Netflix comes pre-installed on many TVs, but don’t worry if you can’t find it on yours. It’s very easy to get Netflix on your TV, and it’ll only take you a couple of minutes to download and install the app.
Here’s how you can get Netflix on your smart TV. You’ll be binge-watching in no time.
Can I Download Netflix to My TV?
All four of the major smart TV operating systems (Tizen, WebOS, Android TV, and Roku TV) are compatible with Netflix. In fact, most modern smart TVs already come with Netflix pre-installed.
Newer models of Fire TV, LG, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Vizio, Hisense, Panasonic, Roku TV, Sanyo, and Sony TVs all come with the Netflix app ready to go. You just have to sign in to your account to start watching.
Netflix even recommends specific TVs that already include the app, based on criteria like ease of access and if the TV automatically updates in the background.
Chances are, you’ll be able to download the app on your TV without any problems. Doing so will only take you a few minutes and doesn’t require any advanced technical knowledge.
How to Get Netflix on Your TV
There is more than one method to watch Netflix on your TV, but downloading the official app is certainly the best if you have a smart TV.
To do this:
- Connect your TV to the internet.
- Go to your TV’s app store.
- Search for the Netflix app and download it.
- Open the app (it might appear on the home screen or a slide-out app panel, depending on your TV) and proceed through the setup process. You can either register or sign in to an existing Netflix account.
- Netflix will send you an activation code, so make note of this.
- Go to netflix.com/activate, ideally on a computer or mobile browser.
- Enter the code from Netflix and press Activate.
The Netflix app on the TV should automatically refresh to log into your account.
From here, it’ll display your Netflix dashboard. Now you’re ready to enjoy the best shows Netflix has to offer.
Troubleshoot the Netflix App on Your TV
If you’re having trouble installing Netflix on your TV, don’t worry. There are some troubleshooting steps to take.
First, make sure that your TV is connected to the internet and that there aren’t any network issues. See if you can connect to your Wi-Fi from your phone or another device to diagnose the problem. If the problem persists, contact your internet service provider.
Once you’re sure that the internet connection isn’t the problem, try turning off or unplugging your TV. Some TVs have a sleep mode that isn’t the same as turning it off, so make sure your TV actually shuts down completely—on some devices, you can do this by holding the power button on your remote for five seconds.
If that doesn’t fix the problem, see if your TV has any new updates you haven’t installed yet. It could be that you’re running an old system version and once you update it the Netflix app will start working.
Your last step is to head into your TV settings and see if you can find any information on why this could be happening. Does your TV have enough storage to hold a new app? Do you need to adjust an internet setting?
If you still have no luck, head to the Netflix Help Center and search for “how to use Netflix on”, followed by your TV’s manufacturer. This will give you specific instructions for your TV.
There’s Always Something New on Netflix
If you’re lucky, your TV will already come with Netflix. If not, the steps above will sort you out, and you’ll be ready to enjoy everything that Netflix has to offer.
The Netflix catalog is always expanding, so be sure to browse your way through your new TV app to discover all the great movies and TV shows.