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Why is Hotstar not working? Quick Fix

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  • 4 min read

Hotstar is one of the more popular streaming apps in India. The app generally gives stable streams of good quality and an overall smooth user experience, but just like everything tech, it does suffer from random bugs and glitches from time to time.

In this article, we’re going over a few fixes you could try out if Hotstar isn’t working for you. 


Hotstar playback stream not available issue

For those who aren’t familiar with the service, it’s only available in India. Unfortunately, this means if you’re trying to access the app from outside the country or are using a VPN, chances are that you’ll run into this error. 

Another possible reason for this can be an unstable internet connection or an outdated version of the app. So checking for updates and making sure you have a stable, fast enough internet connection aren’t bad ideas.

Apart from this, if you aren’t in India, the only workaround is to try and connect to a VPN server located in India. 

Also read: What to do if your Hotstar Premium video isn’t playing?


Your device does not support DRM issue on Hotstar

This issue is triggered by not having an official subscription or a device or app that doesn’t support DRM. The term stands for Data Rights Management and is required by premium OTT platforms to stream content as a safeguard against unauthorised streaming or downloads. 

Unfortunately, there isn’t any workaround to this situation besides using the official app with a valid subscription. 


Hotstar not working on Smart TVs

There can be a bunch of reasons for the app not working on Smart TVs. However, most of these reasons stem from not having the proper, updated version of the app or an internet issue.

First up, check to make sure you have the app updated on your TV. Next, make sure your internet is working properly. Then, if possible, move your router closer to your TV or, better yet, run an ethernet cable between your TV and router if your TV has an ethernet jack. 

You can also try cold rebooting your TV and deleting the cache of the Hotstar app on the TV itself. This will delete any corrupt cache files in the app that might be hindering its functioning. 

Also read: How to fix the ‘SonyLiv not working on Chrome’ issue?


Hotstar app not working: 4 fixes

If the Hotstar app isn’t working properly on your phone, you can try out these four fixes. 


Check your internet connection

The first thing you should do is try out your internet connection to ensure that it’s stable and fast enough. If you’re on WiFi, check to make sure you’ve got good signal strength and an active internet connection. If you’re on mobile data, make sure you’ve got good network coverage and that mobile data is actually turned. 


Update Hotstar app

An outdated app can also cause a bunch of problems. So first, check your respective app store to see if there’s an update available. If there is, install it immediately, and that should resolve your issue.


Clear Hotstar app’s cache

Cleaning an app’s cache can help eliminate any corrupt files in the app’s cache that may hinder its functionality. Follow these steps to clear the cache.

How to fix 'Snapchat notification not working' error?
  • Head over to your phone’s settings and tap on Apps & notifications
  • On the next page, if you’ve recently used Hotstar, it will appear under Recently opened apps at the top. If it doesn’t, tap on the See all apps option. Then find and tap on the name of the app whose cache you want to clear.
  • On the next page, tap on Storage & cache.
  • Then tap on Clear Cache.

Reinstall Disney+Hotstar app

If nothing else works, your last option is to reinstall the app and hope for the best. Reinstalling the app will get rid of all app files on your phone, including the corrupted ones that might be causing issues with the app. 

Also read: HBO Max not working: 6 Fixes

Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah is a Computer Science graduate who writes/edits/shoots/codes all things cybersecurity, gaming, and tech hardware. When he's not, he streams himself racing virtual cars. He's been writing and reporting on tech and cybersecurity with websites like Candid.Technology and MakeUseOf since 2018. You can contact him here: yadullahabidi@pm.me.

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