7 Ways to fix Hulu streaming problems

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Emma
July 29, 2024

Like any internet service, Hulu is susceptible to an array of possible problems. Each of those problems can have a variety of causes. If Hulu streaming is not working for you, you don’t have to worry because we’ve created a useful guide to fixing Hulu streaming issues as fast as possible.

What Causes Hulu Streaming Problems?

Two main reasons can cause Hulu streaming problems. There could be a connectivity problem that arises from a poor network connection or a software problem, usually due to a bug or problem within the Hulu app or your device. You can try each of these potential fixes, starting with the simplest and easiest and then working your way through more complex or less likely solutions. 

How to Fix Hulu Streaming Problems?

1. Check If Hulu is Down

If you can’t stream Hulu anywhere—their website, on your phone or TV, etc.—there’s a good chance the problem lies with the Hulu service itself. In this case, there’s nothing you can do to fix it, but you can verify this is indeed the problem before moving on to a different troubleshooting guide. The easiest way to check is to go to Hulu’s network status page at Downdetector (https://downdetector.com/status/hulu). You can also just search for “Is Hulu down” in a Google search. 

2. Check the Internet Connection

Reboot your WiFi router and cable modem (turn them both off for about two minutes, then turn them back on) and make sure you have a strong WiFi signal on whatever device you are trying to watch Hulu. To check if the network speed is fine, open the YouTube or Netflix app. If buffering is happening while watching the video, then the internet speed is slow, and if buffering is not happening, then the internet speed is fine. The network speed for Hulu app streaming should be at least 3mbps.

3. Update the Hulu App

If your internet connection is fine, the problem doesn’t have to be on your end. The error may be due to a bug present within it. As such, check to see if there’s a new version of the app available to download. Visit your app store to see if there’s an update available. 

4. Clear Cache Data

If Hulu keeps freezing still, clearing cache data on your device or browser is another way Hulu users can fix Hulu freezing problems. When Hulu uses too much memory, it starts to lag or freeze while streaming the video, making your stream break up and start buffering. If you clear the cache, you will remove site data from your browser and hopefully solve any buffering-related issues.

Clear your browser cache:

  1. Go to your Chrome or Edge Browser;
  2. Click the “3 dot line” on the right corner;
  3. Click on “History;”
  4. Click on “Clear browsing data”;
  5. Ensure all the boxes are checked and press “Clear browsing data”;
  6. Now try Hulu again and see if it works correctly.

iPhone and iPad

On an iOS device, you need to delete the Hulu app to reset its cache. After removing the app, reinstall it from the App Store and log back into your account. 

Android phone and tablet

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Apps > Hulu > Storage.
  3. Select Clear Cache and Clear Data.

Android TV

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Applications > Hulu.
  3. Select Clear Cache and Clear Data.

Fire TV and Fire TV Stick

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Applications > Manage Installed Applications Hulu.
  3. Select Clear Cache and Clear Data.

Learn how to clear Hulu cache and data on more devices.

5. Reactivate Your Device

Hulu may stop working if it does not recognize your device. Hulu can also stop working if you are logged in on multiple devices from multiple locations. The best way to deal with it is to deactivate and reactivate your device.

  1. Navigate to secure.hulu.com/account.
  2. Click on Manage Devices.
  3. Locate your device, and click Remove.
  4. Sign back in on your device and attempt to stream.

6. Restart Your Streaming Device

Hulu is available on many devices from phone, tablets to Fire TV Stick. Each device has different hardware and applications and errors may occur. Restarting your device and application can help clear up any errors and get things working again.

7. Check for Hulu Error Codes

There are dozens of different Hulu error codes and Hulu error messages aren’t always crystal clear in terms of explaining the problem. Some Hulu error codes indicate a problem with your device, others are caused by poor internet connections, and some are the result of hardware issues. If you received a Hulu error code when trying to stream, check for information about that specific code. You can still use these general troubleshooting tips, but you may find more specific information if you have an error code.

How to Watch Hulu without Streaming Problems?

Did the above fix the problem you are experiencing with Hulu? You may wish never to encounter Hulu streaming problems. If you want to watch a constant stream of videos and shows without any interruption or errors, the easy escape is to watch Hulu offline by downloading its content. This offline capability is currently available exclusively to subscribers who have a Hulu’s No Ads plan at $12.99 per month or a Hulu No Ads + Live TV plan at $75.99 per month. 

Even if your Hulu is currently downloading movies and TV shows properly, you will not be able to access your previously downloaded videos when your paid membership expires and you do not renew it. So what we’re about to introduce is a universal solution. Use Pazu Hulu Video Downloader to download your favorite Hulu movies and TV shows to your local computer, free from the constraints of the platform. You can then watch them without any interruption.

Pazu Hulu Video Downloader is a master video downloader that can download any Hulu movies and TV shows in MP4 or MKV format. Pazu Hulu Video Downloader can easily download Hulu videos on the computer in high quality with multiple languages of audio tracks and subtitles kept. Plus it doesn’t require you to have a Hulu No Ads plan. Pazu Hulu Video Downloader supports downloading ad-free videos for all types of Hulu subscribers. Now we will show you how to use Pazu Hulu Video Downloader to download Hulu movies and TV shows to play them without streaming problems.

Step 1. Run Pazu Hulu Video Downloader on your Mac or Windows.

Download, install and launch Pazu Hulu Video Downloader on your Mac or Windows. Log in your Hulu account and choose hulu.com, hulu.jp or hulu.jp/store.

Hulu Downloader

Select a profile.

choose Hulu profile

Step 2. Search Hulu movies/TV shows to download.

Enter the movie/TV show title in the search field.

search Hulu videos

Or copy&paste the link of the movie/TV show from  Hulu website. Then click the Search icon.

search Hulu videos

Step 3. Choose video format/quality

Select Settings (gear icon) from the top right corner to change:

  • Video format: MP4 or MKV
  • Video codec: H264 or H265
  • Enable hardware acceleration or not
  • Audio language: English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese
  • Subtitle language: English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese
  • Subtitle type: Embedded subtitles, Independent subtitles, Hardcoded subtitles
  • Interface languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese
Hulu to MP4

Step 4. Start to download Hulu videos

If your selection is a movie, click the download icon next to it and the downloading begins.

download Hulu movie to MP4

After the movie is downloaded, click History button to quickly locate it. 

download Hulu movie to MP4

If your selection is a TV show, click download icon next to it to select episodes you want to download. Then click Download button.

download Hulu TV show to MP4

After downloading, play the Hulu MP4/MKV videos on unlimited devices at the same time.