It’s tough to find recently-aired on-demand content (such as the Friday night episode of Worst Cook in America on Saturday morning) better than Hulu offers. Hands down, this streaming service beats even Netflix in this particular arena.
So, we understand if you start feeling jittery once the IPTV service starts acting up on your Samsung TV. However, before you let emotions overcome you, know there are quick ways to troubleshoot the issue yourself.
Hulu not working on Samsung TV can be fixed by a soft reset: unplug your TV from the wall and put it back on after some time. If that fails, do a software update, Smart Hub reset, or a factory reset.
Indeed, nothing should come between you and your Hulu TV. In this guide, we’re ensuring you have everything you need to DIY 8 time-tested quick fixes proven to get Hulu back into Samsung TV — in an hour or less.
Why isn’t the Hulu app working on my Samsung TV?
Several factors can cause the Hulu app to not work on your Samsung TV. Below is a rundown of the most common; this should help you better understand the problem and find the appropriate solution to fix it.
- The Hulu servers are experiencing technical difficulties or outages, causing them to be down at the moment.
- The version of the Hulu app you’re using is out of date.
- The software version of your Samsung TV is out of date.
- Your WiFi network’s download speed is below the minimum recommended speed to stream content on Hulu.
- Your WiFi router and modem have technical issues.
- Your Samsung TV is incompatible with the Hulu app.
Any of these reasons could get in the way of you making the most of Hulu on your Samsung flatscreen. Still, know that the list is not exhaustive, and other technical issues could cause the problem to pop up.
How to Fix the “Hulu Not Working” Issue on Samsung TV
The troubleshooting techniques below are the best quick fixes you can find to deal with Hulu not working on Samsung TV. We strongly recommend you apply them in the order they are presented for the best results.
1. Conduct a soft reset (unplug your Samsung TV from the outlet).
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 2 |
| Time to perform fix | 10 seconds |
| Things needed | Samsung TV |
The issue of Hulu not working on Samsung TV can be troubleshot in a breeze by conducting a soft reset. Simply unplug the power cable of the Samsung TV from the wall/power outlet, which will forcefully turn it off.
After your Samsung TV has been turned off, it will also shut down all the processes and apps it was running. This allows your Samsung TV to refresh its system memory by unloading the data it uses when running various apps and features at once.
From there, you’ll need to keep your Samsung TV unplugged for a few seconds to ensure it also discharges any residual electrical energy stored in its capacitors. It will help prevent slow start-up, app misbehavior, and power supply issues.
| Step 1: Shut your Samsung TV down by unplugging the power cable from the power source.  |
| Step 2: Let 30 seconds pass before you plug the power cable back into the power source to boot up your Samsung TV.  |
Again, make sure you observe time before turning the TV back on. This way, power is fully dissipated, giving you greater chances of success.
2. Check if there’s a Hulu server outage.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 1 |
| Time to perform fix | 30 to 60 seconds |
| Things needed | PC or smartphone Working internet connection |
When an online application or platform like Hulu stops working, it’s likely a result of its servers shutting down due to technical difficulties or an outage. Either way, there’s nothing that you can do to resolve any issue with their servers on your own.
What you can do instead is gather information regarding possible server outages or technical difficulties Hulu is having at the moment. If this were the case, it would explain Hulu acting up on Samsung TV for you.
You can try contacting Hulu through their official channels and help center to ask for any information about the server issue you might be experiencing. If they’re currently working on a solution, they’ll ell you when to expect your app to work again.
We recommend checking out Downdetector for user reports on Hulu’s current status. Here, you might find people experiencing similar issues with their Hulu app, and you can also share the problems you’re dealing with on this streaming platform.
3. Update your Samsung TV’s Hulu app.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 4 |
| Time to perform fix | 10 seconds |
| Things needed | Samsung TV remote control A working internet connection |
Hulu not working on Samsung TV can also result from compatibility issues between the app and your device. It usually happens when your Samsung TV or the Hulu app isn’t updated to its latest software versions, which can cause many errors.
For this solution, recommend updating the Hulu app on your Samsung TV to check if that solves the issue. Performing this action also ensures that your Hulu app has the latest software updates and will run smoothly on your TV.
The app update process on your Samsung TV is automatic since you only need to enable the Auto Update feature. This feature lets your Samsung TV download and install all available app updates whenever connected to a reliable WiFi network.
Step 1: Press the TV remote control’s home button  to open the Samsung Smart Hubon its display screen.  |
Step 2: Locate/open APPS on the Samsung Smart Hub menu to open its app library. |
| Step 3: Select the cog symbol on the app library’s upper-right corner to open the App Settings menu.  |
| Step 4: Select the Auto Update switch in the upper-right corner of your screen to toggle this feature on.  Note: Every time your Samsung TV is connected to a WiFi network, Auto Update will check, download, and install any available app updates. |
Note that a software update also means more excellent protection for your files. As hackers refine their methodologies and malware becomes more potent, updated software provides a fantastic way to protect against data breaches.
4. Update the TV’s system software.
If updating the app didn’t solve the issue of Hulu acting up on Samsung TV, you can also try updating the unit’s system software. This method is an effective way to resolve any software-related issues that might be plaguing your Samsung TV.
Once your Samsung TV’s software is up to date, it should no longer have any compatibility issues with the Hulu app. The update will also equip your Samsung TV with the latest features and improvements, which will help avoid various errors.
The software update on your Samsung TV can be performed using two different methods. You can download the software update directly over the air or on a PC and put it on a USB stick that you can manually plug into your Samsung TV.
We recommend the first method if you have a reliable WiFi network, as it’s faster to perform. Resort to the second method if your WiFi network has a terrible internet connection and you need to download the software update.
Download your TV’s software update over the air:
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of steps | 6 |
| Time to perform fix | 20 minutes |
| Things needed | Samsung TV remote control A working internet connection |
| Step 1: Press the TV remote control’s home button to open the Samsung Smart Hub on its display screen.  |
Step 2: Scroll left and click Settings and go to the settings menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down and select Support to go to the support menu. |
Step 4: Select Software Update and check your update options. |
Step 5: Select Update Now. |
| Step 6: Let your Samsung TV browse the Internet for any available software updates. Select Yes to download and install the available software update.  |
Install your TV’s software update via a USB stick:
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of steps | 17 |
| Time to perform fix | 25 minutes |
| Things needed | Samsung TV remote control A PC A USB stick A working internet connection |
| Step 1: Press the TV remote control’s home button to open the Samsung Smart Hub on its display screen.  |
Step 2: Scroll left and click Settings and go to the settings menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down and click Support and go to the support menu. |
Step 4: Scroll down and click About This TV and look at your device’s information. |
| Step 5: Find your Samsung TV model number and software version and remember it for the step that follows.  |
| Step 6: Open a browser on your PC and go to Samsung’s Manuals & Software page. Use the search bar and enter your TV model number to continue.  |
| Step 7: Scroll down your TV’s download page to find the Firmware section. Download the update by clicking Download below Upgrade File(USB type).  |
Step 8: Run a file archiver and extract the software update to the PC’s desktop. Note: Avoid changing the name of the extracted software because your Samsung TV will be unable to recognize it with a different name. |
| Step 9: Insert your USB stick into the PC so you can move the software update to its directory.  |
Step 10: Remove your USB stick from the PC so you can insert it into your Samsung TV. |
| Step 11: Press the TV remote control’s home button to open the Samsung Smart Hub on its display screen. |
Step 12: Scroll left and click Settings and go to the settings menu. |
Step 13: Scroll down and click Support and go to the support menu. |
Step 14: Select Software Update and look at your update options. |
Step 15: Select Update Now to begin an update check on your Samsung TV. |
| Step 16: Select/click Yes to let your Samsung TV browse the files inside your USB stick.  |
Step 17: Select Yes to install the software update found on your USB stick. |
5. Reinstall the Hulu app.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 5 |
| Time to perform fix | 40 seconds |
| Things needed | Samsung TV remote control A working internet connection |
Hulu is a preinstalled streaming application on most Samsung TVs, which means that you’re not allowed to delete it from the system.
Still, you can reinstall the Hulu app if it’s misbehaving on your Samsung TV using the dedicated reinstall button in the app menu.
This method is your only viable option for reinstalling the app. By performing this action, your Samsung TV will automatically reinstall the Hulu app.
Think of this like getting a replacement for your faulty Hulu app. Once the quick reinstallation process is over, there shouldn’t be any more issues with the Hulu app on your Samsung TV.
| Step 1: Press the TV remote control’s home button to open the Samsung Smart Hub on its display screen.  |
Step 2: Locate and open APPS on the Samsung Smart Hub menu to open its app library. |
| Step 3: Select the cog symbol on the app library’s upper-right corner to open the App Settings menu.  |
Step 4: Select Hulu app from the list. |
Step 5: Scroll down and click the Reinstall option to reinstall the Hulu app. |
6. Reset Smart Hub.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 6 |
| Time to perform fix | 40 seconds |
| Things needed | Samsung TV remote control |
The Smart Hub menu on your Samsung TV is an intelligent system that’s responsible for managing its different apps and features. It’s also in the Samsung Smart Hub, where you search, download, and install new applications on your TV.
Since the Smart Hub is so involved with your apps, it’s usually linked to various issues, such as Hulu not working on Samsung TVs. We highly recommend resetting the Samsung Smart Hub to its default settings to fix your app issues.
Performing a Smart Hub reset will remove your Samsung account from your TV. After completing the reset process, you must sign in to your Samsung account and set up the Smart Hub on your TV.
| Step 1: Press the TV remote control’s home button to open the Samsung Smart Hub on its display screen.  |
Step 2: Scroll left and click Settings and go to the settings menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down and click Support and go to the support menu. |
Step 4: Scroll down and click Self Diagnosis and look into the troubleshooting options. |
Step 5: Scroll down and click Reset Smart Hub. |
| Step 6: Enter your Samsung TV’s PIN code to confirm the Smart Hub reset. Note: The default PIN of your Samsung TVs is 0000 if it hasn’t been changed before. |
7. Reset the Samsung TV internet connection.
A fast and stable internet connection is important when using streaming content on apps like Hulu, Disney+, and Netflix. A sluggish internet connection will only result in countless lag, buffering, and loading issues.
Hulu not working on Samsung TV is also likely due to internet connectivity issues. Thus, you need an internet download speed of at least 3 Mbps for standard content, 8 Mbps for live TV shows, and 16 Mbps for 4K videos.
You can check your WiFi network’s download speed using speed testing websites such as “speedtest.net” or “fast.com.” With this, you’ll be able to tell the exact type of content you can stream on your Samsung TV’s Hulu app without any issues.
If the internet connectivity issue on your Samsung TV is persistent, you can troubleshoot your WiFi router and modem by performing a soft reset. You can also perform a factory reset on both devices if soft resetting doesn’t solve the issue.
Follow the steps below to perform a soft reset on your WiFi router/modem:
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 6 |
| Time to perform fix | 2 minutes and 20 seconds |
| Things needed | A modem and router A PC or Smartphone A working internet connection |
Step 1: Unplug the ethernet/power cable at the back of your router. |
Step 2: Unplug the ethernet/power cable at the back of your modem. |
| Step 3: Let your WiFi router/modem fully shut down by leaving them unplugged for 2 minutes. |
| Step 4: Plug the ethernet/power cable into the back of your router. |
| Step 5: Plug the ethernet/power cable into the back of your modem. |
| Step 6: Wait for your WiFi router/modem’s status indicators to glow. Go to a speed testing website to test your WiFi network.  |
Follow the steps below to perform a factory reset on your WiFi router/modem:
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 4 |
| Time to perform fix | 2 minutes |
| Things needed | A modem and router A toothpick/paperclip A PC or Smartphone A working internet connection |
| Step 1: Look for the hole behind your WiFi router/modem with the “Reset” label and insert a toothpick/paperclip in there to access the reset button.  |
| Step 2: Press/hold your WiFi router/modem’s reset button for 10 seconds using the toothpick/paperclip for them to shut down and factory reset.  |
| Step 3: Wait for your WiFi router/modem to reboot after the factory reset. |
| Step 4: Connect to your WiFi router/modem’s default SSID and password. Go to a speed testing website to test your WiFi network.  |
8. Subject your TV to a factory reset.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 8 |
| Time to perform fix | 5 minutes |
| Things needed | Samsung TV remote control |
The last method that you can use to address the issue of Hulu not working on Samsung TV is a factory reset. This method will restore your Samsung TV to its default settings and remove your account data, installed apps, and system settings.
As such, we only recommend performing this method as a last resort. After the factory reset, you must sign in to your Samsung account, redownload the deleted apps, and set up the Smart Hub on your TV.
| Step 1: Press the TV remote control’s home button to open the Samsung Smart Hub on its display screen.  |
Step 2: Scroll left then click Settings and go to the settings menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down and click General and go to the general settings menu. |
Step 4: Scroll down and click Reset. |
Step 5: Enter your Samsung TV’s PIN code and hit Done to confirm the factory reset. |
Step 6: Select Yes. |
| Step 7: Wait for your Samsung TV to reset back to factory settings and reboot. |
Step 8: Set up the Samsung Smart Hub. |
FAQs about Hulu on Samsung TV
You can’t stream Hulu on your Samsung TV without a working WiFi connection since it’s an online streaming service.
The download feature that lets you watch content on Hulu offline is only available for Android phones, iPhones, iPads, and Amazon Fire tablets.
However, you can use a mobile hotspot to connect to the internet without WiFi. Your mobile hotspot needs a decent download speed to stream Hulu on your Samsung TV.
$7.99/mo is the cost of Hulu’s basic plan with ads, while the plan without ads is priced at $14.99/mo. There’s also a special student plan that only costs $1.99/mo that’s ad-supported.
Samsung TVs manufactured in 2016 and later are the only models that are compatible with the Hulu app. Older Samsung TV models won’t be able to download and install the Hulu app.
You can use Hulu on an old Samsung TV model with the help of external input devices such as streaming sticks and gaming consoles. Streaming sticks like Amazon Firestick, Roku, and Chromecast can install the Hulu app to make it available on your old TV.
The latest Playstation and Xbox consoles can also access the Hulu app and connect to your old Samsung TV. You can stream Hulu on a smartphone or laptop and cast their screen on your Samsung TV.
