All the perks you get when you enroll in Amazon Prime Video is simply irresistible. For one, it’s the natural progression of things: Anyone using Amazon Prime for package delivery can quickly access a vast library of TV series to binge-watch.
All seems well – at least not until your Samsung TV fails to deliver the Prime Video movies you signed up for. The good news is you’re not alone as many before you have experienced and overcome the issue with flying colors using quick fixes.
Fix Amazon Prime Video not working on Samsung TV by performing a cold boot, a power cycle, a software update, or a factory reset. Also, check your subscription, clear the app’s cache, reinstall the app, and reset the Smart Hub.
It can be a tall order. But we’re here to break it all down for you so you know how to deal with the Prime Video issue on your Samsung TV using 13 solutions and apply them all successfully all by yourself in less than an hour!
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Duration | 58 minutes and 5 seconds |
| Number of Ways | 13 |
| Things You Need | Samsung TV Samsung TV remote control A PCUSB stick A working internet connection Toothpick or paperclip Amazon Prime Video subscription Streaming device Smartphone |
1. Run your Samsung TV through a cold boot
Pressing the power button on your Samsung TV or its remote control puts it on standby instead of shutting it down completely.
To cold boot your Samsung TV, you’ll need to restart it like you would a PC so it can shut itself and its apps down before rebooting.
Doing so helps refresh your Samsung TV’s system memory, allowing it to correct minor issues that emerge during use. You can cold boot your Samsung TV with or without the remote control.
1.1. Use a remote to cold boot the Samsung TV
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 2 |
| Duration | 10 seconds |
Step 1: Make sure your Samsung TV is turned on. |
| Step 2: Point the remote control on your Samsung TV. Press/hold the power button until the TV shuts itself down and turns back on.  |
1.2. Cold boot your Samsung TV without a remote
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 2 |
| Duration | 10 seconds |
| Step 1: Make sure your Samsung TV is turned off. Unplug its power cable for 30 seconds.  |
Step 2: Plug its power cable back in and power on your Samsung TV. |
2. Power cycle your Samsung TV
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 3 |
| Duration | 1 minute and 15 seconds |
Besides cold rebooting your Samsung TV, you can also perform a power cycle when it’s turned off to eliminate residual electrical energy. The residual energy inside your TV is one cause of app misbehavior and slow performance.
After discharging your Samsung TV, you simply plug and power it back on like normal. When electricity is reintroduced into the system, the unit should boot up automatically and fix the issue of Prime Video not working on Samsung TV.
Step 1: Turn off the TV and unplug it from the power/wall outlet. |
| Step 2: Press/hold the power button on the TV to discharge it. Continue holding this button for 30 seconds.  Note: The power button on your TV can be found on its underside, left side, right side, or back. Check the user manual if you can’t find it on these spots. |
| Step 3: Keep the TV unplugged for 30 more seconds after releasing the power button. Plug its power cable back in and power on your Samsung TV.  Note: Press the power button on your Samsung TV or remote control if the unit doesn’t power on by itself when plugged in. |
3. Check if your TV and Prime Video are compatible
Newer Samsung TVs come pre-packaged with streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for older models of Samsung TVs.
In particular, only Samsung TVs manufactured from 2018 and onwards have built-in Amazon Prime Video support. If your Samsung TV was released much earlier, it’s likely incompatible with the Prime Video app.
You can head to Samsung’s app store page to check the TV models currently compatible with the Prime Video app. If your unit isn’t included on the list, that makes is a prime reason for Prime Video not working on the unit.
4. Check your internet if it has issues and perform a soft or factory reset
Prime Video not working on Samsung TV can result from an internet connectivity issue you have. Streaming services typically rely on fast and stable WiFi network connections to provide a seamless viewing experience without delays or buffering.
Based on Prime Video’s help page, a minimum of 1MB/s download speed is needed to steam content in standard definition without any issues. Meanwhile, at least 5MB/s of download speed is recommended if you stream in high definition.
You can check your WiFi network’s download speed by visiting speed testing websites like “speedtest.net” or “fast.com.”
If you’re experiencing issues with your WiFi network, we recommend resetting your router and modem or contacting your ISP.
Take note that WiFi availability can be tricky. When more than one user is streaming using your internet, this slows down the internet speed affecting your Prime Video overall experience.
Additionally, you may have to reset your WiFi to better the service. Doing so can be a quick way to set things in motion.
4.1. Soft reset your WiFi router/modem
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 6 |
| Duration | 2 minutes and 20 seconds |
Step 1: Unplug the power and ethernet cables from the router. |
Step 2: Unplug the power and ethernet cables from the modem. |
| Step 3: Make sure both devices are completely shut down by waiting for 2 minutes. |
| Step 4: Plug the power and ethernet cables into the router. |
| Step 5: Plug the power and ethernet cables into the modem. |
| Step 6: Wait for the status lights on the WiFi router/modem to light up. Check the internet speed again by connecting your TV to the WiFi network.  |
If things are still slow, you may have to apply a more vigorous solution. And that means factory resetting your internet router/modem connection.
4.2: Factory reset your WiFi router/modem
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 4 |
| Duration | 2 minutes |
| Step 1: Find the hole on your WiFi router/modem that’s labeled as “Reset” and insert a toothpick/paperclip inside to access the hidden reset button.  |
| Step 2: Push the toothpick/paperclip to press/hold the reset button for 10 seconds. Wait as the WiFi router/modem shuts down and resets itself.  |
| Step 3: Wait as your router/modem reboots itself after a successful reset. |
| Step 4: Check the internet speed again by connecting your TV to the default SSID and password of the WiFi network found on its sticker.  |
Now that’s settled and still, the issue persists, then you will have to look elsewhere to solve the issue at hand. A good start is checking the streaming service for any glitches.
5. Check for an Amazon Prime Video server outage
Streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video have dedicated servers that manage their products, offers, and customer data. If their servers are temporarily down, you won’t be able to access their services or stream any content on your Samsung TV.
As such, we think that the issue of Prime Video not working on Samsung TV is likely the result of the server going down. Situations like this are out of your control and you can only wait until Amazon fixes the problem and get their server running again.
Your best course of action is to reach out to Amazon Prime Video’s support and help pages for updates regarding the issue. They may be performing server maintenance, or it’s a minor problem that will only take a few minutes to resolve.
It’s also advisable to look up user reports of Prime Video’s inactivity to see if others are experiencing similar issues. You can go to Downdetector to read through these reports and share your own experiences with others as well.
6. Check your subscription with Prime Video
Prime Video is Amazon’s premium subscription-based streaming service, which means that you can only access their services using an active account. It’s likely that Prime Video not working on Samsung TV is a result of your current plan expiring.
Your subscription should renew when the last plan you paid for has ended, but the billing process can also run into problems. If your Prime Video subscription didn’t renew automatically, you can simply purchase a new subscription plan instead.
You can log in to your Amazon account on the Prime Video website to check your subscription. This information is also available if you sign in to the Amazon Prime Video app on your mobile devices.
7. Clear the cache of the Amazon Prime Video app
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 7 |
| Duration | 40 seconds |
Like any other device, your Samsung TV will store temporary files and data in its cache to improve your experience when using its apps and features. Your apps will have faster load times due to the essential files already being available on the cache storage.
This means that your Samsung TV no longer has to download these files whenever you’re using an app or visiting a page once again. The only problem with the cache is that it can store corrupt files and data that can cause your apps to misbehave.
We believe that Prime Video not working on Samsung TV can be the result of such cases when the cache stores problematic data. Consequently, you can only combat this issue by clearing the cache data saved on your Samsung TV.
Step 1: Press the home button on the remote control to reveal the SamsungSmart Hub on the display screen.  |
Step 2: Scroll left to Settings and scroll up to the Quick Settings panel. |
Step 3: Scroll right/click TV Device Manager. |
| Step 4: Select/click the Clean Now button below Memory Boost to clear the cached memory on your TV.  |
| Step 5: Select/click the Clean Now button below Clear Running Apps to shut down unused background apps.  |
Step 6: Select/click Show App List to view the apps on your Samsung TV. |
| Step 7: Select/click the Prime Video app and choose View Details. Clear the Prime Video app’s cache. |
If you’ve cleared the cache and still the issue persists, then you may have to do an app upgrade. In fact, such action should be done regularly to better user experience.
8. Update your TV’s Amazon Prime Video app
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 4 |
| Duration | 10 seconds |
If you’re still experiencing the issue of Prime Video not working on Samsung TV, this next solution calls for an app update. Not only will an update improve the performance of Prime Video but will also keep it in tip-top shape and less likely to misbehave.
This action is also an effective way of making the Prime Video app compatible with the latest software improvements on your Samsung TV. All you have to do is enable Auto Update on your Samsung TV to install app updates whenever possible.
| Step 1: Press the home button on the remote control to reveal the Samsung Smart Hub on the display screen.  |
Step 2: Go to APPS and click it to access your Samsung TV app library. |
| Step 3: Select/click the gear icon on the upper-right corner of the app library to open App Settings.  |
Step 4: Select/click Auto Update in the upper-right corner to toggle it on. Note: Auto Update will only work when your Samsung TV is connected to a WiFi network that has an internet connection. |
9. Re-install the Amazon Prime Video app on your TV
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 5 |
| Duration | 40 seconds |
One of the solutions for correcting a misbehaving app is to uninstall and reinstall it from your Samsung TV. Unfortunately, this isn’t a viable option for built-in apps such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.
Built-in apps on your Samsung TV don’t have a clickable delete button, unlike apps that you download and install yourself. Luckily, there’s also a reinstall button that you can use in its place, which will let you redownload Prime Video on your Samsung TV.
| Step 1: Press the home button on the remote control to reveal the Samsung Smart Hub on the display screen. |
| Step 2: Go to APPS and click it to access your Samsung TV app library. |
| Step 3: Select/click the gear icon on the upper-right corner of the app library to open App Settings. |
Step 4: Select/click the Amazon Prime Video app from the list. |
Step 5: Scroll down/click the Reinstall option to reinstall Amazon Prime Video. |
If the issue still persists, then it may have something to do with the TV software. It’s bound to happen with new updates rolled every now and then.
10. Update your Samsung TV’s software
The issue of Prime Video acting up on Samsung TV can also be linked to issues related to the system software. Oftentimes, software-related problems can emerge due to your Samsung TV being outdated, making it vulnerable to bugs and glitches.
Software updates are targeted especially at improving your Samsung TV’s performance and addressing the issues plaguing its previous versions. You can think of it like patching up small holes in a boat.
There are two ways of patching your Samsung TV via a software update. You can connect to a WiFi network and download the update directly or plug in a USB stick that contains the software update and install it manually.
1. Directly download the software to your Samsung TV
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 6 |
| Duration | 20 minutes |
| Step 1: Press the home button on the remote control to reveal the Samsung Smart Hub on the display screen.  |
Step 2: Scroll left/click Settings to head to the settings menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down/click Support to look at the support options. |
Step 4: Select/click Software Update to look at the update options. |
Step 5: Select/click Update Now. |
| Step 6: Let the TV check the Internet for available software updates. Download/install the latest software update.  |
2. Install the software update manually with a USB stick
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 17 |
| Duration | 25 minutes |
| Step 1: Press the home button on the remote control to reveal the Samsung Smart Hub on the display screen.  |
Step 2: Scroll left/click Settings to head to the settings menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down/click Support to look at the support options. |
Step 4: Scroll down/click About This TV to look at the device’s specifications. |
| Step 5: Look for the model number and software version. Remember this information for use later.  |
| Step 6: Go to your PC and head to Samsungs Manuals & Software page. Enter the model number of your TV on their page’s search bar.  |
| Step 7: Scroll down the download page and head to the Firmware/Software section. Look for “Upgrade File(USB type)” and click the download button below it.  |
Step 8: Extract the software upgrade file to your PC’s desktop. Note: Please don’t change the name of the software upgrade file as it might not work on your Samsung TV. |
Step 9: Plug a USB stick into your PC and copy the software upgrade file there. |
Step 10: Unplug the USB stick from your PC and plug it into the Samsung TV instead. |
| Step 11: Press the home button on the remote control to reveal the Samsung Smart Hub on the display screen. |
Step 12: Scroll left/click Settings to head to the settings menu. |
Step 13: Scroll down/click Support to look at the support options. |
Step 14: Select/click Software Update to look at the update options. |
| Step 15: Select/click Update Now and let the Samsung TV check for a software update.  |
Step 16: Select/click Yes to scan your USB stick for the software upgrade file instead. |
Step 17: Select/click Yes to install the software upgrade file on the USB stick. |
11. Reset the TV’s Smart Hub to its default settings
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 6 |
| Duration | 40 seconds |
The Smart Hub is a menu system on your Samsung TV that lets you manage its features, settings, and installed applications. If your TV’s Smart Hub malfunctions, it might result in the issue of Prime Video not working on Samsung TV.
You can remedy this by resetting your TV’s Smart Hub back to its default factory settings. This means that your account data will be removed and you’ll need to sign in using your credentials again.
Before that, your Samsung TV will ask you to set up the Smart Hub and reconfigure it after the reset.
| Step 1: Press the home button on the remote control to reveal the Samsung Smart Hub on the display screen.  |
Step 2: Scroll left/click Settings to head to the settings menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down/click Support to look at the support options. |
Step 4: Scroll down/click Self Diagnosis to look at the troubleshooting options. |
Step 5: Scroll down/click Reset Smart Hub. |
| Step 6: Enter your Samsung TV PIN to confirm the reset. Note: The default PIN on Samsung TVs is 0000. That should work if the PIN hasn’t been changed before. |
12. Reset your TV back to the default factory settings
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 8 |
| Duration | 5 minutes |
This one is somewhat over-the-top. But it’s a known effective solution so undertaking it is paramount.
Resetting your Samsung TV back to its default factory settings is the most effective way to fix the issue of Prime Video not working on Samsung TV. The only downside of this action is that it wipes the data on your Samsung TV.
WARNING: A factory reset erases all your personal files and TV preferences on the Samsung TV. Thus, you must get a copy of these files before rolling the process.
The reason this is called a factory reset is that it restores your Samsung TV to its original state when it just got shipped out of the manufacturing facility. This means all the apps you installed and the settings you configured on the TV will also be gone.
| Step 1: Press the home button on the remote control to reveal the Samsung Smart Hub on the display screen.  |
Step 2: Scroll left/click Settings to head to the settings menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down/click General to head to the general settings menu. |
Step 4: Scroll down/click Reset. |
Step 5: Enter your Samsung TV PIN and hit Done to confirm the factory reset. |
Step 6: Select/click Yes. |
| Step 7: Wait as the TV resets back to factory settings and reboots. |
Step 8: Set up the Samsung TV Smart Hub.  |
13. Set the proper date/time on your Samsung TV
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 8 |
| Duration | 20 seconds |
Step 1: Press the settings button on the remote control to head to the settingsmenu.  |
Step 2: Scroll down/click General to head to the general settings menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down/click System Manager to look at system adjustment options. |
Step 4: Select/click Time to look at time-related options. |
Step 5: Select/click Clock to look at the date and time options. |
Step 6: Select/click Clock Mode and choose Manual. |
Step 7: Scroll down/click Date to set the correct date. |
Step 8: Scroll down/click Time to set the correct time. |
It’s possible that the issue persists even with all 13 solutions applied. So, we’re listing down other methods you can do to get over the hump.
Alternative Ways to Use the Amazon Prime Video App on Your TV
Even if Amazon Prime Video doesn’t work or is unsupported on your Samsung TV model, it’s not the end of the world. There are still two ways for you to use the Amazon Prime app on your Samsung TV.
To do so, you’ll need a streaming device or a gaming console and a smartphone with the Amazon Prime Video app. These methods will give your Samsung TV indirect access to Prime Video.
1. Use Amazon Prime Video via a streaming device
Streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Firestick, and Chromecast can be connected to older TV models to give them smart capabilities. This is an effective alternative solution to make Amazon Prime Video work on an unsupported Samsung TV.
You can also connect a gaming console like the PS4 and PS5 since they can access Amazon Prime Video. Indeed, this is one ingenious workaround.
Since Prime Video will be installed on these external input devices, you’ll be able to use the app despite the limitations of your old Samsung TV.
2. Use Amazon Prime Video via screen sharing/mirroring
Similarly, you can use a smartphone to indirectly give your Samsung TV access to Prime Video. With the Amazon Prime Video app for smartphones, you can cast the content you’re streaming into your Samsung TV display screen.
This is thanks to the screen sharing/mirroring feature that comes with every smartphone model nowadays. With screen sharing/mirroring, you can cast the display screen on your mobile device into the bigger display of your TV screen.
FAQs about Prime Video on Samsung TV
Prime Video works on Samsung TVs and comes preinstalled on all of its newer models. Only Samsung TV models from 2017 and earlier will not have built-in Prime Video support.
Turn on Auto Update on your Samsung Smart TV to automatically download and install any available app update whenever you’re connected to the internet. Go to APPS > App Settings > Auto Update to enable this feature.
Various reasons can cause Amazon Prime Video to stop working on your Samsung TV. It can be due to a terrible internet connection, expired subscription, server outage, corrupt cache, outdated app and TV, faulty Smart Hub, or incorrect date and time.
Close Amazon Prime Video on your Smart TV and reopen it afterward. It’s a quick and easy method of resetting any app that misbehaves or malfunctions and a Smart TV.
