Hulu Not Working? Here's How to Fix It (2024)

Hulu can fall prey to all the same issues that plague other online services. Internet connectivity problems, malfunctioning apps, web players, and various other things can all result in Hulu not working.

To get Hulu working again, you’ll have to do some troubleshooting.

Why Isn’t Hulu Working?

The two most common issues that keep Hulu from working are internet connectivity problems and software problems. The first issue can be caused by your home network equipment or internet connection, but it can also happen if the Hulu service itself is experiencing connectivity problems. The second broad category happens when a problem with the web player or Hulu app prevents it from working properly.

How To Get Hulu Working When You Can’t Stream

Hulu is an internet streaming service, so it requires a few things to work properly. You should have a high-speed internet connection, a compatible device, and either a web browser that can run the web player or the correct Hulu app for your device. If there is a problem with any of these components, Hulu won’t work.

To get Hulu working again, try these troubleshooting tips:

1. Check to see if Hulu is down. If the Hulu website or web player won’t load, or the app won’t play videos or fails to load correctly, then the Hulu service may be down. Determining whether the service is up or down is easy, so this should be your first step. Check social media first, as people tend to report streaming service outages quickly.

   See Also

   Hulu Error Codes: What They Are and How to Fix ThemTop 11 Ways to Fix Hulu Error Code 2(-998)The most common Hulu problems and how to fix them | Digital TrendsHow To Fix Hulu Error Code p-dev320

2. Check for Hulu error codes. If you received a Hulu error code when trying to stream, check for information about that specific code. You can still use these general troubleshooting tips, but you may find more specific information if you have an error code.

3. Fully close the Hulu app. If your device supports it, fully close the Hulu app and then open it again. In some cases, the only way to do this is to power down the streaming device and unplug it until it resets.

   • iOS: How to close apps on iPhone.
   • iPadOS: How to close apps on iPad.
   • Android: How to close apps on Android.

4. Restart your device. Whether you’re trying to stream on a computer, phone, video game console, or another type of device, try restarting it. Make sure to perform a complete restart and unplug the device from power if necessary. After turning the device back on, check to see if Hulu works.

   How to Fix It When Hulu Is Not Working on Fire Stick

5. Try a different device. If you’re streaming on your computer with the Hulu web player, try a different web browser, or try streaming on your phone. You can stream Hulu on a wide variety of different devices, so you probably have at least one alternative available.

6. Check your internet connection. You need a high-speed internet connection to use Hulu, so check to see if your connection is working properly. Hulu recommends the following speeds:

   • 3.0 Mbps: Standard definition streams.
   • 8.0 Mbps: Live content.
   • 16.0 Mbps: Ultra high definition streams.

7. Try a wired internet connection. If your connection isn’t fast enough, try connecting to your modem with an ethernet cable if your device supports it. If that works, then your Wi-Fi connection may not be strong enough, or you may have too many devices connected to your router.

8. Improve your Wi-Fi reception. If you’re connected via Wi-Fi, try to remove any obstructions between your router and your streaming device. The closer the two are together, and the fewer obstructions between them, the better your chances of Hulu working.

9. Reboot your router and modem. You will typically need to unplug these devices to reboot them fully.

   See Also

   Hulu Error Codes: What They Are and How to Fix Them | ScreenNearYou

10. Update your app or web browser. If you’re using the Hulu app on your phone or streaming device, make sure that it’s fully updated. If you’re streaming with the web player, restart the browser and manually install updates if necessary.

    • iPad and iOS: How to update apps on iPad and iPhone.
    • Android: How to update apps on Android.

11. Clear the Hulu app cache. Locally stored data in your Hulu app may be corrupt, preventing the app from streaming any new content. If your device supports it, clearing the local data or app cache can fix this problem.

12. Reinstall the Hulu app. If the Hulu app is already up to date, and clearing the cache didn’t help, then uninstalling and reinstalling it may help. Completely delete the Hulu app from your device, and then download and install it fresh.

13. Deactivate your device. From your Hulu account page, deactivate the device you’re trying to use. After deactivating the device, you can reactivate it and try again.

    1. Navigate to secure.hulu.com/account.
    2. Click on Manage Devices.
    3. Locate your device, and click Remove.
    4. Sign back in on your device and attempt to stream.

14. Update your computer or device. If you’re streaming on a computer, install any available operating system updates. If you’re streaming on a phone, tablet, game console, or another streaming device, check for and install any available operating system or firmware updates.

    • Windows: How to update Windows.
    • macOS: How to update macOS.
    • Android: How to update Android.
    • iPhone and iPad: How to update iOS.

15. Check with your internet service provider. If Hulu isn’t down, and you’re unable to find any issues with your local network or hardware, there may be a problem at the internet service provider level. Contact your provider and ask if they are having a connectivity problem with Hulu.