How You Can Solve Netflix Black Screen With Sound Issue?

Netflix black screen with sound only happens when your streaming device is experiencing some sort of hardware/software slow-down. Stay with us, to resolve this problem in minutes!

When Netflix’s screen goes black but you still hear the sound, verify that your device’s internet connection is proper and clear the cache of your browser.

Then test streaming an alternative broadcast and inspect all hardware equipment if the problem persists.

Let’s dig deeper!

Why Is My Netflix Screen Black With Sound?

Here’s why your Netflix screen is black but the sound persists:

1. There’s an app issue with your device
2. The video cable is worn-out/not secured
3. An internet connection/WiFi slow-downs
4. Interference with other plugged external devices
5. Sync issues, as a result of network throttling
6. Problem with your browser/Netflix application
7. Hardware/video problems with your device

7 Methods to Fix Black Screen With Sound Netflix?

Tip: Follow our steps in consecutive order!

1. Reboot your Device!

The very first and most forward solution is a simple reboot on your streaming device.

The Netflix application can be going through a temporary glitch or a bug that is causing the audio to persist, while the video of the streaming platform is completely black.

How to Reboot Mobile Devices:

1. Hold the power button of the device.
2. Wait for the power menu to appear.
3. Select the “Reboot’ option from the list.
4. Wait for your device to shut down and startup.

How to Reboot PC/Laptop Devices:

1. Access the Windows or MAC start menu.
2. Press on the power icon at the left/right end.
3. Choose “Reboot” or “Restart” from the options.
4. Wait while your PC/laptop is restarting.

Tip: For Netflix on a Smart TV or a cable box, we strongly recommend taking this method one step further and performing a power circulation by unplugging the device from the power.

2. Check the Video Cable!

Watching Netflix on a monitor connected via video cable may result in audio/video issues.

Especially on PC devices where the connection with a monitor is mandatory, you may still hear the sound coming out of the speakers, but the display will be black!

• Some TV boxes and older consoles could also connect via Coax to the  TV

All Connection Video Cables:

• HDMI Cables
• Component Cables
• Composite Video Cables
• S-Video Cable
• VGA Cable
• DVI Cable
• DisplayPort Cable
• Thunderbolt Cable

Info: Examine the looks of the video cable and its ports and determine if the hardware of the wire seems faulty. 

In addition, check the connectors and remove obstructions from the ports.

3. Unplug External Devices

All third-party speakers, streaming devices, and consoles could result in problems with either the audio or video of your streaming device.

This is more likely to occur on TVs, PCs and laptops over mobile phones, since all you could connect there as an audio device are headphones.

What Third-Party Devices to Disconnect?

Disconnect all external devices, connected with the following cables:

• Coaxial cable
• HDMI cable
• AUX cable
• Component cables

Info: All of the following cables connect devices that could alter both the audio and the video on your device so leave your Netflix device standalone.

4. Troubleshoot Sync Issues

It is likely that your Netflix goes black but with sound due to internet sync issues.

Sync issues are when the audio and video of a broadcast fails behind, due to issues with the WiFi or internet which often leads to a black screen.

When Do Sync Issues Take Place?

The video and audio will usually fail to sync when the internet connection of your device is weak.

Neither the audio nor video totally stop, but the screen may freeze or go black when the WiFi strength is insufficient and cannot load the required bandwidth.

How to Fix Sync Issues?

• Reboot your router/network device
• Reconnect your device from the WiFi
• Place your device closer to the router

Info: The key to achieving a fast and unreliable internet connection on your streaming device is to place the unit/streaming appliance closer to the router. 

5. Clear your Browser Cache!

The black Netflix screen on PC online browsers, laptop devices, and mobile phones, could mean that you haven’t cleared the browser cache.

As you use your browser in the long run, excess data files, also known as ‘cache’, pile up which slows down the performance.

• Best Browser Recommendation for Netflix – Google Chrome!

How to Clear Cache (Chrome)

1. Launch the Chrome application on your computer.
2. Select the “More” button at the top right of the page.
3. Click on “More Tools” > “Clear Browsing Data”.
4. Choose “All Time” in the time range settings.
5. Click “Clear Data” to start the process.

How to Clear Cache (Firefox)

1. Select the drop-down Firefox menu after launching the browser.
2. Navigate to the “Privacy & Security” tab in the Firefox app.
3. Click “Clear Data” under the “Cookies Site Data section”.
4. Select “Site Data” and unselect “Cookies”.

How to Clear Cache (Microsoft Edge)

1. Click the menu icon in Microsoft Edge.
2. Select “Privacy” and enable the list of options.
3. Scroll down to tap “Clear Browsing Data”.
4. Choose the type of data you wish to erase.

Tip: You could also erase the cookies of your browser for even more performance boost but it will sign you out of all websites!

6. Deactivate a VPN or a Proxy Service!

Streaming Netflix through a device connected to VPN or Proxy may result in network delays that could make the screen of your Netflix pitch black.

It’s a different type of network throttle, which happens when you’re connected to a distant server via VPN or a router Proxy!

How to Check for VPN On Mobile Devices:

1. Open the Settings of your mobile device.
2. Tap on the search field to start searching.
3. Type “VPN” and press the magnifying lens.
4. Enter the tab that appeared on the first result.
5. Check if a VPN service is associated/activated.

How to Check for VPN On PC/Laptop Devices:

1. Launch the task manager (Windows), activity monitor (iOS).
2. Scroll down in the tab and search for a VPN application.
3. Right-click the VPN process and press on “End Task”.
4. Close the task manager/activity monitor.
5. Turn on Netflix and test.

Info: If the VPN application is enabled to launch with the startup of your device, you will have to shut it down each time before streaming Netflix.

How to Check for Proxy?

• Windows

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Click on “Internet Options”.
3. Go to “Connections”.
4. Press “Lan Settings”.
5. Deactivate if you’ve set up a proxy.

• iOS

1. Launch the Settings of your iOS device.
2. Choose “WiFi” as you scroll down.
3. Press on your current network.
4. Scroll down to the “HTTP” proxy.
5. Press “Manual” > “Deactivate”.

Note: While streaming Netflix regularly, do not set up a proxy connection on your device!

7. Reinstall the Netflix Application

Based on whether you’re using Netflix through an app or browser, this method could be helpful since the apps sometimes become faulty.

The black screen could be caused by corrupted data and only a clean app installation will help.

• Simply Uninstall and Install cleanly the Netflix app on your device!

Then the Netflix app can be acquired from the dedicated app store on your device so after downloading the app freshly, test whether the screen will be black. If, yes, then proceed with the final solution to draw a conclusion.

8. Test Through a Different Device!

Perhaps, this problem is more complicated than we thought.

If your streaming device is experiencing some sort of display or audio issues, it’s best to test this out by streaming the same Netflix account, from a different device. We suggest using your mobile device!

• Download the Netflix app or access it through a browser on your phone!

Sign in using the very same account and view your profile as you did on your previous device.

In fact, turn on the same movie or TV show you’ve started experiencing issues on, to determine if your mobile device’s display would also go black.

Alert: If everything is working fine on your phone or another testing device, perhaps the black screen is not because of Netflix, instead it's an HW fault with your device.

Quick Recap:

Today we’ve learned why Netflix’s black screen with sound issues occurs and that the solution is to reboot your device and check the internet. If that didn’t work, deactivate all VPN/proxy services on your device, reinstall your Netflix, and clear your browser data.

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