How to Get Netflix on a Non-Smart TV

This article explains how to add Netflix to your non-smart TV using Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV Stick, a video game console, or even your laptop.

Watch Netflix on a Non-Smart TV With Apple TV

With Netflix on your Apple TV, watch Netflix programming on your non-smart TV as long as it has an HDMI port.

The instructions for adding Netflix to your Apple TV differ depending on your Apple TV version.

Apple TV 2 or Apple TV 3

To connect your Apple TV 2 or 3 to your Netflix account, make sure you are on the Home screen and follow the steps below.

1. From the main Apple TV menu, select Netflix.

2. Select Already A Member? Sign in.

   If you are not yet a member, set up your membership on the Netflix sign up page.

3. Enter your Netflix email and password.

4. Your device is now connected to your Netflix account.

Apple TV 4 or Apple TV 4K

To connect your Apple TV 4 or 4K to your Netflix account, make sure you are on the Home screen and follow the steps below.

1. From the home screen, select the App Store.

2. In the App Store, search for Netflix to find the app, then select Get to start the installation.

3. After installation, the Netflix app will appear on the home screen.

4. Launch the Netflix app.

5. Select Sign In to use an existing Netflix account.

6. After choosing Sign In, enter your Netflix email and password.

7. Your device is now connected to your Netflix account.

Watch Netflix on a Non-Smart TV With Roku

With Netflix on your Roku, watch Netflix programming on your non-smart TV. To watch Netflix with a Roku, create an account by going to the Roku sign up page, and then follow the steps below. The instructions differ for a Roku 1 and newer Roku devices.

1. From the main Home screen, navigate to Home and select Netflix.

   If Netflix is missing, navigate to Streaming Channels, then Movies & TV. Select Netflix, then Add Channel, then go to channel.

2. On the Are you a member of Netflix? screen, select Yes.

3. A code will appear. Enter this activation code on the Netflix account activation page.

4. Your Roku is now connected to your Netflix account. 

Newer Roku Models

1. From the main Home screen, navigate to Home and select Netflix.

   If Netflix is missing, navigate to the Roku Channel Store, then Movies & TV. Select Netflix, then Add Channel, then go to channel.

2. Select Sign In on the Netflix home screen.

3. Sign in to your Netflix account.

4. Your Roku is now connected to your Netflix account.

Watch Netflix on a Non-Smart TV With Chromecast

With Netflix on your Chromecast, watch Netflix programming on your non-smart TV. Before you can set up Netflix on your Chromecast, you must first install and set up the Google Home app on your mobile device.

1. Plug in the Chromecast.

2. Download the Google Home app.

3. Connect your mobile device to the same Wi-Fi network that you intend to use with your Chromecast device.

4. Open the Google Home app and set up the Chromecast as a new device.

Set Up Netflix on Your Chromecast

Once you've finished setting up Chromecast, you can start casting Netflix to your TV.

1. Launch the Netflix app on your device and sign in.

2. Select the Cast icon from the upper or lower right side of the screen.

3. Select your Chromecast from the list of available devices to launch the Netflix app on your TV.

4. Select a TV show or movie to watch and press Play.

Watch Netflix on a Non-Smart TV With Amazon Fire Stick

Accessing Netflix via your Amazon Fire Stick device is another way to watch Netflix programming on your non-smart TV.

To connect your Amazon Fire TV device to your Netflix account, make sure you are on the Home screen and follow the steps below.

1. From the main screen, select Search.

2. Enter Netflix into the search box, then select Netflix.

3. Select Free or Download.

4. When the download completes, select Open.

5. Select Sign In and log in with your Netflix account information.

6. Your device is now connected to your Netflix account.

Use a Game Console to Watch Netflix on a Non-Smart TV

Some video game consoles support Netflix streaming, allowing you to watch Netflix programs on your non-smart TV. Instructions vary by system.

Using Netflix With PlayStation 4 and 4 Pro

You can download the Netflix app to your Playstation device and stream TV and movies on your TV.

To download Netflix to your PS4 or PS4 Pro console, follow the instructions below. For PS3, skip to the next section.

1. From the Home screen, go to the TV & Video section and select the Netflix icon. Select Download.

   You can also go to: PlayStation Store, Apps, Movies/TV, Netflix, Download.

   If you're not already on the home screen, tap the PS button in the middle of your controller.

2. Select Sign in on the Netflix home screen.

3. Navigate to the TV & Video section and select the Netflix icon.

   You must be signed in to your PSN account to access the TV & Video section.

4. Enter your Netflix email address and password.

5. Your device is now connected to your Netflix account.

   If you didn't see Netflix as a choice in the TV & Video section, go to the PlayStation Store. From there, choose Apps, then Movies/TV. Find and select Netflix, then select the Download button.

Using Netflix With PlayStation 3

Downloading and signing in to Netflix on the PS3 is a slightly different process, but it only takes a few steps.

1. From the Home screen, navigate to the TV/Video Services section and select Netflix.

2. Select Yes when asked if you're sure that you want to download the app.

   If these steps don't work, go to: PlayStation Store, Apps, Movies/TV, Netflix, Download.

3. To log in, go back to the home screen, then TV/Video Services, and select Netflix.

4. Select Sign in, and enter your Netflix login information.

Use Netflix With the Xbox One

You can download and watch Netflix from Xbox 360 and Xbox One game consoles. To connect your Xbox to your Netflix account, make sure you are signed in to your Xbox network account.

If you have an Xbox One, One S, or One X, follow the steps below. If you have an Xbox 360, move on to the next section.

1. From the Home screen, scroll right to access Store.

2. Select Netflix from the Apps section.

3. Select Install.

4. Choose Launch to open the app.

5. Select Member Sign In and then enter your login credentials to sign on to Netflix on your Xbox.

6. Select Sign In.

Use Netflix With the Xbox 360

The steps for adding Netflix to an Xbox 360 are different from the Xbox One consoles.

1. Navigate to Apps and select Netflix to download the app.

2. Once downloaded, navigate to the Apps section, then select the Netflix tile.

3. Select Sign In.​

4. Enter your Netflix email address and password and select Sign in again.

5. Your Xbox is now connected to your Netflix account. 

Use Netflix With Nintendo Wii U

Nintendo discontinued the Wii Shop Channel on the original Nintendo Wii on January 30, 2019, so Netflix is no longer available on the original Wii. However, you can stream Netflix on the Nintendo Wii U.

1. From the Wii U GamePad, select the yellow shopping bag icon for the Nintendo eShop.

2. Select the search box in the upper right corner of the GamePad.

3. Search Netflix and then select OK on the on-screen keyboard.

4. Choose Netflix from the results.

5. Select Download, and then Download once more to confirm.

6. Select Next to continue.

7. Go to Download and then choose Continue.

8. From the home screen, select the Netflix icon to open it.

9. Choose Member Sign In.

10. Enter your Netflix login details, and then choose Continue.

Connect a Laptop to a Non-Smart TV to Watch Netflix

Connect your laptop to your TV with an HDMI cable and stream Netflix content from the laptop to the TV. Your TV must have an HDMI port, and your laptop needs a video-out port.

Once connected, choose the right input option on your TV. Press the Source button on your remote (this button is called Input on some remotes) and select the input that matches the port you plugged the cable into, such as HDMI. Then, go to Netflix using a browser on your laptop. You should now see Netflix on your TV.

If you see Netflix images on your TV, but no sound is coming from the TV, you likely must adjust your laptop's sound settings to specify that you want to use external speakers (in this case, the TV's speakers). Here's how:

Adjust Windows Sound Settings

On a Windows PC, you can tweak your sound settings in just a few steps.

1. Open the Run dialog box with the WIN+R keyboard combination.

2. Enter the mmsys.cpl command.

3. Select the Playback tab, then select the icon representing your TV or the HDMI output.

4. Select the Set Default button, which should now be active.

5. You should be able to see and hear Netflix programming on your TV.

Adjust Mac Sound Settings

It's also quick and easy to change sound settings on a Mac.

1. Go to System Preferences by selecting the Apple icon in the top left or the System Preferences icon in the Dock.

2. Choose Sound.

3. Select the Output tab along the top.

4. Select the TV’s speakers as your choice.

5. You should be able to see and hear Netflix programming on your TV.