Unable to Watch Videos on Netflix in Internet Explorer

Unable to Watch Videos on Netflix in Internet Explorer

Watching Netflix streaming media using Internet Explorer requires that you install Microsoft Silverlight. At times you may see issues when watching Netflix streaming media or installing Silverlight. You may experience one or more of the following issues:

·         You may be prompted to install Silverlight even though Silverlight is already installed

·         You may be unable to view streaming media from Netflix 

·         You may be unable to install or uninstall Silverlight

The most common issue is that you’re not running the latest version of Silverlight and you may be using a 64-bit version of Windows or Internet Explorer, or your installation of Silverlight has become corrupt.

First Step:

The very first thing to do is to make sure you’re running the most current version of Silverlight. To do this, follow these steps:

1.       Click Start and type Silverlight in the Search box, and then click Microsoft Silverlight from the list of programs

For Windows XP users, click Start, All Programs, and then click Microsoft Silverlight

2.       On the About tab, see the version number listed beside the Silverlight logo

3.       The version should be 5.0.61118.0 or higher.If the silverlight version you have is an older one, download the latest version here .

4.       Try uninstalling silverlight and re-installing it.

5.       Clean the silverlight installation using Microsoft Fix It. Download the Microsoft Fix It here .

6.        Log on as an Administrator on Windows 7 and Windows Vista

            Logging on as an Administrator can allow Silverlight to function properly. To do this, follow these steps:

•       Close all open Internet Explorer windows including this window

Note: You may want to print the following steps.

•       Click Start, click Programs and right-click Internet Explorer and click Run as Administrator

Note: Do not click Internet Explorer (64-bit).

•       Select Allow if prompted

•       Test Netflix with Silverlight to see if the issue is resolved

7.      Make sure the Time and Date are set correctly

To check the Time and Date, and then adjust if needed, follow these steps:

•       Right-click the clock in the bottom right-hand corner of the task bar

•       Click Change date and time

Note: For Windows XP users, click Adjust Date/Time 

•       Set the correct Time and Date and click OK

Note: For Windows XP, click Apply 

•       Test Netflix with Silverlight to see if the issue is resolved

8.      Turn off InPrivate web browsing

Turn on InPrivate Browsing to see if this resolves the issue. To do this, follow these steps:

•       Click the Safety button, and then click InPrivate Browsing

•       Open a new tab, and then, on the new tab page, click Open an InPrivate Browsing window

•       Press Ctrl+Shift+P

•       Test Netflix with Silverlight to see if the issue is resolved

9.      Add Netflix to your trusted sites in Internet Explorer

Adding Netflix to your trusted sites may resolve the issue. To do this, follow these steps:

•       In Internet Explorer, click the Tools button or click the Tools menu option and click Internet Options

•       Select the Security tab

•       Click Trusted Sites then select the Sites button

•       Uncheck Require server verification

•       Delete anything related to Netflix in the Website field

•       Type *.netflix.com in the Add this website to the zone field

•       Click the Add button and then click Close

•       Test Netflix with Silverlight to see if the issue is resolved

10.  Ensure Application Storage is enabled

•       Ensure that Application Storage is enabled. To do this, follow these steps:

•       Click the Start button and type Silverlight in the Search box

•       Click Microsoft Silverlight from the list of programs

•       Click the Application Storage tab 

•       Make sure Enable Application Storage box is checked

•       Test Netflix with Silverlight to see if the issue is resolved

11.  Clear the Silverlight temporary files (Windows 7 and Windows Vista)

Clear the Silverlight temporary files on Windows 7 and Windows Vista. To do this, follow these steps:

•       Close all open Internet Explorer windows including this window

Note: You may want to print the following steps.
 

•       Click Start then select Computer

•       Open the C: drive (it may also say Local Disk (C:)), open the Users Folder

•       Open the folder that matches your username (this will not be "Administrator" or "Default User")

•       Open the AppData folder

•       Open the LocalLow folder

Note: If you do not see the AppData folder, you need to enable hidden files and folders. To do this, follow these steps:

Click the Organize menu at the top of the window, select Folder and Search Options, click View tab, select the option to Show Hidden Files and Folders, and then click OK.

Note: If you enable Show Hidden Files and Folders, make sure to change back to Do Not Show Hidden Files and Folders.

•       Open the Microsoft folder.

•       Open the Silverlight folder.

•       Right Click on the is folder and select Delete.

•       Test Netflix with Silverlight to see if the issue is resolved 

12.   Clear the Silverlight temporary files (Windows XP only)

Clear the Silverlight temporary files on Windows XP. To do this, follow these steps:

•       Close all open Internet Explorer windows including this window

Note: You may want to print the following steps.

•       Press and hold the Windows key and tap the letter R on the keyboard at the same time. This displays the Run window

•       Type %userprofile% and select OK

•       Open the Local Settings folder

Note: If you do not see the Local Settings folder, you may need to enable hidden files and folders: To do this, follow these steps:

Click Tools, click Folder Options, click the View tab, select the option to Show Hidden Files and Folders, and then clickOK and open the Local Settings folder.

Note: If you enable Show Hidden Files and Folders, make sure to change back to Do Not Show Hidden Files and Folders.

•       Open the Application Data folder

•       Open the Microsoft folder

•       Open the Silverlight folder

•       Right-click on the is folder and choose Delete

•       Test Netflix with Silverlight to see if the issue is resolved.