Netflix Authorization / Account Issues [Archive]

darcilicious

February 15th, 2011, 05:39 PM

voip-ninja

February 15th, 2011, 05:45 PM

unable to iniciate device message. It pullls up my queue but will not play anything....I am back to watch on my DVD player until I can resolve this.

Mine was doing this too, I went into my Netflix account and verified that both Boxee Boxes were showing up as managed devices. I then went back to the Boxee and it was working again.

I expect Netflix is screwing with some Boxee activation related crap on their end and if the box can't get authenticated when the Netflix app runs it stays that way until you leave Netflix and go back in again.

ScottAllyn

February 15th, 2011, 09:25 PM

Both of my Boxes were giving me this message this evening. Rather than fire up a computer and visit the Netflix website, I went into the Boxee Box settings and cleared the Netflix data:

Settings > System > Services > Clear Netflix Data...

The next time I fired up the Netflix app, it asked for my login info again and all was well. :)

RoseClare

February 15th, 2011, 09:45 PM

Thank you so much for this advice; It worked perfectly

mattmartin4

February 15th, 2011, 10:02 PM

This also happened to me earlier... is there any reason for this happening? I don't even switch my boxee off so basically from being in sleep it lost its settings / screwed up.

chad1971

February 15th, 2011, 10:08 PM

Login to your netflix account at the netflix site, go to your account page, click on the manage devices link, deactivate the Boxee Box, go back to the Boxee Box and restart the Netflix -- you will be prompted to activate again.
This worked like a charm. I was back watching Netlflix right away. Thanks! :-)

citrusmirakel

February 16th, 2011, 12:51 AM

Settings > System > Services > Clear Netflix Data..

It actually took me two tries, but this worked for me. Thank you.

pi1ot

February 16th, 2011, 02:40 AM

I seem to have to do regularly .. once yesterday, twice today ..

Another issue is some TV episodes I tried to watch it says they aren't available .. not sure if thats a Netflix issue or specific to Boxee.

phrend

February 16th, 2011, 03:24 AM

Settings > System > Services > Clear Netflix Data...

Yeah, I was getting, "We're having trouble playing this title right now. Please try again later or select a different title." when I tried to play anything, then I would get, "Sorry, this device cannot be activated. For assistance, please contact Netflix support at netflix.com/tvhelp." Of course, that URL offered no help for my problem - it didn't even list the Boxee Box as a supported device!

Rebooting my Boxee Box didn't help.

I tried "Clear Netflix Data" from the Boxee settings, logged back in to the Netflix app, and everything was working again.

clcallegari

February 16th, 2011, 07:04 AM

This has happened to me twice now, both times have been easy to fix. It seems to happen when I power down.

phrend

February 16th, 2011, 07:13 AM

This has happened to me twice now, both times have been easy to fix. It seems to happen when I power down.

Just happened to me again... I'll have to run a test to see if powering down is the trigger. How did Boxee and Netflix QE/QA miss this? Having to authenticate often is annoying, to say the least...

-----EDIT-----
Test Results:
Settings > System > Services > Clear Netflix Data...
"Shutdown" Boxee Box.
Powered Boxee Box up.
Launched Netflix app - logged in - it works.
Quit Netflix app.
Launched Netflix app - still works.
Quit Netflix app.
Put Boxee Box to "Sleep".
Woke Boxee Box up.
Launched Netflix app - still works.
Quit Netflix app.
"Shutdown" Boxee Box.
Powered Boxee Box up.
Launched Netflix app - still works.

So, it does not appear to be triggered by a power-cycle. Maybe its something on Netflix's end? Maybe some token's TTL is expiring? Who knows? All I know is that it's bugging ME!

xavier32178

February 16th, 2011, 08:34 AM

Login to your netflix account at the netflix site, go to your account page, click on the manage devices link, deactivate the Boxee Box, go back to the Boxee Box and restart the Netflix -- you will be prompted to activate again.

I did this and it is working again, but when I go to "Your Netflix ready devices and computers" on there web site my Boxee Box is not listed anymore. Hope this doesn't cause an issue in the future;)

gizmo3141

February 16th, 2011, 12:07 PM

Does this work on the PC version of boxee? If not, will it eventually?

Maybe I'll get a box when the prices come down a wee bit and some more of the bugs are worked out. Does anyone know a good US vpn provider?

Thanks
:O)

fperrotta

February 16th, 2011, 12:12 PM

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fperrotta

February 16th, 2011, 12:14 PM

here's the link to witopia review on Lifehacker:

http://ca.lifehacker.com/5761226/best-vpn-service-provider-witopia

darcilicious

February 16th, 2011, 12:27 PM

I did this and it is working again, but when I go to "Your Netflix ready devices and computers" on there web site my Boxee Box is not listed anymore. Hope this doesn't cause an issue in the future;)

Mine shows up again just fine. Have you streamed anything to your Boxee Box since? Seems like Netflix hasn't quite figured how best deal with these boxes yet ;)

darcilicious

February 16th, 2011, 12:28 PM

Does this work on the PC version of boxee? If not, will it eventually?

This release of Netflix is only for the Boxee Box. I don't know anything for sure but I'm assuming that when v1.0 makes it out to Windows/OS X that this app will be included.

ldconfig

February 16th, 2011, 12:45 PM

This losing info on the Netflix app is getting old quickly. The keyboard on the remote is too small for me to see and I have to get my wifes help. She works nights and sleeps all day so I have an hour window on weekdays to get it entered as someone forgot a on screen keyboard for it :(
When I get my wife to key in username/password it works great until I exit the app and it will not let me back in without username/password again.
Btw except for the HUGE login bug its one sweet app makes the Netflix app in my Tivo HD look tinker toy. Please fix the login big.
ld

xavier32178

February 16th, 2011, 12:58 PM

Mine shows up again just fine. Have you streamed anything to your Boxee Box since? Seems like Netflix hasn't quite figured how best deal with these boxes yet ;)

strange it didn't show up till I switched to a another movie. I been playing Blues Clues for my daughter since my reply above and it didn't show up until the new movie :)

tomcrown69

February 16th, 2011, 01:08 PM

On the xbox360 I have to relink the unit every time I power down. I think that this is a problem with Netflix.

darcilicious

February 16th, 2011, 01:16 PM

I'm emailing Marcel to ask for clarificatin about having to re-link with every power cycle... I'll let you know what I hear back.

sjordan

February 16th, 2011, 01:19 PM

I'm emailing Marcel to ask for clarificatin about having to re-link with every power cycle... I'll let you know what I hear back.

I have had to clear Netflix data 4 times so far. This is annoying. Why can't this just work? Seriously, my older blue ray player netflix app works better than this.

Granted I will say the boxee box version loads movies way faster.

xavier32178

February 16th, 2011, 01:22 PM

I'm emailing Marcel to ask for clarificatin about having to re-link with every power cycle... I'll let you know what I hear back.

I powered my box down and Netflix worked fine and it didn't make me relink again

darcilicious

February 16th, 2011, 01:24 PM

I'm about to have to re-link for the third time so there's definitely something going on... The problem only shows up once you start streaming, btw. Until you can browse, etc. just fine.

tomcrown69

February 16th, 2011, 01:30 PM

sjordan

February 16th, 2011, 01:30 PM

wow this is really annoying. I just tried to watch a episode of Lost...no audio. So I close the app and re-open and now it tells me the device is not activated. Audio now works after clearing the netflix data again.

voip-ninja

February 16th, 2011, 01:46 PM

I think that Netflix needs to sort this out pronto.

gmd024

February 16th, 2011, 01:50 PM

Not sure if this has been mentioned -- but Netflix says the correct way to deactivate the BBox is by pressing a series of up, down, left, right buttons on the BBox's remote in this order after logging into NF...

U U D D L R L R U U U U -- and when the screen changes, choose deactivate - log back into NF and stream away!! It's worked for me and after rebooting the BBox a few times just to be sure :)

mike71

February 16th, 2011, 01:52 PM

Not sure if this has been mentioned -- but Netflix says the correct way to deactivate the BBox is by pressing a series of up, down, left, right buttons in this order...

U U D D L R L R U U U U -- and when the screen changes, choose deactivate - log back into NF and stream away!! :)

Is this for real? Reminds me of enabling cheats in video games. lol:)

xavier32178

February 16th, 2011, 01:52 PM

I'm about to have to re-link for the third time so there's definitely something going on... The problem only shows up once you start streaming, btw. Until you can browse, etc. just fine.

I switched between 3 different movies so far after I powered down and it hasn't asked me to re-link yet since my 1st re-link. I will post again if there is a change for me. Let us know what you find out when he emails you back:cool:

Thanks,
xavier32178

xavier32178

February 16th, 2011, 01:53 PM

Is this for real? Reminds me of enabling cheats in video games. lol:)

Lol reminds me of the code for Contra :D

gmd024

February 16th, 2011, 01:57 PM

Is this for real? Reminds me of enabling cheats in video games. lol:)

It fixed the NF issue for me -- so Yah, I think it's 'for real'

mike71

February 16th, 2011, 02:00 PM

It fixed the NF issue for me -- so Yah, I think it's 'for real'

When do you do it? Once you get the error or when the app is loading up or?

gmd024

February 16th, 2011, 02:05 PM

When do you do it? Once you get the error or when the app is loading up or?

Just log into NF then press the series of buttons I mentioned -- the screen will change to a B&W/gray info screen -- use the up/down button to choose the deactivate choice - hit enter -- and then log back into NF with your email/P-word and problem solved --- at least for me it worked

darcilicious

February 16th, 2011, 02:40 PM

Marcel says:

We are aware of this issue with account information not being saved we are working with Netflix to solve the issue asap

ldconfig

February 16th, 2011, 03:07 PM

Thank you :)

pi1ot

February 16th, 2011, 04:03 PM

It has nothing to do with powering down the box because it happens to me and I *never* power off my boxee.

I've had to re-activate 4 times in 48 hrs now. I changed my password to something shorter to make life easier.

gmd024

February 16th, 2011, 04:34 PM

When accessing Netflix on both of my Boxee Boxes, NF kept telling me both of my BBoxes were not activated - and after applying the fix I recommened previously, both are running Netflix without issue now

I've reactivated both Boxes once and that was all that was needed

ps - I believe I also rebooted both boxes after the applied fix

phrend

February 16th, 2011, 07:36 PM

On the xbox it ask me to relink the box every time I power down. The xbox has the same GUI as boxee so I think this is a Netflix problem and only Netflix can fix it. I doubt they will as this problem has been going on for two months on Xbox after they got the new Netflix app.

The PS3 has the same interface and does not require this delete/re-log-in crap... so, I do not think that this is the "expected behavior."

phrend

February 16th, 2011, 07:39 PM

I'm emailing Marcel to ask for clarificatin about having to re-link with every power cycle... I'll let you know what I hear back.

Per testing on my unit, it is not related to power-cycling. I can power-cycle without Netflix breaking. It is either time-based, or perhaps Netflix is updating the app as they find bugs? (The PS3 version makes me re-log-in whenever a new version is pushed out.) Is there a way we can see the version number of the Netflix app? Does that kind of thing get written to the Boxee logs?

zorlan

February 17th, 2011, 08:04 AM

Per testing on my unit, it is not related to power-cycling. I can power-cycle without Netflix breaking. It is either time-based, or perhaps Netflix is updating the app as they find bugs? (The PS3 version makes me re-log-in whenever a new version is pushed out.) Is there a way we can see the version number of the Netflix app? Does that kind of thing get written to the Boxee logs?

Did you also uncheck the power saving mode feature in settings? This seemed to fix it for me. At least 2 hours later without using it, I could stream again without problems, when before I got the error.

ingoldsby

February 17th, 2011, 12:21 PM

This has now happened to me 3 times, about once a day. Getting REALLY old. My wife is getting pretty frustrated, and wants to go back to switching between devices. It's an easy fix, but it's inconvenient - I doubt the wife will put up with it for more than a week.

ottodachat

February 17th, 2011, 12:24 PM

I found that each time I got the message that my Boxee was not activated, I realised
that if I had played with my instant queue on line with my computer then I would have
a problem with viewing and I would get that error message.

Provided you only log into your account with the Boxee box you won't have this issue of any error message.

I will verify this later, but last night it worked flawlessly since I did not log into my Netflix account online.

shaj

February 17th, 2011, 01:39 PM

Thanks Darcilicious for pointing me to this thread, however this is not the same issue I'm facing. At least you guys are getting to log in or getting the Boxee Box to show up as an activated device in your Netflix settings. I'm not able to do either :(

Would appreciate if anyone could help me with the problem below.

Hi guys. I'm having a real weird issue with Netflix on my Boxee Box. I managed to set up an account through the box and initiated the 1 month free trial.

Netflix on my mac is working perfectly fine with the same account.

Problem I'm having with Boxee is that I see the initial Netflix logo. At the bottom it reads "Connecting to Netflix" and then a few seconds later "Retrieving titles" and then the same two messages again. It does this three times and then finally a "We're unable to connect you to Netflix. Please try again later." message.

I've tried everything but it just won't connect

Any ideas?

darcilicious

February 17th, 2011, 01:42 PM

gmd024

February 17th, 2011, 01:57 PM

Please start with the work arounds posted to this thread:

1) deactivate box from netflix account via the netflix website (account / manage devices)
2) clear netflix info in system settings of boxee box
3) try the u u d d, etc posted previously

If none of those work, you can try reinstalling v1.0.4 from a thumbdrive (http://boxee.zendesk.com/entries/328816-how-do-i-manually-update-the-boxee-software) and/or contact marcel@boxee.tv directly for support from Boxee

Heads Up -- the Up/Down - Left/Right buttom sequence only worked temporarily - today my BBox was not activated - so I went to both my Boxee online account and in the BBox's settings and cleared out the Netflix info and then reactivated it - it's only been about 5 or 6 hours since I did this, so we'll see if it holds up

shaj

February 17th, 2011, 02:04 PM

Please start with the work arounds posted to this thread:

1) deactivate box from netflix account via the netflix website (account / manage devices)

It's never shown up on this list. My Mac is the only one that is on the list.

2) clear netflix info in system settings of boxee box

Done along with Power Cycles. Still same problem :(

3) try the u u d d, etc posted previously

Don't I need to be logged in to be able to perform this? So far I've not been able to login once.

If none of those work, you can try reinstalling v1.0.4 from a thumbdrive (http://boxee.zendesk.com/entries/328816-how-do-i-manually-update-the-boxee-software)

That was the first thing I tried :(

and/or contact marcel@boxee.tv directly for support from Boxee

I guess that is the only thing left to do. Thanks Darcilicious.

darcilicious

February 17th, 2011, 02:52 PM

Marcel's latest update:

I believe the authorization issue of remembering your account has been fixed

He didn't mention that anything that needed to be done so worst case, try power cycling Boxee, best case just try re-launching the Netflix app (perhaps re-linking one last time if needed?)

Post here if you still have issues after this!

nc1way

February 17th, 2011, 06:42 PM

I've had the same problem. To fix it I did the deactivate and reactive on the Netflix website and then re-entered my email address and Netflix password on the Boxee Box. Thereafter Netflix would work but the device took a little while to show up on Netflix as activated.

kenneth.macleod

February 18th, 2011, 02:31 AM

I am having the same issue this morning.

All troublehooting steps have been done. They do fix it temporarily but then it regresses to what it was like yesterday :-(

clcallegari

February 18th, 2011, 07:11 AM

I've been having the problem, but it seems to have gone since I did the U U etc. trick. I've powered off several times since then and haven't had to re-activate.

mattmartin4

February 18th, 2011, 09:41 AM

This problem is persisting with my boxee box.

Why doesn't it stay authenticated?

Its nice a button was added to clear the data - but is that REALLY a fix - thats a work around...

Its happened 3 times to me this week and this is through very light use.

My samsung blu ray and wii stay authenticated to Netflix - so why cant boxee? I come home from work to find my wife struggling to use the boxee and reverted back to the bluray or wii for my daughters shows.

Is this the future of the Netflix boxee app?

aaronwt

February 18th, 2011, 09:45 AM

My three Boxes had the issue on the second day. but since then I have not needed to do anything with activation.

mattmartin4

February 18th, 2011, 09:53 AM

My three Boxes had the issue on the second day. but since then I have not needed to do anything with activation.

No doubt that it works some of the time. However something triggers the de-activation. Its a pain in the butt.

shaj

February 18th, 2011, 10:03 AM

Can't believe I'm the only one on Planet Earth not even able to log in to Netflix :(

mattmartin4

February 18th, 2011, 11:35 AM

Can't believe I'm the only one on Planet Earth not even able to log in to Netflix :(

Thats savage.

However look on the bright side at least its not logging you out randomly!

canuckle

February 18th, 2011, 12:20 PM

My three Boxes had the issue on the second day. but since then I have not needed to do anything with activation.

Same here, Mines been fine since the first activation problem. No issues since then.

blimeyy

February 18th, 2011, 12:44 PM

Can't believe I'm the only one on Planet Earth not even able to log in to Netflix :(

No you're not the only one. I have the exact same problem.

It is stuck at "connecting to netflix", "retrieving titles". I was not able to log in once. So all the solutions suggested in this thread don't work for me. My boxee box is not registered with netflix at all.

Later today, I am going to see if there's a difference connecting the boxee box with the ethernet cable instead of using the wireless.

mattmartin4

February 18th, 2011, 01:55 PM

darcilicious

February 18th, 2011, 01:59 PM

If after power cycling and re-linking today you still experience this let me know -- I've also emailed Marcel (at Boxee) again to let him know some folks are still reporting this issue.

tomcrown69

February 18th, 2011, 02:01 PM

I am connecting to the Canadian Netflix.

Should this problem submitted as an official bug? Is it already?

Its driving me nuts that not one thing with this box works correctly, bugs, bugs and more bugs.

I think that if you log into Netflix from another site like your IPhone,ps3,xbox360 etc it will de authorize Netflix on boxee.

That is what I have found happing to me. Does not matter if boxee is turned on or off. The minute I log onto netflix from another device I get de authorize from Netflix.

mattmartin4

February 18th, 2011, 02:03 PM

I think that if you log into Netflix from another site like your IPhone,ps3,xbox360 etc it will de authorize Netflix on boxee.

That is what I have found happing to me. Does not matter if boxee is turned on or off. The minute I log onto netflix from another device I get de authorize from Netflix.

Oh really... I'll have to test that. Also darcilicious I will do the power cycle and re sign in again - to be double sure.

Stone

February 18th, 2011, 03:26 PM

I don't have that happen if I watch Netflix with my Roku then go to my BB

Maaelstrom

February 18th, 2011, 08:47 PM

shaj

February 19th, 2011, 09:15 AM

No you're not the only one. I have the exact same problem.

It is stuck at "connecting to netflix", "retrieving titles". I was not able to log in once. So all the solutions suggested in this thread don't work for me. My boxee box is not registered with netflix at all.

Later today, I am going to see if there's a difference connecting the boxee box with the ethernet cable instead of using the wireless.

Same same problem! :(

Please let me know if you ever get it sorted.

gmd024

February 19th, 2011, 09:30 AM

Same same problem! :(

Please let me know if you ever get it sorted.

Have either of you contacted Netflix or Boxee's support about this issue

If not I would start with calling Netflix, they may be able to reset your account or offer some other type of help

If NF can't help, I would recommend emailing Marcel at boxee [dot] tv

marcel

February 19th, 2011, 12:07 PM

looking into this issue with Netflix ..anyone having issues please contact me ..be patient with me as i receive tons of emails including support emails but i promise to get back to each one of you ..

iRoNBiLL

February 19th, 2011, 01:44 PM

This appears to be an issue with internet connectivity based on my analysis and troubleshooting of the issue. I had this problem as well for the past couple of days and after finally thoroughly testing the issue, this appears to somehow be related to connectivity from my Boxee Box to the Netflix server. Here are my notes below on testing...

I began getting this when I moved my Boxee Box downstairs to attempt Netflix streaming on the big screen. At this point I was getting it consistently. I brought it back upstairs and attempted to stream something and I received the error "Cannot contact Netflix". I attempted to "Clear the Netflix data" as someone suggested, log in and attempted streaming again. Issue still remains. After doing nothing to change this, I attempted to stream the same item again 1 minute later and it streamed successfully. I rebooted my router and internet and re-connected with my wireless connection again and attempted to stream several titles, all with success.

Best of luck figuring out what the connectivity issue is. I know you guys are working overtime on this sore subject for so many so thanks again for all your help peeps!

iRoNBiLL

qbik

February 22nd, 2011, 08:36 PM

Anynews on this, I just got back from vacation and updated my bbox and still unable to login after 3 resets and clearing the nf data 3 times.

Thanks

darcilicious

February 22nd, 2011, 08:38 PM

Per the new FAQ (http://forums.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=30095), you need to contact Boxee support.

marcel

February 23rd, 2011, 02:46 AM

If anyone is having issues with Netflix login (not using a VPN) please contact me directly at marcel@boxee.tv

blimeyy

February 24th, 2011, 05:37 PM

So who should I contact if I have issues with netflix through vpn?

I submitted a support ticket 2 days ago and didn't get any reply.

If you guys do not plan to support the use of vpn with netflix, then you should just tell us, instead of leaving us wondering.

darcilicious

February 24th, 2011, 05:54 PM

I think Boxee has been pretty clear that Netflix on Boxee is supported for those residing in the US and Canada.

I also think it's unlikely that Boxee would ever publicly announce that they support VPN connections for Netflix -- which technically would be against Netflix's terms of service.

I also think that if you can get it working, great for you, but expecting public support by Boxee is unrealistic.

You might want to try different VPN providers. See (and/or respond in) this thread about others who seem to have it working http://forums.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=29566

AdeRussell

April 8th, 2011, 04:33 PM

I've been getting the same problems for the last two days. I recently switched over to overplay VPN. This problem is definitely related to the VPN. Tonight I cannot get NF to stream at all on my Boxee box using Overplay (tired all the resetting, deleting devices UUDD etc to no avail). I *can* watch on my mac using Overplay (or my iPhone or iPad or PC)

Then I switched back to VPNUK (I still have some time left on my subscription) and NF worked first time on Boxee! Unfortunately Overplay is about 3-4x better bandwidth than VPNUK - much better for VUDU and enough to get me 1080p, whereas VPNUK can only stream SD.

So now I am in a quandary. It does not look as if NF are blocking Overplay - there must be a Boxee related error that is related to the use of VPN :(

AdeRussell

April 9th, 2011, 01:59 AM

Another thing I forgot to mention - I went onto the boxee.tv sight and deauthorized by box there, *and* I went onto the Netflix site and removed all devices and all programmes - as a close to a clean start as I could get without a new account. The as I said in the previous post, I managed to get boxee NF working via VPNUK but not via overplay.

After I posted last night I managed to get a film streaming using overplay, but 10 minutes in it stopped working and I got the cannot connect at the moment error.

This morning I went back to Boxee.tv - and noticed that NF does not show up as a service that is installed. If I try to connect to NF via Boxee.tv, I get a message from NF saying I am authorized "now redirecting you" but when I get back to the boxee.tv services page I get an error saying "Failed Requesting OAuth Access Token"

I've noticed some other users are also having this same issue.

AdeRussell

April 9th, 2011, 03:33 AM

Hmm - my earlier post seems to not have gotten through.

In a nutshell - using Overplay VPN and a boxee box (latest firmware) I am getting all the problems with not being able to stream (works fime on my PC or mac, iPhone or iPad, but not boxee. If I switch back to my old very slow VPNUK then It words every time! (But I get poor resolution).

With overplay I tried all the fixes in this thread and none seem to work. At one point I was able to stream for 10 mins then got the error again.

It is definitly a network/VPN issue I think.

I have submitted a ticket.