Netflix issue on Sony TV...

StevieP · 23 Jan 2019 at 11:48

I've got a Sony KD55XE9005 and recently I've started having issues with the built in Netflix app.

There is a dedicated Netflix button on the remote but when you press it for the first time after turning the TV on, the app launches but then hangs on the "N" symbol with a spinning icon beneath it!?!? (same happens if you go into the home menu and select it from there too!)

From there I have to go into settings>apps and scroll down to Netflix and click force stop and then open for it to boot up correctly!

Now it's not exactly difficult but it's still a pain in the backside to have to do it every single time after the TV has been off for a while!

Anyone got any ideas on how to fix this? (Connected to the internet by Ethernet by the way so it shouldn't be a network issue!)

Brok · 23 Jan 2019 at 16:14

Whenever we have a problem with Netflix app on our Sony TV the option ‘refresh internet content’ on network settings nearly always fixes it.

Our tv is a few years old now so not sure if that option exists on your model.

StevieP · 23 Jan 2019 at 17:31

Can't see that option in any of the settings unfortunately!

Tempted to see if I can uninstall and reinstall but not sure if thats possible with it being a pre-installed app!

m1ke · 23 Jan 2019 at 18:43

I've got the exact same issue with my Sony TV (43W805C). I haven't got a suggested fix, but I have worked out a way of killing the app much quicker than going through all the menus.

Once you're on the hanging Netflix loading screen, you can press and hold the 'Home' button for a few seconds. This brings up a list of running apps - just scroll across to the Netflix app, press down to highlight the little cross, and press the middle circle button to force close it. You can then just press the dedicated Netflix button again to jump back in. Still a pain, but a lot quicker.

If you ever figure out how to solve it completely, let me know!

StevieP · 23 Jan 2019 at 19:50

m1ke said:
I've got the exact same issue with my Sony TV (43W805C). I haven't got a suggested fix, but I have worked out a way of killing the app much quicker than going through all the menus.

Once you're on the hanging Netflix loading screen, you can press and hold the 'Home' button for a few seconds. This brings up a list of running apps - just scroll across to the Netflix app, press down to highlight the little cross, and press the middle circle button to force close it. You can then just press the dedicated Netflix button again to jump back in. Still a pain, but a lot quicker.

If you ever figure out how to solve it completely, let me know!

Whilst I am no closer to fixing the issue, you sir, are a gentleman and a scholar!

pcfarrar · 23 Jan 2019 at 22:03

StevieP said:
Anyone got any ideas on how to fix this? (Connected to the internet by Ethernet by the way so it shouldn't be a network issue!)

The Android 8 update is out for the XE90 soon so that might fix it...

Psycho Sonny · 24 Jan 2019 at 11:50

can you not clear the app's cache?

StevieP · 24 Jan 2019 at 14:10

Psycho Sonny said:
can you not clear the app's cache?

I've tried this a number of times - sadly it makes no difference!

As @pcfarrar suggests it may be fixed with the next Android update but if not at least I've got a quicker way to quit and start up rather than going through the settings!

Thanks again @m1ke

TheMightyTen · 24 Jan 2019 at 14:37

I wouldn't be surprised if the fault doesn't actually lay with the app itself. There have been a couple of broken (in different scenrios) Android TV Netflix app versions over the last year. Try firing off a support ticket to Netflix, also have a try here:

https://community.sony.co.uk/t5/android-tv/bd-p/Android_TV

Not always the most helpful but there are some knowledgeable people who hang around there.

StevieP · 24 Jan 2019 at 16:58

TheMightyTen said:
I wouldn't be surprised if the fault doesn't actually lay with the app itself. There have been a couple of broken (in different scenrios) Android TV Netflix app versions over the last year. Try firing off a support ticket to Netflix, also have a try here:

https://community.sony.co.uk/t5/android-tv/bd-p/Android_TV

Not always the most helpful but there are some knowledgeable people who hang around there.

Thanks - I did post on the Sony forum and all I got back was to do a factory reset (made no difference!)

Netflix themselves are about as much use as a chocolate fireguard - passing the buck saying it's a hardware problem!

Much as I love the content in Netflix their infrastructure for dealing with issues is absolutely dire!

I also have a soundbase plugged in so every time I start a program on Netflix it thinks I've got a 5.1 surround sound system and in order to get any sound I have to go into the sound menu and select the non-5.1 option - even when watching a series I have to do it in between every single episode! You'd have thought you would be able to set a default sound setting! :confused:

Another annoyance is that you dont seem to be able to password/PIN protect a particular login - so if my kids decide to use my login instead of the one set up for them, they can and while they can't start a show without the PIN, they could still see the auto "trailers" that could still be unsuitable!

Anyway, rant over & hopefully they will fix my main issue soon!