Do you want to stream video content from Hulu, but Hulu is not working on your smart TV? Many users have reported sudden disruption in the streaming service Hulu app on their smart TVs. Since Hulu happens to be one of the largest video streaming services, many smart TV users are completely dependent on it for consuming video content.
Naturally, it is very frustrating for them when Hulu stops working on their smart TV. The first thing you need to do is to find out why Hulu is not working on your smart TV. Several reasons could be responsible for the issue, and we will list them for you. We will also illustrate the methods to fix Hulu not working on smart TVs.
Why is Hulu Not Working on My Smart TV?
Users face Hulu disruption on their smart TVs due to different reasons. Here are all the possible reasons behind Hulu not working on smart TV.
- Hulu server is going through a downtime.
- Your internet connection is poor.
- You have an outdated version of Hulu app.
- Hulu app’s cache and cookies are corrupted.
- Temporary glitches in the Hulu app.
- Your smart TV might not be fully compatible with Hulu.
- Certain settings in your smart TV are interrupting Hulu.
- Your Hulu account may not be active.
How Do You Fix Hulu Not Working on Smart TV?
Now that you have some ideas why Hulu is not working, it is time to address the causes and fix the issue. Here are the steps you need to follow to cure the causes and fix Hulu not working on your smart TV.
1. Check Hulu Server Status
If Hulu’s server is down, the Hulu app on your smart TV cannot connect to the server for streaming video content. That is why when Hulu is not working on your TV, you should check if Hulu is going through a downtime.
Certain websites are available where you can check if the Hulu server is down. You can visit DownDetector and IsItDownRightNow. If you see that the Hulu server is down, you must wait for the server to run again. If the server is not down, you need to move on to the next steps.
2. Check Internet Connection
If your internet connection is slow or unstable, the Hulu app cannot connect to its server and stream the required video content. If you use Wi-Fi connection, you should connect another device to the Wi-Fi connection and check if the internet connection is proper. You can stream video on your smartphone connected to your Wi-Fi and see if the high-resolution videos are playing smoothly.
You can also check the speed of your internet connection from SpeedTest and Fast. If your internet connection is proper, which means it is fast and stable, you can restart your router, reconnect with your smart TV, and check if the problem is solved. Please note that you need a high-speed internet connection to stream video content of high resolution from Hulu on your smart TV.
3. Update The Hulu App
If you are using an older version of the Hulu app on your smart TV, there are times when it can malfunction and show errors while trying to stream videos. That is why you need to check if any update is available for the Hulu app so that you can update the app to the latest version and check if the problem is solved. Here are the steps to follow.
To update the Hulu app, you need to go to the Smart Hub /Settings on your smart TV. Go to the Apps option and navigate to the Google Play Store. From the My Apps section, check the installed apps and go to the Hulu app. Look for the update option and follow the on-screen instructions. After updating the Hulu app, restart your smart TV and check if the Hulu issue is solved.
4. Clear Cache From The Hulu App
If the cached data and files on the Hulu app get corrupted, the app can start to malfunction, and normal functioning can get disrupted. When updating the app does not solve the problem, you need to clear the cache from the Hulu app, and here are the steps to follow.
Step 1. Open your smart TV and go to Settings through the remote control.
Step 2. Go to the Apps option and select the Hulu app.
Step 3. Navigate to the Storage option and select the Clear Cache option.
Step 4. Restart your smart TV and open the Hulu app to see if the problem is resolved.
5. Reinstall The Hulu App
We have already stated that certain temporary glitches in the Hulu app can be the reason behind the app not working properly. Generally, updating the app solves the problem. But if it does not work, you need to reinstall the app. When you reinstall, all the data gets reloaded into the system, and temporary glitches get sorted out. Here are the steps to reinstall the Hulu app.
Step 1. Open the smart TV and go to the Settings/Menu option.
Step 2. Go to the Apps option and navigate to the Google Play Store.
Step 3. Go to the Hulu app from the My Apps section and select the Uninstall option.
After uninstalling the app, restart your smart TV and install the app again.
Step 4. Go to the Google Play Store again and go to the Hulu app.
Step 5. Select the Install button to reinstall the app.
Step 6. Launch the Hulu app and log into your account to see if everything is right now.
6. Check The Compatibility of Your Smart TV
If your smart TV is not compatible with the Hulu app, the app won’t work. Ideally speaking, Hulu is compatible with all Android TVs and Apple TVs. But there are exceptions, and hence, you have to try out certain ways to find out if your smart TV is compatible. First of all, check if Hulu’s official website is available on your smart TV.
If not, you should try and cast Hulu on your smart TV. If that fails too, your smart TV is not compatible with Hulu. The reason could be that your smart TV has an old version of the operating system. Therefore, if you can, you should update your smart TV’s OS to the latest version and try again.
7. Reset Your Smart TV
If you have made certain changes in the settings of your smart TV and suddenly, Hulu stops working, you need to reset the changes. The best way out is to reset your smart TV to factory settings so that no changes in settings can interfere with the functioning of the Hulu app. Different smart TVs have different steps for factory resetting the smart TV. You can check the manual for more details. Here are the steps to factory reset Android TV.
Step 1. Open the smart TV and go to the Settings.
Step 2. Navigate to the General option. Select the Reset option.
Step 3. You need to enter the PIN, which is generally “0000”. Select the Reset option again.
Step 4. Confirm your choice, and your smart TV will reset. Your smart TV will restart, and you can open the Hulu app and see if the problem is solved.
8. Fix Hulu Error Codes
When the Hulu app is not working, it shows certain error codes, and you need to understand them so that you can take the appropriate steps to solve them. Here are the common error codes and what you can do to fix them.
- Hulu Error 5003 – Check if the date and time on your device are set correctly.
- Hulu Error 320 – Check if the internet connection is proper and restart your router.
- Hulu Error 16 – Check if your VPN is working properly or switch to a premium VPN.
- Hulu Error Runuk13 – Clear your cache data of the Hulu app.
- Hulu Error 0328 – Sign out and sign into your Hulu account.
- Hulu Error 5005 – Restart your smart TV or go for a power cycle.
9. Power Cycle Your Smart TV
The power cycle is an advanced form of restarting your smart TV. When you power cycle your smart TV, it solves a lot of issues with smart TV. You need to turn off your smart TV and turn off the switch. Then, you need to unplug all the cables attached to your smart TV. Wait for some time, plug in the cable again, and restart your smart TV. Open the Hulu app and see if the app is working properly.
10. Check Your Hulu Account
Since Hulu is a premium video streaming service, your subscription needs to be activated so that you can stream premium video content. Besides, your Hulu account could be deactivated if you have not been using the account for some time or deactivated manually from another connected device. Open the Hulu app on your smart TV and go to the Account page to see if the account is active.
11. Disconnect Your Hulu Account
If your Hulu account is connected to multiple devices, you need to disconnect it from every other device and keep it connected to the smart TV only. When Hulu is connected to multiple devices, it starts to malfunction due to different settings set from different devices. You can visit the Manage Devices page and navigate to the Remove from account option. Remove the connected devices and restart your smart TV to open the Hulu app and see if it works for you.
12. Customer Support
When nothing works out for you, you have to contact the customer support team of your smart TV. The support team can suggest certain changes in settings so that video streaming services like Hulu can work perfectly.
You can also contact Hulu support team to ensure that their service is available in your region. Otherwise, you can go for a VPN service. They can also suggest certain changes so that the video streaming service can work properly.
Smart TV – FAQs
Ans: Well, the problem is with buffering the video content you are watching. This happens when your internet connection is slow, and you are watching a high-resolution video. So, you need to fix your internet connection and make sure it has high speed.
Ans: Open the Hulu app and go to the Account icon. From the Account page, you will find the Settings option. From the Settings page, you can adjust different parameters as per your requirements.
Ans: The force restart concept is called the power cycle for the Hulu app. You need to turn off your smart TV and unplug all the connected cables. Let them stay disconnected for some time and connect them back. Restart your smart TV and open the Hulu app to fix any problem.
Ans: Hulu app keeps crashing on my smart TV while watching any video content when the app cannot process high-resolution video. You can lower the resolution from settings and see if the problem is solved. Otherwise, restart your smart TV and update the Hulu app to the latest version to fix the issue.
Ans: The only way to reset your Hulu app on your smart TV is to uninstall the app and reinstall the app. Go to the Google Play Store to uninstall and reinstall the Hulu app instantly.
Ans: Hulu’s server can be down for some time, and that is when your smart TV can show a temporarily unavailable message when you open the Hulu app. You can contact the Hulu customer support team for confirmation.
Final Words
Hulu not working on smart TV is a common issue that most users encounter for different reasons. You can identify the reason and fix it instantly. If you are not sure about the cause behind the Hulu app not working, you need to perform all the steps one by one and continue doing them until the problem is solved. Lastly, you can contact the support team of your smart TV as well as Hulu for more clarification.
