How to Fix Netflix “Check Date and Time Settings” Error?
Netflix shows “Please make sure that your device has network connectivity and the Date and Time settings are accurate” on Android when the app cannot complete its startup connection check.
The warning may include -3, -121, or -400. Those codes matter because Netflix uses the same wording for clock mismatches, stale network sessions, and damaged app data.
Do not read the message as proof that Wi-Fi is fully broken. The device can still look connected while Netflix rejects a wrong time zone, a bad reconnect, or old files saved by the app.
| What you see | What it usually needs | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| Error -3, especially after travel, a reset, standby, or a reconnect | Correct Android time settings and a fresh network join | Methods 1-2 |
| Error -121 on an Android phone, tablet, TV, or TV box | A restart, app update, or device/network refresh | Methods 2, 4, and 5 |
| Error -400 | Netflix app data first, then app version, clock, or connection checks | Methods 3-4, then 1-2 if needed |
| Only one Android TV box, Google TV device, or tablet fails while Netflix works elsewhere | Device firmware, VPN/proxy/DNS settings, router state, or manufacturer support | Method 5 |
1. Enable Automatic Date, Time, and Time Zone
Netflix’s Android help calls out the clock because an incorrect date, time, or time zone can stop the app from reaching the service. This is especially common after travel, a battery drain, a reset, or any manual clock change.
Verify the setting once and leave it automatic if Android already has the right values. Do not use this check repeatedly if the time and zone are already correct, because it will not fix a damaged Netflix app install or a bad Wi-Fi session.
- Open Settings > Date & time on the Android phone, tablet, or TV box.
Netflix officially says a mismatch between the device clock and your current location can stop the app from connecting properly. - Enable Set time automatically or Use network-provided time.
- Enable Set time zone automatically or Use network-provided time zone.
A device can still fail Netflix checks when the time looks right but the time zone is still wrong or held manually. - If the device uses location to determine its time zone, turn Location on briefly and confirm that Android selects the correct zone.
- Close Netflix fully, reopen it, and test the connection.
If Netflix opens, keep date and time automatic. If the same prompt returns while the clock is correct, refresh the current network session.
2. Restart the Device and Reconnect the Current Network
Android can still show Wi-Fi or Ethernet while Netflix cannot reach the startup services it needs. A stale Wi-Fi join, router lease, or TV-box standby session is enough to trigger the same message.
Restarting the device and reconnecting Wi-Fi gives Netflix a clean network session before you remove app data. Do not use this as a Netflix-only fix if every app is offline; repair the internet connection itself first.
- Turn the phone, tablet, or TV box off completely. Do not just lock the screen or leave it in standby.
Netflix’s current support flow still starts with a real power cycle because it clears temporary app and network state that a quick screen lock does not. - Turn the device back on and wait for Wi-Fi or Ethernet to reconnect fully.
- For Wi-Fi, open Settings > Wi-Fi, select the current network, tap Forget, and reconnect.
Netflix’s official Android steps include forgetting and reconnecting the active Wi-Fi network to clear a bad local session. - For an Ethernet-connected TV box, unplug and reconnect the cable, or disable and re-enable the connection once.
- Open Netflix and test it before changing the app data.
If Netflix loads, the connection problem was the stale session. If the same Netflix prompt returns after a clean reconnect, clear the app’s saved data.
If Netflix gets past this prompt but later shows a different mobile connection error, this broader Netflix connection guide covers that separate error.
3. Clear Netflix App Data and Sign In Again
Damaged Netflix authentication or configuration files can send the app back to the same warning after the clock and network are already correct.
Do this only if the earlier checks are clean, because clearing storage forces Netflix to sign in again and rebuild its local files.
- Find the Netflix app, then open App info or Settings > Apps > Netflix.
The point of this step is to rebuild Netflix’s local files, not just to close and reopen the app again. - Open Storage & cache or Storage.
- Tap Clear storage or Clear data, then confirm. If Clear cache is separate, clear it as well.
Netflix’s own Android troubleshooting uses a full data clear because stale or damaged app data can trigger the same message as a clock mismatch. - Reopen Netflix, sign in, and test playback or account access.
If Netflix opens after sign-in, the saved app files were the problem. If the prompt returns, replace the Netflix app package itself.
4. Update Netflix or Reinstall the App
An outdated or damaged Netflix app package can keep failing the startup check after local storage has been cleared. Updating replaces older components, while reinstalling replaces the complete app package.
Use the supported store build for the device. Reinstalling also signs you out and removes downloads, so do not use it as the first move unless the app is clearly outdated or broken.
- Open the Google Play Store, search for Netflix, and install any available update.
Netflix’s current help pages put app updates ahead of deeper device resets because an outdated build can keep reusing the same broken behavior. - If there is no update or it does not help, uninstall Netflix.
- Restart the device after the uninstall.
- Install Netflix again from Google Play or the device’s supported app store, then sign in and test.
A clean reinstall removes the app package itself instead of only clearing the account data stored inside it.
If a fresh installation works, the previous app package was damaged or outdated. If the current store build shows the same prompt, restart the home network and check device software.
5. Restart the Home Network and Update the Device Software
When one Android device still shows the message after Netflix has been reset, the cause is often outside the app itself: router state, VPN/proxy/DNS settings, outdated firmware, or the device’s own network stack.
A network restart and system update are safer than a factory reset. Do not factory reset the device unless the manufacturer recommends it, because it can erase apps, settings, and saved device data.
- Turn the Android device off, unplug the modem and router for about 30 seconds, reconnect them, and wait for internet access to return. Then power on the Android device and test Netflix.
- If a VPN, proxy, or custom DNS is active, disable it or restore default network settings for one Netflix test.
- Open Software Update or System Update and install the latest Android, Google TV, or manufacturer firmware offered for the device.
Netflix’s official device-level guidance puts firmware or system updates ahead of a full reset because the platform itself may be the part that is out of date. - If only this device still fails, contact its manufacturer before resetting it. Back up important data and record the Wi-Fi and Netflix credentials if they recommend a factory reset.
- If a manufacturer-guided reset does not help, test Netflix on another supported device to confirm that the account and service remain accessible.
If the network restart or system update restores Netflix, the issue was outside the app’s saved data.
If Netflix works on a phone but not the TV device, this Netflix not streaming on TV guide covers the TV-specific checks without repeating the Android phone steps.
Once Netflix opens again, stop changing settings and test one title. Repeating app clears or network resets after the prompt is gone can create new sign-in or download problems without helping the original error.
