Hulu Error Codes: What They Are and How to Fix Them (2024)

There are dozens of different Hulu error codes and Hulu error messages aren't always crystal clear in terms of explaining the problem. Some Hulu error codes indicate a problem with your device, others are caused by poor internet connections, and some are the result of hardware issues. You may even receive an error code if Hulu itself is experiencing service disruptions, but the message usually won't lay it out in plain terms like that.

General Hulu Error Code Troubleshooting Tips

Hulu problems are typically caused by a poor internet connection or issues with either the streaming device or Hulu app, so most of them can be fixed by following a few general troubleshooting tips.

Here are the most common fixes for Hulu error codes:

• Restart or reset your Roku or other streaming device.
• Restart your home network devices.
• Unplug your streaming device and home network devices, leave them unplugged for about a minute, then plug them back in.
• Switch from a wireless to a wired network connection.
• Update your Hulu app, or try reinstalling it.
• Make sure your streaming device is also fully updated.

Most Hulu problems can be solved by performing those basic tasks, but an error code can help you zero in on the problem a lot better. If Hulu provided you with an error code, check out the tips below for information on how to fix your specific problem.

How to Fix Hulu Error Code 3 and 5

Hulu error code 3 usually indicates some kind of internet problem, because it triggers when the Hulu app is unable to load a show. When you get this error, it usually looks like this:

• Error playing this video
• Sorry, we encountered an error playing this video. Please try restarting the video or select something else to watch.
• Error code: 3(-996)

Error code 3 may also provide a message like this:

• We're having trouble loading this right now
• Please check your internet connection and try again. Error Code: -3: An unexpected problem (but not server timeout or HTTP error) has been detected.

Error code 5 is similar, and has the same process to fix it:

• We're having trouble loading this right now
• Please check your internet connection and try again. Error Code: -5: malformed data.
• If this problem persists, try restarting your device.

Since there is no server timeout involved, you can usually fix the problem on your end by following a few easy steps:

1. Turn your streaming device off, and then turn it back on again.

   If your device has a sleep mode or standby mode, you need to actually shut it down. Going into sleep or standby mode is not good enough.

2. If you still see the error, unplug your modem and router for one minute.

3. Plug your modem and router back in, and check to see if the problem persists.

If error code 3 or 5 continues to persist after fully shutting down your devices and restarting them, you can try reinstalling the Hulu app and updating your device. This error code sometimes appears after Hulu pushes out a new update, so it's important to make sure that both your app and device are up to date.

Connecting your device to your modem or router with a physical ethernet cable instead of a wireless Wi-Fi connection, or taking steps to improve your Wi-Fi connection can also help.

How to Fix Hulu 500 Error

This is a server error. When you get this error, you'll typically see a message like this:

• There was an error on this page (500 error)
• Sorry - We've encountered an unexpected error. We've been notified about this issue, and we'll take a look at it shortly.

This error is most commonly experienced when using the Hulu website, but you can also get it on streaming devices. When you see a Hulu 500 error, all you can do is refresh the page to see if it loads. You can also try to stream your show with a different web browser, on a different computer, or a different streaming device, if you have one available.

It's also important to make sure that your internet connection isn't having problems when a Hulu 500 error shows up. Test your internet speed and make sure it's fast and stable.

How to Fix Hulu Error Code 400

Error code 400 usually indicates a problem with your account information that prevents the Hulu app from working correctly on a mobile or streaming device. In most cases, you can fix this problem by either reinstalling the app or removing the device from your account.

Hulu error code 400 usually looks like this:

• We're having trouble loading this right now. Check your internet connection and try again.
• Error code: 400

Hulu recommends that you check your internet connection when you encounter an error code 400. If possible, switch from a wireless to a wired connection, and check to see if the problem persists. If the problem is with a mobile device, move it closer to your router and try again.

If your internet connection is fine, follow these steps to fix a Hulu error code 400:

1. Delete the Hulu app from your device.

2. Reinstall the Hulu app.

3. Log in to Hulu.

4. Attempt to stream something.

Remove a Device From Your Account to Fix Error 400

If you still see the 400 error as soon as you start the Hulu app, then you will need to remove the device from your account and add it back in. Hulu customer support can do this for you, or you can do it yourself on the Hulu website.

Here's how to remove a device from your account to fix error code 400:

1. Log in to Hulu in a web browser.

2. Click on your name in the upper right corner.

   

3. Click Account.

   

4. If prompted, enter your password and click LOG IN.

5. Click MANAGE DEVICES.

   

6. Locate the device that is experiencing an error code 400, and click REMOVE.

   

7. Once you have removed the device from your account, you will need to remove the Hulu app from the device, reinstall the Hulu app, and then log in. In most cases, this will fix error code 400.

How to Fix Hulu Error Code 16 and Invalid Region Messages

Error code 16 is an invalid region code, which means that Hulu isn't available in your current location. If you see this message when trying to use Hulu from outside of the United States, that is probably the reason.

Invalid region error codes usually provide messages like this:

• We're sorry, currently our video library can only be streamed within the United States. For more information on Hulu's international availability, click here.
• If you're inside the United States and believe you've received this message in error, please click here.

When you see an error code 16 from inside the United States, it's usually because Hulu thinks that you're using a virtual private network (VPN) or anonymous proxy. Even if you have an IP address from inside the United States, Hulu will block it if they believe the IP is used by a proxy service.

Turn off the VPN on Android

If you are using a VPN or anonymous proxy, and you're located in an area where Hulu is available, then you can fix error code 16 by simply turning off the VPN or proxy. Here's how to turn off your VPN on Android:

1. Navigate to Settings > Network and Internet.

2. Tap VPN.

3. Tap the gear icon.

4. If the VPN is turned on, tap the slider to turn it off.

Turn off HTTP Proxy on iOS Devices

And here's how to turn off HTTP proxy on iOS devices:

1. Open the Settings app on your iOS device.

2. Tap Wi-Fi.

3. Tap the blue circle icon next to your Wi-Fi connection.

   See Also

   Hulu Not Working? Here's How to Fix It

4. Look for the HTTP Proxy option, and set it to Off.

Delete Configuration Profiles

If your HTTP proxy option was already off, or you still get the error 16 message on your iOS device after turning it off, Hulu recommends deleting your configuration profiles:

1. Open Settings.

2. Tap General.

3. Scroll to the bottom, and tap Profiles.

4. Tap Delete Profiles, and try to use Hulu again.

If that doesn't work, your Wi-Fi network may be using a transparent proxy. Try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network, or shut off your Wi-Fi and try streaming over your cellular data connection.

If the error 16 message goes away, then your original Wi-Fi connection is probably using a transparent proxy. Contact your network administrator for more information, or turn the proxy off if you own your own router.

How to Fix Hulu Error Code 5003

Error code 5003 is a playback error that usually indicates there is a problem with your device or the app on your device. This error usually looks like this:

• Playback failure
• We're sorry, but there was an issue while playing this video.
• Please check your connection and try again. (5003)

The way to fix this code is to update the Hulu app, remove and reinstall the Hulu app, and make sure that the streaming device itself is up to date. In some cases, you may need to either restart or factory reset your device.

If you still experience error code 5003 after updating both your Hulu app and your streaming device, there may be a problem with the app itself. In this case, all you can do is report the problem to Hulu and the device manufacturer and then use a different device to watch Hulu until they fix the problem.

How to Fix Hulu “Too Many Videos” Error

The basic Hulu plan allows you to simultaneously stream Hulu on two screens. If you see the “too many videos” error message, your account is already being used on two devices.

You'll have to wait until they're done watching or sign out of your Hulu account on all devices. Alternatively, Hulu offers an Unlimited Screens add-on that increases your device limit.

How to Fix Hulu Protected Content Errors

There are a lot of error codes associated with protected content, including Hulu error codes 3343, 3322, 3336, 3307, 2203, 3321, 0326, and others. These codes pop up when you're trying to watch protected content on a device that doesn't support it, but they can also be the result of a momentary glitch.

These errors usually look like this:

• There was an error playing this protected content.
• (Error code: 2203)

There are a few different things that can cause a protected content error on Hulu:

• The wrong type of monitor connection: If your monitor is connected with a VGA cable, you won't be able to watch protected content. Connect using an HDMI cable, or use a different monitor, and try again.
• Multiple monitors connected: Hulu usually works fine if you have multiple monitors hooked up, but there are cases where disconnecting one of the monitors will fix a protected content error. Try using a different cable, and make sure that both monitors are connected with HDMI.
• Browser issues: If your browser is out of date, or isn't supported by Hulu, you may get this error. Try updating your browser, or switch to a different browser.
• Computer has gone into sleep mode: This error sometimes pops up if your computer enters sleep mode while you are watching a video. Try refreshing the page on Hulu, and the video should start playing.

How to Fix Hulu HDCP Errors

In addition to all of the things that can cause a protected content error, you may actually see a High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) error message. These messages are device-specific, but they typically look like this:

• This content requires HDCP for playback.
• HDCP isn't supported by your HDMI connection.

HDCP is an anti-piracy technology that requires communication between a video source, like a Blu-ray player or streaming device, and a monitor or television in order to work. It can be caused by a monitor or television that is too old to communicate with a newer device, HDMI cable problems, and other similar issues.

If you get an HDCP error when trying to stream Hulu, here's how to fix the problem:

1. Unplug the HDMI cable from your streaming device and television.

2. Turn off your television and streaming device, and unplug them from power.

3. Reconnect the HDMI cable to the television and streaming device.

   Make sure each end of the cable is seated firmly.

4. Plug your television and streaming device in, and turn them back on.

If that doesn't work, then there are a few other things you can try:

• Plug the television end of your HDMI cable into your streaming device, and the streaming device end into the television. HDMI cables are bi-directional, but this may result in the cables seating more firmly into the HDMI ports.
• Try a different HDMI cable, preferably one that you know works with Hulu on a different device.
• Try plugging your HDMI cable into a different port on your television.
• If your streaming device is plugging into an HDMI switcher or audio/video receiver (AVR), try plugging directly into the television.
• Try plugging your device into a different television or monitor.

Hulu Outages and Error Code BYA-403-007

Hulu error codes that start with BYA can indicate a number of different playback errors, but they usually mean that there is a problem with the Hulu service itself.

Here's what a Hulu BYA error typically looks like:

• Error playing this video
• Sorry, we encountered an error playing this video. Please try restarting the video or select something else to watch.
• Error code: BYA-403-007

When you get a Hulu error code like BYA-403-007, the first thing to try is to check and see if you can watch any other videos on Hulu. If other videos work, then Hulu is probably experiencing a partial outage that only affects some of their content.

If you see the error message on other videos, and there are no problems with your internet connection or streaming device, then you will probably have to wait for Hulu to fix the problem.

How to Check if Hulu Is Down

If everything checks out fine on your end, you can use a service like Down Detector to see if other people are also having Hulu problems. This won't help you fix your Hulu error code, but it will let you know that the problem is on Hulu's end, and all you can do is wait for them to fix it.

Here's how to check if other people are experiencing issues with Hulu:

1. Navigate to Downdetector.

2. Click on the search box and type Hulu, then press Enter on your keyboard.

   Alternatively, you can click the magnifying glass on the right side of the search bar to activate the search.

   

3. Look at the Hulu problems timeline to see if there has been a recent spike in reports.

   

4. Scroll down and click the Live Outages Map button.

   

5. Look for outage hotspots in your area.

   

If you see a lot of Hulu outages, there is probably a problem with Hulu that you won't be able to fix yourself.