How to Fix Netflix Connection Problems

netflix-logoI have 3 Panasonic DMP-BDT 220 Blu-ray players and all of them stopped connecting to Netflix at the same time. Although Panasonic seems to be particularity bad, all set top boxes and TVs seem to have occasionally have Netflix connection issues.  Here’s my list of the most common methods of solving those issues.

Option 1 – Hidden Menu within the Netflix App to Deactivate your Device: this should work for any device as Netflix requires every manufacturer to include it. Please note that this does not deactivate your Netflix account itself, just your device, requiring you to log on again.

  1. Open the Netflix app on the device
  2. Once the app is open, even if it is displaying an error message, hit the following buttons on the remote:  up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, up, up, up, up, up.
  3. A system information screen will be displayed. You can deactivate the device in this screen.
  4. Exit the app and and then restart it. You should be prompted to logon to Netflix. (Note: On some devices, you may need to hold down the OK button on the remote to get the virtual keyboard to appear on screen.)

Option 2 – Deactivate All Netflix Devices:  This should should also work for any device; the only draw-back is that it deactivates Netflix on every device you own and you have to re-logon again on each one.  If the first option doesn’t work, try this one. Please note that this does not deactivate your Netflix account itself, just your devices, requiring you to log on when you next use them.

  1. Logon to your Netflix account through your web browser.
  2. Select “Your Account” in the upper Right corner
  3. Under the Settings section, select “Manage devices and computers”
  4. Select the “Deactivate” option
  5. Now open the Netflix app on your Blu-ray player
  6. You will get an error message that the device has been deactivated and that you’ll need to log on again.
  7. You may then get the same connection error message (I did on my Panasonic Blu-ray player.)
  8. Exit the Netflix app and start it again.
  9. You should now be prompted to logon to your Netflix account.
  10. Please note that you’ll have to log on to Netflix again on all of your devices, not just your problem device.

Option 3a – Factory Reset of the Panasonic Blu-ray Player: There are 2 different reset procedures for Panasonic Blu-ray players. The basic reset that is done through the setup menu on erases some settings; it does not clear the Netflix settings. To resolve the Netflix logon problem, you’ll need to do a full factory reset though a hidden service menu that is only displayed on the front panel of the player. Here’s the process:

  1. Note: this works on Panasonic DMP-BDT 220, DMP-BDT 320, and DMP-BDT 500 Blu-ray players. The procedure may be the same for other Panasonic models as well.
  2. Power off the player
  3. On the remote control, press and hold the following buttons at the same time for 5 seconds:  [OK]  [B ] [Y]
  4. “00 RET” will be displayed on the front panel
  5. Press the [Right] arrow button several times (should be 2 times) until “08 FIN” is displayed on the front panel
  6. Press and hold the “OK” button for 3 seconds.
  7. Wait about 10 seconds, then Power On the Blu-ray player
  8. You will now go though guided setup, and you’ll be asked for your Netflix username and password when you start that app.  Please note that you will need to logon to all apps that you use on your Blu-ray player again, including your VIERA Connect password.

Option 3b – Factory Reset of Roku. Thanks to @geekiestwoman for this Roku info. You can read the full post here.

  1. On your Roku remote, you’ll need to access the Secret Screen. To do that press the buttons, in the sequence and number of times as listed here:
    1. Home button (press 5 times)
    2. Fast Forward (press 3 times)
    3. Rewind (press 2 times)
  2. The Secret Screen will open with two columns visible.
    1. The left column is system information related to your Roku device.
    2. The right column contains clickable links for various tasks (including “Factory Reset” just fyi).
    3. If there is an IP address showing on the left side of the screen, then on the right side of the screen click on the link labelled “Update Software”.
    4. Wait patiently while the system first checks for a software update, and then, if it finds an update, applies it to the system.
    5. At the end of the update process, you will be returned to your normal Roku screen.
  3. If the above steps did not improve the issue you have with your Roku service, try resetting the Roku unit to its factory settings by repeating step one above and then clicking on the “Secret Screen” link labelled “Factory Reset”.
  4. Alternately, you can do a “Factory Reset” by finding the reset hole on the Roku remote (on my remote it is on the front side of the device) and then pressing the end of a paperclip into the hole and holding it for 20 seconds which will cause the Reset process to start.

Option 4: Manually specify DNS servers in the network settings screen. Many Internet Service Providers are now throttling Netflix due to a court ruling that overturned the FCC net neutrality regulation prohibiting throttling. This causes problems because the ISP DNS server directs all Netflix requests through a proxy server, and some hardware devices (especially Panasonic devices) have buggy firmware than can’t handle this type of network redirect. The only solution is to manually specify a different DNS server (such as Google’s) that doesn’t redirect through a proxy (instead of the DNS server auto-assigned by the ISP.) Here are instructions specifically for the buggy Panasoinc Blu-ray players, but you can make the same change on just about any other device by finding the correct settings menu screen.

  • Press the Power button the remote to turn the device on
  • Select the Setup menu option
  • Go to the Player Settings menu
  • Go to the Network Settings menu
  • Go to IP Address/DNS Settings
  • Go to Auto DNS Configuration and turn if from On (automatic) to Off (manual)
  • Go to Primary DNS and enter 008.008.008.008 (or 8.8.8.8; you may have to first delete the existing values by pressing the Cancel or * button on the remote control)
  • Go to Secondary DNS and enter 008.008.004.004 (or 8.8.4.4; you may have to first delete the existing values by pressing the Cancel or * button on the remote control)
  • Save / Store the changes and exit the menus
  • Unplug the device and plug it back in just to make sure it’s using the new settings
  • Hopefully you will now be able to connect to Netflix

Note that another way to accomplish Option 4 is to instead make a the change in your router DNS settings and specify a manual DNS IP address instead of the one automatically assigned by your Internet Service Provider. This will cause every device on your home network to use the new DNS without having to make any changes to them. You will need to figure out how to log in to your router’s settings webpage and then manually specify the DNS server IP address, similar to what is described above.

Wrap-Up

One of these options should solve your account access problem.  Obviously, this problem is quite a pain for the user because none of these solutions are obvious.

Be careful when choosing a streaming device for Netflix. I purchased my Panasonic Blu-ray player because it could access all of the online content I wanted and it also plays DVDs and Blu-rays. I thought to myself, “why would I buy a Roku / AppleTV / ChromeCast?” Well, now I know. The apps / menu system on the Panasonic Blu-ray player is horrible and the software updates are problematic.  It’s pretty good for playing Blu-rays, but there are much better devices for connecting to online video streaming services.

If you still have problems, you may also want to try the suggestion on this page.

2017-03-31

291 Comments

      1. Problem resolving sudden Netflix login error for my dad in another state. Netflix customer service no help. Found your up up down down… tip (sequence is reminiscent of video game cheats for old Nintendo video games!). Worked great. Thanks so much for sharing.

      2. Carlton can you help me please. This is what my screen shows when I wait for Netflix to open.
        “Couldn’t connect to Netflix please try again or restart or restart your home network and streaming device. For more information visit netflixcom/help. Code ui-113

  2. We purchased a new DVD player for less than $100. It is set up to accommodate Netflix. Our previous player/recorder was $250; but, it was 5 years old and didn’t work well with NFLX.

  3. Carlton, you ROCK! My husband spent an hour trying to figure out how to change our Netflix account. I (being the woman and not afraid to ask for directions), Googled it and got your instructions….which worked perfectly! Up, Up, down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Up, Up, Up, Up, Up…….WHO WOULD HAVE GUESSED? Thank you!

  4. Wow, Thanks Carlton! Just like “Carlton the Doorman” on the old Rhoda TV Show – always has the answer. I have the DMP-BDT-210 series and I lost connection with Netflix only, then I did some troubleshooting and tried everything I could think of trying to resolve the connectivity problem. I tried resetting to factory defaults with the remote/menu, but … I finally decided to search the internet after I pondered the significance of the error UI-200. Your site was an option and it sounded like the best for my problem in the “Google summary description”. How did you figure out the sequence of the buttons to call the deactivation screen. Awesome! I have my connection back, so I hope it lasts for a while. I wondered if I lost the connection because my 1-month free trial had just ended – then we lost connection.

  6. Netflix was shutting off my Panasonic Viera tv every time I tried to watch something. I followed instructions to activate and re activate. It works great now!
    Thank you

  7. You are a lifesaver! Crazy that they make it so technical. Seems like it could easily be programmed to be more user friendly. THANKS!

  8. Yay!!! Finally we can watch netflix again on the tv.
    Thank you!!

  9. I watch a tv series on my Apple TV box but when I log in to Netflix on laptop that tv series isn’t in the menu

  10. OMG Thank you sooooo much !!! You were the ONLY person who had the solution to the problem !! Changing the settings for the DNS on the router did the trick!!!

  11. Do I have to download the free netfix on my devices after I have established an account with netflix to be able to said devices

  12. I have 2 Roku1’s. Both on TVs on same internet ups. One roku can play all AND Netflix. The other plays all EXCEPT Netfix. Haven’t found a good answer to resolve this issue. 11/12/15

  14. In researching numerous sites including this one for fixes to problems with ‘smart’ TVs one thing strikes me is that if they are so smart why are consumers now having to invest in devices such as Chromecast or Roku. Seems technology in the test labs doesnt convert well into the living room!!!

  16. Anyone having problems with Panasonic bleary stopping before the movie ends ?

  17. When I go to settings in Netflix there is no option to deactivate all devices. I can sign out of all devices, but this hasn’t fixed it. Trying to use it on my Samsung Smart TV. Thanks in advance!

  18. I have a roku 3 that suddenly in the middle of watching stopped connecting to netflix. I have tried resetting, factory reset, resetting my router, updating software, unplugging, changing my wireless channel, etc. I can connect on an old roku and on laptops. It is just this one roku. I called netflix they said it was my interenet speed.I was watching when it happened…that doesnt make sense. Also I can connect the other roku and laptops. When I login I get error message nw -4-8 which is a connection error. When I look at the device stats, I see Netflix server 1 is connected. Internet access is good…but Netflix server 2 and 3 have red x by them. I dont know what that means. Any suggestions?

  19. Fricking brilliant. Been trying everything with no success until I found you!!!

  20. oohhhh you are great!!! the first option was gold

  21. I have got ultra 4K Panasonic TX-48CX400B with Netflix app on it,I can log into Netflix but can’t watch anything,it keep showing ,we are having trouble playing this title at the moment,please try again later,but I can watch same movie with my iPad,please help.

    1. Author

      My guess is that either there is a flaw in the Panasonic Netflix app, or there is a problem with the network connection between your TV and your wireless router. If possible, try running a temporary Ethernet cable between your TV and your Router, and see that fixes the problem. If it does, you know the Wi-Fi connection in your house is the issue.

      1. Agreed, but it’s the wireless connection on the Panny Blu Ray that’s the issue, not necessarily the whole house. Typically other things in the home can connect wirelessly but not the Panny BDP. My fix for Netflix is usually to prescribe the ethernet cable you mentioned. More often than not it’s not unreasonably far from the router or hub. People (still) assume that wireless just works so it must be better(!)

        1. That should say ‘Panny Blu Ray *or* HDTV’

          cheers

      2. I have got ultra 4K Panasonic TX-48CX400B and a remote with no home screen button. Is there anyway to get to the home screen so I can download other apps such as 4OD?

        Thanks

  22. I have a Panasonic plasma hd tv model tcp500560 and tried the up up…..but it just took me to the loading screen and seemed to have froze there? What to do?

    1. Yeah, it’s not working on my plasma tv either. So, I tried the step where you login to deactivate all accounts…but, this page on the Netflix site just failed over and over again. So…I tried Netflix support…who was unavailable.

      For a company this valuable, you’d think Netflix could get their act together. They’re basically the anti-Amazon in regards to customer experience. I’m officially placing my bet on Amazon winning this battle for streaming supremacy. What a joke.

  23. The up, up, up thing didn’t work, but the DNS trick did it. Thank you!!!!

  25. hi, would this work on a UK version, I’m having the same issues but netflix uk ar no help and I’m at last resort! any advise greatly appreciated.

  26. My Panasonic and Samsung TVs stopped working on the same day. I have tried everything to get connected again. Samsung and Panasonic are Bon help, my ISP says ther is no problem with my broadband, Netflix say it is a problem with my ISP. Can anyone help? It all worked fine for months without issue stopped working mid January. I live in the UK.

  27. I found that, once I have a connection, I need to exit Netflix using the Settings menu. If I try any other exit, I won’t be able to connect the next time.

  29. I chatted with Samsung and Netflix support and went thru all kinds of gyrations to fix Netflix not working. After finally finding your article, I changed the DNS to 8.8.8.8 and it worked instantly. Surprising that a common problem (ISPs throttling) wouldn’t be first on a list of things to check (I know they’re going by their script) by support. Thanks for the solution!!!

  30. This is one of the greatest do-it-yourself fix-it posts ever. I have been trying to fix my blu-ray Netflix account for weeks. Thanks!

  31. You are a genius Carlton. You have done the world a great service by posting these instructions.

  32. I got halfway through the 1st suggestion of up up down down etc on the remote for the tv and it allowed me to sign in . Netflix was previously frozen on the home screen. Thank you soooooo much

  33. Option 4 was a lifesaver for my Panasonic plasma Smart TV. Not only did it resolve its inability to connect, but now I FINALLY pull down 1080p resolution from Netflix. Thank you VERY MUCH!

  34. Tried to connect to Netflix this morning and it said to rest clock.so I reset clock on my Panasonic tv and now it shows a code 404. Help please

  35. Thank you! Our Panasonic Vierra TV is about five years old, and recently Netflix will take ages to load, and then tell me there is a problem. I deactivated, and re-activated, and it worked. Thank you SO much!c

  36. I have a Panasonic model DMP-BD85 I finally got it reset thanks to your directions. Do you know how I can get Netflix to let me choose which profile to log into? Right now it just defaults to one of the managed profiles.

    1. Author

      Panasonic will need to release an update to enable Netflix profiles. If there is no firmware/app update available, it’s very unlikely that a new one would be released for older hardware. A Roku would be you next best option if you need profiles.

  37. I seriously thought this was a joke using old Nintendo codes..
    It actually worked

  38. I have an US made panasonic blu ray player ithat I am trying to setup n a different country and none of these instructiosn solved the problem. I have empirical proof that what makes the difference is whether I am connected to the local internet network or to the US internet network. Any clue how to overcome that? thanks

    1. Author

      I think what you are trying to do is bypass the geo-location block that Netflix places on countries where they do not have approval to play content. Nothing in this article will help that. You need to do a search on geolocation blocks and do a lot of VPN research.

  39. Hi. We have Panasonic netflix box DMR PWT560 Gn. worked ok for 1 month but now keeps saying its doing a selfcheck wait for it to turn off then it shuts down then says selfcheck complete wait for power to turn off then turn on again. So frustrating. Anyone else have this problem? thanks. Lynn

  40. Michigan here! Just wanted to thank you for posting this 🙂 Step #1 fixed the Netflix error on my Samsung TV on the first try…. didn’t even have to sign in again. THANK YOU!! Nettie

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