Pluto TV Not Working on Samsung Smart TV: 11 Simple Fixes

Pluto TV offers a treasure trove of shows and movies, but a glitchy app can ruin the fun. This guide breaks down simple solutions to get Pluto TV running smoothly on your Samsung smart TV.

1. Make Sure Your Samsung TV Is Compatible With Pluto TV

Pluto TV is compatible with many Samsung smart TVs made in 2016 or after, all powered by Samsung’s Tizen OS. To see if your TV fits the bill, check its year and OS version here.

If your TV predates 2016, upgrading it or plugging in a streaming stick are your main choices. Opting for a streaming stick is both cost-effective and straightforward.

You can turn any TV into a smart hub for Pluto TV by hooking up a Fire TV Stick or a Roku Streaming Stick. Both gadgets are user-friendly and support major streaming services. If you’re undecided, the Fire TV Stick might be a better pick, especially for its Alexa voice controls, offering a hands-free experience.

2. Power Cycle Your Samsung TV

Frequently, TV app issues stem from software hiccups. The top fix? Simply reboot your TV—turn it off, then on again.

To effectively restart apps on your Samsung TV, you might think turning off the TV is the answer. But pressing the power button only puts it in standby mode, not fully off, leaving your apps running as before. There’s a better way to refresh your apps.

Learn how to quickly restart your Samsung TV using two simple methods.

Restart your TV using the remote

Easiest method: have your remote ready.

1. Make sure your TV is on (not in standby mode).
2. Hold your remote’s power button. The TV will turn off immediately, but you need to keep it pressed until the power comes back on.
3. Press the Home button.
4. Open the app you were trying to restart.

Restarting your apps and TV often fixes issues. If your app still isn’t working, don’t worry – we have more solutions to explore.

Restart your TV manually

Another way to restart your TV is by manually power cycling it. This doesn’t need a remote, making it a go-to method for everyone. Plus, it works on Smart TVs beyond just Samsung, making it a rare one-size-fits-all fix on our list.

1. Unplug your TV’s power cord from the wall outlet or surge protector.
2. Wait two minutes.
3. Plug your TV back in and turn it on.
4. Press the Home button.
5. Select the app you were trying to restart.

Just like the earlier method, power cycling refreshes every app and the TV’s operating system. It’s the go-to fix IT experts recommend for most computer issues: simply switching it off and then on again.

3. Check Your Internet Speed

Slow internet can trigger annoying buffering on Pluto TV and similar streaming platforms. In severe situations, it might be too sluggish or inconsistent to connect to Pluto TV’s servers at all.

Check your internet speed easily on your computer or smartphone. Just ensure the device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV. If you’re using a phone, remember to switch off mobile data and stick to Wi-Fi only.

For smooth standard streaming, ensure a minimum speed of 3-4 Mbps, and for HD, aim for 5-8 Mbps. If you’re below these speeds, it’s time to upgrade.

• Check for sources of interferences (e.g., too many walls between your router and your TV).
• Restart your router (see the next section).
• Contact your internet provider to see whether there are network problems or whether you need an upgrade.

4. Restart Your Router

Usually, Wi-Fi issues at home disrupt your TV or Pluto TV app experience, not the devices themselves.

Instead of tackling each network issue individually, it’s often simpler to reboot your whole network. Doing this monthly can help maintain optimal performance. This approach can quickly resolve many problems and keep your network running smoothly.

Before starting, check that no one at home is using the internet. Rebooting will temporarily cut off all network and internet access for about five minutes.

Okay, let’s get started.

1. Unplug the power cable from your router and modem.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug the power cables back in.
4. Wait a few minutes for the modem and router to boot up.

After reconnecting your TV to the network, give the Pluto TV app another go. If your initial network speed test was sluggish, it’s wise to check again now. A quick router restart might temporarily speed things up, but remember, it’s not a cure-all for deeper issues.

5. Update Your Samsung TV Firmware

Firmware updates often solve TV app issues, much like app updates do.

Samsung smart TVs update on their own, yet you can also manually trigger an update if needed. It’s a handy backup for times when the automatic process might miss a beat, ensuring you’re not left in the dark.

1. Press the Home button on your Samsung TV’s remote control to open the smart hub.
2. Click Settings in the smart hub menu.
3. Select the Software Update tab.
4. Click Update Now.
5. Wait for the download to finish.
6. Install the update following the on-screen instructions.

Once the firmware is updated, try the Pluto TV app again.

6. Clear Your Pluto TV App Cache

Samsung TVs offer a nifty feature where you can clear an app’s cache instead of reinstalling it. This simple step, much like deleting your browser’s cookies, can often fix unexpected app issues.

1. Press the Home button on your Samsung TV’s remote control to open the smart hub.
2. Click Settings in the smart hub menu.
3. Select the Apps tab.
4. Click System Apps.
5. Select the Pluto TV app.
6. Click Clear Cache.
7. Press OK to confirm.

7. Reinstall the Pluto TV App

To solve many app issues, clearing the cache helps, but occasionally, a complete reinstall is necessary. This means deleting the app first, then downloading it anew.

How to delete the Pluto TV app

1. Press the Home button on your Samsung TV remote.
2. Select Apps from the on-screen menu.
3. Click Settings.
4. Navigate to the Pluto TV App.
5. Select Delete.
6. Press Delete in the pop-up to confirm.

How to reinstall the Pluto TV app

1. Press the Home button on your Samsung TV remote.
2. Select Apps from the on-screen menu.
3. Select the Search icon (the magnifying glass) in the Apps screen.
4. Enter Pluto TV in the search box.
5. Press the Install button.

Reopen the Pluto TV app and re-enter your login details – they don’t transfer from the old installation.

8. Turn Off Your VPN

If you’re not using a virtual private network (VPN), feel free to skip this part. Not sure what a VPN is? Chances are, you don’t have it set up.

Many video apps and streaming platforms, including Pluto TV, often block VPNs. If you find yourself unable to access your shows, your VPN might be the issue. A quick fix? Turn off the VPN and see if you can connect. This simple step can help you troubleshoot the problem.

9. Try Pluto TV on Another Device

We’ve explored almost all options available on your TV. Before considering our last resort, let’s check if the issue extends beyond your TV. Open Pluto TV on a computer or another device connected to your network to test this.

Having trouble with Pluto TV on your TV, but not other devices? It’s time to reach out to Samsung support.

If Pluto TV fails on all devices, the issue might stem from your account or Pluto TV’s servers.

10. Check Pluto TV Server Status

Use Downdetector to see if others nearby are also struggling with Pluto TV. Typically, these issues are local and resolved fast.

If Downdetector shows no issues, your next step is to reach out to Pluto TV support. They offer the latest updates, beyond what’s in this article.

11. Factory Reset Your TV

After exhausting simple solutions, we’re left with a final step: performing a factory reset. This action will wipe your TV’s settings and Pluto TV app data clean. While it erases everything, it could be the key to solving your streaming issues.

1. Press the Home button on your Samsung TV’s remote control to open the smart hub.
2. Go to the Settings menu.
3. Open the General tab. (Or Support -> Self Diagnosis on some TVs.)
4. Select Reset. If you’re asked for a pin, enter your pin or the default of 0000.
5. Confirm the reset process by clicking OK.

Give the Pluto TV app another go now. This step likely resolved most software or firmware glitches stopping it from working on your Samsung TV.

What’s Next?

Samsung’s Tizen OS hands you the reins to manage your streaming apps effectively. This is especially helpful when apps like Pluto TV or Prime Video glitch on Samsung TVs. On the flip side, if apps such as Pluto TV or Hulu crash on Vizio TVs, your options are limited. Remember, more control can also mean more potential issues.

Samsung TVs pack some impressive features, but they’re not without their quirks. Common issues include the volume getting stuck, or the Smart Hub endlessly updating. Though bothersome, these hiccups don’t overshadow the overall experience.