Netflix - connection error with iPad and iPad2

Question

Level 1

69 points

Netflix - connection error with iPad and iPad2

For the past 3-4 days, I've been unable to connect my iPad or iPad2 (both via wifi) to Netflix. I'm getting the following error message;

Connection Error

We are unable to connect you to Netflx. Please try again later.

I can access my Netflix account via my computer and can stream to my Xbox and other laptops. I've been on the phone three different times with Netflix tech support and they're telling me it's currently a "known issue" with iPads - but there's no ETA and and I'm not seeing any other reports of this on other forums.

Is anyone else having the same problem?

64gb iPad, 32gb Touch,, Windows 7, various MBPs, iPads and iPods scattered throughout the house

Posted on Jun 25, 2011 7:14 AM

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Answer 1

TowJam60 Author

Level 1

69 points

Jun 26, 2011 6:10 PM in response to John Badanes

This just got a little more interesting - and I'm getting a little more frustrated.

Both of my iPad2s (32gb WiFi) can now access NetFlix with no problem. However, these are my daughters' iPads. MY iPad is a 1st gen 64gb 3G and yet I still cannot access NetFlix. I'm getting the "cannot connect to Netflix at this time..." error.

I am NOT a happy camper.

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Answer 2

Garry68

Level 1

18 points

Jun 29, 2011 8:20 PM in response to TowJam60

Having same issue here on my Ipad2. iPhone, blue ray, and Wii work. I reset my network settings, but that didn't help.

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Answer 3

Jun 25, 2011 7:26 AM in response to TowJam60

Not me. Watched a Netflix movie last night with my iPad 2.

Not sure what this "known issue" with iPads would be with Netflix's iPad app. That would be like Microsoft claiming a problem with Word for the Mac is an OS X or a particular Mac model problem they have nothing to do with whatsoever.

Hogwash.

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Answer 4

Jun 26, 2011 10:07 AM in response to TowJam60

Just so you don't feel all alone on this, yes, I'm having exactly the same problem ... except that it's with my iPhone. I can connect through the TV and desktop ... but not using the Netflix application I just downloaded from the iTunes store. I launch the "app" using WIFI and get the "We are unable to connect you to Netflx. Please try again later" message. Worse ... the "app" is frozen ... so there's no maneuvering.

I haven't called Netflix yet, but your report that "It's a known issue" doesn't bode well without knowing exactly what this issue is. I may try them later, even so.

******

UPDATE: No sooner posted than it just started working :-)

Maybe it just took some time for something to propagate or "take."

I guess I'll never know what the "issue" was.

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Answer 5

Skymacb

Level 1

0 points

Jun 26, 2011 7:51 PM in response to TowJam60

I am having the exact same issue on my iPad 2 (16gb wifi) and, just like you, the Netflix screen freezes with the error message up immediately upon opening the app. Also having no problems streaming from my iPhone, laptop, or PS3. Sorry I can't help but I'm glad I'm not alone!

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Answer 6

Skymacb

Level 1

0 points

Jun 26, 2011 7:53 PM in response to Skymacb

Interesting, immediately after posting this, Netflix is working for me.

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Answer 7

Jun 29, 2011 6:26 PM in response to TowJam60

Same problem just popped up on one of the iPads at home. Second one is connecting and streaming fine. iPad is having this issue, iPad 2 is not.

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Answer 8

TowJam60 Author

Level 1

69 points

Jun 29, 2011 7:09 PM in response to Alex Postnikov

So I called NetFlix tech support for the 4th time last night. This time, they didn't even pretend to have a clue what the problem was. They had me reinstall the app, they changed my password, blah blah blah. Finally they told me "it's obviously an Apple DNS issue you should make an appointment at the Genius Bar". HUH????You. Have. Got. To. Be. Kidding. Me. I can get to EVERY website and access my corporate Exchange email. This is NOT an DNS issue and Apple is not my ISP. So with that, I've canceled my NetFlix account.

I'll try this again when iOS 5 comes out. In the mean time, I have some "workarounds" I'll leverage so that I can use my iPad to watch movies.

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Answer 9

nancy171

Level 1

0 points

Jul 3, 2011 2:09 PM in response to TowJam60

I can't get access to netflix via iPad. I can via wii and computer. Netflix has sent me to apple but I don't want to pay 39.99 for support. Hoping someone knows what to do so I can get access given my son is using the wii right now

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Answer 10

TowJam60 Author

Level 1

69 points

Jul 3, 2011 3:26 PM in response to nancy171

Assuming that your iPad (regardless of whether it's an iPad or iPad2) can connect to netflix.com through the iPad's Safari browser, you're probably not going to get this resolved. The problem is at the Netflix end and the fact that they are redirecting users to Apple indicates that they don't have a solution and are grasping at straws. That said, I suppose it's possible that Apple made a change in iOS 4.3.3 that may have broken connectivity with Netflix's streaming servers but if that were the case, we would see a lot more users complaining about this.

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Answer 11

TowJam60 Author

Level 1

69 points

Jul 4, 2011 6:12 PM in response to TowJam60

Coming around full circle (at least in my case), for sh!tz and grinz, I reopened my Netflix account today. Now I'm getting it once again on my iPad and both iPad2s. Note that I had to delete the Netflix app and reinstall it on all 3 iPads, but I'd done this MANY times over the past several weeks.

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Answer 12

cjkeenan

Level 1

1 points

Jul 8, 2011 8:02 AM in response to TowJam60

i'm assuming it's something on the netflix servers and how they handle requests from the apps on Apple devices. As you say they've obviously changed something on their backend. too bad they wouldn't own up to it instead of trying to say "Apple DNS" obviously they don't understand basic networking ;-)

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Answer 13

Jul 11, 2011 5:10 PM in response to TowJam60

I am having the same problem, started july 8. did a netflix rest in the settings box on my ipad1, reinstalled my app, then called netflix support. they found out that my ip address had me in Colorado, rather than Virginia, and that was the problem. I use DSL for my internet connection. They suggest I call Apple support, but Apple would not help. I will try to release my ip address and see if that fixes it.

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Answer 14

czamoraq

Level 1

0 points

Sep 8, 2011 11:47 PM in response to TowJam60

I just triad to connect with my iPad2 for the first time but I'm also getting DNS error, I reinstalled the Netflix app but still it do not work,I' reading about some of you calling apple, any help???

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Answer 15

Sep 9, 2011 4:25 AM in response to czamoraq

This is not an Apple problem, especially if you don't have a problem connecting to the internet with any other app on your iPad. This is a Netflix problem.

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