The Peacock black screen will appear when you try and launch the streaming service on your device, or, appear instead of an advert.
A blank screen can be an indication that your Peacock’s software is corrupted, or in need of an update.
With Peacock being an online streaming service, a strong internet connection is vital in the performance of the app on your desired device. A quick power reset on your router will help eradicate any potential issues with your network service provider.
This guide will help you make sense of why you may be seeing the black screen of death when you come to use your Peacock app, as well as provide you with five fundamental fixes you can use that will help get rid of this display issue, so you can get back to streaming from the WWE Network and NBC shows.
Why does Peacock have a black screen?
Peacock will not work on your smart TV if you are trying to stream in a region that is ‘out of service’ for the app to be able to operate. This is otherwise known as ‘region-locking’ and is due to international licensing agreements. Peacock is currently only available in the US, UK and Ireland, as well as Germany and Austria through certain streaming subscriptions.
What can I get Peacock TV on?
If you can’t get the app downloaded onto your smart TV, Peacock is currently available through;
| Subscription Service | UK | Ireland | Germany | Austria |
| Sky | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Now | ♦ | ♦ | ||
| Sky Ticket | ♦ | ♦ | ||
| Sky X | ♦ | ♦ |
If however, you are accessing Peacock one of these locations and you are getting a blank screen either when you first launch the app, while you’re streaming a program, or when an advert should be playing, this could be due to the following reasons;
Reason 1. Weak streaming signal
Peacock requires at least 2.5Mbps to be able to operate without any loading or streaming issues. If the device that you are accessing Peacock on is not connected to a strong, stable internet connection, you can experience the blank screen issue when you come to launch the streaming app.
Reason 2. Cache files too full
If Peacock’s cache files have become too full, this will interfere with the performance of the app either on your Smart TV, or android device.
Cache files are automatically stored on your device to improve the performance of the app by saving data to quicken its processing times.
Reason 3. Peacock server status
The Peacock server could be down for maintenance when you have been trying to make use of the service. If this is the case, your app will not be able to function properly.
You can keep up to date with the Peacock server status. If the status confirms possible problems with the service, you will need to be patient while Peacock sorts out the problem from their end.
Reason 4. Peacock firmware update
Your Peacock’s firmware could be due to an update. If this software is currently outdated or contaminated with faulty software, the app will experience issues, like the black screen when an advert should be playing.
Reason 5. Incompatible device
Are you trying to launch Peacock on a device that is not supported?
For example, Peacock is not supported as a downloadable app on a Samsung smart TV that is older than a 2017 model (you can make use of a second party streaming device).
Peacock is available on most Android, Apple and smart TV devices.
Reason 6. Software issue
You could have corrupted software on your device that is interfering with how well your Peacock app is working.
This can arise from a system malfunction during the normal operation of your streaming service, or faulty software included in a previous download or update.
What to do if Peacock is showing a black screen?
Experiencing a black screen when opening the Peacock app is common on Android devices, and is generally a temporary loading problem that can be fixed by force closing the app, and reopening it. You will need to ensure all background data of the app has been shut down. Depending on if you are on Android or iPhone, will determine what steps you need to take.
So, what do you do if Peacock is not working?
Fix 1. Clear Peacock cache
Clearing out the built-up cache files from the Peacock app will get rid of any corrupted files and create more space which will improve the streaming service’s performance.
How do you clear the cache on a Peacock?
On Android:
Step 1. Access your ‘Settings’ menu and click on ‘Storage’
Step 2. Select ‘Applications’
Step 3. Find the Peacock app and choose it
Step 4. Now press ‘Clear Cache’
On iPhone:
Step 1. From your home screen, slide the screen upwards
Step 2. Once you get the preview of currently running apps, find Peacock
Step 3. On the app’s preview, slide it upwards to get rid of it
On Smart TV (based on Samsung Smart TV):
Step 1. Click on the ‘Home’ button on your TV’s remote
Step 2. Select ‘Settings’ followed by ‘Apps’
Step 3. Choose ‘System Apps’
Step 4. Find Peacock and select ‘Clear Cache’
The cache files will now be cleared out to empty, and you can relaunch Peacock.
Fix 2. Reboot internet connection
Refreshing your Wifi network will improve its signal strength and improve the connection between your Peacock app and its server.
Step 1. Switch your router off and remove it from its main plug point
Step 2. Before plugging it back in, wait a couple of minutes
Step 3. Turn your modem back on
Check to see that you are receiving good internet speeds.
You can now open Peacock.
Fix 3. Reinstall Peacock app
Uninstalling the Peacock app off of your device and reinstalling it can help eradicate the black screen of death when you come to open the app.
This will get rid of the current software installed and replace it with problem-free data, as well as update the app to its latest version.
Step 1. Find the app on your device
Step 2. Depending on where you are accessing Peacock, either ‘uninstall’ or ‘delete’ it
Step 3. Reinstall the app
Tip, before redownloading the service, turn your device off and on again to clear out any data still stored on our Smart TV or device.
Fix 4. Log out of Peacock
the Peacock streaming service could be overloaded with more traffic than usual that’s trying to reach its server.
Logging out of your app and trying again in an hour or two may just help the black screen problem from occurring when you are trying to stream content.
You may not be aware, that Peacock is only able to stream on three concurrent devices. If your Peacock subscription is being accessed on all three, this may create problems when trying to stream.
Fix 5. Update system software
Updating your system’s software will help the Peacock black screen issue if it is your device that is causing the problem.
If you are on an Android or iPhone mobile:
Step 1. Open your ‘Settings’ menu
Step 2. Find ‘System Update’ and check for an available update
Step 3. If there is one available, select ‘Update’
If you are using a Firestick:
Step 1. Open ‘Settings’ and get to ‘My Fire TV’
Step 2. Click on ‘About’
Step 3. Choose ‘Check for System Update’
Allow the update to install if there is one available.
Peacock buffering issues
Your Peacock service may appear as a blank screen if it is stuck on buffering. Buffering prevents your content from being able to stream without any issues. When you decide what program or movie you want to play, Peacock will download the necessary data required to stream the content without any interruptions.
Buffering will occur when the data cannot be successfully downloaded in time. This is a result of a poor internet connection, either because your signal strength is not strong enough, or your network is overloaded with too many devices.
To help eradicate any loading issues, you can do the following;
- Disconnect any devices that do not need to be on your network while you are streaming from Peacock
- Refresh your internet connection by rebooting your Wifi router
- Only stream from one device and not three
- Restart the device you are using to access Peacock
- Log out and back into your app
- Change your resolution settings from HD to standard
If Peacock still buffers after trying all of these tips, there could be an issue with the program you are trying to watch, or Peacock could be experiencing issues with their server.
Conclusion
If you were experiencing a black screen when you were launching Peacock or when an advert should have been playing, we hope this guide was able to help you fix the problem with one of our five easy fixes.
The black screen of death is a temporary issue, and should not be a permanent error on your streaming service, however, if you are witnessing a blank screen on Peacock, we suggest you contact Peacock directly or diagnose your device for a possible hardware problem.
You can email Peacock at [email protected], or you can call them directly on 0330 124 2185 (Monday – Friday, 9 am to 5:30 pm & Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm).