make sure you update the plugin first.

netflix safari problem - silverlight settings

  • If everything is OK, select the Silverlight plugin on the left, and make sure that “Allow” or “Always Allow” is selected. You can also select “Ask” if you prefer to be asked before Silverlight is accessed by Netflix. You can read more on Safari plugin settings here .

If none of this works, then it’s probably a more fundamental problem related to your Silverlight plugins folder for which the only solution is to completely uninstall Silverlight.

The problem is that Silverlight is notoriously hard to remove properly on Mac and you need to perform some manual removal.

Next we show you a few ways to make sure that Silverlight has bee completely uninstalled on your Mac.

  • If you have more than one user account on your Mac, the Silverlight plugin is duplicated in both your Root Library folder and User Library folder. You must therefore go to:  ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins in your local folder and clear out old versions of the plugin which are causing the problem. The problem is that Netflix has probably been constantly trying to access the outdated local user version rather than the root version. The solution is to fully uninstall and reinstall the Silverlight for Netflix plugin by following these instructions:
  • Close any browsers that are open e.g. Firefox, Safari, Chrome etc.
  • Install a free app removal utility called AppCleaner
  • Search for Silverlight and then select the installed components that AppCleaner automatically finds and delete them:

uninstall silverlight mac

You can still install it however by r ight-clicking or holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on Silverlight.pkg. Select  Open on the pop-up menu and then click Open on the prompt that says “Silverlight.pkg” is not from the Mac App Store.

Are you sure you want to open it? Opening “Silverlight.pkg” will always allow it to run on this Mac.”

You can then complete the installation of Silverlight on your Mac and Netflix movies should now play as normal.

  • /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/Silverlight.plugin
  • /Library/Receipts/Silverlight.pkg
  • /Library/Receipts/Silverlight_W2_MIX.pkg
  • /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/WPFe.plugin
  • /Library/Receipts/WPFe.pkg

delete silverlight plugin

  • Then go back to Macintosh HD and select System and then Library , Internet Plugins and make sure any Silverlight files are deleted.

system folder

  • Finally, go to back to Macintosh HD and select Library, Application Support , Microsoft and delete the entire Silverlight folder. Empty Trash and reinstall Silverlight.

application support

Firefox can be particularly fussy when it comes to Silverlight on Mac. If you’re seeing an error page or a black/blank screen when trying to watch Netflix on your Mac then again, it’s probably due to a problem with the Silverlight plugin.

This can be due to various issues but often it’s because Silverlight is not updated properly and Firefox automatically disables the plugin for security reasons.

Make sure that Silverlight is Enabled in Firefox by going to the Tools menu and selecting Add-Ons . Click on Plugins and make sure that Silverlight is enabled.

enable silverlight plugin firefox

If Silverlight is enabled and Netflix still doesn’t work, follow this checklist to fix the problem:

  • Close Firefox.
  • Follow the uninstall instructions above using AppCleaner to make sure you have completely removed Silverlight from your Mac.
  • Open Firefox and go to the Silverlight DRM Test page . Click on the box that says Install Microsoft Silverlight.

silverlight drm test

The Silverlight installation file will be downloaded onto your Mac. Double click on it to launch the Silverlight for Mac Browser Plug-In installer.

silverlight installer

If you can see the video, Silverlight for Mac is working correctly in Firefox and you should be able to watch Netflix in Firefox.

If none of the above fixes Silverlight, try the following solutions:

  • Go to the Tools menu, select Add-ons and the Extensions tab and disabling any other add-ons that may be blocking Silverlight especially ad blockers or tracking blockers such as Adblock Plus, Flashblock or Ghostery.
  • Some folders in macOS are hidden from view and may cause Silverlight to give you a N8156-6013 error, n8151 error or n8010 or error 2105. You must unhide your Library folder and delete some folders. To unhide folders in macOS, install invisibliX which allows you to easily toggle hidden files. You must then delete the PlayReady folder in your Library in both your User folder and your Macintosh HD . There’s no need to restart your Mac afterwards – Netflix should start working again.

We hope these tips have got Netflix working again on your Mac.

If Netflix still isn’t working on your Mac, make sure that your Netflix subscription is still valid.

If you’ve checked this, you can always try using the Netflix Help Center although it’s not that helpful for Mac users.

If you want to know how to record Netflix on Mac, you might also be interested in our article on how to capture Netflix videos on Mac .

For any other issues or problems you are having with Netflix on your Mac, let us know in the comments below.

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I have Safari 14 and still suffers from this problem. So I downloaded the latest version of Opera browser and Netflix works.

Hi, none of these solutions have worked. I’m not sure if I have the problem that these solutions fix however. Not sure. Anyway, when I try to go into netflix on my MacBook Pro (pretty new, newest software updates and stuff), it either won’t load because netflix “closed the connection”, “didn’t send a signal”, or it loads but it the homepage looks like none of the art was added, I can’t see the shows, and there are a ton of countries listed. However, this only happens when I’m at home, so I thought it was a problem with the wifi at home. However, my brother has no problem accessing the site on his computer. I have no proxies installed, I’ve cleared my history twice, and I can’t clear my netflix cookies because any netflix-run sites are showing those error messages. Thoughts?

Bloody hell! All I needed was Firefox. Thank you. 🙏🤪👍

Glad it helped!

The Netflix site won’t load at all in safari. Like, when I click the Netflix button on favorites, or type in the link or whatever it just won’t load. The blue loading bar under the link just stops in the middle, no error codes, no black screen, no nothing it just does not load. This has been going on for like a week and I’m beginning to lose my mind.

Since I upgraded to High Sierra, Netflix won’t stream on various browsers. I tried the Develop trick to no avail and have done everything suggested by Netflix. Other people on the Apple support forum are having the same problem. there may not be a solution yet.

Have you tried using an app to stream Netflix on your Mac? You can find some suggestions on Netflix viewer software here .

Hi! Thanks for your help in this post. I appreciate that you took and take the time to help! I ended up downloading Chrome and the only thing I had to do to get Netflix to work from there was to follow an error prompt on Netflix to go to chrome://components and to click “update” under the component called “Widevinecdm”. Once I did that I could finally access Netflix movies again on my Mac desktop (OS X Yosemite 10.10.5)

Hi! No problems and thanks for sharing your tip. If only it was that easy for everyone to fix Netflix on their Mac!

Thank you for the article. Silverlight didn’t work on my iMac, but Google chrome did. At first chrome didn’t work either, but I just had to update some components and it’s working. Your article helped me to fix this problem. Thank you again.

Gloria – Appreciate the feedback and glad it helped you get Netflix working on your Mac again.

Netflix doexnt open in my browser.It shows SSL error. What do i do?

This sounds like a security issue rather than a problem with Silverlight and Netflix. Try clearing out your browser’s SSL security certificates and try again.

I've installed the silverlight program multiple times and tried deleting it. It still does not allow me to watch netflix..

I’ve installed the silverlight program multiple times and tried deleting it. It still does not allow me to watch netflix.

Thanks for the article. I’ve tried everything in the post as well as everything netflix’s help page and tech team has advised me to do. But I still am having audio/video sync issues on my macbook pro as well as stuttering video. Any recommendations?

I’m using 10.9.4 on macbook pro.

It seems the audio syncing issue is a bit of a random problem on Netflix for Mac. Have you cleared your Silverlight temp files as per the instructions on the Netflix website ? Also, a temporary solution is simply to skip backwards a little bit during playback and the syncing usually corrects itself for a while although it is quite annoying to have to keep doing that.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I cleared all the files multiple times but to no avail.

Hi, well i can not get netflix on firefox or safari and i have uninstalled silverlight reinstalled it and made sure it was enabled on firefox and nothing is working. It just says “Safari can’t connect to the server” every single time i try, and it only says that for netflix. What do i do?

It sounds more like a general problem with your internet connection rather than Netflix. Try turning your router off and on and again and restart your Mac. You may need some help reconfiguring your router or have a problem with your Internet Service Provider. Does the internet wifi work on other devices such as your phone for example? Alternatively, you could try connecting to the internet with a network cable to your router instead of WiFi.

thats the thing, the internet works fine and i can get on other websites and everything but as soon as i try to go to netflix it ways that it cant connect to the server even tho the internet is working and every other website is working

It’s possible that your DNS settings are messed up. Try going into System Prefs > Network > Advanced > DNS tab > and then delete any numbers in the DNS box.

I’ve been having the same problem being prompt to install silverlight every time I opened netflix with Safari and not being able to watch anything. I called apple support and they had me do these simple steps: Preferences-security-check the “allow-plug-ins” box. This solved the problem immediately. I hope this will help other people.

Sorry for not specifying it before, I have a macbook pro running OS X 10.9.2

Thanks for sharing your solution to get Netflix for Mac working again!

i cant use it -.- it says: Silverlight Installation Problem Error Code: 2103 You have encountered an issue specific to Microsoft Silverlight, the software used to watch movies on the Netflix website. This issue is often resolved by uninstalling and then reinstalling Microsoft Silverlight on your computer.

To uninstall Microsoft Silverlight on your Macintosh computer, please follow these steps:

Completely close any currently open internet browser windows. Navigate to your Hard Drive. Select Library. Select Internet Plugins. Drag Silverlight.plugin to your trash. Once you have emptied your trash, Microsoft Silverlight uninstallation will be complete. After completing the above steps, attempting to Watch Instantly on http://www.netflix.com will prompt you to reinstall Microsoft Silverlight.

when i try to use silverlight on netflix…

To fix this problem:

– Log out of Netflix. – Clear the Cache, History and Temp files in your browser and close it. – Reopen your browser and log into Netflix and your should be able to watch Netflix on your Mac again.

Here is what I found on macbook pro 2009. When I ran Netflix, it was very slow choppy and the CPU was pegged. Once I took the back off, the problem was obvious. The machine was clogged with dust and this was causing the CPU to throttle down so it would not thermally overload. A can of Air from radio shack solved the problem I used the Compress Air blow out the dust out of the notebook, and a pair of tweezers to pull other dust bunnies out.

Once the cpu and case were cleaned, the Mac Book is working like new.

From my experience, the laptops probably should be blown out once a year.

Ralph, Thanks for sharing your solution.

Hello, about a month ago I purchased a Chromecast to watch Netflix on my tv and still do work on my MacBook Pro (Mac OS X Version 10.6.8). It worked great until a few days ago when Silverlight kept crashing for Chrome (Version 35.0.1916.27 beta). Since then, I’ve deleted and re-installed Silverlight several times as listed above. Netflix is working for Safari, but not for Chrome (which defeats the purpose of my Chromecast’s initial purchase). I’ve used the AppCleaner, cleared cache and cookies, etc. Any other ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.

Jonathon, If it’s a Chrome specific problem, try logging out of Netflix in Chrome. Then clear the Cache, History and Temp files by going to the settings bar in the top right corner of Chrome. Close Chrome, then re-open it and log back into Netflix and it should work. If this doesn’t work, do you use Time Machine to backup your Mac? You could try rolling back to a backup of your Mac when everything was working fine.

I’m just afraid that this will give my computer a virus and my folks will get really angry with me..

Madeline, What exactly are you afraid will give your Mac a virus? It’s worth remembering that viruses are very rare on Mac so whatever you’re trying, shouldn’t pose any risk.

Thanks, that fixed it!

Great, glad it helped!

My netflix was working fine on my computer this morning and now I am having the 2103 error. I am using Chrome and OS X 10.8.3. I completely uninstalled Silverlight and emptied the Trash numerous times but I continue to get the error. I used both AppCleaner and digging into the library to ensure there was no trace of Silverlight. All that said Netflix is working on Firefox, any idea why or how to get it working on Chrome as that is my default browser and it was working 12 hours ago and I’ve done nothing on my laptop since.

Oh and I also disable Ghostery with no change.

Emily, To fix the Netflix 2103 error in Chrome on your Mac try this:

– Open Chrome then logout of Netflix. Clear the Cache, History and Temp files in Chrome (you can do this by going to the top right of Chrome, clicking on the three bars and then selecting “Settings”). – Close Chrome. Then reopen it and log back into Netflix. Netflix should now be working in Chrome on your Mac. If it doesn’t, let us know.

Hello, I am in the middle of trying to install it and it asks for a password to allow it. It won’t accept my apple ID and password so what password is it asking for? Thank You

Tara, I presume your Mac is asking you for your Mac admin password which you would have created when you first setup your Mac. If you don’t have one, try just pressing Enter without a password to continue installation.

is the Mac admin password different from your apple ID/password? if so, I don’t remember my admin password…what, if anything, can I do about that?

figured I should also mention that I did already try your previous suggestion to Tara (not using a password at all) and that didn’t work.

Penny, If you are using OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard you can use the startup DVD to rescue the password. But if you are using OS X 10.7 Lion or above follow these instructions to reset your Mac admin password:

1. Shutdown your Mac. Restart it and immediately hold down the CMD key (the squiggle key next to the spacebar) and “S” at the same time. 2. You should see a black screen with white writing. Type “mount -uw” and hit Enter 3. Type “aunchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.opendirectoryd.plist” and hit Enter. 4. Type “/Users” and hit Return. A list of authorised users on the Mac will appear. Type “dscl . passwd /Users/username password” but replace the word “username” with one of the usernames in the list and replace “password” with a new password that you want to use. Hit Enter. 5. Restart your Mac normally and use the new password to login. If you see a prompt after this, type “reboot” and the Mac will restart with the new password saved.

i am having netflix freezing problems i am running a late model 2009 macbook air with newly formatted HD with Snow Lep installed 10.6.8. My machine has 2GB of Ram but continues to freeze after about 30 min of watching a movie. I have tried reinstalling Silver Light and installing it to point where i formatted my HD and reinstalled SL. I have cannot find the issue and i am considering buying another machine maybe back to PC. Do i not have enough Ram becuase i would think 2GB would suffice. Please help

Mike, Try changing browsers first and see if it helps. Try either Chrome or Firefox if you’re using Safari and let us know what happens.

tried Google and i have tried Firefox problem still occurs. First sign is the video starts to look like its going into slow motion then the video and audio become out of sync, within seconds it becomes unwatchable. I was convinced it was a corrupt file either in the OS or Silverlight but you would think after doing a full format and reinstall that would have fixed it. i appreciate any suggestions.

It’s probably a Silverlight issue rather than a problem with your Mac because even users with new Macs running the latest OS X have reported similar problems. I’d suggest following the post above closely to make sure you completely uninstall Silverlight. Once you’ve done that, double check that the following files are definitely deleted and emptied from your Trash: Root Library: /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/Silverlight.plugin and /Library/Receipts/Silverlight*.pkg and in the User Library: ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Silverlight . Then reinstall Silverlight and it should work properly on your Mac.

I was having the same problem until yesterday. I went into the playback settings in Netflix an change the option to use HTML 5 instead of Silverlight. After unchecking the check box, I restarted Safari. The problem went away. I kept removing and reinstalling Silverlight, which may have been needed anyway and is a good idea to do it, but since Netflix wasn’t using Silverlight for playback it never fixe the problem. I hope this helps somebody out there because it has been very frustrating for me.

Thanks for sharing your experience!

When I try to go to the microsoft webpage to download silverlight it just says no data received. In fact no microsoft pages will open. Can you please help me? Thank you!

It sounds like something is configured badly with your internet connection. Go to System Preferences>Network>Configure>Proxies Tab and make sure that no proxies are set. If this doesn’t work, create an entirely new WiFi connection in your WiFi preferences.

Thanks! All I had to do was activate Silverlight as you lined out. Spent an hour trying to figure it out before I read your post 🙂 Watching movies now with my son 🙂

Cindi, That’s great! Glad it helped you and your son 🙂

I’ve tried with Safari, Firefox, and Chrome and in all of them the movie just shows a black screen with the blue dots circling on it. I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled Silverlight 10 times and tried all the instructions on this page. It still won’t work. Help?

Marissa, If it’s happening on all browsers, it’s extremely important you follow these instructions to ensure Silverlight is fully removed from your Internet Plugins folder.

Click on your Macintosh HD and select Library and then Internet Plugins and delete the Silverlight file. Then go back to Macintosh HD and select System and then Library, Internet Plugins and make sure any Silverlight files are deleted. Finally, go to back to Macintosh HD and select Library, Application Support, Microsoft and delete the entire Silverlight folder. Empty Trash and reinstall Silverlight. Let us know if it helps.

Very helpful! The Silverlight plug-in was disabled and I would not have otherwise known how to enable it. Thank you.

Hi, so I’ve tried with three different browsers. Firefox, Safari, and Chrome. On all of them i get a black screen that says i need to turn off private browsing which i have done and it still will not work. I followed all the steps above and still no luck. On Firefox i have enabled silverlight, On safari and chrome silverlight won’t even show up in the plug-ins list. I’m running on Mac OS X 10.6.8. I’m about ready just to give up on ever trying to use netflix. Please help.

You need to delete your PlayReady folder in your Microsoft folder. Go to Finder (the smiley icon on the far left corner of your Dock), click Go in the Menu at the top of your screen, hold down the Alt key and click on the Library option which appears. Then go to Application Support, Microsoft and delete the PlayReady folder to your Trash and empty Trash. Restart your browser and it should work.

Thanks for this article – worked like a charm!

Glad it helped Robin!

Running Mac OS Lion 10.7.5

Videos run on Netflix fine, but with very quiet audio even with both internal speakers and Silverlight controls turned up to max. Softer dialogue is almost inaudible.

Problem is the same on Chrome, Firefox and Safari.

Have tried uninstalling and reinstalling Silverlight.

Netflix say “It’s a Silverlight or Apple problem.” and won’t help.

Any thoughts?

Have you tried clearing your Silverlight cache? Try the following instructions:

Quit all open browsers – including this window! You may want to print the following steps. Click the Finder icon in your Dock. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, select Go. Hold down the Option key on your keyboard and select Library. Note: If Library is not listed, select Home and open the Library folder. Open the Application Support folder. Open the Microsoft folder. Open the Silverlight folder. Drag the is folder to the Trash. Open a web browser and play your movie or TV show again.

I have tried this, and no it does not help.

If you’ve definitely got volume cranked up on both Silverlight and your Mac, then the only solution is to use an external application to boost your volume. AudioHijack Pro is one of the best tools for this. You can test it for free but you’ll have to purchase the full version if it helps solve the problem.

BTW, If the problem is only with Netflix (not YouTube etc) then its definitely a Silverlight problem.

thank you so much!!!!!!!!

You’re welcome – glad it helped!

I was using the correct location, so I created a blank folder titled “PlayReady” in the HD\Library\Application Support\Microsoft location, then restarted the browser. Still not playing on Netflix.

Hi Phee, Close your browser, uninstall Silverlight and then make sure that the following files are definitely deleted:

/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/Silverlight.plugin /Library/Receipts/Silverlight.pkg /Library/Receipts/Silverlight_W2_MIX.pkg /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/WPFe.plugin /Library/Receipts/WPFe.pkg

Then reinstall Silverlight and see if Netflix works again.

You know, none of theses suggestions worked, and I was unable to use netflix at all until recently. I finally found a fix after realizing that with Lion, lots of folders as well as the HD are ‘hidden’ from view… so I found a tutorial to unhide my Library folder, and found two supporting files that were creating the problem! Check out this tutorial:

http://osxdaily.com/2009/02/25/show-hidden-files-in-os-x/

Then I deleted the offending folders, where the DRM hash is saved. It’s described here:

http://chrissilich.com/blog/netflix-error-n8156-6013-or-n8151-on-mac-osx/

The real trick was to delete the Playready folders in the Library in both my user folder, and the general HD. Then I didn’t even need to reinstall, or restart my Mac. BOOM. Netflix worked. Hopes this helps someone!!! I was at my wits end!

It was my ANTIVIRUS (Firewall?)!!!

Kaspersky must have blocked Silverlight from working.

I went to the top of the screen where the Kaspersky logo was and select to turn off protection.

Refreshed Netflix…BAM! Movie!

Now to turn Kaspersky back on and find a way to allow Silverlight to be used forever.

Hi Heath, Thanks for sharing your solution. If you can’t add Netflix to an exceptions list in Kaspersky, I’d recommend removing Kaspersky completely as it’s not worth the hassle. Generally, an antivirus isn’t needed on Macs.

Hello! I run mac os 10.5.8, which should support the new silverlight version, but isn’t- I am continually asked to reinstall. Silverlight is not recognized as an extension in my safari preferences, and I’m not sure how to fix this. I cannot run chrome or firefox on my os because they no longer have browsers supported by my os. I’ve tried all the suggestions up to this point. Any ideas on what to do?

Hi Beau, You can run Firefox on your version of OS X. Please check out this post on Firefox for Mac to download Firefox for OS X 10.5.8 . Try using Netflix in that instead.

Ok. so i’ve followed each and every step on this page, i’ve tried to load netflix on firefox, chrome and safari. Purged every reference to silverlight from my macbook and still it won’t load. Youtube et al work perfectly fine. And it’s not a router issue because it loads fine on my android tablet, my mother’s ipad and my sister’s windows laptop.

Macbook running the latest version of OSX.

Ok, try this checklist:

1. Have you definitely checked that the Silverlight for Mac plugin is “Enabled” in your browser add-ons? 2. Have you got any ad-blocking add-ons installed on your browsers? If so, try disabling them. 3. If all of the browsers you’ve tried so far have failed, try with Opera for Mac .

It tells me that opera isn’t supported.

I’m getting error code N8156-6206 and in firefox has adblock disabled on netflix. It’s not a network issue as netflix works just fine on my sister’s laptop, my mother’s ipad and my tablet.

Hey there! I have been trying all day to get netflix to play, uninstalling and reinstalling Silverlight with AppCleaner, restarting browsers (Chrome, Firefox AND Safari) and my MBP (Lion 10.7.5) multiple times all day. I have tried running the DRM Test after reinstalling everything (plug-ins are enabled in Firefox, and Safari, and pop-ups are not blocked, and I have no other software or plug ins that block things) and the DRM Test will not play on either browser. I am so super frustrated and don’t know what to do! I keep getting error N8151- there is a problem playing DRM content on my machine. ??? I am at a breaking point! I just tried to follow the instructions above, but when I go to Application Support>Microsoft, there is no PlayReady folder. ?? What should I do? Helppppp!!!

Hi Phee, It’s strange that your PlayReady folder is not there. Are you sure you are looking in the right folder i.e. Mac HD\Library\Application Support\Microsoft\PlayReady? If you are, try creating a blank folder called PlayReady and let us know if it works.

I deleted all silverlight plug in files you listed. I used Apple Cleaner to do it. I also uninstalled Firefox and reinstalled and then installed Silverlight and still not working for Netflix streaming. I’ve tried all steps multiple times. Restarted browser, closed out browsers etc.

One thing I find interesting is when just doing it now, I closed out all browsers and sent the silverlight plugin and firefox to trash and tried to empty them this time, I got these 2 error messages ” The operation can’t be completed because the item “Firefox 24.0.dmg” is in use.” AND The operation can’t be completed because the item “Silverlight.dmg” is in use. I restarted my computer and then I was able to empty the trash.

I don’t have an anti-virus on my my Mac so I know it’s not that. Do I need turn off my “firewall” in order for it to work.

Hi Wendy, Sorry for the long delay but I missed this comment. If it’s still any help, the reason you’re receiving those error messages when you empty Trash is because you haven’t dragged Firefox or Silverlight to your Applications folder. You are running them directly from the DMG files that you originally downloaded which is like running them from their own separate mini hard drive. By dragging them to your Applications folder, you are fully installing them on your Mac’s hard drive and you will then be able to drag them to the Trash, and empty it no problem.

Thank you this was very helpful!!!

My Friend Gave Me Her Info For Her Netflix So We Could Share It… And It Works Fine Watching Movies From My Phone [Galaxy S4] But It Doesn’t Work For My Tv -__- Which Makes Me Mad Lol

This Morning iWent Onto Netflix On My Mac And It Says iHad To Install Microsoft SilverLight [No Problem) So iDid So, It Installed Successfully.. But Every Time iTry And Go Back To Netflix To Watch A Movie It Keeps Telling Me iNeed To Install Silver Light But Its Already Installed.. Thats When iWas Using My Firefox Browser , iAlso Have Safari So iTried To Go On Netflix Using Safari , It Recognized The Application HOWEVER Its Now Telling Me iNeed To Upgrade It..

iKeep Uninstalling And Re-Installing The Micrsoft SilverLight App But Still No Change … Help ??

– Melanie

Have you tried all of the steps in the post above plus the advice given in the comments? If so, what version of Mac OS X are you using?

Hi, I’ve tried everything. (Chrome user, also tried fire fox, and safari) I’ve downloaded and redownloaded silver light like you’ve instructed and took off any extensions interrupting it, and everytime I will type in Netflix.com it just loads and then never actually goes to the page. It sits and is trying to load and then shows me an error. None of this helped.

Danielle, Sorry to hear that. It is very important that you make sure all Silverlight files are deleted from your Library and System folders before reinstalling Silverlight. Click on your Lion or Mountain Lion HD and select Library and then Internet Plugins and delete the Silverlight file. Then go back to your Lion or Mountain Lion HD and select System and then Library, Internet Plugins and make sure any Silverlight files are deleted. Finally, go to back to Lion or Mountain Macintosh HD and select Library, Application Support, Microsoft and delete the entire Silverlight folder . Empty Trash and reinstall Silverlight. Let us know if it helps.

Hi, I have the same problem. Any other page loads on my macbook pro besides Netflix. As soon as I type in the Netflix.com it begins to load but then always comes back to “Oops! Google Chrome could not connect to movies.netflix.com” I’ve tried using other browsers, deleted Silverlight following these instructions and reinstalled it. Netflix will load perfectly fine on my iPhone and my roommate’s macbook. What else can I do?

Hi Rachel, It may be a problem with the way Chrome connects to the net and fetches pages. Try going into settings in the top right corner of Chrome, click on Settings, then click Show Advanced Settings at the bottom of the page. In the Privacy tab, uncheck “Predict network actions to improve page load performance”. Close Chrome, restart and see if it works.

I tried it. All it did was make the loading of any pages very slow and Netflix.com still didn’t load. The page says the same thing, or sometimes “This webpage is not available” when I refresh it after a while of loading.

I think it’s probably something to do with your DNS settings on your Mac. Go to your WiFi in the menu bar, select Open Network Preferences, click Advanced and try adjusting some of the settings. Try removing and re-adding your WiFi network for example and also try connecting with an Ethernet cable to your router.

I have the exact same issue. I am not able to open Netflix on any browser. My other devices are able to connect with it. I have done every silverlight thing that you’ve mentioned. Netflix works on my Mac on different networks. It doesn’t work only at my home and this is only for the past two weeks. My ISP restarted the network from their side but still Netflix will not load. Everything else works fine.

I am experiencing the same problem as Jesse on Netflix, i.e. every time after I clicked to play a movie or TV show, a black screen and a blue ring showed up. I am using a new MBP OS X 10.8.4. Have tried on Firefox, Safari and Chrome but nothing works.

Please help! Many thanks!

Hi Young, Have you followed all the steps described in the post above?

Yes, at least 10 times!

Try going to Library and then Receipts (Search for it in Spotlight if you can’t find it). Delete any Silverlight files you see and Empty Trash. Also, delete any files you see in Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Silverlight. Close all web browsers and re-open them. Reinstall Silverlight and it should work.

I have followed all these steps many times. Will this have anything to do with the recent data migration from my old MBP (late 2009 version)? I am really puzzled at why Netflix works on my old Mac after upgrading to SL 5 but not the new Mac.

It may be. What version of OS X have you got on the old MBP and which one on the new one? I’d recommend doing a clean install of OS X on your new Mac and installing Silverlight before doing the data migration again as it may well have caused a glitch somehow, especially if you used Time Machine.

Old: Mid 2010, OS X 10.8.4, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo New: Early 2013, OS X 10.8.4, 3.0 GHz Intel Core i7 How do I install a clean OS X?

You’ll have to download Mountain Lion from the Mac app store, create a bootdisk on a USB drive and reinstall it that way. I’ll post full instructions shortly.

I have an older version of a MAC that doesn’t support the current silverlight version

Hi Jesse, I’m afraid you’ll have to upgrade your Mac. There is no version of Silverlight that supports older Macs.

I’ve been trying to watch netflix on my macbook pro for quite a while now, and all I’m getting out of it is immense frustration. I’ve downloaded, installed, uninstalled, redownloaded, and reinstalled silverlight a few times but to no avail. After clicking on a movie/show to watch all I seem to be getting is a black screen and a blue ring.

Please help!!! Thanks!

Hi Katelyn, Which browser are you using? First you should try using a different one such as Firefox and see if the same thing happens.

At first I was using safari, then I switched over to firefox, but it still didn’t seem to work. any ideas?

I have exactly same problem as this!

I also have this problem, and have tried everything to fix it. I even spent 2 hours on the phone with Netflix customer support.

If you’re still having these problems, can you first confirm which version of OS X you are using?

Greetings to All!

I was recently enjoying Netflix on my Macbook Air, 10.8.3, via Firefox. Suddenly, I started getting redirected to the Netflix “Compatibility” page. I’ve tried many suggested fixes, but one problem remains. Every time I try to reinstall Silverlight I’m directed to a “Moonlight” page. I’ve tried to dwnld that but get a message stating it’s not compatible with Firefox 21.0 I have no clue where to go at this point. Any thoughts?

Hi Al, Moonlight is the Linux version of Silverlight and definitely won’t work on your Macbook Air. You need to make sure you are downloading the official Microsoft version of Silverlight .

I was able to access Netflix without a hitch on my MacBook, and just recently my browser won’t even go to the Netflix home screen. Is there something I should be aware of that took place within the last few days concerning Apple users? Any would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Jay, What exactly happens when you try to access Netflix? Do you see a black screen for example? Which browser are you using and are you sure that the Silverlight add-on needed to play Netflix is activated and up to date?

My status bar freezes for an extended amount of time before entering the Netflix home page. Once there, I log on…and nothing.

I’m currently using Safari and running Mac OS X Software. According to my Plug-ins list I am up to date with Silverlight. I’m assuming the list is accurate considering I was able to watch several movies just last week.

I would suggest trying another browser before going any further. Try installing Firefox or Chrome and see if you have the same problem. Let us know what happens.

I am having the same problem and I tried it on Firefox and Chrome and the same things happen. I’ve tried everything you’ve listed above, but the netflix homepage won’t even load.

Megdauman, Can you first confirm which version of OS X you are using?

Hello , i have a an old mac book and i am unable to download silverlight because it says that i need the MACOS X 10.5 or higher. is there any way to go around this or fix it ? please help !!

Hi Michelle, I’m afraid not. The best thing to do is to upgrade directly to Snow Leopard OS X 10.6 as it’s not worth upgrading to 10.5. Snow Leopard only costs $19.99 from Apple.

Hi, I installed Silverlight using the method you’ve provided here, every time I go to use netflix, it either does not play in HD or the picture quality gets choppy when I go to full screen mode. I am currently using Mac OSX 10.7.5. Can you tell me what might be wrong?

Hi Ronald, First I would try using a different browser such as Firefox or Chrome and see if it works better. Second, I would test the speed of your broadband connection and see if it is fast enough to stream HD smoothly. Finally, I would try reinstalling OS X Lion completely. Let me know if you need help with any of these.

I’ve done everything listed here and it still does not work. There are not extensions blocking Silverlight because the two I have were disabled. It was working fine yesterday morning before centurylink’s internet outage.

Hi Maya, Try following the instructions I’ve given to Inga above using Safari. If you’re using Firefox, to do the same thing go to Preferences, Advanced, Network and Settings.. Make sure that Auto-Detect is selected and click OK. Restart Firefox if necessary and let me know if it works.

I’ve tried these and they still do not work

Krystal, Can you give us a bit more information. What exactly are you seeing when you try to play Netflix films on your Mac? Which browser are you using?

I am using Safari browser on a Macbook Pro computer. I just recently installed updates and prior to that it had been working just fine. The message that I receive from Netflix is that I need to download silverlight (which I already have). I’ve tried uninstalling it by the ways indicated above and I have attempted to chance the settings that you suggested to Inga.

Any feedback?

Hi Krystal, Are you sure that the Silverlight plugin is activated in Safari? Go to Preferences, Extensions and check that Silverlight is enabled.

If this doesn’t work, I highly recommend trying another browser such as Firefox or Google Chrome instead for playing Netflix movies.

hi, we tried deleting and installing silverlight and still no luck on safari, we get blank screen, get stuck on movies.netflix.com. tried the option with firefox, did not work either. Any other ideas?

Hi Inga, It could be a proxy issue. Go to Preferences in Safari and select Advanced . Click on Change Settings next to Proxies . Make sure Auto Proxy Discovery is selected and click OK . Try again, and restart the browser if it doesn’t work first time and let me know what happens.

hi im having the same problem and i tried to do this but my macbook isnt allowing me to check the auto proxy discovery box..

Are you using Safari? Try downloading and installing Firefox instead.

Hi, there is no Auto Proxy Discovery option under my Proxies. I tried selecting ‘Automatic Proxy configuration’ but it appears it needs some sort of file.

Lilyanne, Try the solutions suggested in the comments below. It is important all traces of Silverlight are removed from your Mac before reinstalling. In particular, make sure that the following are definitely removed:

I did as you said by searching for the above documents and extensions, and used App Cleaner to remove the app. Reinstalled, restarted the computer, and still get the same error. ??

I’m having the same issue as Lilyanne: On my advanced settings for Proxies, I just have the option ‘Automatic Proxy configuration’ (not discovery) and it doesn’t allow me to select it. I mean, i does, but when I go back to the main menu it gets automatically deselected. I get black page, no control players. I’m using IMac with Mac OS 10.5.8, Safari version 5.0.6… Apparently, it should work…

Flavia and Lilyanne, The reason you can’t seen the Auto Proxy Discovery option is because you are using OS X 10.5.8 Leopard. It is strongly advised that to help Netflix run properly on your Mac, you upgrade to at least OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard or preferably OS X 10.7 Lion. You may find this fixes the problems you are having anyway because OS X 10.5 is quite dated now and has issues with Silverlight and Netflix.

Hello. I am having troulbe getting Silverlight to show up on my MacBook pro using Firefox, in order to stream Netflix movies. I tried all of the above. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

Hi Brett, I’ve updated the post with more detailed instructions about how to fix Netflix for Mac Silverlight problems in Firefox. If it still doesn’t help you, let me know exactly what happens when you try to watch Netflix in Firefox on your Mac and I’ll try to help.

Thanks, Mac How. Still having trouble- Silverlight does not show up in my Tools/Add Ons/Plugins, it’s as if Firefox cannot see it. Thus, I am unable to Enable it. Brett

Hi Brett, If you can’t see the Silverlight Add-On in Firefox then it’s a bug. Uninstall both Silverlight and Firefox. Reinstall them both and it should work. Let me know if not.

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How to Troubleshoot Netflix Not Loading on Safari?

Netflix is a popular streaming platform that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and documentaries for its subscribers. However, sometimes users may encounter issues when trying to access Netflix, particularly on the Safari browser. In this article, we will explore the possible reasons behind Netflix not loading on Safari and provide some solutions to help you resolve the issue.

One of the common reasons why Netflix may not load on Safari is an outdated browser version. It is essential to keep your browser up to date to ensure compatibility with websites and improve security. To update Safari, follow these steps:

1. Open the App Store on your Mac. 2. Click on the Updates tab in the top navigation bar. 3. If an update for Safari is available, click on the Update button next to it.

If you are using an older version of Safari that does not support the latest features required by Netflix, you may need to consider upgrading your operating system to a newer version compatible with the latest Safari release.

Another potential cause of Netflix not loading on Safari is related to cookies and site data. Safari’s privacy settings may be blocking the necessary cookies required for Netflix to function correctly. To check and adjust these settings, follow these steps:

1. Open Safari and click on Safari in the menu bar. 2. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu. 3. Go to the Privacy tab. 4. Make sure the setting for “Block all cookies” is unchecked. 5. Additionally, ensure that the option “Prevent cross-site tracking” is also unchecked. 6. Close the Preferences window and try accessing Netflix again.

Sometimes, changing the user agent in Safari can help resolve compatibility issues with certain websites, including Netflix. To change the user agent, follow these steps:

1. Open Safari and click on Safari in the menu bar. 2. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu. 3. Go to the Advanced tab. 4. Check the box that says “Show Develop menu in menu bar.” 5. Close the Preferences window. 6. Click on Develop in the menu bar and select User Agent. 7. Choose an older version of Safari from the list (e.g., Safari 4.1). 8. Attempt to load Netflix again.

If none of the above solutions work, it is worth checking if there is an internet outage in your area. Sometimes, network issues can prevent Netflix from loading properly. You can contact your internet service provider or check their website for any reported outages.

Additionally, router or modem issues, as well as incorrect network settings, can interfere with Netflix’s connectivity. Try the following steps to address these potential problems:

1. Restart your router and modem by unplugging them from the power source, waiting for a few seconds, and plugging them back in. 2. Make sure the network settings on your device are correct. Check if you are properly connected to your Wi-Fi network and that the signal strength is strong.

If all else fails, you can also try resetting your network’s connection entirely. This can help resolve any lingering network issues that may be affecting Netflix. To reset your network connection, follow these steps:

1. Disconnect your router and modem from the power source. 2. Wait for about 5 minutes. 3. Plug them back in and allow them to restart. 4. Reconnect your device to the network and try accessing Netflix again.

If you’re experiencing issues with Netflix not loading on Safari, it is recommended to ensure your browser is updated, adjust privacy settings to allow cookies and site data, change the user agent if needed, and check for any internet outages or network issues. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the problem and enjoy your favorite Netflix content on Safari once again.

How to Troubleshoot Netflix Not Loading on Safari? 1

Why Can’t You Log Into Netflix On Your Macbook?

There could be several reasons why you are unable to log into Netflix on your Macbook. Here are some potential causes and troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue:

1. Clear cache and cookies: – Open Google Chrome on your Macbook. – Click on the three-dot menu at the top-right corner. – From the drop-down menu, select “Settings.” – In the left-hand menu, choose “Privacy and security.” – Select “Cookies and other site data.” – Ensure that the setting for “Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome” is turned off. – Try logging into Netflix again.

2. Disable VPN or proxy: – If you are using a VPN or proxy service, it may interfere with Netflix’s authentication process. – Disable the VPN or proxy temporarily and attempt to log in again.

3. Check internet connectivity: – Ensure that your Macbook is connected to the internet. – Test your internet connection by visiting other websites or using other online services. – If there are any issues with your internet connection, resolve them first before attempting to log into Netflix.

4. Update Chrome and macOS: – Make sure you are using the latest version of Google Chrome. – Check for any available updates for macOS as well. – Outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility issues with certain websites.

5. Disable browser extensions: – Some browser extensions may interfere with Netflix’s login process. – Disable any extensions related to privacy or security temporarily. – Restart Chrome and try logging into Netflix again.

6. Clear DNS cache: – Open the Terminal application on your Macbook. – Type the command “sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder” (without quotes) and press Enter. – Enter your admin password when prompted. – Restart Chrome and try logging into Netflix.

7. Try a different browser: – If the issue persists, try using a different browser like Safari or Firefox to log into Netflix. – This will help determine if the problem is specific to Google Chrome.

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is recommended to reach out to Netflix support for further assistance. They may be able to provide more specific troubleshooting steps based on your account and device configuration.

How Do You Watch Netflix On Safari?

To watch Netflix on Safari, follow these steps:

1. Open Safari and go to the Netflix website. 2. If you don’t see the Develop menu in the menu bar, open Safari Preferences. 3. In the Preferences window, click on the Advanced tab. 4. Check the box that says “Show Develop menu in menu bar”. 5. Close the Preferences window. 6. Now, in the menu bar at the top of the screen, click on Develop. 7. In the Develop menu, select User Agent. 8. From the options that appear, click on “Safari 4.1”. 9. Safari will now reload the Netflix website, simulating an older version of the browser. 10. Once the page loads, you should be able to sign in and start watching Netflix content.

Note: Simulating an older version of Safari may affect the overall browsing experience on other websites. Remember to switch back to the default User Agent when you’re done watching Netflix to ensure optimal performance on other sites.

Why is the Netflix App Not Loading?

There could be several reasons why the Netflix app is not loading on your device. Here are some possible causes and solutions to resolve the issue:

1. Internet connectivity issues: – Check if you have a stable internet connection by opening other websites or apps on your device. – If there is an internet outage in your area, contact your internet service provider (ISP) to check for any known issues. – Restart your router or modem by unplugging it from the power source, waiting for a few seconds, and then plugging it back in. – Verify that your Wi-Fi connection is strong, or try connecting your device directly to the modem using an Ethernet cable to rule out any Wi-Fi-related issues.

2. Netflix server problems: – Sometimes, Netflix may experience temporary server issues, resulting in the app not loading. In such cases, you can visit the Netflix website (www.netflix.com) and check their status page or social media accounts for any reported problems. If there are server issues, you may need to wait until they are resolved.

3. Outdated Netflix app: – Ensure that you are using the latest version of the Netflix app. Go to your device’s app store (e.g., Google Play Store, Apple App Store) and check for any available updates for the Netflix app. Install the updates if needed.

4. Incorrect network settings: – Verify that your device’s date and time settings are accurate. Incorrect date or time settings can cause issues with the Netflix app. – Check if any VPN or proxy settings are enabled on your device. Netflix may not work properly with certain VPN or proxy configurations. Disable them and try accessing Netflix again.

5. Device-related issues: – Restart your device to clear any temporary glitches or background processes that may be affecting the Netflix app. – If the issue persists, uninstall the Netflix app from your device and reinstall it. This can help resolve any app-specific issues or corrupted files.

If none of these solutions work, you may want to contact Netflix support for further assistance. They can provide specific troubleshooting steps based on your device and account details.

Netflix is a popular streaming service that offers a vast range of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content for its subscribers. It provides a convenient and affordable way to access a wide variety of entertainment options, right at your fingertips.

Netflix has revolutionized the way people consume media, allowing users to stream content on-demand from any device with an internet connection. With a user-friendly interface and personalized recommendations, it has become a go-to platform for many individuals seeking entertainment.

One of the key advantages of Netflix is its extensive library of content. From classic movies to the latest TV series, there is something for everyone. The platform also invests heavily in producing its own original content, which has received critical acclaim and garnered a large following.

Furthermore, Netflix offers flexibility in terms of when and where you can watch your favorite shows and movies. Whether it’s on your TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can enjoy your chosen content at your convenience.

Another notable feature is Netflix’s recommendation algorithm, which suggests content based on your viewing history and preferences. This personalization enhances the user experience by helping you discover new shows and movies that align with your interests.

Netflix also provides the option to download content for offline viewing, allowing you to enjoy your favorite shows and movies while on the go or in areas with limited internet access.

Netflix has revolutionized the way we consume media, offering a vast library of content, convenience, and personalization. With its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing plans, it has become a go-to platform for entertainment seekers worldwide.

Related posts:

How to Watch Netflix on a Small Screen in the Corner of Your Mac? 3

Sanjeev Singh

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How To Troubleshoot Netflix Issues On Mac

cant open netflix on safari

In this article, we want to provide you a reference for dealing with some of the most common Netflix issues, including:

  • Netflix is not working.
  • Netflix loads slowly and gets stuck loading or freezes.
  • Black screen.
  • Unable to sign in.

You may also see error messages saying “something went wrong”, “cannot play title” or “pardon the interruption”. This article focuses on fixing Netflix issues that you may encounter in Safari on your Mac.

Netflix Safari Problems

You can watch Netflix on your Mac computer by visiting the Netflix.com website. Simply, from Safari, visit Netflix.com and sign in and start watching.

Please try these troubleshooting steps below in order. After trying each step, test Netflix again to see if you’ve fixed your issue.

Table of contents

  • Private Browsing
  • Internet connection
  • Delete Netflix website data
  • Update Safari
  • Remove IndexedDB files
  • Silverlight
  • Other browsers

Related articles:

  • Netflix Not Playing in Safari: Error Code S7702 – 1003
  • Cannot Play Title. Please Try Again Later, Fix
  • Safari Cannot Open The Page Because Too Many Redirects Occurred
  • Safari Won’t Open On Mac

1. Turn off Private Browsing

You cannot watch Netflix if you are using Safari’s Private Browsing mode to watch your shows or movies. Open Netflix in a window that doesn’t use Private Browsing. This is because Netflix uses cookies to store information needed to stream video.

You can open a Private Browsing window in Safari by going to File > New Private Window. In order to continue watching Netflix, you will need to disable Private Browsing.

If you are not sure if Private Browsing is enabled, just look at the top URL and search bar. You will have a dark URL field with white text.

To exit Private Browsing, you will need to open a Safari window that does not use this mode by choosing File > New Window.

If Safari always opens windows with Private Browsing, go to Safari > Preferences > General, and then select the “Safari opens with” pop-up menu option, then select “A new window.”

2. Netflix connection issues

You may need help with your connection or streaming video or audio quality. You need a wired or Wi-Fi connection to use Netflix on your Mac. If you get error messages like below, this indicates that you have a connection problem.

  • Sorry, we are unable to reach the Netflix service.
  • Cannot Connect to Netflix.
  • Netflix is Not Available.

Make sure that your Mac is connected to the Internet . Here is what you can do to resolve this:

  • Restart your Mac. You can restart your Mac by selecting Restart from the Apple menu.
  • Update your Mac to the latest version of macOS. You can update your Mac by going to System Preferences > Software Update. And if there is an update available, follow the onscreen instructions. You can find more details regarding how you can update under the Update Safari section below.
  • Turn off your router/modem and turn it on. Unplug the power supply, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
  • How To Fix Slow Wi-Fi Problems On Your Macbook
  • macOS Catalina Wi-Fi problems

3. Restart Safari

Restarting Safari may fix your problem. Here is how you can do this:

  • In Safari, select Safari.
  • Click Quit Safari.
  • Now open Safari again and try Netflix again.

Quit Safari

  • How to reset Safari

4. Clear Netflix data

We will delete stored cookies and data to refresh Netflix data. This may help you resolve your problem. Here is how:

  • In Safari, click Safari.
  • Click Preferences.
  • Click Privacy.
  • Click Manage Website Data. And wait until website data loads.
  • In the Search field, enter Netflix.
  • Select Netflix.com
  • And click Remove. And click Done.
  • Then Quit Safari (Safari > Quit Safari) and try again.

Remove Netflix Data

  • How to Clear the Browser Cache in Safari on Mac

5. Update Safari

This process involves updating your Mac. Safari is included with macOS. This means that updating your macOS software will also update Safari. Here is how:

  • macOS Mojave or later: Go to System Preferences > Software Update. And if there is an update available, click the Update button and then follow the onscreen instructions.
  • macOS High Sierra or earlier: On your Mac, open the App Store and click the Updates tab.

6. Remove IndexedDB files

Removing Netflix’s database files may fix your problem. Please note that we will quit Safari before deleting the files, thus you may write down or print the steps below.

  • Quit Safari (Safari > Quit Safari).
  • Go to the Finder.
  • Press and hold the Option (alt) key on your keyboard.
  • While pressing the Option key, select Library from the Go menu.
  • The Library folder will appear. Click it.
  • Open the Safari folder.
  • Open the Databases folder.
  • ___IndexedDB.
  • Find folders named Netflix in this folder, it will be something like “https_www.netflix.com_0”. If there are a lot of folders, you can try the search field. There can be more than one. If you cannot find one, use the search field, as they can be located in a sub-folder.
  • Delete all Netflix folders. Drag them to the Trash.
  • Empty the Trash (Finder > Empty Trash).
  • Try Netflix.

7. Install Silverlight

If your Mac has OS X 10.10 Yosemite or earlier, you may have to install Silverlight on your Mac. This is because your system may not support Netflix’s HTML5 player. You will be asked to install Silverlight when you open Netflix and select a show or movie to play. A Silverlight popup will appear. Click Install Now and then follow the onscreen instructions.

8. Use an alternate browser

So, you have tried everything above, and still, you are unable to watch Netflix in Safari. You may want to consider using the latest version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera.

cant open netflix on safari

Dr. Serhat Kurt worked as a Senior Technology Director specializing in Apple solutions for small and medium-sized educational institutions. He holds a doctoral degree (or doctorate) from the University of Illinois at Urbana / Champaign and a master’s degree from Purdue University. He is a former faculty member. Here is his LinkedIn profile and Google Scholar profile . Email Serhat Kurt .

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Mac Netflix Won’t Play/Load/Open/Connect

Posted on Last updated: September 6, 2021

Categories Electronics , Netflix , Streaming Service

Waiting for Netflix to play or load on a Mac is usually instant, allowing you to enjoy your show at any time. When Netflix won’t play, load, open or even connect, it can be very frustrating and leave you waiting for a video that may never come. In this article, you will find several different troubleshooting tips to fix these issues so that you can enjoy Netflix on your Mac.

Netflix will not load or play on a Mac if temporary website data, such as cookies or __Indexed DB, need to be cleared. You may also need to change Safari’s preferences to ‘Allow Auto-play’ or reinstall Silverlight. Other issues relate to outdated software, poor internet or certain security software.

Imac

I will explain these issues and their fixes in more detail throughout this article so you know exactly how you can play or load Netflix properly. I have also included the Netflix error code unique to Mac computers and how to fix it.

Mac Won’t Play Netflix

Imac netflix

Error Code S7053-1807

The above error code is Mac-specific and occurs when stored data in your web browser needs to be refreshed. This includes Netflix website data and indexed DB files. Remove the Netflix website data following the steps below.

Step 1: From the Safari menu bar, select ‘Safari’. Step 2: Navigate to Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and Website Data > Details or Manage Website Data > Netflix > Remove’. Step 3: Confirm your choice by selecting ‘Remove Now’.

You need to close Safari to then delete the indexed DB files. To close Safari and remove these files, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Quit Safari by pressing the ‘Command’ and then ‘Q’ key. Step 2: Navigate to Finder. Step 3: From the Finder menu bar, select ‘Go’. Step 4: Navigate to ‘Library > Safari > Databases > __IndexedDB’. Step 5: Drag all files in this folder into the trash. Step 6: Empty the trash.

Restart your Mac

You can restart your Mac from the Apple Icon menu. If you would like to hard reset your Mac, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Save all work that has not been saved. Step 2: Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds. Step 3: Release the power button and wait another 2-3 seconds. Step 4: Press and release the power button to restart your Mac.

Change Website Preferences for Netflix

Some Safari settings may be preventing Netflix from playing. These settings can be adjusted following the steps below.

Step 1: Go to the Netflix website in Safari. Step 2: Select ‘Safari’ from the menu bar. Step 3: Select ‘Settings for this Website’. Step 4: Ensure you have unticked ‘Enable Content Blockers’ to disable this feature. Step 5: Ensure ‘Auto-Play’ is set to ‘Allow All Auto-Play’.

Update your Mac OS

Updating your Mac OS will give you the best chance of running software on your Mac that is compatible with Netflix. This will update the Mac OS as well as Safari. To update your OS, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Select the Apple Logo from the menu bar. Step 2: Navigate to ‘System Preferences > Software Update > Update Now’. Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Reinstall Silverlight

The Silverlight plugin helps some websites such as Netflix to run multimedia content. Reinstalling Silverlight is relatively straight-forward once you have uninstalled it from your Mac. The steps below will help you uninstall this plugin.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 3, 2021.

Step 1: Quit all Safari windows by pressing the ‘Command’ and then ‘Q’ keys. Step 2: Navigate to Finder. Step 3: Select ‘Go’ from the menu bar. Step 4: Navigate to ‘Computer > Macintosh HD > Library > Internet Plugins’. Step 5: Drag ‘Silverlight.plugin’ into the trash. Step 6: Empty the trash to finalise uninstalling Silverlight.

To reinstall Silverlight, simply return to Netflix on your web browser and attempt to play a movie or TV show. You will be prompted to install Silverlight. Follow the prompts and this will install the latest version of the plugin.

Clear Cookies and other Website Data

Step 1: Select ‘Safari’ from the menu bar. Step 2: Navigate to ‘Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data’. Step 3: Select ‘Remove All’ and then ‘Remove Now’. Step 4: To close the window, select ‘Done’.

Temporarily Disable Security Software

If you have security software installed on your Mac, this may be blocking Netflix multimedia content. You can test this by temporarily disabling your security software and try Netflix again.

If Netflix is able to play videos again, you may need to update your security software or contact the support team to work around the Netflix website. Make sure you turn the security back on after you have tested Netflix.

Mac Netflix Not Loading/Opening

Couple watching in the laptop

Check your Internet Connection

Netflix will not load on your Mac if your internet connection is poor or not working. You should be able to test whether or not it is working by loading a different web page. If that page loads, your internet may be too poor to load the Netflix website specifically.

You may be able to fix this by simply restarting the modem and router. This can be done following the steps below.

Step 1: Unplug the modem and router (if you have one) from their power source. Step 2: Wait at least one minute. Step 3: Plug the modem back in and wait for it to startup. Step 4: Once the router has fully rebooted, plug the router back in.

If this does not fix the issue, there may be something causing a poor connection in your home. Make sure that your Mac is close enough to your modem or router. They should be within 30 feet of one another, but ideally in the same room.

You should also ensure there are no other devices or obstructions that could weaken the signal. Try to minimise other transmitting devices in the home, such as other networks, radios, microwaves (when in use) and Bluetooth devices. Also aim to have no disruptive materials blocking the signal, such as metal, thick timber or concrete or large bodies of water (such as an aquarium).

To truly test if it is the WiFi signal, connect your Mac directly to the network via an Ethernet cable. This will provide the fastest and most reliable connection. If this connection still does not work, it could be the Netflix servers instead of something on your end.

Check Netflix Servers

Sometimes the Netflix servers may be down for maintenance or experiencing technical issues. You can check this through the Netflix website here , or through other websites, such as Down Detector . Unfortunately, if the Netflix servers are down, you will need to wait for them to fix the issue themselves before it will work again.

Netflix Not Connecting On Mac

Woman watching in the laptop

Netflix will not connect on your Mac for the same reasons mentioned above. This includes the following fixes.

  • Restart the modem and router
  • Move the modem/router and Mac closer
  • Minimise WiFi interference
  • Use an Ethernet cable
  • Check the Netflix servers

Netflix Not Stream To Mac

woman watching netflix in Imac

When Netflix is not streaming, you will need to look into your network more closely. You can try the troubleshooting methods mentioned above, but this is often a result of slow download speeds or using public networks.

Check your Public Network

Some public networks will not allow streaming services. This can include dorms, hotels, shopping centers, etc. If you have connected to one of these networks, you may not be able to stream Netflix on your Mac unless you contact the network administrator.

Check your Internet Speed

One of the main reasons Netflix will not stream is slow internet. Your internet will need to be equal to, or faster than, the recommended speeds for each video quality in Netflix. These recommendations are listed below.

  • Connecting to Netflix: 1.5MB/s (minimum of 0.5MB/s)
  • Streaming Standard Definition: 3MB/s
  • Streaming High Definition: 5MB/s
  • Streaming 4k or Ultra HD: 25MB/s

You can check your network speed through websites such as Speedtest.net . If your internet is slower than the speeds recommended above, your video will not be able to download in time to keep up with the playback, causing the show to frequently pause, or ‘buffer’. If you are watching higher quality videos, you could either try using an ethernet connection instead or reduce the video quality (see below).

Reduce the Video Quality

You can reduce the video quality on Netflix through your account page in your web browser. Follow the steps below to choose a lower quality stream, allowing your video to stream without disruption.

Step 1: From your web browser, go to your Netflix account page. Step 2: Find and select your profile under ‘Profile & Parental Controls’. Step 3: Select ‘Playback Settings’ and then ‘Change’.

Related Articles

Mac Netflix Not Working

ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 3, 2021.

Mac Netflix Sound Not Working

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There can be several reasons why Netflix has stopped working on your iPhone or iPad. The issue may be from your end. It may be a faulty Wi-Fi connection or too many devices exceeding your Netflix plan’s quota. On the other hand, it may also be Netflix’s error. Their server may be down, or the content you are trying to access may not be available to stream yet in your country.

So in this post, we’ve lined up ten solutions to fix the Netflix app not working issue on iPhone or iPad.

  • Check your Internet connection
  • Check Netflix server status
  • Force Close the Netflix app
  • Update the Netflix app
  • Update iPhone or iPad’s date and time
  • Restart your iPhone
  • Make Sure Netflix is not under restricted
  • Reinstall Netflix app
  • Remove devices from Netflix settings
  • Reset All Settings

1. Check your internet connection

  • Open Safari on your device
  • Now visit any website.
  • If it loads quickly, that means your internet connectivity is fine

If not head over to our articles:

  • Tips to Fix Wi-Fi Issues on iPhone and iPad
  • Tips to fix iPhone cellular data not working

2. Check Netflix server status

Visit Is Netflix Down to check whether there is a temporary issue on their end. If there is, you will have to wait. If everything is fine here, move on to the next fixes mentioned below.

3. Force close the Netflix app

On iPhone with Face ID: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold.

On iPhone with Home Button: Quickly double press the Home Button.

Now, drag the app card for Netflix up and dismiss it.

Force Close the Netflix App on iPhone

After fifteen seconds, open the Netflix app again and try using it.

4. Update the Netflix app

  • Touch and hold the App Store icon
  • Tap Updates.

Update Netflix App on iPhone

5. Update iPhone or iPad’s date and time

The best way to ensure that your device always has the correct date and time is to enable set automatically from the Settings.

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
  • Tap on General → Date & Time.

Update iPhone's Date and Time Automatically

6. Restart your iPhone

To restart your iPhone use the buttons as you usually do. You may also open the Settings app, tap on General → Shut Down from the bottom of the list.

Shutdown iPhone

After a minute, switch on your iPhone and iPad.

7. Make sure Netflix is not under restricted

  • Open the Settings app
  • Tap Screen Time.

Tap on Screen Time and Then Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions

  • Now, force close the Netflix app and open it again

8. Reinstall Netflix app

This will delete any shows and movies that you have saved offline.

  • From your iPhone Home screen, press on the Netflix app icon.

Delete Netflix App on iPhone

  • Restart your device
  • Open App Store and search for Netflix

Search Netflix and Tap on Download to Reinstall on iPhone

  • Log in, and hopefully, it should work

9. Remove devices from Netflix settings

Netflix plans have a limitation on the number of screens you can watch on at the same time. For mobile and basic plans, it is one. For standard, it is two, and for premium, it is four. So, if you have reasons to believe that your friends or family members who have your password are streaming on Netflix at the same time as you, and it is exceeding the number of screens permitted, then in such case, you will have to remove their devices from Netflix settings.

  • Open Safari ( or any browser ) on your iPhone or iPad and go to Netflix.com

Sign in Netflix in Safari on iPhone

  • Now, tap on A A and Request Desktop Website .
  • Tap on your account profile picture from the upper right

Tap on Request Desktop Website and Then Tap on Netflix Account

10. Reset All Settings

This is an ultimate end solution that will reset all your iPhone settings . It will remove your Wi-Fi passwords, VPN configurations, home screen layout, keyboard settings, etc. So, it is recommended that you proceed after having a backup of your device .

Tap on Setting General and Reset on iPhone

  • Tap on Reset All Settings.

Reset All Settings on iPhone

After that, you might have to enter your Apple ID and set up your preferred settings once again.

That’s all, folks.

Most of the time, a simple force close app or restart of the device fixes the Netflix not working issue. I hope one of the above solutions worked, and you are back to enjoying your favorite shows and movies.

Some More Interesting Posts For You:

  • How to Mirror Netflix from iPhone to Your Smart TV
  • Steps to Delete a Netflix Profile on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Smart TV
  • App is Not Working or Opening on iPhone and iPad

Have a thought? Put that in the comments section below.

Ankur

I have been an Apple user for over seven years now. At iGeeksBlog, I love creating how-tos and troubleshooting guides that help people do more with their iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch. In my free time, I like to watch stand up comedy videos, tech documentaries, news debates, and political speeches.

🗣️ Our site is supported by our readers like you. When you purchase through our links, we earn a small commission. Read Disclaimer .

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How to Fix Can’t Watch Netflix on Mac [2024]

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How to Fix Netflix Not Streaming/Loading on Mac

How to fix netflix flickering or showing blank/black screen on mac, how to fix netflix no sound on mac, how to fix netflix sound out of sync on mac, bonus tip: watch netflix on mac offline conveniently.

Imagine when you finally get some free time and sit on your comfortable chair, all you want is to watch a popular Netflix TV series you like. So you open your Mac, go to Netflix's official website, and search for your desired TV series. Everything goes smoothly and you are on the playing page within seconds. Suddenly, a notification pops up: Whoops, something went wrong... and then you find that you cannot stream the Netflix videos on your Mac, or Netflix freezes/gets stuck on loading videos, or Netflix shows nothing but a black screen with no sound, or... How annoying it would be!

Since the Netflix app is not compatible with Mac, you have to watch movies and TV series through its website. Usually, Netflix's website runs smoothly on your Mac, but sometimes errors just occur. How to deal with problems once they occur? No worries! This article will give you solutions for fixing the issues when Netflix is not working on your Mac. Just follow our instructions, and enjoy the Netflix movies/TV shows on your Mac.

If Netflix fails to stream a video on your Mac, an error prompt will usually show on your screen, with different Error Codes. For example, Netflix Error S7361-1253 means you need to check whether your macOS version is updated to the required version. You need to update the system to El Capitan 10.11 or later to make sure Netflix is compatible with the macOS version on your computer.

And when you see error codes, you need to remove and refresh your browser data.

Sometimes, you need to restart your browser(the default Safari), or your Mac, to get the problem solved. Or you will need to install another browser, like Chrome, to enable Netflix to play videos on your Mac.

You can go to the Netflix Help Center to search for the corresponding error codes in order to find the solutions. Of course, don't forget to check your Netflix subscription status to ensure your subscription plan allows you to watch the current video content.

Here we will show you some common solutions for the frequently occurring problems when Netflix does not stream/load videos on Mac.

Clear Cookies and Site Data

When Netflix fails to stream videos on Mac, usually, you need to remove netflix.com cookies and site data to refresh your Safari . Follow the simple instructions.

Step 1. Tap to expand the Safari tab from the menu bar, and choose Preferences .

Step 2. Click the Privacy tab, and go to the Cookies and website data page, find the Details or Manage Website Data option.

Step 3. Scroll down to find Netflix , then choose Remove and confirm to Remove Now .

When all the cookies and site data are finished deleted, quit Safari directly , and then reopen it and go to Netflix again. You can now try to stream your desired videos again.

Enable Auto-Play Function on Safari

You need to enable Safari's auto-play function to allow streaming Netflix videos.

Step 1. Open the Netflix website first, and then tap to expand the Safari menu.

Step 2. Choose Preferences , then select the Websites tab, and you can see all general features shown in the left sidebar.

Step 3. Choose the Auto-Play tab and you can see your Currently Open Websites including Netflix. Next to the website address you can choose the Auto-Play options. Change it to Allow All Auto-Play .

Then, go to the Safari tab again and choose Settings for This Website . Another popup menu will show up and you need to untick the Enable Content Blockers to disable this feature.

Disable Security Software

Sometimes your Security Software may stop Netflix from playing video content on your Mac. You can try to check and install all updates for the security software to see if the problem is solved. If not, temporarily disable your security software and try to stream the videos again. If Netflix plays videos successfully afterward, you may need to call the security software support team to have a check.

Don't forget to re-activate the security software once you finish watching the videos.

Check Your Internet Connectivity

When Netflix fails to play videos on Mac, chances are your internet connection is poor or even not working at the moment. First, check if you are using a Public Network . Some public networks, including networks in hotels, schools, shopping centers, parks, etc., will prevent streaming services. If your Mac is connected to a public network like this, unfortunately, you may not able to stream Netflix videos on your computer. Find the network administrator for a solution.

If you have connected to an available and proper network already, open another webpage with Safari to confirm whether the connection is working. If not, try to reset your modem and router. If you still fail to enable the network connection, contact the network support team for help.

Also, if you are downloading other files, or opening a lot of other web pages at the same time, the network may be too slow to stream Netflix. Stop downloading/browsing other pages first, or watch videos after you have other things done.

Check Netflix Servers

Sometimes, everything on your Mac goes well, but the Netflix servers may be down for routine maintenance or unexpected technical issues.

Most of the problems regarding Netflix being not able to stream videos on Mac can be solved through the methods introduced above, but sometimes you may find Netflix loading a video slowly, with the video buffering. Even when it finally begins to play, the video may flicker or flash suddenly. Or, you will encounter a blank/black screen on the playing page. The following solutions may help you to play Netflix videos smoothly.

Check Your Internet Speed

If you have already confirmed that your internet connection is working properly, test your connection speed Here to see if it meets the required internet download speeds for watching Netflix movies/TV series.

Netflix's official Internet connection speed recommendations are as follows:

  • For 720p High Definition(HD) streaming, you need a connection speed of 3 Mbps.
  • For 1080p Full high definition (FHD) streaming, you need a connection speed of 5 Mbps.
  • For 4K/Ultra HD (UHD) streaming, you need a connection speed of 15 Mbps.

Noted that the above speed recommendations are ONLY for playing Netflix videos. If you are viewing other websites simultaneously, or you have more than one device connected to the same network, you will need more speeds to cover them . Otherwise, you will still suffer from video buffering.

Usually, you need at least 25 Mbps download speeds or more to watch Netflix videos on Mac and browse other websites at the same time.

If your network connection cannot meet the recommended download speed, you can change the video quality settings. Switch the video quality to Low or Medium , which uses less data.

Fix Silverlight Plugin Errors

Remember at the beginning of the article, we remind you to check whether the macOS version on your Mac is compatible with Netflix. If your Mac is made after 2011, your browser supports HTML5, which enables Netflix to stream videos without problems. But if you have a Mac produced before 2011, you will need to install a Microsoft Silverlight Plugin to play Netflix.

Check if you have properly installed the latest version of Silverlight for Mac. If not, download it, and just stream a random Netflix video. A popup notification will tell you to install it.

If you already have the latest version of Silverlight installed on your Mac but still experience problems related to it, try to clear both the cache and browser cookies in your browser and reopen it. Log out of your Netflix account manually, and log back in again, to make sure your browser is no longer accessing the outdated cookie file.

If you are using Safari 11 or earlier, check if Safari is blocking Silverlight . In the top left menu bar, pull down the Safari tab, and choose Preferences . Then click on to the Security tab, and open the Manage Website Settings... page. Silverlight will be listed in the left sidebar. Select Silverlight. In the lower-right corner there will be a When visiting other websites option, change it to Allow or Always Allow . Of course, before allowing the plugin to work, make sure you have installed the latest version of Silverlight.

Turn off Automatic Graphics Switching

If the Netflix videos playing on your Mac flicker or flash, the Automatic Graphics Switching setting may be the reason. Follow these steps to disable it:

Step 1. Tap the Apple icon in the upper left of your Mac screen.

Step 2. Go to System Preferences , then find Battery , and choose Power Adaptor .

Step 3. Check if the Automatic Graphics Switching option is off. If not, disable it.

Note. If you fail to find the Automatic Graphics Switching settings on the Adaptor screen, turn off Optimise Video Streaming while on Battery option listed on the Battery screen.

If a Netflix video is streaming but without any sound, you may need to check your sound settings immediately. Sometimes a slight change in the Sound Settings leads to a sound problem when streaming videos on Mac.

Check Your Sound Settings

Click the Apple icon in the upper left on your Mac screen, and go to System Preferences page, find the Sound and Output screen.

  • Check if the Mute mode on your Mac is ON . If so, change it back to the proper mode.
  • Check if you lower your computer volume too much.
  • Check if you choose the right speaker for sound output. You should select the built-in one .

Confirm all the above settings. Go to Netflix website, make sure your Safari is also not under the Mute mode, and try to stream the videos again.

Close Other Tabs and Programs

If you open several web pages at the same time, check if one of them is already playing sounds. If you enable the Auto-Play function, other web pages may have videos or advertisements to play and have prevented your Netflix web player from sound playing. Turn off other web tabs and programs to make sure Netflix can dominate the sound.

Sometimes the sound and picture of a Netflix video are not synchronized. Restart your Safari as well as your Mac to refresh all connections, and then go to Netflix and try again. This may help to reload the sound and picture of the videos. If it still does not fix the problem, try to disable Safari Plugins.

Disable Safari Plugins

Because you can only watch Netflix movies/TV series on its website, it is important that all Safari plugins and apps are compatible with the Netflix website. So, if you find your video sound and picture are out of sync, try to disable the Safari plugins.

Pull down the Safari menu to find Preferences , go to the Security tab, and turn off all plugins.

As mentioned above, there isn't a Netflix app applicable on Mac, so you have to rely on the Netflix official website for video streaming. It is not convenient, especially when you are under a poor internet connection. And you can not download any videos from the official website, which means you cannot watch them without an internet connection.

To better enjoy the popular Netflix movies and TV series, you can use a reliable MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader . It is compatible with your Mac, and it helps you to download Netflix videos conveniently for offline playback. The downloader enables you to keep the videos on your own device, so you can watch your favorite Netflix movies and TV series at any time, anywhere.

Key Features of MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader

  • Downloads Netflix videos to common MP4/MKV formats;
  • Removes DRM from Netflix for offline playback and multiple devices streaming;
  • Supports batch download and up to 5X download speed, while keeping original full HD 1080P quality;
  • Keeps original multi-lingual audio and subtitles, and supports Dolby Atmos 5.1 surround sound.

How to Download Netflix Videos Using MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader

A good and reliable downloader helps you to download Netflix within a few simple steps.

Step 1. Launch MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader, log in to your Netflix account Download and install the downloader, launch it and a Sign In page will pop up. Sign in with your Netflix account .

Log in NVD Mac

Step 2. Search for your desired Netflix movies/TV series The downloader provides a built-in browser for Netflix so it can get access to all video content from Netflix. Search for videos you want to download through the Search Bar in the main interface by name.

cant open netflix on safari

Step 3. Download Netflix videos in a one-click operation The download icon(a downward arrow) is next to each movie, click it and all process is done . If you want to download a TV series, you can choose to download the full series or select the episodes you want to download.

Just wait for the download to be finished and you can find all the downloaded videos in the History tab.

Season NVD Mac

You can easily change the output format to MP4/MKV, and choose the subtitle languages, audio track, etc., on the Settings page. Just click the gear icon in the upper right corner and go to settings.

Output Format NVD Mac

In this article, we offer solutions when you fail to watch Netflix movies/TV series on Mac. Most of them are simple but useful instructions to help you better enjoy watching Netflix videos on Mac without problems. However, if you want to watch Netflix videos on your own devices without the restriction of network connection and software version, we recommend you use a reliable MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader . It removes the DRM protections from Netflix, and downloads the videos to high-quality 1080P MP4/MKV formats for offline playback. Downloaded videos can be saved on your devices, and you can enjoy them without restrictions. Just download the MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader and enjoy your favorite Netflix movies/TV series now!

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Trending tags, netflix website not loading here’s the fix.

Are you trying to figure out why the Netflix website is not loading on your browser? 

One of the biggest advantages of Netflix to its competition is that it’s accessible to almost every platform. From smartphones, smart TVs, and browsers, you can watch your favorite titles on the platform on nearly any device. 

Besides, Netflix is available to many regions worldwide compared to other streaming services accessible only in the US. 

If you’re reading this right now, you are probably trying to access Netflix on your browser, but it is not loading. 

Most of the time, this issue occurs when Netflix’s servers go down or your internet connection is running slow. On the other hand, corrupted files and third-party applications on your device could also be the cause of this problem. 

Whatever the case is, we are here to help you out. 

Today, we will walk you through different troubleshooting methods in fixing the Netflix website if it is not loading. 

Let’s get started!

1. Check Netflix Servers. 

Before making any changes on your device, it is essential to check the status of Netflix’s servers first. This way, you can identify if the problem is on your device or Netflix’s end. 

Visit Netflix’s status page , where they update the platform’s current status and the past issues it encountered. 

Netflix Server Status

If the website is not accessible, you can also use third-party sites like Downdetector , where you can check the latest updates regarding Netflix and its servers. 

2. Turn Off VPN. 

If you are using any VPNs on your device, turn them off before using Netflix. The platform is known to restrict users who use VPNs to access specific titles that are not available in their region. 

Some VPNs can also interfere with your internet connection’s flow and make it difficult for your device to communicate with Netflix’s servers. 

Disable your VPN and try to re-access Netflix’s website again. 

Turn Off VPN

On the other hand, you can also try other VPNs like PureVPN if you don’t want to go online without protection. Unlike other VPNs, it keeps your network connection reliable while protecting your online data. 

3. Clear Browsing Cache and Cookies. 

Browsers take advantage of your temporary data called caches and cookies to enhance their performance when loading websites. However, this data can accumulate over time and get corrupted without any warnings. 

If this happens, your browser may struggle to load websites or cause various errors on the sites that you visit. 

To fix this, clear your browsing data to eliminate any corrupted files. Check out the guide below to delete your browsing data: 

  • First, open your browser and press the CTRL + H keys on your keyboard to access the History tab. 
  • Next, click on the Clear Browsing Data button to take you to the Settings page. 
  • After that, change the Time Range to All Time and ensure that caches and cookies are included in the process. 
  • Finally, click the Clear Data button to start the process. 

Clear Browsing Data

After clearing your browsing data, go back to Netflix and see if you can access the website.  

4. Disable Your Browser Extensions or Try Another Browser. 

If you have any extensions or add-ons installed on your browser, turn them off before accessing the Netflix website. Some browser extensions are not compatible with Netflix and could interfere with how the website works. 

Check out the steps below to disable your browser extensions: 

  • On your browser, click on the Options button next to your Profile and access the Settings tab. 
  • After that, click on Extensions from the side menu to manage your browser extensions. 
  • Finally, disable all your browser extensions and restart your browser. 

Netflix website not loading

Once done, try to access Netflix’s website to check if the problem is solved. 

You can also use other browsers if the Netflix website is still not loading on your default browser. Ideally, try using browsers with a high user count like Chrome , Firefox , and Opera , which are optimized for most websites. 

5. Run Malwarebytes. 

Your computer may be suffering from malware and other virus attacks, which causes other applications to malfunction. If the Netflix website is not loading, perform a full system scan using Malwarebytes to detect any viruses on your computer. 

Malwarebytes automatically flags down suspicious files on your system and removes them for you without the need of lifting a single finger. 

6. Restart Your Device. 

Temporary bugs and glitches that occur on your computer can cause your operating system to encounter errors. If this happens, expect other applications installed on your device to malfunction. 

To fix this, restart your computer to reload your operating system and eliminate any errors in the process. 

For Windows users, see the steps below to restart your computer: 

  • On your keyboard, press the Windows key to access the Start Menu . 
  • After that, click on the Power button to access the options screen. 
  • Finally, click on Restart and follow the on-screen prompts to reboot your computer. 

Netflix website not loading

If you are using a Mac, check out the guide below to restart it: 

  • On your computer, click the Apple logo on the top left corner of your display. 
  • After that, click on Restart . 
  • Finally, select Restart again to reboot your Mac computer. 

Restart macOS

Once done, go back to your browser and try to re-access Netflix’s website. 

7. Check and Reset Your Internet. 

If the Netflix website is not loading, it could indicate that your internet connection is unstable or slow. To verify this, perform a speed test using Fast.com to measure its current upload and download speed. 

Netflix website not loading

Restart your router if your connection is unstable to re-establish the link with your internet service provider’s servers. Unplug your router’s power cable from the outlet for about 10 seconds to turn it off. Once done, plug back in the power chord to restart your network router. 

Netflix website not loading

After that, run another test on your network to confirm if the restart worked. If your internet connection still runs slow, contact your service provider and ask them to fix their service. 

8. Report the Problem to Netflix. 

At this point, we suggest that you ask for help from the experts if the Netflix website is still not loading. 

Go to Netflix’s Help Center and contact their customer support to let them know about the issue with their platform. When reporting a problem, ensure that you give all the essential details and include a screenshot of the problem if possible.

Netflix website not loading

You can also check the articles on Netflix’s Help Center and see if there’s anything to help you.  

This ends our guide in fixing the Netflix website if it is not loading your browser. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below, and we’ll try our best to help you out. 

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂

John Sixto

John is a staff writer at Saint and comes from a SAP ABAP development background. He has a Bachelors in IT and has been writing since 2018, with over 500 posts published. He loves to build PCs and has a deep curiosity in understanding how different components and configurations work. John spends hundreds of hours at a time, researching and testing the software and apps, before he proceeds to write about it. LinkedIn X (Twitter) Website

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How to Fix the “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server” Error (6 Solutions)

When you’re browsing the web, the last thing you want is to run into an error message. If you’re a macOS user, one of the issues you might come across is: “Safari can’t establish a secure connection to the server” error.

While it may seem intimidating at first, this is a relatively common problem with a few simple solutions. All it usually takes is a little bit of troubleshooting before you’re able to effectively (and safely) access the site.

This post will explain what this Safari error message is and some of its common causes. Then we’ll provide you with six easy ways to fix the problem.

Let’s get started!

What’s the “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server” Error?

Some of the best features of Mac devices are their built-in security settings . Apple has created an experience designed to keep you and your device safe, especially while browsing the web.

This is why its native browser, Safari, will sometimes prevent you from accessing a website that it doesn’t deem as secure. When this happens, you’ll likely see an error message that says, “Safari can’t establish a secure connection to the server.”

A screenshot of the “Safari can’t establish a secure connection to the server” error.

The specific wording of the error may vary. For example, as you can see in the image above, you might also come across a notification letting you know that “Safari Can’t Open the Page.”

In a nutshell, this error message means that the browser doesn’t trust the encrypted data on the site. Alternatively, Safari could not access and verify the information successfully. For example, this might happen when a site doesn’t have a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate  properly configured.

Using SSL and Secure Shell Access (SSH)  is critical for websites today. This is especially true when you have a site that handles sensitive customer data, such as a WooCommerce store .

However, if you know the site that you’re accessing is secure, the problem is likely with Safari. Many people experience this error message when accessing popular websites, such as Facebook, YouTube, and Google.

What Causes “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server” Error?

There are many different reasons you might be seeing this error message. As we mentioned, the main explanation is that Safari can’t verify that the website you’re trying to access is secure enough to protect your data.

However, it’s essential to understand  why it deems the site unsecured to know how to resolve it. Sometimes, you may not know what the culprit is until you try troubleshooting it.

With that said, there are a handful of common causes behind the “Safari can’t establish a secure connection” message. For example, the issue may be attributed to a third-party extension or add-on you have installed on your browser. It could be something as simple as having outdated cache data. However, it could be a more complicated problem, such as the Internet Protocol (IP) version you’re using.

How To Fix the “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server” Error (6 Solutions)

Now that we understand more about the issue and its potential causes, it’s time to look at how to fix it. Below are six solutions you can use to resolve the “Safari can’t establish a secure connection” error.

1. Clear Your Browser Data

When you visit websites, Safari will store some of the information in the browser cache and cookies. If this data includes outdated details relating to the site’s SSL or encryption , it can be the reason you see the error message.

Therefore, one of the quickest and simplest methods you can use to resolve this error is to clear your browser cache . To do that in Safari, you can start by opening up the browser.

Next, click on Preferences  > Privacy , then select Remove All Website Data .

Clearing the browser cache in Safari.

After it finishes loading (it may take a minute or two), you can decide which websites to clear the data from. For example, you can select them all or simply the one you’re having trouble accessing.

When done, click on the Done  button at the bottom of the screen.

Next, to clear your entire browsing history, you can navigate to  Safari  > History  > Clear History .

Clearing your entire browsing history in Safari.

When finished, try revisiting the site that was showing the error message. If it’s still there, you can move on to the next solution.

2. Check Your Device’s Date and Time

While it may seem odd, sometimes having the incorrect date and time on your Mac device can cause some issues within Safari. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that yours is set to the correct time zone and date.

To get started, you can click on the Apple icon, then navigate to System Preferences  > Date & Time .

Find the date and time option in preferences

From here, you can verify that you’re using the right date and time.

Verify you are using the right date and time.

Under the  Time Zone tab, you can also enable your device to sync to your current location automatically. When you’re done, you can exit the window and try re-accessing the site.

3. Change Your DNS Settings

If the error is still there, you might want to check out your Domain Name Server (DNS)  settings. In a nutshell, your DNS acts like a phonebook that allows devices and sites to reach each other. Safari uses your DNS settings to connect to websites.

If there are issues with your DNS settings, it might be why you see the “Safari can’t establish a secure connection to the server” message. To see if this is the case (and resolve it), you can try changing your DNS addresses. For example, you could use Google’s Public DNS.

To get started, browse to Apple  >  System Preferences  > Network .

Find the network option in preferences

From this window, select your connection, then click on the Advanced tab, followed by DNS . Next, click on the (+) icon next to IPv4 or IPv6 addresses .

Click on the DNS tab

Then you can enter the new DNS IP addresses. For example, if you want to use Google’s Public DNS, you can enter “8.8.8.8” and “8.8.4.4”.

Enter the new DNS IP addresses.

When you’re finished, click on the OK  button. Recheck the website to see if this process removed the error message.

4. Uninstall or Disable Your Browser Extensions

As we mentioned earlier, an extension or add-on in your browser may be conflicting with Safari’s ability to connect to a site securely. Sometimes, this is common with anti-virus programs and security-related extensions.

Therefore, the next step is to try deactivating all your browser extensions. To do this, you can open Safari, then navigate to Preferences  and click on the Extensions  tab.

Try disabling browser extensions

A list of your extensions will display in the left column. You can click on the checkmark next to the add-on name to disable it.

Once you’re done, try revisiting the site. If this solves the problem, you’ll need to pinpoint which extension was to blame. You can do this by systematically enabling each add-on and visiting the site after each time.

5. Disable IPv6

Internet Protocol (IP) is a set of rules that controls how data moves across the internet. IPv6 is a newer protocol version. However, some websites still use the older version, IPv4. If this is the case, it might be why you’re running into the “Safari can’t establish a secure connection” message.

Therefore, you can try disabling IPv6 on your network. To do so, navigate to System Preferences > Network once again, then click on your network connection, followed by the Advanced  button.

Under the TC P/IP tab, click on the dropdown menu under  Configure IPv6  and select Manually .

Configure IPv6 and select Manually

When you’re done, click on the OK button. This should resolve the issue if IPv6 were the problem. If not, there’s one last solution you can try.

6. Make Sure Keychain Trusts the Certificate

Earlier, we mentioned how Safari could sometimes present the connection error message if it cannot verify the validity of the site’s SSL certificate. If this is the case, you can bypass the issue by configuring settings in your macOS’s Keychain Access app.

Keychain Access is the application that stores your passwords , account details, and application certificates. It keeps your data secure and can control which sites are trusted by your device. As such, you can tell it to accept a site’s SSL certificate moving forward.

To do this, you can go to the website showing the error message, then click on the lock icon to the left of the address bar, followed by View/Show Certificate  > Details .

Check if Keychain trusts the certificate in preferences

With the Details panel expanded, click Control + Space Bar . A Spotlight Search bar will appear in the top right-hand corner of your screen. Enter “Keychain” in the search field.

Next, on the left, click on System Roots . Search for the website’s certificate. Once you locate it, go to the Trust section. Then click on the dropdown menu next to When using this certificate section  and select Always trust :

Select the Always Trust option under certificates

That’s it! You should now be able to access the site successfully.

Trying to access a website only to be met with an error message can be highly frustrating. While Safari is simply trying to keep your data protected, sometimes it can get misconfigured. In this case, the browser may unnecessarily present a security notification such as “Safari can’t establish a secure connection.”

There are six methods you can use to fix this issue when it happens:

  • Clear your browser data, including the cache and cookies.
  • Check your device’s data and time.
  • Change your DNS settings.
  • Uninstall or disable your browser extensions and add-ons.
  • Disable IPv6.
  • Make sure Keychain trusts the SSL certificate.

Do you have any questions about fixing the Safari secure connection issue? Let us know in the comments section below!

cant open netflix on safari

Content & Marketing Editor at Kinsta, WordPress Web Developer, and Content Writer. Outside of all things WordPress, I enjoy the beach, golf, and movies. I also have tall people problems ;).

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Gravatar for this comment's author

Tried as much of this as possible, and Safari still doesn’t work. Couldn’t try some things, because I’m running it on a PC, and not on a Mac.

However, I am able to access all sites with FireFox, so teh problem does seem to be with Safari. Too bad.

Gravatar for this comment's author

Thank you so much!!! My date was wrong and it fixed the issue thank u ❤️👍

Gravatar for this comment's author

I tried all six of the fixes you offered. All seemed to work – except I did not fully grasp the extensions one. Also cannot get to the lock on the website I’m trying to open (gov.uk) because that website won’t open so no lock is shown.

Gravatar for this comment's author

Fixing date and time worked for me

Gravatar for this comment's author

Great information. I went through every step and got to the SSl certificate section. There is no certificate for the site I’m attempting to visit. Safari will not allow me to visit many sites. So it isn’t just the one site.

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Ways to confirm 4K Netflix video playback on macos safari browser

I was finding ways to confirm that Netflix videos are streaming at 4K frame rate because it seems they somenhow don't show the "Ultra HD 4K" icon when displaying on monitors even though 4K playback is supported.

I used to be able to open a menu by ctrl + cmd + shift + d during playback, where I can check that the bitrate is 3840x2160, hence confirming that it is playing back with 4K resolution.

However I found that the command is no longer working. The menu does not show up anymore even when entered during playback.

Any idea on how to reenable the menu, or are there any ways to confirm that Netflix videos are playing back with 4K resolution on Safari browser?

  • 4k-resolution

DarkDiamond's user avatar

2 Answers 2

I finally realise the command was incorrect, it should be ctrl + cmd + shift + d , which will show the Netflix menu. Thanks.

  • 2 I think you mean Ctrl+Cmd+Opt+Shift+D –  Elliott B Dec 16, 2021 at 17:03

Control + Option + Shift + D

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cant open netflix on safari

IMAGES

  1. Why Won't Safari Open Netflix

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  2. Safari에서 Netflix 깜박임을 수정하는 5 가지 방법

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  3. Safari can't open netflix : r/mac

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  4. Why Can't I Watch Netflix on Safari

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  5. Fix “Safari Can’t Open Page” Error on iPhone, iPad and Mac

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  6. Fix “Safari Can’t Open Page NSPOSIXErrorDomain:28” Error on Mac

    cant open netflix on safari

COMMENTS

  1. Safari can't open Netflix

    We understand Netflix isn't playing videos in Safari on your Mac. We'd be happy to help! For any issues you may be experiencing with Safari on your Mac, we'd recommend following the guidance provided here: If Safari on Mac doesn't open a webpage or isn't working as expected. If the issue continues, we'd recommend reaching out to Netflix directly.

  2. How To Fix Netflix Not Working On Your Mac (inc. Safari and ...

    To fix this, all you have to do is close down all other apps (including your browser) and unplug the external monitor to make your Mac switch to the default Integrated graphics card. Restart your browser and open Netflix and start watching a movie or show. You can then re-attach the external monitor and it will work.

  3. How to Troubleshoot Netflix Not Loading on Safari?

    How Do You Watch Netflix On Safari? To watch Netflix on Safari, follow these steps: 1. Open Safari and go to the Netflix website. 2. If you don't see the Develop menu in the menu bar, open ...

  4. How To Troubleshoot Netflix Issues On Mac • macReports

    Here is how: macOS Mojave or later: Go to System Preferences > Software Update. And if there is an update available, click the Update button and then follow the onscreen instructions. macOS High Sierra or earlier: On your Mac, open the App Store and click the Updates tab. 6. Remove IndexedDB files.

  5. Mac Netflix Won't Play/Load/Open/Connect

    These settings can be adjusted following the steps below. Step 1: Go to the Netflix website in Safari. Step 2: Select 'Safari' from the menu bar. Step 3: Select 'Settings for this Website'. Step 4: Ensure you have unticked 'Enable Content Blockers' to disable this feature. Step 5: Ensure 'Auto-Play' is set to 'Allow All Auto ...

  6. 10 Ways to fix Net­flix app not work­ing on iPhone or iPad

    On iPhone with Home Button: Quickly double press the Home Button. Now, drag the app card for Netflix up and dismiss it. After fifteen seconds, open the Netflix app again and try using it. 4. Update the Netflix app. Touch and hold the App Store icon. Tap Updates. Tap Update next to Netflix. 5.

  7. How to Fix Can't Watch Netflix on Mac [2024]

    Step 1. Open the Netflix website first, and then tap to expand the Safari menu. Step 2. Choose Preferences, then select the Websites tab, and you can see all general features shown in the left sidebar. Step 3. Choose the Auto-Play tab and you can see your Currently Open Websites including Netflix.

  8. Can't open Netflix on safari : r/mac

    To fix it close and reopen safari and then clear your history. Clear all of it if you're able to do so. That will usually do the trick. I tried it didn't work. Okay, try to clear your cache like these instructions say . Sadly these steps also didn't work 😕.

  9. 8 Ways to Fix Netflix Website Not Loading On Browsers

    On your browser, click on the Options button next to your Profile and access the Settings tab. After that, click on Extensions from the side menu to manage your browser extensions. Finally, disable all your browser extensions and restart your browser. Once done, try to access Netflix's website to check if the problem is solved.

  10. How to Fix "Safari Can't Establish a Secure Connection" Error

    To do so, navigate to System Preferences > Network once again, then click on your network connection, followed by the Advanced button. Under the TCP/IP tab, click on the dropdown menu under Configure IPv6 and select Manually. Configure IPv6 and select Manually. When you're done, click on the OK button.

  11. Ways to confirm 4K Netflix video playback on macos safari browser

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