Roku 3 and Netflix - odd problem

Spizz

Spizz

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Hi folks, I've read through all of the similar Roku and Netflix threads (I think) but I just can't figure out why I'm having this problem.

First, I'm using Unotelly with the Cape Town and Joburg DNS settings in my router. So I set up my Roku 3 out of the box yesterday, signed up for Netflix, all working nicely.

This morning I'm having a look at Roku, add a few freebie channels, go back to Netflix and it tells me sorry, Netlfix is not available in your location. So I check on my laptop, all working well and streaming nicely. So I delete Netflix and reinstall, no good. Then I do a hard reset, still no good.

I go to my router, fiddle about a bit, re-enter the DNS settings and it works again.

So, then I sign up for Hulu plus and that works fine. All is good.

Now my son is watching a show on Netflix when he pauses it to go do something, comes back and it won't resume.

Log out and in again, same message, 'wrong location'. BUT, Hulu plus is working and Netflix is working nicely on my laptop, both of course are going through the router so the settings are ok.

Checking Netflix on the Roku, country and language shows ZA sometimes and US sometimes. So what the heck is going on? I'm pretty sure it's Roku related. Anyone? It's driving me nuts :mad:
 
From what I know the new Netflix app on Roku3 uses 8.8.8.8 mostly for DNS. I had the same problem and blocked DNS(53) to 8.8.8.8. Since then not once had the problem.
 
rljansen said:
From what I know the new Netflix app on Roku3 uses 8.8.8.8 mostly for DNS. I had the same problem and blocked DNS(53) to 8.8.8.8. Since then not once had the problem.
Click to expand...

Sounds good, so I have to block Port 53 somehow???

Ok, now to figure out how to do that. Thanks for the pointer :)
 
No probs. Yes, block outgoing traffic UDP port 53 to 8.8.8.8. You should be able to do that on most routers.
 
rljansen said:
No probs. Yes, block outgoing traffic UDP port 53 to 8.8.8.8. You should be able to do that on most routers.
Click to expand...

Nope, haven't managed to fix it and now Hulu plus has also gone!!!

The router allows us to block 53 but not to a specific address (8.8.8.8) so obviously that's a problem right there. The modem is a fairly old Belkin but I have a new one arriving from mweb next week so will try again when that arrives.
 
Spizz said:
Nope, haven't managed to fix it and now Hulu plus has also gone!!!

The router allows us to block 53 but not to a specific address (8.8.8.8) so obviously that's a problem right there. The modem is a fairly old Belkin but I have a new one arriving from mweb next week so will try again when that arrives.
Click to expand...

Edit: did a reset and both Netflix and Hulu are working. Now I really have no idea what is going on :wtf:
 
Spizz said:
Edit: did a reset and both Netflix and Hulu are working. Now I really have no idea what is going on :wtf:
Click to expand...

Edit edit: this morning neither are working. Both messages say not available in your country.
 
As I recall you need to create a Roku account via your PC and it needs to be a US account.What address details did you give when opening your account?
 
I had a similar problem and eventually realised that my router was automatically changing the DNS after a certain period of time. to stop it doing this i just unchecked the 'use router as DNS server' option (Billion router)
 
Slartibartfast said:
I had a similar problem and eventually realised that my router was automatically changing the DNS after a certain period of time. to stop it doing this i just unchecked the 'use router as DNS server' option (Billion router)
Click to expand...

I don't appear to have such a setting on my router. Similarly, I can't block port 53 for 8.8.8.8, I just don't have the options. I'm using an old Belkin just now while waiting for mweb to deliver a new fancy FON one this week, so I'll make do just now until that arrives and then MAKE that one work.

Thanks for the tip though, will keep it in mind when the new one arrives (p.s. are you the same Slartibartfast from Keo?)
 
I have a related problem in that my Roku can't connect to my internet for the last 2 weeks. I need to everyday unplug it, factory reset and try all other options and if I'm lucky I can connect, reload all channels, connect to Netflix and Hulu+ etc.

The problem is not the ADSL as I can watch Netflix on the notebook while the Roku is struggling. Initially I thought there is a problem with the Roku servers, but nor for 2 weeks ,,,

Any ideas?
 
Joeboy69 said:
I have a related problem in that my Roku can't connect to my internet for the last 2 weeks. I need to everyday unplug it, factory reset and try all other options and if I'm lucky I can connect, reload all channels, connect to Netflix and Hulu+ etc.

The problem is not the ADSL as I can watch Netflix on the notebook while the Roku is struggling. Initially I thought there is a problem with the Roku servers, but nor for 2 weeks ,,,

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Is it connected via lan or wifi? Which roku do you have?
 
ajules said:
As I recall you need to create a Roku account via your PC and it needs to be a US account.What address details did you give when opening your account?
Click to expand...

This. You need to use a VPN to setup your roku account. If any of the channels see you as ZA, then you will be ZA.
 
Slamz said:
Is it connected via lan or wifi? Which roku do you have?
Click to expand...

I try both wifi and Ethernet. It comes and goes, worked well last few days ... Intermittent problems are the worst :-(

Edit: Roku3
 
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