Netflix problem solved

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linw

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#262078 4-Jan-2020 07:20

Smart Sony TV with Netflix suddenly stopped loading 95% of programs. The spinning red circle just kept going. A couple of progs loaded, though. Checked out network, even dragging out a cable to isolate wifi probs to no avail. Android phone had no problems. I also tried switching TV off at the wall.

Rang Netflix and was told to unplug the TV (not just switch it off) from the wall, press the remote power button at the now dead TV for 5 sec, then restart the TV.

It then worked, much to my surprise I might add!!

Wondering if anyone can opine how that worked when my earlier wall switch off didn't?

tdgeek

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#2384895 4-Jan-2020 07:22

Maybe the remote press cleared a CMOS battery in the TV? They must have one to retain settings? And that button combo perhaps cleared it but retained settings?

Goosey

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#2384904 4-Jan-2020 08:04

Hey, do you have auto update of apps enabled on the TV or is this manual?

I have a Sony. Sometimes you just gotta do a reboot... this is done by holding down the power button on the remote (whilst its plugged in of course) for at least 5-10 secs.

You will then get the android boot screens... it might take a few minutes to recover.... just be patient.

I find it helps if you actually "exit" the netflix app properly from time to time, instead of simply switching inputs etc.

linw

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#2384909 4-Jan-2020 08:35

Having a rethink and guess it has to do with clearing all stored settings in the TV. I may have got the instruction about using the remote pwr button wrong. Reading the instructions she sent via email it says hold the TV pwr button down for 5 sec. That would make more sense if aiming to wipe stored stuff.

But I did power the TV off and rebooted before ringing Netflix as in my post above. But maybe that was ineffective if the power-off was too short a duration and the pwr button wasn't held on?

I am now thinking even a longer pwr off would have done the trick.

Goosey

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#2384910 4-Jan-2020 08:37

maybe... you could have also got an update in one of those boots...

jamesrt

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#2384913 4-Jan-2020 09:00

Holding the power button will drain any residual charge in the capacitors in the power supply; so you can be sure it's a cold-boot & complete restart.

Despite turning off at wall and/or unplugging, residual charge can hang around for a while; which means CPU/ram inside the device can keep active.

This is a common strategy for server troubleshooting in Data Center IT work, and is often called draining flea power, oddly. Presumably because fleas don't take much power...

clinty

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#2384921 4-Jan-2020 09:57

Sounds a lot like the old laptop trick of removing the battery and holding down the power button for 10 secs

Never thought about using it on other devices :)

afe66

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#2384995 4-Jan-2020 14:15

My sony A1 sometimes has Netflix issues where it cant get connection or spinning circle.

I go into android tv and click restart and tv turns off google logos appear and all is good.