Pluto TV Black Screen? – (Here’s How to Fix)

Are you facing Pluto TV black screen? The issue is well-known and very quick to fix!

The Pluto TV is a marvelous app that runs on any device. But some issues might hinder you from watching it while instead, you face a black or blank screen.

To fix Pluto TV’s black screen, check the network settings, app permissions, and login session. Alternatively, check the cache (on the browser, app, or TV), browser extensions, and video settings or update the device’s firmware.

All solutions are easy; you will watch Pluto TV without issues in a few minutes!

Pluto TV Black Screen – Check 8 Quick Solutions

Solution #1: Check Your Network Connection

Sometimes, the issue with the Pluto TV’s black screen is as simple as this: the network is bad. We all have very fast routers and ISP plans nowadays.

However, the network might fail, causing streaming services to buffer forever while presenting a black or blank screen.

So you must do the following:

1. Whatever device you are using, go to the Wi-Fi settings.
2. Check if you are connected to 2.4GHz or 5GHz.
3. If available, switch to 5GHz.
4. If the issue persists, restart the router.

Sometimes, you must disconnect and connect the device to the router several times.

If you are on a TV or computer, you should also try connecting via Ethernet.

Note: Perhaps other apps or sites are working fine while Pluto TV isn't. That still might be related to the router. Any blockages regarding the Pluto TV's address should vanish when you refresh it.

Check App Permissions On Android

iOS and Android have standard limitations when it comes to apps that use the network.

We could assume your phone is blocking Pluto TV’s access. So do the following:

1. Access your device’s Settings app.
2. Go to the “Apps” section.
3. Find and choose the Pluto TV app.
4. Select “Permissions.”
5. You’ll see a list of permissions, including granted or denied ones.
6. To modify a permission, tap on it.
7. You’ll be given the option to “Allow” or “Don’t allow.”

Check Restrictions On iOS

iPhone owners need to follow these steps to grant network access to the Pluto TV app:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go to Privacy.
3. Check the “Local Network” setting.
4. You will see all the apps available.
5. Allow local network access to the Pluto TV app.

Solution #2: Reset The Session

When the network is not the problem, the next thing you must do is check something very small: your login session.

Many apps and platforms won’t fully load when you log in to them. Or important data crashes gets lost, or gets corrupted after a while.

So, the solution is logging out and in again. 

1. Open the app.
2. Find the profile/account details.
3. Log out of the app.
4. Open the app again.
5. Log into it with your account credentials again.

All content should load without issues. If resetting your login session doesn’t work, you should try clearing the cache.

Solution #3: Clear The TV Cache

Are you trying to watch Pluto TV on your TV? Recent Smart TVs have a feature that allows you to clear the cache of certain apps.

Other times, you can only clear the cache of the TV’s entire system.

Whatever option you find, it is a great opportunity that allows you to sweep glitches away.

1. Open your TV’s settings.
2. Navigate to “General” or “Data.”
3. Locate anything related to “Clear cache” or “clear data.”
4. Clear the TV’s cache if you find it.

Depending on your TV, it is also possible that you can’t clear the entire TV’s cache at once.

Rather, it is necessary to clear the app’s cache individually:

1. Locate the Pluto TV app.
2. Go to its settings.
3. Select “Clear cache” if available.

For Roku Owners

Roku owners, however, will need to clear the system’s cache entirely.

You need to press a combination of buttons on the remote:

1. Click the Home button on the TV remote.
2. Move the cursor to the “Home” option on the TV.
3. Click the “Home” button five times in a row.
4. Click the “Up” button.
5. Click “Rewind” twice.
6. Click “Fast forward” twice.

Solution #4: Reset The Network Settings

In solution #1, we’ve briefed some solutions regarding the network connection, but there are deeper settings you can check to try and make Pluto TV receive all the data it needs.

One reason the app is failing is that the current network session is blocking the signal for the Pluto TV servers.

Fortunately, solving it is very simple:

1. Open your TV’s Network settings.
2. Find the current Wi-Fi connection.
3. Delete its data and ensure the TV stay offline for a while.
4. Restart your router and the TV.
5. Go to the Network settings again.
6. Connect to the router anew (ensure 5GHz).

That way, both the router and TV will generate a different virtual address.

Such a different virtual address should have fewer restrictions, thus not blocking the Pluto TV servers.

Solution #5: Change The TV’s DNS

Are you still getting the black screen while trying to watch Pluto TV? Then your TV is still blocking its signal, even if only partially.

That is not an issue with the ISP or TV per se, but rather the DNS configuration.

Fortunately, 99% of TV models nowadays allow you to change the DNS very quickly:

1. Go to your TV’s settings.
2. Locate the network settings.
3. Check for anything related to IP, DNS, etc.
4. If necessary, choose “manual IP” or “manual DNS” to access the necessary option.

Have you reached the part where you need to enter manual DNS data? Then here it goes:

• Primary DNS should be 8.8.8.8;
• Secondary DNS must be 8.8.4.4.

Note: If your TV is Roku-enabled, you can’t change the DNS manually. Instead, you will need to cling to all the other solutions in this guide.

Solution #6: Change The TV’s Video Settings

TV users should also verify the video settings in place when the Pluto TV app turns black.

Some video settings cannot process the data provided by certain apps, making apps crash or function improperly.

The process is very simple and goes like this:

1. Press the Configurations button on the remote.
2. Locate “Picture Mode.”
3. Change between picture modes and check if anything changes.

Changing picture modes is standard in most TVs. However, you can tweak additional video settings on your TV when available.

Solution #7: Update Your TV’s Firmware

Finally, we can attribute the issues with Pluto TV on your TV to the lack of firmware updates.

Have you recently skipped an update? Or have you noticed issues/glitches in other applications, too? Then, it is time to visit the TV’s settings and check if an update is available.

1. Locate the TV’s Settings.
2. Select the “System” menu.
3. Head to “System Update.”
4. Choose “Check Now.”

The system will talk to the servers and verify if an update is available. Install it if it is.

Solution #8: Hard Reset The TV

Resetting the TV implies bringing it back to the factory defaults, which means you will lose all the apps you have downloaded and the info to log into their accounts.

However, it also gets rid of serious glitches. So before starting the reset procedure, it is worth checking if other apps have also been showing glitches.

Are you positive about the reset?

How To Reset Any TV

As long as the remote is working and you can navigate the TV’s menus, you can reset any model by doing the following:

1. Enter the TV’s settings.
2. Locate anything related to “System.”
3. Find “Erase data”; “Restore”; “Default settings” or something along those lines.
4. Confirm that you want to reset the TV.
5. Wait a while for the process to finish.

Use The Physical Button

Some TVs also have a physical button which you can access when the TV’s screen system is glitched. That way you can get it back to the default settings.

The process goes like this:

1. Locate the physical reset button (the location will vary according to the brand: a pinhole close to the HDMI port, or a pressable button).
2. Press it for 10 to 15 seconds.
3. Wait for the TV’s brand name to display on the screen.

Quick Recap

Pluto TV black screen shows up when one important configuration on your device doesn’t allow the site or app to load its content.

Checking the cache, network, and extensions (if using a browser) is essential to get the service to work as intended again.