If you try to manage and update your Netflix queue from within a Web browser, you may find that the process is extremely slow. Trying to rearrange the order of movies and TV shows in your queue can be particularly frustrating. If you have a Netflix-ready device, you may also find that the instant-streaming shows don't appear in the order you chose or are missing entirely. You may also find that movies are missing from your DVD queue, or a different DVD is shipped to you than the one at the top of your queue.
Internet Explorer is one of the most popular Web browsers, but due to a scripting error, it's one of the worst for updating your Netflix queue. You'll have much better luck with another Web browser, such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Opera. There's even an extension for Google Chrome that lets you quickly access your Netflix DVD queue in the toolbar. However, the extension as yet doesn't support the Netflix instant queue. In addition, Firefox has an add-on that lets you search Netflix from the search box.
Other problems with the Netflix queue are caused by the availability of movies and TV shows rather than the queue itself. Instant-streaming shows aren't available forever, and will be removed from your queue when they expire. Instant-streaming shows are also not available on all Netflix-ready devices. Many DVDs remain on short wait or long wait, and others that seem available in the queue might not be available at a Netflix center near you.
Netflix imposes a limit of 500 items for the queue. You can get around this limit by adding additional profiles to your Netflix account. The list of shows in the instant streaming queue can become unwieldy when it reaches 500. If you're approaching your instant queue limit, you can find movies and TV shows more effectively using the search function in your Web browser or Netflix-ready device. This solution will also help if shows are missing or rearranged in your Netflix instant queue.
If you're still having trouble updating your Netflix queue, there are other software programs you can install. Queued, for example, is a standalone Netflix queue manager that makes it quicker and easier to update movies and TV shows in both your DVD and instant queues. Queued requires Adobe AIR and Adobe Flash Player to run. You can update your Netflix queue offline in Queued, then send the update to Netflix later when you have an Internet connection. Whether the problem is with your queue, your queue management software or availability, you can solve many problems by contacting Netflix support directly by phone or email.