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Netflix Troubleshooting

The Netflix "Instant View" allows you to choose from thousands of movies and television programs, streaming them instantly to your computer or Netflix-enabled device. The advantage of watching any movie you want without ever having to leave the comfort of your home is fast making the local movie rental store obsolete. However, as with any technological innovation, problems can occur that may prevent the Instant View feature from working properly.

  1. Eliminate the Obvious

    • Make sure you have a Netflix account that includes the Instant View feature. Limited plans only allow two hours of Instant Viewing per month, and will not work with Netflix enabled devices. Make sure to upgrade to an unlimited plan for unrestricted access to this feature. Make sure you have enabled your account on your Netflix enabled video device. To enable the device, you must use the activation code provided with the device on your account website at Netflix.com.

    Bandwidth Requirements

    • For Netflix Instant View to work properly, you must have a fast Internet connection. Not all broadband connections will allow you to use this feature. You need a minimum download speed of 1.5 megabits per second. Even if your Internet provider has promised this speed on your account, confirm they are actually delivering as promised by going to a website like Speedtest.net, which will confirm your actual download speed. If you are not reaching the minimum speed, you may need to upgrade your Internet account or change providers. Even if you have sufficient download speed, consider who else might be using the Internet in your household. On-line gaming, music streaming or file sharing on other computers may contribute to a slower Internet connection. Other computer users may be contributing to your Netflix Instant View service not playing back properly or frequently being interrupted as the video pauses to download.

    Computer Power

    • Unless you are using a Netflix enabled video device, the Instant View feature may be taxing your computer beyond its abilities. Be sure your computer meets the minimum specifications outlined by Netflix for proper video play back. You need to be running Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Vista or Windows 7 operating systems. You will need a CPU speed of at least 1.2 gigahertz of and 512 megabytes of system memory. Your web browser should be the latest versions of Internet Explorer or Firefox. Mac computers should be using an Intel CPU with at least 1 gigabyte of memory and running OS 10.4.8. Netflix running on a Mac will also require the latest versions of Safari or Firefox.

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