One of my favorite parts of vacation was taking along a couple of Netflix shows and original movies.
But the most annoying thing that can happen to you on your vacation is when you notice the big yellow warning that says “Expired.” Well, that will leave you astounded.
With a vast network, streaming Netflix shows will rarely be a challenge, but you will be caught off guard by the Expired message.
Although streaming has perks, offline downloads make the scene a tad different. If you frequently download shows and originals, you will likely run into similar issues.
This article will compile some of the most common downloaded issues and problems and their solutions while using Netflix.
Let’s begin.
Does Netflix Have a Download Limit?
Before the problems, let’s look at Netflix’s download limits. Though the streaming service offers a lot of original content, its vast library also includes titles licensed from the original creators.
Hence, depending on the title and the running time of the licensing rights, Netflix sets a specific download limit for each show and movie.
And to answer the question asked above, yes, Netflix does have a download limit. The streaming platform lets you download up to 100 titles per device.
After that, Netflix will throw up an error message stating, ‘There was a problem…’ when the limit is exceeded. Reaching a number this high on a single device is a rare occurrence.
However, if you use your Netflix details across multiple devices, these numbers might vary. Thankfully, you will receive a warning so that you can remove the old titles.
The best option is to delete the download instead of removing them individually.
To do so, navigate to More > App Settings in the Netflix app and tap on the Delete all Downloads option.
However, there are no strict guidelines and rules. Depending on the title, the time of availability and the download limit may vary.
You should ask if there is a download limit per title. The answer is yes. Sadly, Netflix does not make you aware of the limit set on each title.
You must resort to the trial-and-error method of downloading and checking the title.
Now that we have established the cause of this article, let’s examine some of the common download issues.
How to Remove the “Too Many Devices Error.”
This error usually occurs when you have downloaded titles on multiple devices or profiles.
That is because Netflix restricts video downloads to one device per account.
But to remove these errors, you must delete the older titles from your other devices.
To do this, tap on the Exclamation icon next to the title and then select Delete Download.
After that, you are required to restart the app.
Downloaded Titles Showing Expired Tag
Downloaded shows should not stay on your device for long because some titles are available for offline viewing for a certain period, like about a week or two.
Usually, when a show passes the stipulated time, the Expired tag will pop next to the content’s thumbnail.
Though many titles will allow you to renew the download quickly, that is not the case for all.
Some studios allow only a certain number of downloads. If you cannot do so, your only solution is to stream it online.
Also, note that the shows that leave the Netflix platform also show an Expired tag next to them.
Yearly Download Limit Error
This error is related to the one already discussed above. As mentioned earlier, some content rights holders allow a certain number of downloads for their creations.
In this situation, makers restrict the number of downloads per year.
Again, there’s no workable way around this error except to either wait for a few months or stream it online.
Netflix Downloads Not Showing Up/disappeared
Have you ever noticed your Downloaded TV shows disappearing? The chances are that the app’s Smart Downloads feature is enabled.
This feature deletes the episode you have seen and replaces it with the next episode.
It was quite shocking when it happened to me. Thankfully, I figured it out and shall explain it in detail towards the end of this post.
Netflix Downloads Showing Unavailable
This error occurs mostly when you haven’t watched any of the downloaded content on your app, and then you will see the Unavailable error.
The worst thing is the thumbnail that doesn’t even show an exclamation or warning sign.
The error only appears when you click the thumbnail to watch it. However, you can solve that error very quickly by tapping the Download Again button.
Remember to apply the usual rules of restarting your app if the download does not resume.
Titles Not Downloading
Sometimes, downloads do not initiate, even when you tap the Download button multiple times.
Sometimes, downloads do not resume even when you tap the Renew button.
In such a situation, it is wise to restart the app and start the process from scratch.
At the end of the day, always remember that not every title on Netflix is available for download.
Also, the downloaded files are massive, and they will most likely eat up space and data on your device.
So, if you are someone who sometimes forgets to watch downloaded shows, the Smart Downloads feature was created for you.
What Are Smart Downloads, and How Do You Go About It?
Netflix Smart Downloads is all about automatic downloads. It is built for extended series such as The Stranger Things and The Crown. When this feature is enabled, it automatically downloads the next episode after you have seen the previous one.
Also, the app is smart enough to delete the old episode from your phone.
It can be enabled from the settings section ‘More > App Settings.’ Once you have done that, you’ll see the option at the top of the download page.
If you are subscribed to a limited cellular internet plan, you don’t need to worry. This feature only kicks in when the device is connected to a Wi-Fi network, so you are safe.
Furthermore, Smart Downloads also allows you to delete shows easily.
This is done from the Download page. You tap on any title to activate the selection, check the titles that you want to be deleted, and then tap on the Trash icon to erase them from your device.
Also, you can quickly deactivate the feature by tapping on the I-icon.
1 comment
Omg, this article is a life savior! I’ve been stressing about Netflix since yesterday. The Netflix app on my phone keeps crashing, and I can’t even download a single movie using videohunt.net. But thanks to this, I now understand what causes it. After updating the app and resetting our internet router, I can download Netflix movies again. Thanks much!