Are you wondering why Hulu plays sound but no video?
When it comes to content, Hulu is probably the video streaming platform comparable to Netflix. They have a good balance of shows from various TV networks, including ABC, FOX, CBS, and more.
Hulu also has several shows from HBO Max, SHOWTIME, and Cinemax. Hulu also produced their series like Castle Rock, Catch 22, The Looming Tower, and more.
Unfortunately, all of this can come to waste if Hulu only plays sound but no video on your device. An issue with the app’s installation files or a temporary error is the common culprit for this problem on the platform.
However, it is also possible that your device’s OS is outdated or Hulu’s servers encountered an unexpected problem.
If you are also experiencing this problem, keep reading.
Today, we will show you how to fix Hulu if it only plays sound but no video when watching your favorite titles.
Let’s dive right in!
1. Check Hulu’s Servers.
When something is not right with the Hulu app, you should always check the status of its servers to know if the problem is with the platform or your device. To do this, you can use third-party tools like Downdetector, where you can view the current status of Hulu and the past issues it encountered.
If the servers are down, the best option you have for now is to wait for Hulu’s team to address the situation. You can still do the rest of the methods below and hope that one of them works on your end.
However, we don’t guarantee that they will work since server related issues are only addressable on Hulu’s end.
On the other hand, proceed to the following method below if Hulu’s servers are working fine to address the problem on your device.
2. Check If Your Device Is Supported.
Another reason why Hulu plays sound but no video is if your current device is not compatible with the platform. In this case, we recommend that you visit the Help Center and refer to their list of supported systems to check if your device is included.
If not, you can always use any browser to access Hulu or consider buying a new device that is supported. There are tons of cheap Android boxes in the market today, so finding one should be easy.
3. Try Watching Another Show.
Unexpected problems can occur on Hulu and cause several shows to become unplayable for a certain period. If your Hulu only plays sound but no video on your favorite show, go back to the media library and select a random title to check if the problem persists.
If other shows are working fine, the issue is isolated to a specific movie or TV show. On the other hand, the problem could be with the entire platform if all titles on Hulu plays sound but no video.
Proceed to the last method below to report the problem to Hulu’s customer support.
4. Lower the Stream Quality.
Watching videos online can consume a lot of bandwidth, especially for HD or UHD contents. If Hulu only plays sound but no video, it is possible that your network cannot handle the demand of the app, and the video fails to load.
It is also possible that your device can’t play the video on that resolution, which causes the problem.
To fix this, follow the steps below to change the playback quality on the Hulu app:
- First, open the Hulu app on your device and access your Profile.
- After that, tap on Settings.
- Lastly, go to Cellular Data Usage and select Data Saver from the options.
Once done, go back to the media library and play another show to check if the problem is solved.
5. Re-Login to Your Account.
Your user data may have gotten corrupted when the servers went down, or an unexpected error occurred on the platform. To fix this, sign out of your current session and log back in after several minutes to reset your account data.
On Android and iOS, you can log out of your Hulu account by doing the following:
- First, open the Hulu app on your Android or iOS device.
- Next, tap on your Profile icon on the navigation bar.
- Lastly, tap the Log Out button to sign out of your current session.
For browsers, check out the guide below to sign out your Hulu account:
- On your device, fire up any browser and go to Hulu’s website.
- After that, point the mouse cursor to your Profile to view the drop-down menu.
- Lastly, click the Log Out button to close your session.
Wait for at least 2 minutes before logging back into your Hulu account to allow your user data to reset. Once done, play another movie or TV show on Hulu to check if the app works correctly.
6. Check and Reset Your Internet.
A slow internet connection could also be the reason Hulu plays sound but no video on your device. The platform requires a minimum internet speed of 3 Mbps to enjoy its features and content without issues.
To check if your network meets that requirement, run a speed test using Fast.com to measure its current upload and download bandwidth.
If the result shows that your network is the problem, restart your router to refresh the connection with your internet service provider.
Perform another test afterwards to check if the restart solved the problem. If not, contact your ISP to report the problem you’ve been experiencing with their service. You can also consider upgrading your current plan if it is below the minimum 3 Mbps requirement of Hulu.
7. Turn Off VPN.
VPNs or virtual private networks could also be the reason why videos on Hulu are not loading. VPNs make changes to your IP address to keep your identity private and filter your data to protect them from hackers.
However, this process can introduce delays and interruptions to your network, making it difficult for your device to load the video you are trying to play.
To fix this, make sure that your VPN is turned off before accessing Hulu.
You can also try switching to a different service like PureVPN if your current one doesn’t work with Hulu. Compared to other services, it keeps your network fast and reliable while protecting your online data.
On the other hand, visit our dedicated guide on accessing Hulu outside the US if you live outside the region.
8. Clear Browsing Cache and Cookies.
Your browser stores temporary data called caches and cookies in your device, which are used to load websites and contents faster. If Hulu only plays sound but no video, your browser’s cache and cookies may have gotten corrupted during use.
To fix this, follow the guide below to clear your browsing data:
- First, open your preferred browser and click on the Options button at the top right corner of your display.
- After that, click on Settings and scroll down to Privacy and Security.
- Now, click on Clear Browsing Data and change the target Time Range to All Time.
- Lastly, make sure that caches and cookies are included in the process and hit the Clear Data button to proceed.
Wait for your browser to complete the process and go back to Hulu to check if the problem is solved.
9. Disable Your Browser Extensions.
Third-party browser extensions could also be the culprit for this issue. Some websites are not compatible with browser extensions and may not work as they normally would. If you have any extensions installed, turn them off before using Hulu.
Check out the guide below to disable your browser extensions:
- Launch your preferred browser and open its Settings tab.
- Inside the Settings, click on the Extensions tab from the side menu.
- Finally, turn off all your browser extensions and restart your browser.
Go back to Hulu afterwards and check if videos are now loading on the platform.
10. Run Malwarebytes.
Your device could be infected by malware or other viruses and causes other applications to fail. Viruses consume your system resources, which makes it difficult for applications to function normally.
To fix this, download Malwarebytes on your device and use its ‘Full System Scan’ feature. This will allow the program to scan your entire storage for infected files and automatically eliminate them in the process.
Malwarebytes is available on all major platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.
11. Clear Hulu App Data (Android).
If you are on an Android device, you can try clearing Hulu’s app data if some of its features are not working correctly. Hulu stores temporary data on your device, which can accumulate over time and become corrupted.
To clear Hulu’s app data, follow the steps below:
- On your device, access the app drawer and tap on Settings.
- After that, go to the Apps tab and tap on Hulu.
- Finally, open the Storage tab and tap the Clear Data button.
Log back into your Hulu account afterwards and check if the app is now working correctly.
12. Update the Hulu App.
Like any application, Hulu needs occasional updates to ensure that bugs and glitches are getting patched and the app is optimized for all the devices it supports. If Hulu only plays sound but no video on your device, try to check if there’s a pending update for the app.
On Android, you can update Hulu by doing the following steps:
- On your app drawer, tap on the Google Play Store and access the side menu.
- After that, tap on My Apps & Games to view the applications with pending updates.
- Locate Hulu from the list and tap the Update button to install its latest version on your device.
For iOS users, check out the guide below to update Hulu:
- Open the App Store from your home screen.
- Next, tap on your Profile on the top right corner of your display.
- Finally, tap the Update button next to Hulu to install the update.
If you are using other devices, refer to the guides below to update Hulu:
- Fire TV and Fire Stick
- Apple TV 2nd and 3rd Generation
- Apple TV 4th Gen and Newer
- Nintendo Switch
- Roku
- Playstation 4
- Xbox One
13. Update Your Device.
Your device may have an underlying issue related to video playback that causes Hulu to malfunction. Try to check if there’s an available update for your device to fix the problem with its operating system.
Follow the steps below to update your Android device:
- On your device, tap on the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom.
- After that, tap on About or About Phone and open the Software Update tab.
- Finally, tap the Download and Install button to update your Android device.
For iOS users, check out the steps below to update your device:
- First, open the Settings app on your device.
- Next, tap on the General tab and open the Software Updates tab.
- Lastly, tap on Download and Install to update your system.
If you are using other devices, see the guides below to help you out:
- Fire TV and Fire Stick
- Apple TV 2nd and 3rd Generation
- Apple TV 4th Gen and Newer
- Nintendo Switch
- Roku
- Playstation 4
- Xbox One
Go back to Hulu afterwards to check if the problem is solved.
14. Reinstall the Hulu App.
If updating Hulu or your device did not work, the problem could lie within Hulu’s installation files. Some of its files may have gotten corrupted during use and can no longer be fixed by the update.
In this case, we suggest that you reinstall the app on your device to ensure that you have a working copy of Hulu.
On Android, check out the guide below to reinstall Hulu:
- First, tap and hold Hulu’s app icon from your application drawer to access the selection screen.
- After that, select Uninstall to delete the app.
- Launch the Google Play Store on your device and reinstall the Hulu app from there.
For iOS users, see the steps below to reinstall Hulu:
- On your home screen, press Hulu’s app icon until the options menu shows up.
- Next, tap the Remove App button to uninstall the app.
- Finally, open the App Store on your iOS device and reinstall Hulu.
If you are on a different system, check the other guides below to reinstall Hulu on your device:
Re-access your Hulu account afterwards and check if videos are now loading on the platform.
15. Report the Problem to Hulu.
If Hulu still plays sound but no video on your device, you may be dealing with a much serious problem. In this case, we suggest that you ask the help of the experts to solve the problem faster.
Visit the Help Center and get in touch with Hulu’s customer support to report the problem you’ve been experiencing when playing a movie or TV show. Ensure that you provide all the necessary details when reporting a problem and include a screenshot of the error to help Hulu understand your situation faster.
You can also visit the Hulu Community page and browse the posts from other users, where you can find possible solutions.
This ends our guide on fixing Hulu if it only plays sound but no video on your device. If you have any questions, please let us know in the comment section below, and we’ll be happy to help you out.
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