Is Disney Plus not working? Here's how to fix it

Disney Plus is one of the best video streaming services for both the little and larger people at home. It’s bad news when we run into issues, and Disney Plus is not working anymore. Today, we’re here to help you with some fixes that could get the popular app up and running in no time.

If you have yet to sign up for the service, you can do so at the link below as part of a bundle with Hulu and ESPN Plus. There are also some ways to get Disney Plus for free, if you want to try that first.

Editor’s note: Some of the instructions in this article were generated using a Google Pixel 7 running Android 14, an Apple iPhone 12 Mini running iOS 17.3, and a custom PC running Windows 11. Keep in mind that steps can be slightly different depending on your device.

Error code 83: How to fix it

You might encounter a particular error code 83 when Disney Plus is not working. It’s so common that we have written an entire article devoted to that issue. Check out our dedicated post on error code 83.

By the way, there are many other error codes you can get on Disney Plus. Some popular ones include error code 9, 14, 39, 41, 42, and 73. Here is our dedicated guide for fixing the most common Disney Plus error codes.

Find out if Disney Plus is down

While not all that common, there is a chance your problem with Disney Plus not working is due to the service being down. When this happens, you will usually get a message that reads “Unable to connect to Disney+,” as you can see in the image above.

Before you start messing around with settings and troubleshooting, you should check if this is the case. We suggest using a website like DownDetector. This service takes reports from other users and lets you know if Disney Plus (or any other website) is down. There’s even a live outage map to see if the issue is local.

If Disney Plus is, in fact, down, then there is nothing you can do but wait until the team gets it all sorted out.

Close and reopen the app

If Disney Plus’ servers aren’t the problem, the first fix you should try is closing and reopening the app. You can close and reopen the browser if you’re using a computer. You might also want to try logging out and back into the app. Some go as far as uninstalling and reinstalling the application. All these solutions often iron out any issues you may be having.

How to force close an Android app:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into Apps.
3. Tap on See all apps.
4. Find and select Disney Plus.
5. Hit Force stop.
6. Confirm by selecting OK.

Close an iOS app:

1. Slide your finger from the bottom of the screen up, then hold for a few seconds.
2. The Recent Apps screen will appear.
3. Find Disney Plus and slide the window up to close it.

How to uninstall an Android app:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into Apps.
3. Tap on See all apps.
4. Find and select Disney Plus.
5. Hit Uninstall.
6. Confirm by selecting OK.

How to uninstall an iOS app:

1. Find the Disney Plus app. Tap on hold onto it.
2. Select Remove App.
3. Tap on Delete App.

Check for updates

Running slightly older versions of an app isn’t usually a problem, but it can sometimes create conflicts. Especially when there are more considerable upgrades that include server-side changes. Make sure to check for any updates to the Disney Plus app. If you’re using it on a computer, update your browser. Likewise, it makes sense to check for any updates to your hardware.

How to check for Disney Plus app updates on Android:

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap on your profile icon.
3. Select Manage apps & device.
4. Hit Updates available.
5. Check if there’s an update available for Disney Plus. If there is, tap on the Update button next to it.
6. Alternatively, you can tap on Update all to keep all your applications up to date.

How to check for Disney Plus app updates on iOS:

1. Launch the Apple App Store.
2. Tap on your Profile icon.
3. Scroll down, and you’ll see a list of apps with available updates.
4. You can either tap on Update next to Disney Plus, or select Update All.

Update your Android phone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go into System.
3. Tap on System update.
4. Select Check for update.
5. Follow the instructions if there is an update available.

Update your iOS phone:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into General.
3. Select Software Update.
4. iOS will automatically search for updates. If it finds one, hit Download and install.

Try restarting!

This is often the first troubleshooting solution everyone recommends, from professional technicians to the family geek. While it may seem like a silly suggestion, it works most of the time! It’s like magic. Give it a try.

How to restart your Android phone:

1. Press the side and volume up buttons simultaneously.
2. Tap Restart.
3. Let the phone reboot.

How to restart an iOS phone:

1. Simultaneously press and hold the side and either the volume down or volume up buttons until the power screen shows up.
2. Use the slider that reads slide to power off.

iOS doesn’t allow taking screenshots of the power menu, so we can’t really display these steps with imagery.

Check your internet connection

Disney Plus not loading could be due to a faulty internet connection. Try testing other apps that require an internet connection and see if they work. You can also launch Google and search for anything. If you’re operating over Wi-Fi, you could also try another device. You might find out the problem isn’t actually Disney Plus.

Also, check if your Wi-Fi or Airplane Mode settings are on. Those using Wi-Fi or LAN should also make sure the router is operational. You can try restarting the router; there is usually a dedicated button, but unplugging and plugging the device back in works too.

How to turn off Airplane Mode on Android:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into Network & internet.
3. Check if the Airplane mode toggle is on. If it is, turn it off.

How to turn off Airplane Mode on iOS:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Toggle off Airplane Mode.

If you’re using cellular data, you might want to see if your data connection is on:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go into Network & internet.
3. Tap on SIMs.
4. Select your main SIM.
5. Toggle Mobile data on.
6. If you’re outside your country or network coverage, also toggle Roaming on (this may incur extra charges).

How to check if your iOS mobile data is on :

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into Cellular.
3. Make sure Cellular Data is toggled on.
4. You can also tap on your SIM and toggle on Data Roaming (this may incur extra charges).

Clear the cache and data

Cache is usually good, but data can get corrupted, especially once it gets older. It’s good to clean the app’s cache now and then. While you’re at it, it may also be worth deleting the app data, which will wipe all the settings and account info. You’ll have to log back into Disney Plus afterward.

Clear cache on Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go into Apps.
3. Find the Disney Plus app under See all apps.
4. Tap on Storage & cache.
5. Hit Clear Cache.
6. You can also select Clear storage for a clean start.

Clear the cache on Chrome for Windows:

1. On your Windows computer, open Chrome.
2. Click on the three-dot menu button in the top-right corner.
3. Go into Settings.
4. Select Privacy and security in the left-side column.
5. Pick Clear browsing data.
6. Check the boxes to select what you want to delete. I like clearing everything if there are serious issues.
7. Select All time in the Time range.
8. Hit Clear data.

You can’t clear the cache on iOS apps. The only efficient way to do this is by uninstalling and reinstalling an app, which we already explained how to do.

Is the network blocking Disney Plus?

Are you using a public network or another person’s Wi-Fi? This could be the reason for Disney Plus not working. Sometimes, there are network restrictions on certain types of content. For example, it’s common to see schools and libraries block streaming services. Or maybe the network’s administrator is running parental controls to ensure the kids don’t spend too much time watching addictive Disney films.

Talk to the network administrator to find out if any such restrictions exist. If so, the only solution is to ask if they are willing to lift these restrictions. Or switch to data usage if you’re using a smartphone.

Try another device

Reports all over the internet seem to agree that Disney Plus likes some devices more than others. Disney Plus not working on a specific product might be due to many reasons, but temporarily switching to another device seems to do the trick for many users.

For example, it’s more common for Disney Plus to crash or suddenly stop working on TVs. If this is the case, try a smartphone. Mobile phones tend to get updates, improvements, and fixes more often. We’ve also seen issues with set-top boxes in the past, like the Apple TV 4K. If you’re using a set-top box, we have guides on common issues with Chromecast, Roku, and Fire TV. Follow them if you’re having issues with those popular devices.

It might be your location

Disney Plus isn’t available everywhere! It is geo-restricted and will only play those fantastic films where supported. If you’re trying to watch a movie during your trip to an unsupported country, then that’s definitely why Disney Plus is not working.

Disney Plus has a page with all the supported countries, so check it out. If this affects you, your solution would be to wait until you’re back in a supported country.

Also, people often use VPNs for location and security reasons. Remember that geo-restricted services dislike virtual private networks and often block users when they detect an active VPN connection. Make sure to turn off your if you’re using one, then try using Disney Plus again.

FAQs

Still can’t figure out why Disney Plus isn’t working? Maybe it’s time to escalate your problem to Disney Plus. The streaming service has a help center, so seek additional help there. You can find ways to chat or call an agent from there.