When you sit down to watch a movie and find that Netflix keeps pausing, it can ruin your evening.
We have made a guide that can assist you by providing some simple tips that will reduce the chance of encountering pausing on Netflix.
Why does Netflix keep pausing?
The cause of Netflix pausing is likely caused by inefficient internet bandwidth optimization.
When your internet bandwidth is not optimized, pausing will often occur when playing content.
There are several ways that you can increase your ability to reduce pausing when viewing the Netflix app.
Here are some tips on how to make stop Netflix from pausing:
- Check the Server Status of Netflix
- Restart the Netflix app
- Sign out of the Netflix app
- Soft Reset your Streaming Device
- Reboot your Router
- Update Netflix and your streaming device
- Disconnect other devices in your home from the internet
- Reduce Video Playback Quality
- Close any other apps
- Use a Wired Internet Connection
- Upgrade your Internet Service
- Disable VPNs or Ad blockers
- Upgrade your Router
- Contact Netflix app Support
How to stop the Netflix app from pausing
Method 1: Make sure Netflix servers are online
When Netflix keeps kicking you out or pausing, the vast majority of the issues will usually be with your network or playback device.
Before you go into the other fixes that are listed below, it is worthwhile checking that there are no issues or outages with the Netflix platform.
Method 2: Restart the Netflix app
It is a good idea to restart the Netflix app if you are experiencing pausing issues.
By restarting the Netflix app, you give any updates the opportunity to be correctly installed and establish a new internet connection with the Netflix servers.
Method 3: Sign out of the Netflix app
Another potential quick fix to the Netflix pausing problem is to sign out of your account.
By signing out of your Netflix account before you return and log in, you may resolve any account-related issues that are causing the pausing problems to occur.
Method 4: Restart your Streaming Device
To access the Netflix app, you will be using a streaming device to access the app.
The most common streaming devices for the Netflix app are:
- Smart TVs
- Content Devices such as Netflix, Firestick, or Roku
- Games Consoles such as PlayStation and XBOX
- A PC or MacBook Laptop
The first step in trying to eliminate the Netflix app pausing issues is to perform a power cycle on these systems.
To perform a power cycle of the devices, simply unplug them for 60 seconds before plugging them back in.
This restart allows any updates that have been downloaded in the background to successfully install and start, and it also clears the system cache.
Clearing the system cache and any lingering apps running in RAM can help in reducing the pausing of the Netflix app.
By reducing the number of apps running in the background, you give the Netflix app the best performance.
Method 5: Reset your Router
This step is definitely effective in reducing the pausing on the Netflix app.
How do I reset my router?
The easiest way to reset your router is to simply unplug it from the wall socket for 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
This action will “power-cycle” your router and provide more bandwidth to increase your ability to play content faster on the Netflix app.
Why does resetting your router reduce the Netflix app pausing?
Your router is like a mini-PC that will slow down as more tasks (or connections are added.
In an ever more digital world, it is likely that quite a few devices are connected to your router as you are reading this.
Having all of those devices connected will reduce the bandwidth available to the Netflix app and subsequently throttle your download speed, which in turn can cause Netflix to keep pasuing.
Method 6: Update your Netflix app
If you are playing Netflix using a device such as a Firestick, Roku or smart TV then I would recommend that you update the app.
Method 7: Disconnect other devices in your home from the internet
If you cannot reset your router for any reason, I would disconnect all but the most essential devices from the internet.
Is someone in your home watching Netflix? What about your phone? Is someone downloading games or apps on a game console?
Every device that you can disconnect from your internet connection will help in stopping the Netflix app pausing issues.
Method 8: Close any apps that are running
If you have restarted your streaming device, then this step would have been completed for you, otherwise please continue to close any running apps.
How does having open apps cause the Netflix app to pause?
Imagine your internet connection to your Netflix application like an artery in your body. The more games and apps that are running are like blockages in your arteries, sorry for the weird analogy!
Those blockages impede your ability to play content faster, and that results in pausing when watching the Netflix app.
Method 9: Decrease Video Quality
Check in the Netflix app options when watching content if there is a toggle for video quality.
The higher the quality of the content that you play, the more likely it is that pausing will occur.
Try and decrease the video quality, especially if you have the quality set to 4K.
Method 10: Update your device software/firmware before downloading
Whether you are using a TV, Content Device, or Games console, updating your firmware or software to the latest version can help in preventing issues from arising over time.
Sometimes updates can be missed, or an installation can be interrupted and cause issues with your playback device.
Old firmware or a partial firmware installation could cause the Netflix app to keep pausing.
Ensuring that you have the latest software on your devices also gives you access to new apps and an improved viewing experience.
Method 11: Use wired internet connection rather than Wi-Fi
It is almost always true that when you use an Ethernet (Wired Connection) rather than Wi-Fi, you will get a better download speed.
Wired connections transmit data quicker and with less interference. There are also fewer variables that can hinder the quality of connection.
Wi-Fi connections are slower and generally have a slower response time.
The distance from your playback device, along with the walls, floors, and ceilings, can all deteriorate the quality of your internet connection, causing the Netflix app pausing issues.
I always use a wired connection when it is available, and you should too!
Method 12: Disable any Ad blockers or VPNs
VPNs and Ad blockers can negatively affect the playback performance of the Netflix app.
Your connection to a VPN will always limit the speed at which you can play content.
We understand that using a VPN can be a sensible choice, especially due to privacy concerns.
Unfortunately, by using a VPN, you are creating another dependency that can cause Netflix to pause if there are any problems or limited speed.
Method 13: Upgrade your Internet Connection
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to high download speeds in the areas where they live.
If you do have access to this then you should consider upgrading your internet connection if possible.
It is pretty straightforward that a 100 Mbps connection will have a slower download rate than a 1 GBPS connection.
Method 14: Upgrade your Router
If you have upgraded your internet speed but are still using an older router, you may wish to check what the maximum download speed of your router is.
If you have a 1 Gbps connection but your router only supports speeds of 100mbps then this will cause a bottleneck and could explain why the Netflix app keeps pausing.
Method 15: Contact Netflix Support
If the tips above have not reduced the pausing, then you can contact Netflix app support for further assistance.
Conclusion
If you have followed the guide, then you would have been successful in reducing the pausing of the Netflix app on your content device.
We hope that you enjoy pause-free playback.