Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

When watching netflix movies online video playback and quality is slow or lagging, why?

  • 2 replies
  • 28 have this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by Rcthomas32

more options

When the movie starts it loads no problem but the picture is slow or jumpy. I guess the best way to explain it is playback is in slow motion. Only the picture is. Sound is fine and is normal. So far the only way I have been able to sometimes fix this is by reloading it or hitting the refresh button several times until playback is normal. That does not work all the time. Have also tried closing and reopening my browser, restarting my computer, etc. Does this on any netflix movie not just one. Only on that site. Can watch movies on youtube as well as crackle with no issues. So this makes me think it is a Microsoft silverlight issue since that is what they use. All of my plugins and extensions are up to date and say they have no issues or errors. Lastly this only happens when I use firefox. If using internet explorer or google chrome everything is fine, but personally I do not like these and would prefer to use firefox. Any thoughts or ideas?

When the movie starts it loads no problem but the picture is slow or jumpy. I guess the best way to explain it is playback is in slow motion. Only the picture is. Sound is fine and is normal. So far the only way I have been able to sometimes fix this is by reloading it or hitting the refresh button several times until playback is normal. That does not work all the time. Have also tried closing and reopening my browser, restarting my computer, etc. Does this on any netflix movie not just one. Only on that site. Can watch movies on youtube as well as crackle with no issues. So this makes me think it is a Microsoft silverlight issue since that is what they use. All of my plugins and extensions are up to date and say they have no issues or errors. Lastly this only happens when I use firefox. If using internet explorer or google chrome everything is fine, but personally I do not like these and would prefer to use firefox. Any thoughts or ideas?

All Replies (2)

more options

How new is your computer? I have this same issue on an older computer and my suspicion is that Netflix downloads the High Definition (HD) version but my computer is not powerful enough to display that high quality picture. It works perfectly on my more modern machines.

more options

It is around 5 years old. Something I put together myself. I see your point, but then why does this only happen when I use firefox? I can watch Netflix without any issues or problems when using Google Chrome or Internet Explorer. Only have this issue with Firefox. Thanks for the feedback and please let me know if you have any other thoughts.