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The disruption triggered a wave of online complaints as fans preparing for Stranger Things Season 5 struggled to load the platform.
Netflix experienced a surge of technical issues on November 26, leaving thousands of subscribers unable to stream shows or even load the app..
The disruption appeared suddenly, with reports climbing sharply throughout the day, according to figures from the monitoring service Downdetector.
The site, which tracks real-time service faults, logged more than 10,000 outage reports at the peak of the incident, The Express reported.
Viewers across multiple regions said the platform froze, failed to load titles or displayed repeated error screens when they tried to start a programme.
Confusion and speculation among viewers
Some fans wondered whether the timing was linked — coincidentally or otherwise — to the growing hype around the forthcoming final season of Stranger Things.
Social-media posts showed users joking, venting and trying to refresh the app in hopes of getting it to work.
Although Netflix did not immediately comment on the cause, the volume of reports suggested a widespread technical fault rather than a localised glitch.
What Netflix is
Netflix is a global subscription-based streaming platform offering on-demand films, shows and documentaries.
It can be accessed through smart TVs, mobile devices, computers and tablets, and is known for producing original content alongside licensed titles.
What Stranger Things is
Stranger Things is one of Netflix’s flagship series, set in the 1980s and blending supernatural themes with nostalgic adventure storytelling.
Its young ensemble cast and retro aesthetic helped turn it into one of the service’s most recognisable successes.
Data shows scale of the issue
According to Downdetector’s breakdown, 51% of users who reported problems said they were unable to stream video at all, while 41% said they could not connect to Netflix’s servers. Reports were registered across multiple regions, indicating the issue was not confined to a single country.
Outage gradually eases
By later in the day, users began reporting that access was returning, though Downdetector continued to record new complaints in some areas.
Messages on X and Reddit suggested many were still attempting to reconnect so they could continue their planned viewing.
Netflix had not yet provided a full explanation for the disruption, and further updates are expected once the company identifies the source of the failure.
Sources: The Express, Downdetector
