The 10 Most Annoying Netflix Issues (And How To Fix Them)

We get it, it’s the 21st century and you want your movies in high definition, but Netflix isn’t cooperating. The first thing you’ll want to check is the plan you have. Netflix’s basic plan does not support streaming in HD, but the rest of their plans do.

You also need a device — whether that’s a television, computer monitor, tablet, or cell phone — capable of delivering HD video. If you’re using a TV or computer, make sure the ports and cables you’re using are designed for HD, as not all of them are. Lastly, streaming HD content requires more bandwidth, so you need a strong internet connection.

If all of those things are in place and you’re still having trouble, the problem might be in your settings. If you’re on a phone, tablet, or computer, make sure the settings allow for HD. Look in the Profile & Parental Controls section of your account settings to see if there are any data limitations enabled. You’ll want data usage set to Medium or High but bear in mind that additional data usage may come with added costs. Your browser is probably also limiting the picture quality. That’s because browsers like Chrome and Firefox use software to protect content owners, which limits playback to 720p. To get HD, use Microsoft Edge or the official Netflix app.