What to do if Netflix Picture-in-Picture mode is not working?

flat screen television displaying Netflix logo
Photo by Thibault Penin

Are you excited about your Netflix binge session? Binge-watching can be made productive by utilizing the Picture-in-Picture mode. This is an incredible feature that lets you multitask while watching your favorite TV series or movies

But what will you do if you suddenly encounter a Picture-in-Picture mode problem? Maybe it stopped working, or you are unable to watch Netflix shows in mode. The common reasons why this feature might not be working are:

  • The feature is disabled on your device 
  • Your device software is outdated 
  • There are bugs causing issues 
  • Corrupted cache 

Don’t fret; we have got you covered. This guide unveils quick workarounds so you can overcome Picture-in-Picture mode hiccups and get your streaming + multitasking back on track. Let’s go!

Check and Adjust your Device Settings 

Who doesn’t like the PiP mode? This feature shrinks the video on the screen so that you can continue working on another application on your device while watching the video. Therefore, PiP mode is the best way to binge-watch Netflix shows while completing tasks that do not require too much of your focus. For instance, you can organize the desktop while watching The Other Zoey or enjoy a good laugh watching The Big Bang Theory while formatting documents or rendering files. 

Unfortunately, if you are unable to multitask while streaming content on Netflix, it would be a highly annoying situation. The problem can be overcome by simply checking your device settings. Sometimes, this is all it takes to resolve the issue. 

The PiP mode might be disabled on your device, and that’s why you cannot multitask while streaming content. 

If the setting is disabled, follow these instructions to enable the PiP mode on your device:

  • On Mac 

How to do Picture in Picture on Mac? This is a valid question because enabling the PiP mode for Netflix is slightly trickier on Mac computers. You will not get any menu when you right-click the video. You have to play the video and wait for the speaker icon to appear in the address bar. Then, you must press Control + Click or right-click the speaker icon and select Enter Picture in Picture to watch the Netflix video in a popover window. 

The same technique works with other video streaming websites as well. 

Please note that on Mac, you must use the PiP mode by watching Netflix shows in the browser instead of the app. 

  • On iOS 

Head to the Settings app on your iPhone and tap General. Then, select Picture in Picture and turn on the switch next to Start PiP Automatically. 

Similarly, if you are using an Android device, you can enable this setting by going to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Special App Access > Picture in Picture > Netflix > turn on the switch next to Allow picture-in-picture. 

As soon as you adjust the settings on your device, you must be able to overcome the issue and enjoy multitasking while streaming content. 

Clear Cache 

Is the PiP mode still not working on Netflix? Your accumulated cache might be the culprit. 

If you regularly stream content on Netflix, the app is quietly storing data like catalog images and logos. These get accumulated in the cache folder. Hence, when you stream content the next time, the Netflix app is able to access the information quickly and display it to you. 

Although storing a cache helps in the quick display of the content you are trying to access, these files stored in the cache can become damaged or outdated. When this happens, it results in various problems when trying to use the PiP mode of the platform. 

You can clear the Netflix cache on your device. Or you can reinstall the app to eliminate the corrupted cache. Reinstalling will also give a fresh start to the app, and you might find the app’s performance faster than before. 

Whether you have cleared the cache or reinstalled the app, you have to sign back in. Make sure you remember your Netflix account and password. 

Check Whether your Device and Netflix are Up-to-Date 

If the PiP mode issue persists even after clearing the cache and reinstalling the Netflix application, the problem might be with your device. 

Your device’s software might be outdated, and this is the reason why the PiP mode is not working. So, you need to head to Settings and check whether there are any pending updates. If you find any, install the updates right away. 

Most OS updates come with bug fixes and performance enhancements. Therefore, keeping your device up-to-date will solve most temporary problems and glitches, including the PiP mode. 

Also, remember to continually update the Netflix app. Netflix also releases regular updates to ensure the app’s performance is at its optimal. 

The Bottom Line 

These tips and steps should help restore the PiP mode so you can enjoy streaming content on Netflix and working on another application. 

Derek Knightly
Derek Knightly
Co-creator of the website Tonights.TV. Who lives and breathes the world of movies and television.

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