NXE Netflix activation not working for some [update]

by Dustin Burg { Nov 19th 2008 at 11:00AM }

Update: Major Nelson just sent word that the Netflix hiccups some were experiencing earlier today should now be resolved.

It looks like the the bad Netflix karma has struck again as we're hearing reports that some gamers cannot get the New Xbox Experience enabled Netflix to work. According to reports, the Netflix activation code the 360 spits out isn't being accepted on Netflix.com, making the entire "watch your Netflix movies on your Xbox" thing a non-reality.

We have yet to hear from Microsoft or Netflix regarding the issue that some are experiencing, so you'll just have to sit tight. In the meantime, try restarting your console after installing the Netflix add-on. Some are claiming Netflix activation success after a simple restart.

[Via Joystiq, Thanks Scooter]

Tags: dashboard-update, netflix, new-xbox-experience-, nxe

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Veelox Incident @ Nov 19th 2008 11:05AM

I had issues earlier this morning then Netflix activation went down for about an hour and came back put the code in and worked like a charm... watchin now....

PSWii60 Elite @ Nov 19th 2008 12:04PM

I had this problem this morning. I just kept entering codes and it eventually worked.

Nathew @ Nov 19th 2008 6:50PM

^same here. took me about five tries, and i was rather frustrated as my xbox and computer are in different rooms, but it worked.

natalie m. @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:19AM

does xbox have to be online when u enter code ? cuz i have modem that pc and xbox share so they can't be on internet at same time. so i have to go online to get code..get offline then get online with pc just to enter in code...

Crabbyman @ Nov 19th 2008 11:08AM

I had this problem this morning too, I didn't know if it was just me. Maybe it'll work when I get home from work(stupid work).

francisco @ Nov 19th 2008 5:01PM

Hopefully it'll be fix soon. I tried for 30 minutes and gave up. This sucks

Rapter @ Nov 19th 2008 11:12AM

I'd bet that most of the people who find the codes not working are stupid enough to be putting the code on the front page where it says "Redeem gift or special offer."

That's not where it goes.

brytdavis @ Nov 19th 2008 11:17AM

I had this problem this morning as well. I re-booted my xbox and the code worked no problem.

kevin @ Nov 19th 2008 11:20AM

Yeah, it also doesn't work for Canadians. Damnit Netflix, HOOK US UP!

brian @ Nov 19th 2008 11:28AM

Tried about 20 codes this morning in my attempt to procrastinate my drive to work as long as possible. I just assumed Netflix was being overwhelmed with requests. The fact that their site went down and is now back up gives me hope that it will work just fine when I get home.

In the meantime I've been filling my instant watch queue with gems like Mars Attacks and Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. My wife will be so excited!

SeNiLe911 @ Nov 19th 2008 11:29AM

A few friend had this problem but another problem is: How do you watch a Netflix movie with your party? The invite to game is grayed out.

Major Nelson posted you can have up to 8 watching a movie.

http://majornelson.com/archive/2008/07/14/some-of-the-features-in-the-
new-xbox-experience-8-person-chat-vga-plus-more.aspx

"LIVE Party system. Create a party of up to eight friends, and stay with them from one game to another, or watch a Netflix movie together, or share a slideshow of your personal photos."

Octantis @ Nov 19th 2008 12:03PM

I believe this got canned for the initial release. I think it will come later...

Jcarpio @ Nov 19th 2008 12:04PM

i don't know if this feature was ready at launch.

SeNiLe911 @ Nov 19th 2008 11:30AM

Copy and past link if not working

http://majornelson.com/archive/2008/07/14/some-of-the-features-in-the-new-xbox-experience-8-person-chat-vga-plus-more.aspx

Tony @ Nov 19th 2008 11:32AM

Worked fine for me the first time. It's a great feature, I hope it works for everyone else soon.

MAJE3STIC @ Nov 19th 2008 11:36AM

There isn't an issue, just restart your box or re-download the netflix, and presto your code now appears!!

Zombietom @ Nov 19th 2008 11:42AM

Worked great for me ..but you need to be on the netflix code screen on your xbox 360 as your doing the activation on the netflix.com site
At least that was how it worked for me.
thanks

Broti @ Nov 19th 2008 11:48AM

Can you stream on two different xboxes at the same time? Could I give my activation key to a friend and we both use the netflix to watch a movie?

ranger z @ Nov 19th 2008 12:08PM

A lot of stuff on my side aint working including the marketplace sections "cannot retrive information from xbox code: xxxxx" or something like that. Netflix gives me the same message

HazyCloud @ Nov 19th 2008 12:19PM

Where's the HD? I keep hearing the some movies are HD but you won't know until you play them in your queue. We need a list ASAP.

Tony @ Nov 19th 2008 12:27PM

So far I've only seen it happen with recent TV shows, like 30 Rock.

HazyCloud @ Nov 19th 2008 12:29PM

Thanks. I'd assume Heroes is HD as well.

Sarge @ Nov 19th 2008 12:33PM

Worked fine for me first time as well. Why is it everytime there is a problem with something on Xbox people run to the internet and scream from the hilltops. What do you go when your cable, phone, or power goes out for sometime besides just dealing with it until it works?

sldtrap @ Nov 19th 2008 1:41PM

I wholeheartedly agree Sarge. The way people have fits when there is a cut like this is silly. I'm not even going to activate my Netflix trial until this stuff settles down. There is an adage about the automotive industry that applies here: Never buy the first version of a car line. The same goes with computers and, in this case, give things a week or two to settle out. It'll be ok. Go to your happy place.

It'll be ok...

sho220 @ Nov 19th 2008 12:38PM

netflix worked fine for me the first time i tried it. here's some replies for people that asked.
1) you can't give your code to a friend. once the code is used it is linked to your account.
2) there are movies in HD too, just not tv shows. check out pan's labryinth, great movie and in HD. (still no 5.1 chan sound though)
3) if it isn't working now, try again later, especially if you are trying during a peak time. in the mornings and evenings. try in the afternoon and late nights.

good luck to everyone and have fun streaming! :)

Wesley @ Nov 19th 2008 12:49PM

Worked just fine for me right away.

My guess is that the servers are just swamped right now. Restart your xbox and if that doesn't work try back later.

Doug @ Nov 19th 2008 1:06PM

Mine didn't work earlier this morning, but when I tried again a few minutes ago it worked perfectly.

John @ Nov 19th 2008 1:15PM

Wish it worked for military overseas... and wish I new it didn't before I purchased a months subscription!

Henry @ Nov 19th 2008 1:15PM

I activated my netflix a few days ago and everything worked smoothly. My guess would be that the system is just being overloaded right now with thousands and thousands of people trying to activate it all at once. The people who are having problems might just have to wait.]

I have also noticed that the NXE is not running quite as smoothly today as it was yesterday and the day before. The dash seems to hang up in places sometimes, almost like the system froze but after about 10-15 seconds everything resumes just fine. This is probably for the same reason, too many people online right now all rushing to try out the new features.

fuser197 @ Nov 19th 2008 1:47PM

Worked the first time for me too.

SAWCHUCK @ Nov 19th 2008 2:07PM

The web link www.netflix.com/activate is not working.? Where can I enter my code to activate?

volcanopele @ Nov 19th 2008 2:36PM

On the Netflix website, when you look for titles to add to your instant queue (in the Watch Instantly tab), look under Genres. One of the genres is HD, listing all the movies available in HD. Right now, to be honest, the selection is horrible. The only recent mainstream movie I see is Pan's Labyrinth. The rest are older catalog titles or recent tv shows (most from NBC).

Alan B @ Nov 19th 2008 2:47PM

Does access to Netflix require a gold account, or will silver do?

Nathew @ Nov 19th 2008 6:51PM

gold. sorry.

Yardie1208 @ Nov 19th 2008 4:01PM

Just got singed out of live while watching a Netflix movie. After I signed back in I was instructed that a new update was available for game "seeing that I wasn't playing a game, I assume that this update was for Netflix". Anyone else saw that?

Joe @ Nov 19th 2008 4:42PM

To activate netflix on your xbox, do both your computer and xbox have to be hooked up at the same time to the internet? I dont have a router that does that, so I can only have one hooked up at a time. Is this my problem?

Cyber-Tyrant @ Nov 19th 2008 4:40PM

Do we need a credit card vefore using the trail code?

Cyber-Tyrant @ Nov 19th 2008 4:40PM

sorry, "before".

Bootleg Zani @ Nov 19th 2008 4:54PM

Sony can blow me for this cheap bullshit. I can't believe they took all that shit out.

Olyphant @ Nov 19th 2008 7:04PM

when i update my instant watch que with all the movies I want to watch my 360 netflixsdoesn't update. Anyone know how to update the que on the 360?

Kevin @ Nov 19th 2008 9:29PM

How do i get to the screen that shows me my code? I saw it this morning for about 2 seconds then it disappeared and now everytime i go into netflix it just goes to a queue of the first two heroes seasons (which is not in my queue) and it seems like its impossible to get back to that code screen

Rise Abuv @ Nov 19th 2008 11:21PM

Hey Raptor, then why dont you tell us that cant get it to work where to put "the code"....
when i go to netflix.activate, it takes me to a sign up page... any help would be appreciated

BobTheElephant @ Nov 20th 2008 4:04AM

just sign up for a free trial, you have to go through the whole sign up process, once you're all set with an account, go to netflix.com/activate while logged in and you can enter your activation code.

Jay @ Nov 20th 2008 2:05AM

Be sure you're not on one of the older plans that doesn't allow "Netflix enabled devices". netflix.com/activate took me to the "my account" screen, which included the gift/subscription code box. (I can see why people might be confused if that's what they see when they enter the correct URL.) It was only after I switched plans that netflix.com/activate took me to the correct code entry screen.