How to Fix Netflix Error TVQ-PB-101

Users experience the Netflix Error code TVQ-PB-101 with several variations when they are streaming videos/TV shows in various devices including PS3, Roku, Xbox 360, Smart TVs, etc. This is a very common issue and seems to occur quite frequently for numerous users.

Netflix Error TVQ-PB-101
Netflix Error TVQ-PB-101

According to Netflix, this is a very common issue and can usually be solved by simple workarounds. However, our investigations found quite the opposite where users struggled with this issue and were not able to eradicate the error message completely.

In this article, we have listed all the workarounds along with the causes as to why this issue occurs in the first place. Before we start, it is recommended that you have your account credentials at hand as you might be required to re-enter them.

What causes the Netflix Error Message ‘TVQ-PB-101’?

After receiving initial reports from users, we investigated this particular issue and after experimenting on our devices, we worked out the causes. The reasons why the error message ‘TVQ-PB-101’ occurs on your device are but not limited to:

  • Device in error state: The device which you are using might be in an error state usually due to bad temporary configurations. This is a very common issue and can usually be fixed by power cycling the device.
  • Netflix Servers are Down: Even though this error message primarily points towards issues in configurations, there are numerous cases where Netflix services from the backend were down due to which this error message kept surfacing.
  • Outdated Netflix Application: Another interesting cause which causes this error message is an outdated Netflix application. The error message which appears is primarily an issue in playing a video and there is no mention of an outdated application.
  • Bad internet connection: The error message ‘TVQ-PB-101’ also occurs when there is an unstable internet connection and the video stops playing in the middle.
  • Badly stored configurations: Another reason why users might experience the error message is that there are bad configurations stored in the device (such as PS3 or Xbox). Resetting the configurations usually solves this issue instantly.

Before we move on to the solutions, make sure that you have all your progress/work saved on your device. We might be resetting some of the modules completely.

Solution 1: Checking your Internet connection

Before we try any technical workarounds, it is necessary that you make sure that you have an active internet connection on your computer. In order for Netflix to work seamlessly, it is necessary that you have an open internet connection without the restriction of Firewalls and Proxy servers. If you are streaming using an open internet connection, it is recommended that you switch to a private connection.

Checking your Internet connection in PS3
Checking your Internet connection in PS3

Open/Public connections are usually present in Offices, Hospitals, and other Public Places.These connections might cater for simple internet queries but are known to be problematic when it comes to streaming or downloading. To make sure that your internet connection is working as expected, you should connect another device to the same network and see if the problem persists there. If it doesn’t, it means there is some issue at your device’s end.

Note: If you are using Roku or some other streaming platform, make sure that you reset its internet connection completely. This was also stated in Netflix official website’s documentation.

Solution 2: Checking Netflix Server Status

Another thing to check before we attempt power cycling your devices is checking whether Netflix services are working properly or not. We came across several cases where Netflix was down at the server side due to which the users were not able to stream shows.

Checking Netflix Server Status
Checking Netflix Server Status

Another interesting fact to note is that it is not evident that Netflix services are having issues at the backend; in numerous cases, we came across situations where the Netflix services were down and the server status showed otherwise. You can always check the official server status but make sure that you also check other various forums and look for users having a similar situation. If you find any, it probably means that there is an outage from the backend and the issue will most probably be fixed within a few hours.

Solution 3: Power Cycling your Device

If both the above methods don’t work, consider power cycling your device completely. Power cycling is the act of completely shutting down your device and draining all of its power. This will help in deleting all the temporary configurations. These temporary configurations cause several issues in not just Netflix, but in also other applications and modules. You saved data will not be lost (but make sure that you save all your work before proceeding).

  1. Turn off your device completely using the power button.
  2. Now, take out the main power cable from the device and press and hold the power button for a couple of minutes. This will drain all the static power left in the device.
    Power cycling Device
  3. Let the device be for a 4-5 minutes before plugging everything back in and turning it on.
  4. Now check if the issue still persists.

Solution 4: Using another Profile

Another workaround to try before we reinstall the Netflix application is logging in through another Netflix profile on your device. There are numerous cases where there are issues with the user profile logged in on your device. When you log in through another profile, this might troubleshoot and eliminate the possibility that there is something wrong with your account.

The logging out procedure of your Netflix profile is different for different devices. In Roku, you can easily log out using the options while in Samsung TVs, you might need to follow some combinations. In this solution, we have targeted on how you can log out of your Netflix account in your Smart TV.

  1. Load into the Netflix application and let your account load.
  2. Now use the arrow keys in your Smart TV remote to log out of the application. Make sure that you press the keys in sequence in which they are listed. Do not regard what happens at your screen when performing the actions:
Up > Up > Down > Down > Left > Right > Left > Right > Up > Up > Up > Up
Logging out of Netflix Account in Smart TV
Logging out of Netflix Account in Smart TV
  1. Click on the Deactivate button to remove your account from your TV.
Deactivating Netflix Account
Deactivating Netflix Account
  1. Restart your Smart TV and then log in again. Check if the issue still persists.

Note: If you do not have another Netflix account at your disposal, consider relogging in the application instead. It might more or less do the same thing but make sure that your account is working by using it on a computer.

Solution 5: Updating/Re-installing Netflix Application

If all the above methods don’t work, it is worth a try checking whether your Netflix application is outdated or not. A point to note is that usually, devices such as TVs and Xbox don’t really let you know that you have an outdated Netflix application. There is no prompt or warning and the older application works as intended. However, at the backend, Netflix has released a crucial update and not having that version usually causes the error message.

Now there are two ways through which you can update Netflix application; you can either delete the application and reinstall it or navigate to the Update tab and check for updates there. We usually prefer the earlier method because it makes the device download a fresh copy of the application while also updating it; this eradicates the issue of bad data stored in the application.

Here we have included a method on how to delete the Application on Samsung TVs. You can follow similar methods on your respective devices.

  1. Press the Home button on your Samsung TV remote (it will show as a house).
  2. Now select Apps from the preceding settings and then click on Settings (a gear icon present at the top-right side of the screen).
Opening Application Settings
Opening Application Settings
  1. Now, use the remote keys to navigate to the Netflix application. Now, when you highlight the application, several options will pop up underneath it. Select the Delete
Deleting Netflix Application
Deleting Netflix Application
  1. Now, when the prompt comes, click on Delete Now all the data related to Netflix will be removed from your Samsung TV. Restart it completely after the process has completed.
  2. Now you can navigate to the application store, search for Netflix and download the application from there. Now check if the issue is resolved after you input your credentials.
Confirming the Deleting Process
Confirming the Deleting Process

Note:

If all the above methods don’t work, you can also try the following basic troubleshooting techniques:

  • Make sure that there are no proxies or VPNs present on your network.
  • You have a legit Netflix subscription.
  • You can also consider resetting your viewing device (such as Roku or Smart TV). We came across several instances where resetting was the only option.
  • You should also check your ISPs internet settings. If you have modified your streaming device’s network settings, you should consider restoring the default ones.
  • Delete the application’s saved game data in case of Xbox and PS3/PS4.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.