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[Gordon Neal]

This week, I've encountered strange behavior on two different Roku TVs in two different states. In both cases, while watching a show the app would suddenly stop and go back to the home screen. When resuming the show, it often would start playing a minute or two earlier in the episode than where it stopped. Also, the issue happens repeatedly, even after restarting the device. I've tested it on different internet sources, and that didn't make a difference.

Before I go the route of reinstalling apps or factory resetting, is anyone else experiencing something similar? This started about a week ago. It seems unlikely reseting will fix this gs as this is happening on more than one device in different locations.

I'm having the exact same issue but only on 1, my newest TV, a Roku TCL, 58 inch. Starts the episode on Netflix and with no warning stops and goes to the home page. i've tried everything from uninstalling to reinstalling the apps. Annoying to say the least.

There are a few possible reasons why your Prime and Netflix apps are crashing on your Roku TVs. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try before resorting to reinstalling apps or factory resetting:

Help, this problem just started for me in the last 24 hours on every TCL Roku Series 4, 5, 6 I own. Only Netflix and Prime crash, all other apps are fine. Tried restart, reinstall, no luck. Cannot figure out how to clear app cash, none of the TVs have Settings > System > Advanced system settings > App > Netflix/Prime Video > Clear cash option. Thanks.

Did you restart your Roku device before re-installing the channel? That step is crucial when performing the troubleshooting. If you haven't tried the suggested order (remove > restart > re-install), we would recommend giving it a shot once again. We also suggest doing the restart from the Settings menu by navigating to Settings > System > Power (If you do not see a Power submenu, skip to the next step.) > System restart.
For detailed instructions, refer to this Support link: How do I resolve channel playback issues?"

Does the issue occur on the Netflix channel only or all channels on your Roku devices? What are the steps to reproduce the issue you are seeing? What troubleshooting steps have you already taken to try to resolve the issue?

Oculus launched the official Netflix app for Gear VR today, and it's prominently featured on the virtual app store. I grabbed my Gear VR and spent around 15 minutes exploring the application, curious about what it's like to stream video from within virtual reality.

What's fascinating about the experience is that Netflix could have put you anywhere, but strangely decided to create a sort of rustic cabin look for your environment. There is a coffee cup on the table in front of you, and a Bojack Horseman poster is hung above the virtual television. The application uses the standard Netflix UI on the screen; you simply look to move the cursor and tap the touchpad on the side of the Gear VR to make your selections.

The cabin environment was a bit frustrating, I didn't find it comfortable and the TV wasn't quite large enough to be impressive nor far enough away to be comfortable. If you look straight up you can enter the "Void Theater," which basically puts a floating image in front of your eyes, outside any environment except for a dull gray color.

You can adjust the size of the screen to make it larger or smaller, and even turn on a "travel" mode that maps the middle of the screen with your gaze so the image doesn't stray if you're on a plane or car that's turning.

The best thing about watching video in virtual reality is the isolation factor. I was able to blot out the entirety of the press room and get lost inside a film, and that's a neat trick when you're traveling or want to focus exclusively on video content. What I wanted was a movie theater environment, but we're stuck with either an empty gray void or a strange house in the mountains.

This is interesting for a first step for Netflix, but it's missing basic features. I'd love more environments, or the ability to change the color in the void theater. I'd also like to be able to adjust not just the size of the screen but how far it is from you; there just isn't enough control over the virtual screen to find the sweet spot for most viewers.

It's neat that this exists, and with the retail version of the hardware launching at $99 we're close to the Gear VR becoming a mainstream product, but there simply needs to be more options for this app to be as good as it needs to be for people to watch video in virtual reality for long periods of time.

Allowing Netflix streaming inside the existing Oculus Cinema app, which offers many more environments and options, would actually solve many of these issues, but it's unlikely Netflix will allow its content to leave its own app. It's also likely we'll see updates to the app as the retail hardware gets closer to launch.

Next you'll also need some way to connect the internet directly to the device that will stream Netflix (more on that below). Depending on the device you may need a wired Ethernet connection or, more commonly, Wi-Fi. To connect that device to Wi-Fi, you'll need to make sure you know your Wi-Fi name and password. Netflix recommends a minimum connection speed of 1.5Mbps and most broadband services can reliably achieve this, but if you're unsure try visiting SpeedTest to measure your speed.

Once you have an account and internet connectivity, you'll need a device to watch Netflix on. Just like on your phone, there's a Netflix app for TVs and other devices including media streamers and video game consoles. The app is free, but of course you'll need to install it on the device first. Bear in mind that all of the options below presume either Netflix is on board your TV or you have a modern TV with an HDMI port.

If you have an older, analog TV without HDMI, sadly these options won't work for you. Roku used to make a streamer with analog out called the Roku Express Plus, but has been replaced with a model with HDMI only. If you really don't want to buy a new TV just to get Netflix, you may be able to find one of the former versions -- just look for the tell-tale AV-out port.

Smart TV: If you have a flat-screen TV manufactured in the last 10 years you can probably already watch Netflix on it. Modern TVs integrate streaming services like Netflix into an interface known as "smart TV." While some TVs have a dedicated Netflix button on the remote, most compatible models have a smart TV button that should let you access the streaming apps available. The app may be older, slower and not as slick as the modern version, but if you want to access Netflix right now, it should still work.

Streaming device or game console: While some TVs have Netflix apps built-in, many people watch Netflix on TV using a separate device connected to their TVs. If you're not using the TV's built-in smart platform, you'll want to be sure the TV has an HDMI port. Almost every device of the Netflix devices we'll mention below use HDMI connections.

Likewise your Blu-ray player or gaming console might have a Netflix app. If you have a relatively recent console -- from the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 and up -- you'll be able to access Netflix on it. For example, the PlayStation 3 is still able to offer the most up-to-date version of the app, which includes browser sign-in.

Mobile device: Phones and tablets can also control Netflix on a TV, although the process can be a bit more complex than either of the two methods above. If you want to use your phone to control Netflix, you can use a feature called Chromecast built-in, or for Apple users AirPlay, to stream video from your device. Recent TVs from Sony and Vizio enable users to navigate the Netflix app on their phone, and then press the Cast button (below) to stream to the TV. Apple users can use the AirPlay icon (a TV with an arrow beneath it) in a similar way for Roku devices, Apple TV and other recent televisions. You can then control the action with the phone or the TV remote. If your TV doesn't have Chromecast onboard, for example, you can add a Google Chromecast, which plugs into a spare HDMI port.

Once you've got your device set up, you'll open the Netflix app and be presented with a login screen. Recently, Netflix added the option to sign on with a separate device, even on older streamers like the PS3. No more typing long usernames and passwords with a remote, just click on Sign on from Web at the bottom right of the screen. The device will give you a choice of a QR symbol or a code to type into an already-connected device (like your phone) here. However, if your TV or streamer doesn't have this capability, and you need to enter your Netflix login (username and password) manually, first confirm the login details on a computer or phone first before trying it on your TV.

While your current smart TV, game console or Blu-ray player with Netflix is the cheapest option, it may not be the best one for you. If you have an older device, for instance, you may find its Netflix app to be sluggish or unreliable. You also miss out on interface improvements or new features, such as the ability to watch interactive shows such as the Black Mirror special Bandersnatch or You vs. Wild (though it's not guaranteed). Or maybe you'd rather use a real remote instead of your console's controller.

The best way to access an up-to-date Netflix is via a new streaming device. Prices start at $30 with the Roku Express. Just plug one of these devices into a spare HDMI port on your current TV and follow the onscreen prompts. Many streamers include Netflix by default, but each device (except Chromecast) also has a Streaming Channels list or App Store for downloading the app for free.

Most TVs today are 4K models, and our favorite steamer for 4K TVs is this Roku device. It combines Roku's simple interface with the improved image quality of 4K and HDR -- both of which are available on Netflix if you get the most expensive plan.

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