How to Fix Netflix Quality Bad on Mac/PC/Phone/TV

Part 1. Why Is My Netflix Quality So Bad on Mac/PC/Phone?

It's a bad experience while meeting with a blurry, or pixelated Netflix stream. Even worse is when this Netflix bad quality isn't just on one device, but all of them, your smart TV, laptop, tablet, and phone. Netflix adjusts video quality based on a variety of factors, such as the internet connection and the device you use to stream content. Here are the key reasons why the Netflix picture quality is so bad:

1. Subscription Plan Limits Quality

The first thing you'd check is whether your Netflix subscription plan supports video playback in high resolution. Netflix offers three subscription plans, only Premium offers 4K playback quality, and the ad-supported plan and the Standard plan only support 1080p quality.

2. Browser Restrictions

One major factor contributing to Netflix's bad quality is the browser limitations. Most users stream Netflix through browsers like Safari, Chrome, or Firefox, and these browsers have different levels of video playback quality. For instance, the latest version of Safari browser supports Netflix playback in 4K if you're on a Premium plan, but Chrome and Firefox limit the resolution to 1080p.

*Ultra HD is only available on Mac computers with macOS 11.0 or later that meet the Ultra HD requirements. Mac computers with macOS 10.15 can play up to Full HD (1080p).

3. Incompatible Devices

The devices you're using play a crucial role in the maximum Netflix picture quality you can achieve. Different platforms have specific hardware and software requirements for streaming Netflix in HD, Ultra HD (4K), and HDR (High Dynamic Range).

For Mac Computers (UHD/HDR):

Ultra HD (4K) Requirements:

• A Mac computer with an Apple processor (M1, M2, M3, etc.) or Apple T2 Security Chip.
• A built-in display that supports UHD resolution (e.g., iMac 5K, MacBook Pro with Retina display).
• macOS Big Sur 11.0 or later installed.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) Requirements:

• A compatible Mac model with an HDR-enabled display (e.g., MacBook Pro 14-inch/16-inch with Liquid Retina XDR display, iMac Pro with HDR monitor).
• macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or later.
• To turn on the Apple XDR Display Preset or High Dynamic Range checkbox in System Preferences > Display.



• To turn off the Optimize video streaming when using battery option in System Preferences > Battery.

For Windows PCs (UHD/HDR):

Ultra HD (4K) Requirements:

• A 4K-capable display.
• A 7th Gen Intel Core i3 or higher processor, or equivalent AMD processor.
• NVIDIA GTX 10-series GPU or higher, or AMD Radeon RX 400 series or higher with HEVC video extensions installed.
• Windows 10 (version 1607 or later) or Windows 11.
• A single HDCP 2.2 compliant connection if using an external monitor.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) Requirements:

• An HDR-compatible display.
• An Intel Core i3 or higher processor with integrated Intel Graphics 620 or later, or a compatible NVIDIA or AMD GPU with specific driver versions.
• Windows 10 (version 1709 or later) or Windows 11.
• Enable HDR in Windows Display settings: Settings > System > Display > Windows HD Color settings (or HDR settings).

For iPhones and iPads (HDR/Dolby Vision):

• HDR/Dolby Vision Compatible Device: An iPhone 8 or later, or an iPad Pro (2nd generation or later) or iPad Air (4th generation or later) with a Liquid Retina or Super Retina XDR display.
• iOS/iPadOS Version: Latest iOS/iPadOS version is recommended.

For Android Phones and Tablets (HDR):

• HDR Compatible Device: A device certified with HDR10 or Dolby Vision support (check your phone's specifications). Many flagship Android phones from major manufacturers (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, etc.) support HDR.
• Widevine L1 DRM: Your device must support Google's Widevine L1 Digital Rights Management (DRM) for high-resolution playback. You can check this using third-party apps like DRM Info.

For Smart TVs (4K/UHD/HDR):

• 4K/HDR Compatible TV: Your TV must be a 4K/UHD or HDR-enabled model. Look for certifications like "Ultra HD Premium," Dolby Vision, or HDR10+.
• HDMI 2.0/2.1 Ports (for external devices): If using an external streaming stick or box (e.g., Apple TV 4K, Roku Ultra, Fire TV Stick 4K) connected to your TV, ensure it's plugged into an HDMI 2.0 (for 4K) or HDMI 2.1 (for higher frame rates/features) port that supports HDCP 2.2.
• TV Picture Settings: Some TVs require specific picture modes (e.g., "Cinema," "Movie," or "HDR" mode) to be enabled for HDR content to display correctly.

4. Slow Internet Connection

Another reason for Netflix poor video quality is automatic resolution scaling. Netflix adjusts the resolution dynamically based on your internet connection. If the internet speed dips, even momentarily, Netflix may drop the video quality to prevent buffering. This can result in a less-than-ideal viewing experience. If you want to stream Netflix in 4K quality, the internet speed should be at least 15 Mbps or higher:

5. Low-Quality Playback Settings

Additionally, Netflix's playback settings can also affect video quality. The default settings are designed to save bandwidth, which means they may not prioritize high-quality streaming unless manually adjusted. Many users are unaware of this and continue to stream in lower quality without realizing they have the option to change their settings.

Part 2. How to Fix Netflix Bad Quality on All Devices

To improve Netflix playback quality on Mac, Windows PC, iPhone, and Android devices, you need to first analyze which part is not compatible with high-resolution playback according to the possible reasons provided in Part 1, and then follow the instructions provided below to improve Netflix streaming quality.

1. Optimize Your Internet Connection

The first thing you should check is your internet speed. For high definition streaming, Netflix recommends a speed of at least 3 Mbps, while high-definition (HD) requires 5 Mbps. For ultra-high-definition (UHD/4K) streaming, you'll need at least 15 Mbps. To check your internet speed, you can use tools like Fast.com, which is powered by Netflix itself.

If your internet speed is lower than expected, consider switching to an Ethernet connection rather than relying on Wi-Fi, or upgrading to a faster internet plan. If your connection is stable but still slow, other devices or applications running in the background may be using up bandwidth. Close any unnecessary programs or disconnect other devices from your Wi-Fi to prioritize Netflix streaming.

2. Adjust Netflix Playback Settings

Netflix allows you to manually adjust the playback settings to fix Netflix quality bad on PC, Mac, iPhone, Android phones,and TV. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Netflix in the Safari browser on your device and log in.
2. Go to Account settings and select Playback Settings under Profile & Parental Controls.
3. Choose the High option as the playback quality to make Netflix quality better. The High option allows streaming in HD and Ultra HD when available, though it uses more bandwidth.

3. Upgrade Your Netflix Plan

Among all Netflix plans, only Premium offers 4K and HDR videos. If you are satisfied with 1080p video quality, you can keep your existing subscription. But if you want higher picture quality, you can try to upgrade to Netflix Premium plan:

1. Open Netflix and go to your Account settings.
2. Scroll down and you'll see the Plan Details.
3. On the right side of the plan details there is a Change plan option, click on it.
4. Choose the Premium to change your Netflix plan.

4. Use the Safari Browser

As mentioned earlier, Safari allows Netflix streaming in up to 4K resolution, provided you have a Premium subscription. Other browsers, on the other hand, limit streaming to 720p or 1080p at most. Switching to Safari can improve your streaming quality instantly if you're currently using one of the lower-quality browsers.

Part 3. Alternative Solution to Enjoy High-Quality Netflix on Mac/PC

Even with the above improvements, there may still be cases where the quality of the streaming quality remains bad due to factors beyond your control, such as server load or temporary internet fluctuations. If you're looking for a reliable solution to avoid streaming issues entirely, StreamUlt Netflix Video Downloader offers a great alternative.

With StreamUlt Netflix Video Downloader, you can download any Netflix content directly to your Mac and Windows PC in original video quality, whether in Full HD, 4K Ultra HD, or with HDR. StreamUlt allows you to watch it offline without any interruptions, buffering, or resolution drops. This way, you no longer have to worry about streaming limitations or internet dependency.

Key Features of StreamUlt Netflix Video Downloader

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• Download Netflix movies, TV shows and more locally
• Convert Netflix movies and TV shows to MP4 or MKV
• Save multilingual language and subtitles in two types
• Remove ads from Netflix and keep original video quality

A Tutorial on How to Download High-Quality Netflix Video with StreamUlt

Step 1Log in to Your Netflix Account

First, download and install StreamUlt Netflix Video Downloader on your Mac or Windows computer. Then, launch the software and log in to your Netflix account. Now, you'll have access to the full Netflix library, including movies, TV shows, documentaries, anime, and original productions.

Step 2Adjust Netflix Download Settings

Click the hamburger icon in the upper-right corner of the StreamUlt interface and select "Preferences". Under the "Download" tab, you can set the video picture quality according to your preference. StreamUlt provides the highest picture quality available from the source. Additionally, you can set the audio track, subtitles, and the output location of the file. When you are done, click "OK" to save your preferences.

Step 3Select Netflix Content to Download

Use the search bar in StreamUlt and select the shows or movies you want to download. You can either search by title or paste the URL of the specific video. Once you locate the content, click on it to proceed.

Step 4Download Netflix Video in High Quality

Choose the episodes or movies you want to download. You can also download them in batches to save time. Next, hit the "Download" button to start the process. Your videos will be saved in MP4 or MKV format in your designated folder.

Step 5Access and Play High-quality Downloaded Videos

To view your downloaded content, go to the "History" section. You can locate the file on your computer by clicking the "Folder" icon next to the titles. Now, you can watch high-quality Netflix videos on any device you want, even without an internet connection.

Part 4. FAQs About Netflix Poor Quality

Part 5. Conclusion

Netflix's video quality on Mac, PC, phones, and TV can be influenced by several factors, from internet speed to browser limitations. By optimizing your internet connection, adjusting your Netflix playback settings, upgrading your Netflix plan, and using the right browser, you can significantly improve the quality of your streaming experience. For a more reliable solution, StreamUlt Netflix Video Downloader allows you to download Netflix videos in original quality, ensuring high-quality playback even when you're offline or dealing with poor streaming conditions.