How to Make Netflix Full Screen on TV? Fool-Proof Guide

If you want to learn how to make Netflix full screen on TV, then we got it all for you right here in this guide!

Unlike other tutorials you may come across over the web, ours wouldn’t be basic as we will endow you with a comprehensive step-by-step method to achieve it.

To make Netflix full screen, you’ll first need to refresh the information stored on your device. Then, sign out of Netflix and sign back in again. After that, manually set the screen size on your device and toggle the picture resolution of your TV.

Before we get to that resolution, though, let us first learn more about what could cause your TV not to display on full screen while accessing Netflix and other streaming services.

Why Netflix Won’t Display in Full Screen on Smart TV

If Netflix does not display full screen on your TV, it could be due to several reasons.

There may be software glitches, incorrect settings, and other things that could negatively contribute to this.

In addition, your TV may display the content in the wrong aspect ratio or resolution.

That being said, let’s review the aspect ratio and resolution possibilities likely to affect your Netflix viewing experience.

What Do the Terms Resolution and Aspect Ratio Mean for a TV?

Both terms are used to describe the image and format you see on the television screen.

Aspect ratio and resolution are related values and affect each other.

Resolution

Resolution is the number of dots (pixels) that make up a picture on the TV.

The more dots in a picture, the higher the resolution and better image quality.

TV resolution counts the number of dots or pixels in a picture vertically. Each resolution has a name associated with it.

Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio is the width to height ratio of your TV screen.

Some aspect ratios can handle certain resolutions without distorting or stretching the picture and without blank spaces around the picture.

Here are some of the more common resolutions for TVs:

480i or 480p Resolution

Also known as Standard Definition (SD), it has an aspect ratio of 4:3 and 640 pixels wide x 480 pixels high.

720p Resolution

Typically has an aspect ratio of 16:9 and 1280 pixels wide x 720 pixels high.

1080i or 1080p Resolution

Also known as High Definition (HD). It has an aspect ratio of 16:9 and 1920 pixels wide x 1080 pixels high.

2160p Resolution

Lastly, the best or more commonly referred to as Ultra High Definition (UHD) or 4K. It is at an aspect ratio of 16:9 and 3840 pixels wide x 2160 pixels high.

What Aspect Ratio Does Netflix Use?

The aspect ratio of Netflix is 16:9. This streaming service assumes people are using their laptops and TVs to watch content.

When a program is filmed in an unusual aspect ratio, Netflix edits the image to fit your screen better.

Some shows and movies on the Netflix service may have black borders, called letterboxes or wings.

The black bars mean that the aspect ratio the image was filmed in is not a perfect match for your screen. Aspect ratios vary from program to program.

To help you with it even further, here are a couple of points to remember:

• Big blockbusters and epic movies have a listed aspect ratio of 2.35:1 or 2.40:1.
• Shows that have an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 result in small black bars.
• HDTV programming with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio will fit the entire screen correctly.
• Older movies/shows with a listed aspect ratio of 1.33:1 have black bars on the left and right sides.

Now that we’re aware of this, is there a way for us to adjust and make Netflix full screen on our TVs?

How to Make Netflix Full Screen on Smart TV?

In this guide, we will tackle everything that seems related or relevant in getting the fix for this issue.

So, you can expect our guide to be overly complete – you wouldn’t need any other source to back it up.

Step #1: Power Cycle or Reboot Your TV

You can refresh or power cycle your TV by taking its power out. What this means is you’d have to turn it off briefly, and then turn it back on.

How to Restart Smart TV?

1. Turn your TV off either via the remote or the TV’s front panel.
2. Then, unplug your Smart TV from the mains for over a minute.
3. Press and hold the TV’s power button for five (5) seconds to discharge it.
4. Plug the TV back in again and turn it on.

NOTE: If your TV doesn’t have a power button, just leave it unplugged for the recommended time frame.

Step #2: Change Netflix Setting to Full Screen

Then, what you want to do next is to try changing the settings within Netflix.

Follow these steps to choose the right aspect ratio in the Netflix program.

1. Press [HOME] to return to the primary menu.
2. Then, navigate to Setup.
3. Highlight Display and scroll to TV Aspect Ratio.
4. Choose between 16:9 Original or 16:9 Full.

Apply and save the changes so that the system would recognize them.

Step #3: Finalize the TV Settings

As part of learning how to make Netflix full screen on TV, it is imperative that you check the TV settings.

If the image is stretched, your TV is displaying 4:3 SD content at a 16:9 ratio.

A picture that doesn’t fill the screen means the TV is showing 4:3 SD content at its native resolution. HD programming displays at a 16:9 ratio, but SD programming is at a 4:3 aspect ratio

An HDTV can display SD signals by reshaping the image to 16:9 to fit your screen. This fills the entire screen. However, the result looks stretched out and blotchy.

Alternatively, your TV may display in the native 4:3 resolution that isn’t distorted and doesn’t fill up the space.

Instead, you get a 4:3 image with large black spaces on either side of the screen.

Before changing the TV picture settings:

1. Check the TV menu and home screen for stretching and distortion.
2. Try using a different input source (other HDMI or Blu-ray Disc player).
3. Check the aspect ratio of the Netflix movie or program you’re watching.
4. Check for Extended Data Services (XDS) or Closed Captioning (CC)—Both services may make the image appear cut-off, distorted, or stretched.

NOTE: Some TVs don’t offer the ability to change the image’s aspect ratio when receiving 720p or 1080i/p signals. So, take note of this, too.

Step #4: Change TV Automatic Picture Setting

Fortunately, most TVs adjust the aspect ratio automatically depending on the feed they are receiving.

But all TVs are different. Look for your TV’s aspect ratio adjustments in the picture settings.

Set the setting to Normal or Auto-Adjust instead of Zoom, Stretch, or Full Screen.

Step #5: Manually Change Picture Setting

If your TV is receiving a signal not adjusted by automatic modes, use the remote control to change the TV display modes.

Check the remote for a Wide or Zoom button. Then, press the button repeatedly to change the wide mode to display the image from Netflix correctly.

For a TV without the picture setting on the remote control, follow these steps:

1. Press the Menu or Home button to access the TV’s menu.
2. Depending on your TV model, select Display & Sound or Picture & Display > Screen, System or Display settings.
3. Select the screen mode that works best with Netflix.

Read Next: How to Watch Netflix on TV Without Internet?

Final Thoughts

Do you want to find out how to make Netflix full screen on TV? Are you interested in learning the ways of adjusting resolution and sizes?

If so, then the methods above can definitely help you identify the issue and hopefully resolve it quickly!

Keep our guide handy and rest assured that you wouldn’t encounter large and heavy problems with regard to your Netflix experience.