Solved: How to fix Netflix.com unable to handle this request with HTTP ERROR 503?

Problem Symptom

Netflix is unable to handle requests with HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) 503 Service Unavailable server error response code indicates that a problem occurs when the Netflix app is unable to connect to the Netflix servers due to a number of reasons, such as a poor Internet connection, or the servers being down for maintenance or that is overloaded.

The detailed error message is as below:

This page isn’t working
Netflix.com is currently unable to handle this request.
HTTP ERROR 503

Follow the below solution steps to resolve Netflix.com is currently unable to handle this request. HTTP ERROR 503 issue.

Content Summary

Solution 1: Just wait
Solution 2: Check the Internet connection
Solution 3: Check the Netflix service status
Solution 4: Restart the device
Solution 5: Use another device or network
Solution 6: Check Firewall settings
Solution 7: Clear the browser’s cache and cookies.
Solution 8: Reload the Netflix app or website
Solution 9: Update Netflix app

Solution 1: Just wait

Since the Netflix HTTP server error 503 is a server-side error, there is nothing you can do about this error unless you work on the Netflix servers. The Netflix streaming service might be unreachable or is currently unavailable. This is an internal server error, not something related to the client end of the communication.

So the only thing you can do is wait for Netflix to fix their server. “… The implication is that this is a temporary condition which will be alleviated after some delay.”

Sometimes, Netflix HTTP server error 503 is also due to web traffic. The Netflix server may not be able to handle the traffic. Try to press the refresh or the F5 key, until you successfully access the site.

Solution 2: Check the Internet connection

Make sure your Internet connection is stable for the Netflix streaming service. If there is a choice, try a different alternative Internet connection.

Step 1: Sign in to Netflix using the browser.

Step 2: Click on the Test your internet connection link under the Status.

Step 3: If the Test your internet connection link is not available, then your Internet connection may be unstable. Try connecting to a different Internet service provider or reboot your computer.

Step 4: If the Test your internet connection link still does not work, then your Internet connection may be blocked by the network router. Follow the instructions on the network router’s support website to unblock the Internet connection.

For Android TV

Check your network test function from Netflix to help you to test the quality of your Internet connection. The test verifies if the Android TV is connected to the network router can get a stable Internet connection from the home network and can connect to Netflix servers. It also lets you measure your Internet connection speed.

Step 1: Go to the Android TV’s Home screen.

Step 2: Scroll to Featured Apps.

Step 3: Select the Netflix app. Alternatively, you can press the Netflix button on the TV’s remote.

Step 4: Select any profile to open the Netflix content browser under Who’s watching Netflix.

Step 5: Press the Up arrow on the remote to get to Search and browse categories.

Step 6: Press the Right arrow button on the remote to select Settings under the gear box icon.

Step 7: Select Get Help.

Step 8: Scroll down to the Check your network and select it.

Step 9: A sample result is shown below.

Solution 3: Check the Netflix service status

Step 1: Navigate to the Netflix website.

Step 2: Click on the three lines in a blue box located at the top left corner of the screen.

Step 3: Go to Tools > Status > Netflix.

Step 4: Switch to the Error tab.

Step 5: Click on the 503 under the Netflix Error Code.

Step 6: If the 503 error message is fixed, then the Netflix service is working correctly. If the error message is not fixed, then the Netflix service is not working correctly and you will need to fix the Netflix error.

Solution 4: Restart the device

Step 1: Go to the Settings.

Step 2: Tap the Restart option under the General section.

Step 3: If the device reboots automatically, wait a few minutes and then try to watch a movie or TV show again. If you need to restart the device manually, press and hold the Power button until the device turns off, then press it again to turn it on.

Step 4: Tap on the Restart again.

Solution 5: Use another device or network

Sign in to your Netflix account using a different device. If you are using a mobile phone data network, try to use an alternative network if possible to rule out the prior issue.

Try to restore the Internet provider’s default settings and check if Netflix streaming is working again.

Check if your device is using any kind of Virtual Private Network (VPN) or proxy servers. If yes, try to turn it off immediately and connect to the Internet directly with the home Internet.

In case you are using any custom DNS setting, try to reset the DNS setting on your device to acquire it automatically.

Check if you are able to connect to a hotspot if it is available nearby your place and then open Netflix streaming again.

Solution 6: Check Firewall settings

If you are using Wifi network at any public location, it could be possible that the same network is blocking the Netflix streaming video. Ensure that Netflix and all of its services are allowed on such networks.

Solution 7: Clear the browser’s cache and cookies.

Delete the cache and cookies on your browser.

Solution 8: Reload the Netflix app or website

The steps guide you how to reload Netflix app or website in order to fix Netflix error 503:

Step 1: Open the Netflix app or website on your device.

Step 2: Click on the three lines in the top left corner of the screen.

Step 3: Click on the Settings button.

Step 4: Click on the Refresh button.

Solution 9: Update Netflix app

Step 1: Open the Netflix app.

Step 2: Tap the Menu button located at the three lines down from the top of the screen.

Step 3: Tap the Settings > System Update > Check for updates.

Step 4: If there are any updates available, they will be downloaded and installed. If there are no updates available, the Netflix app will continue to work as normal.