Netflix experienced a major service outage on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, affecting thousands of users across the United States and other countries. The problems began around 6:15 PM Eastern Time, with over 11,000 reports logged on DownDetector, a website that tracks service outages. Users reported issues with video streaming, server connections, and app functionality. While some services were partially restored later in the evening, many users continued to experience problems. Netflix has not officially confirmed the outage or provided a detailed statement, though its help center acknowledged that some devices might face streaming difficulties.
This is not the first time Netflix has faced such issues. A similar outage occurred in May 2025, when over 70,000 users reported problems accessing the platform. The latest disruption has sparked frustration among subscribers, many of whom took to social media to express their concerns. The outage comes at a time when Netflix is preparing to release new titles, adding to the disappointment of users eager to watch their favorite shows and movies.
What Happened During the Outage
The outage began in the evening of August 26, 2025, with users reporting a sudden inability to stream content. According to DownDetector, the number of complaints peaked at 11,569 by 9:30 PM ET. Issues included video streaming failures, server connection errors, and app malfunctions. Approximately 66% of users reported problems with video streaming, while 18% faced server connection issues, and 16% encountered app-related errors. The outage affected users in multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and parts of South America.
Many users saw error messages such as:
“You may have problems streaming titles on some devices. Try another device, or try again later.”
Others reported blank screens, missing play buttons, or an inability to access their accounts. The disruption lasted for several hours, with some users noting partial restoration of services by 10:30 PM ET. However, full functionality was not immediately restored for everyone.
Netflix’s Response and Communication
Netflix has not yet issued an official statement about the outage. The company’s social media channels and website remained silent as of 9:30 PM ET on August 26. However, Netflix’s help center page acknowledged potential issues, stating:
“We strive to bring you TV shows and movies you want to watch, whenever you want to watch them, but on very rare occasions we do experience a service outage.”
The lack of direct communication from Netflix frustrated many users, who took to social media to voice their concerns. One user wrote:
“Hey Netflix maybe let us know the app is down instead of me running around checking every different TV and tablet in my house, unplugging my modem, then unplugging the TV. All for nothing. You tweeted about a new show. Pay attention.”
Another user expressed their disappointment:
“Just purchased a Netflix account and I try to log on and the entire site is down in general. Might just go ahead and cancel the subscription same day lol.”
User Reactions and Social Media Buzz
The outage sparked widespread discussion on social media platforms, with many users sharing their experiences and frustrations. Some users reported temporary fixes, such as accessing downloads or refreshing the main page repeatedly. However, these solutions did not work for everyone. One user mentioned:
“Wait i found a way to make Netflix work for me idk if it will work for anyone else but i was able to click downloads and ‘see what you can download’ and i could access the main page but no searching and i had to refresh the show page a few times.”
Others used humor to cope with the situation, posting memes and jokes about their interrupted binge-watching plans. The outage also led to comparisons with the previous disruption in May 2025, which affected even more users.
Background and Previous Outages
Netflix has faced similar outages in the past. In May 2025, over 75,000 users reported issues with the platform, receiving error messages like “title not available to watch instantly.” That outage affected users across various states and device types, with problems occurring simultaneously on multiple devices. The recent outage on August 26, 2025, appears to be less severe but still significant enough to cause widespread inconvenience.
Netflix is one of the largest streaming platforms in the world, with over 300 million paid subscriptions in 190 countries. Its vast library includes TV shows, movies, anime, and documentaries, making it a primary source of entertainment for millions. The platform’s reliance on internet-connected devices makes it vulnerable to technical glitches, such as server overloads, network congestion, or software bugs.
Impact on New Releases
The outage occurred just before the release of several new titles on Netflix. Scheduled releases for August 27, 2025, include Katrina: Come Hell and High Water, Christopher—A Beautiful Life, and Fantasy Football Ruined Our Lives. Additionally, the highly anticipated movie adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club, starring Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren, is set to premiere soon. The disruption may have affected viewers eager to watch these new releases as soon as they became available.
How Users Can Address Streaming Issues
Netflix’s help center suggests that users experiencing problems try switching to another device or attempting to stream again later. If issues persist, users can search for specific error codes on the help center page or check their account status by signing in. However, during widespread outages, these measures may not immediately resolve the problem.
Current Status of the Service
As of the morning of August 27, 2025, reports on DownDetector have significantly decreased, suggesting that the issue has been largely resolved. However, some users may still experience intermittent problems. Netflix has not provided an update on whether the outage is fully resolved, but its help center states that the platform is “up” and not currently experiencing an interruption to its streaming service.
Also Read: Netflix Releases Katrina: Come Hell and High Water Documentary on 20th Anniversary
