Netflix gets stuck at 25%, unable to recover. All of WebOS loses Internet conectivity.

[Julio Henrique Morimoto]

I've been having this issue for several months now. After using Netflix for a while, the app will stop buffering and get stuck at 25%.

I've been experimenting for a while now and have noticed a few details. As far as I can tell, it seems to be related to the operating system, WebOS. Here's me really hoping this is not a hardware issue. Google "lg webos netflix problem" and you will see A LOT of people complaining about this.

Here's what I found.

1st) In my case, the problem only happens to our LG WebOS, model 47LB6500. All other devices, such as smartphones, tablets, computers, game consoles, all the way to Samsung smart TVs... no other device has the same issue.

2nd) It DOES NOT appear to be related to internet provider stability. I'm on a fiber optic cable with 40Mbps UP/DOWN symmetric speeds. Every other device keeps its connection normally, except WebOS+Netflix.

3rd) It is also NOT related to a weak WiFi signal. The router is a mere 3ft away from the TV without any walls in between. Other devices get a relatively weaker signal across walls and continue to work normally.

3rd) Even though the issue presents itself by using the Netflix app, it DOES NOT keep itself isolated to it. The software developer in me feels like ruling out Netflix's blame on the issue. It's strange how no other app will cause the problem, but once it happens, the entirity of WebOS loses connectivity. YouTube, web browser and all other apps are also unable to reach out. Closing or killing apps from memory makes no difference.

4th) While in this state, TV settings will NOT work properly. Under "Network > WiFi", trying to wipe out the current network settings and reconnect to the router WILL FAIL. Once the WiFi credentials are wiped, the TV is unable to reconnect to the same router.

5th) The only solution is to turn the TV set entirely OFF and ON again. It only takes a minute, but it will brutally murder your Netflix experience.

Recently, it's become unbearable. We are unable to watch a single 25min episode without eventually bumping into the 25% buffer of death.

 

I'm really hoping for a solution via software update. I can't tell exactly which version started, but we never had the issue until after a couple of firmware updates.

[franz1]

I have the same problem. WIFI seems to be more stable than the cable connection. I try to keep both connections up and this seems to make a difference. You are right, this is an issue for A LG software update. I hope they are reding this blog.

Best

 

[Mili]

i had same issue for awhile now but ever since been using LAN cable rather than WIFI issue is gone, so I think its a WIFI issue with LG TV.

cheers

 

[SteveK]

I see essentially the same problem, though I have not verified the 25% figure. My solution is using NETFLIX through my Roku.  there  everything works fine, thus holding NETFLIX and my wifi blameless. This will be a bad solution for any 4K (UHD) programming because I have an Roku w/o that capability.