As a tech writer and Mac user, I use Netflix on Safari browser to stream my favourite TV shows and movies. Last night, when I was watching the first episode of Berlin, I struggled to watch the series since Netflix was not working properly on Safari. With Netflix being one of the most popular streaming services, any issues getting it to run smoothly can be incredibly frustrating. That’s not new for me.
After dealing with this problem myself on my own Macs over the years, I’ve discovered some tried and true steps that typically get Netflix back up and running on Safari again. Let me walk you through the top fixes I’ve found to be most effective when Netflix won’t load videos or encounters playback errors on an Apple device.
10 Methods To Fix Netflix Not Working On Safari Issue
#1: Restart Safari and Your Mac
One of the simplest solutions that I always try first is to fully restart the Safari browser as well as my Mac. This refreshed all connections and clears any glitches that may be temporarily preventing Netflix from communicating properly with Safari.
Here’s how you can try this quick restart fix:
- Close all Safari windows and tabs.
- Click on the Apple menu in the top left and select “Restart”.
- After your Mac goes through the reboot process, launch Safari again.
- Try loading a Netflix video from either the homepage or by navigating to the Netflix site.
Restarting the browser and computer will refresh the Safari processes and your network connections. Oftentimes this alone will get Netflix working properly again in Safari if there were any temporary issues.
#2: Clear Out the Cache and Cookies
If restarting Safari/Mac doesn’t work, another culprit that could be interfering with Netflix is an overloaded cache or excessive cookies/site data. Clearing these out will wipe the slate clean and remove any problematic cached Netflix files.
Here are the steps to clear the Safari cache and cookies:
- In the Safari menu, click “Preferences”.
- Go to the “Privacy” section.
- Under “Cookies and website data”, click “Manage Website Data”.
- In the search box, type in “Netflix”.
- Select the Netflix entry and click “Remove”.
- Confirm by clicking “Remove Now”.
- Restart Safari and test Netflix again.
This forces Safari to reload fresh Netflix files versus using any corrupted cached versions that may be causing trouble loading videos properly. Make sure to clear cookies and site data for both Netflix and n
#3: Update Safari and Your macOS
Outdated software can sometimes lead to issues with apps and websites not working correctly. Ensuring Safari and your macOS system software are up to date could help fix Netflix problems.
Here is how you can update:
- Click the Apple menu and choose “System Preferences”.
- Click “Software Update”.
- The Mac will check for any available updates for macOS and Apple apps.
- Click “Update Now” or “Upgrade Now” to install the updates.
- Follow the prompts to complete the installations and restart your computer.
Keep in mind that major macOS version upgrades like macOS Ventura may require several minutes to download and install. But updating gives you the latest fixes, security patches, and enhancements that can improve Safari performance.
#4: Check Your Internet Connection
Streaming Netflix requires a consistent and reliable internet connection. Glitchy Wi-Fi, VPN connections, and other network issues can prevent Netflix from loading properly.
If you are on Wi-Fi, try disconnecting and reconnecting to refresh the connection. Swap to a wired ethernet connection if possible for faster speeds. Turn off or disconnect any VPN connections as they can sometimes interfere with video streaming.
Test your internet speeds at Fast.com. For HD quality Netflix, you’ll want a minimum of 5 Mbps but closer to 25 Mbps for best performance. Contact your ISP if you are not achieving those internet speeds.
#5: Disable Content Blockers
Safari has a Content Blockers feature that can block page elements and trackers for privacy. However, this can sometimes interfere with Netflix loading videos.
You can temporarily disable Content Blockers to see if they are the culprit:
- In Safari, click “Preferences” > “Websites”
- Uncheck the “Prevent cross-site tracking” option.
- Launch Netflix and see if videos now load properly.
If disabling Content Blockers fixes Netflix, you can enable it again and whitelist only the domains you need. This allows blocking trackers on other sites without affecting Netflix.
#6: Check for Netflix Error Codes
When Netflix fails to load on a Mac, there will often be an error prompt or code displayed on the screen such as Netflix Error S7111-1331-5059.
Search the error code number for specific troubleshooting tips. For instance, Error S7361-1253 typically means your macOS needs to be updated.
Error NW-2-5 indicates an internet connectivity issue. Error TVQ-PB-101 shows your account is restricted. Identifying the error code gets you closer to the root cause.
#7: Try Netflix in a Private Browsing Window
A quick workaround to test if browser extensions or account settings are impacting Netflix is to try it in a Private Browsing window:
In Safari, click “File” and select “New Private Window”.
- Go to Netflix.com.
- Try loading a show’s video.
- Private Browsing uses a fresh browser session with no extensions, history, or cookies. If Netflix suddenly works properly, it points to something awry with your usual Safari environment.
#8: Check for Problematic Extensions
If you use Safari extensions or add-ons, these could sometimes conflict with Netflix and cause video streaming problems.
Try disabling all extensions and testing Netflix to isolate if one is causing conflict. To manage extensions:
- Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
- Disable or remove any unnecessary extensions.
- Restart Safari and access Netflix.
If the issue only occurs with extensions enabled, enable them one-by-one to identify the problematic addon. Completely removing it may be required if disabling doesn’t work.
#9: Contact Netflix Support
If you’ve tried all of the above steps thoroughly and Netflix still refuses to load videos on your Mac’s Safari browser, reach out directly to the Netflix support team.
Explain precisely the symptoms you are seeing and what troubleshooting you’ve already attempted. The Netflix help staff may be able to reveal any known Safari issues or have specialized troubleshooting tips based on your situation.
Some steps Netflix support may have you try include changing DNS servers, altering browser security settings, or logging out and back into all Netflix devices. Provide as many details as possible to help them resolve hard-to-diagnose problems.
#10: Try an Alternative Browser
In rare cases, you may have exhausted all other troubleshooting but Netflix still fails on Safari. The nuclear option is switching to an alternate web browser for streaming Netflix.
Chrome and Firefox are two popular alternatives fully compatible with Netflix on Mac. Importing your Safari bookmarks makes the switch easier:
- Install Chrome or Firefox on your Mac.
- Click “Safari” in the menu bar and select “Import From” > “Safari”.
- Select the data like Bookmarks to import and click “Import”.
- Once setup, navigate to Netflix in the new browser.
Having a secondary browser just for Netflix is an easy workaround for any isolated issues with the Safari browser. Bookmark Netflix so it’s easy to access in your alternate browser.
Wrapping Up
I hope this post gives you a thorough walkthrough on how to get rid of Netflix not working properly on Apple’s Safari browser. From refreshing connections to updating software, clearing cache, checking errors, and trying private browsing, one of these 10 tips should successfully get Netflix back up and running smoothly on your Mac again. If you have found any other working way to fix the same, don’t hesitate to share your feedback in the comment box.