BBC iPlayer is a video streaming service where you can watch on-demand British TV programs, but you might be seeing a black screen on your smart device or PC and wondering if there is any fix for the issue.
Below, we’ll explore several troubleshooting steps in detail to fix the issue.
Why is BBC iPlayer showing a black screen?
- Incompatible PC browser or corrupted browser cache
- Unsupported PC hardware.
- Incomplete app installation.
- Wrong DNS configuration.
- A software glitch in the device or app software
- Outdated app or device version
How to fix the BBC iPlayer black screen on a PC?
Refresh iPlayer webpage
Sometimes, staying longer on the BBC iPlayer streaming page can cause the screen to go dark. To fix the issue, hit the F5 key on your keyboard to refresh the webpage to establish a new streaming session.
On a Mac PC, you need to hold the Command key and press the R key to refresh the BBC iPlayer webpage.
Use another browser
You could be facing the issue with a particular browser that might be incompatible with BBC iPlayer. So try to stream the content on another one and see if this fixes your issue.
Clear browser cache
If BBC shows play on another browser, clear the cache on the original browser to resolve the black screen quickly.
Switch screen size
If Windows 8.1 or below is installed on your PC, you may experience a black screen in full-screen mode, indicating compatibility issues between the PC hardware and the streaming app. To temporarily resolve the problem, maximize the browser window instead of choosing full-screen mode.
Reinstall iPlayer app
The iPlayer also has a desktop app for PC users that might show a black screen with an error message or a spinning circle if the app was installed offline. In this case, simply reinstall the app and make sure you are online throughout the process.
How do I fix the BBC iPlayer black screen on my smart TV?
Update the app and clear the app cache
An outdated iPlayer TV app and a corrupted app cache might result in a black screen. To fix the issue:
- Navigate to your smart TV Apps section, select the iPlayer app, and press on Clear Cache.
- Next, sign out and back into your player account.
- If the black screen persists, head back to the apps section.
- Now select the Update option next to the iPlayer app.
- Once the update is done, relaunch the app and confirm that the black screen is fixed.
Change DNS Settings
You can also change the DNS settings in the following way to fix the problem:
- Head to the Network settings and select Network Status.
- Next, Select IP settings and proceed to DNS Settings.
- Select the manual DNS entry option and type 8.8.8.8 in the Primary DNS field.
- Finally, type 8.8.4.4 in the secondary DNS field and save changes.
Hopefully, you won’t be seeing the black screen anymore.
Note: You can reconfigure DNS settings on your PC browser as well to fix the Black screen issue.
Perform a factory reset
If the problem persists, factory reset your TV this way:
- Go inside your TV Settings options and select Support or Self Diagnosis.
- Next, choose Reset and input the PIN code on the prompt.
- Now, the TV will reset; launch the Player app afterward and confirm the fix.
Update your TV
- Press the Menu or Home button and go to TV Settings.
- Next, select the Software Update option and then choose Update Now.
- Now your TV will download and install the pending updates.
- Finally, open the BBC iPlayer app and verify the fix.
How to fix BBC iPlayer’s black screen on a smartphone?
Do a quick restart
A quick restart often fixes the temporary glitches in the smart gadget software that might be causing a black screen on different apps. If you can’t restart your device, try a force restart.
Update phone software
Manufacturers regularly send updates to your Android or iOS devices that might fix the bugs responsible for the iPlayer black screen. So it’s a good idea to always keep your phone’s software updated.
To update an Android phone, go to the Settings app, tap on About Phone, and tap on Software Update. iOS users can update their devices by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update.
Update or reinstall the streaming app
Like the phone software, BBC iPlayer app updates address common bugs and fixes in the latest updates.
To update the app on Android, launch the Play Store and tap on your picture profile. Next, tap Manage apps & device and select the Update option next to the iPlayer app.
If you have an iOS device, go to the App Store and redo the above steps.
Still, seeing the black screen? Try reinstalling the BBC iPlayer app on your device.
Conclusion
We hope that this easy-to-follow troubleshooting guide helped you resolve the BBC iPlayer black screen issue. If all else fails, reset your router or contact your internet service provider to check for any backend glitches. While at it, upgrade your broadband package to a faster connection.
