Amazon Prime Video is a popular streaming service included with an Amazon Prime membership. However, users sometimes encounter issues like videos not playing, buffering problems, error messages, app crashes, etc. Here are the most common issues and fixes:
Video Playback Issues
- Restart devices – Close the Prime Video app and restart your streaming device or TV. Also restart your router if the issues persist. This refreshes connections.
- Check for updates – Ensure your device, app, browser, and router firmware are updated to the latest versions. Updates often contain bug fixes.
- Check internet speed – Slow internet speeds under 5 Mbps can cause buffering and playback failures in HD/4K. Run a speed test and contact your ISP if needed.
- Pause other internet activity – Downloads, streaming on other devices, etc. can congest your network. Pause these to free up bandwidth.
Error Messages
- Clear app cache/data – For Android/Fire TV devices, clear cache and data for the Prime Video app via device settings. This deletes temporary corrupt files.
- Remove/reinstall the app – Uninstall and reinstall the Prime Video app if clearing cache doesn’t work. This gives you a clean slate.
- Check Prime Video System Status page – See if issues are being reported by others during service outages.
App Crashing
- Force stop the app – For Android/Fire TV, force stop the Prime Video app via device settings. Then clear cache/data before reopening.
- Restart device – Close all apps and restart your streaming device/TV. Also unplug it for 30 seconds to power cycle.
- Check for firmware/software updates – Install the latest firmware, OS, and security updates for your device. Updates often contain stability fixes.
Account and Billing Issues
- Sign out and back in – Sign out of the Prime Video app and website, then sign back in with your credentials. This syncs your account.
- Contact Amazon customer service – For persistent account, subscription or billing issues, contact Amazon customer service for troubleshooting.
Other Tips
- Use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi whenever possible for faster, more reliable connections.
- On a browser, switch between Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc. to isolate Prime Video issues.
- Deregister devices you no longer use from Your Account > Prime Video Settings.
- Disable VPNs and proxy servers when streaming, as they can cause Prime Video to block content.
Following troubleshooting steps methodically often resolves many common Prime Video issues. Contact Amazon customer support if problems persist on your end. Be sure to keep apps, devices and routers updated whenever new firmware versions are available.
