TV Streaming Fixes

If you are trying to watch your favorite show on Hulu and suddenly find yourself staring at an endless loading screen, it can be incredibly frustrating. This issue, often known internally as Error Code 94, typically means that the Hulu app is struggling to connect to the internet, or there is an issue with your device's temporary data (also known as a cache).

The good news is that you don't need a degree in computer science to fix this. Here is our comprehensive, step-by-step guide to get your streaming back on track.

Step 1: Perform a Full System Restart (The Power Cycle)

The oldest trick in the book is often the most effective. Simply turning your TV off with the remote control doesn't actually shut it down completely—it just puts it to sleep. To fix a frozen app, we need to completely drain the power.

1. Unplug Your Device: Physically remove the power cord from the back of your TV, Roku, or Firestick.
2. Wait a Full Minute: Do not plug it back in immediately. Wait for at least 60 seconds. This allows the internal memory to completely reset.
3. Power Back On: Plug the device back in and turn it on. Wait for the home screen to fully load before trying to open Hulu again.

Step 2: Restart Your Home Internet Connection

Since the loading screen issue is fundamentally a connectivity problem, your home internet router might be the culprit. Over time, routers can become bogged down with too many connections.

1. Locate Your Router and Modem: Find the boxes that supply your home Wi-Fi.
2. Unplug Them: Pull the power cords out of both devices.
3. The Waiting Game: Wait for a full two minutes.
4. Reboot Sequence: Plug the modem in first. Wait for its lights to stabilize (usually about 2 minutes). Then, plug your Wi-Fi router back in and wait for it to broadcast the signal.
5. Test the Connection: Once your phone or laptop shows that the Wi-Fi is back, try loading Hulu on your TV.

Step 3: Clear the Hulu App Cache (Temporary Files)

As you use streaming apps, they save small files (called cache) to help them load faster next time. If these files get corrupted, the app will freeze.

If you use a Roku:

1. Press the Home button on your remote 5 times.
2. Press the Up arrow 1 time.
3. Press Rewind 2 times.
4. Press Fast Forward 2 times. Your Roku screen will freeze for a moment, turn black, and then reboot. The cache is now clear.

If you use an Amazon Fire TV:

1. From the home screen, go to Settings (the gear icon).
2. Select Applications, then scroll down to Manage Installed Applications.
3. Find and select Hulu.
4. Choose Clear Cache. (Do not click Clear Data unless you want to log in again).

Step 4: Delete and Reinstall the App

If the cache clear didn't work, the app itself might have a corrupted update. Reinstalling gives it a fresh, clean slate.

1. Uninstall: Navigate to your device's app menu, highlight Hulu, press the options button (usually an asterisk or a menu button with three lines), and select "Delete" or "Uninstall."
2. Restart: Restart your streaming device one more time to ensure all residual files are gone.
3. Reinstall: Go to your device's app store, search for Hulu, and download it again.
4. Log In: You will need your email and password to log back in.

If you have gone through all these steps and Hulu is still stuck on the loading screen, it is highly likely that Hulu's own servers are experiencing a nationwide outage. In this case, the best thing to do is wait an hour and try again.