Discovery Plus is a popular streaming service with thousands of shows, documentaries, and movies. However, many Samsung TV owners have reported issues using the Discovery Plus app, such as endless buffering, error messages, or a black screen.
Don’t worry – in most cases, this problem can be easily fixed with a few troubleshooting steps. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various solutions to get Discovery Plus working again on your Samsung TV.
Quick Fixes
Try these quick fixes first before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting.
| Fixes | Description |
|---|---|
| Restart your TV and router | Turn off both devices, unplug for 60 seconds, then restart. This refreshes connections. |
| Check for app and TV software updates. | Install the latest firmware and Discovery Plus app version. Updates often fix bugs. |
| Delete and reinstall the Discovery Plus app | This clears any cached errors and starts fresh. |
| Check your internet connection. | Issues are often due to slow internet speeds. Ensure you have download speeds of at least 5 to 8 Mbps. |
Troubleshooting of Some Errors
| Error Type | Troubleshooting Steps |
|---|---|
| App crashes or won’t load | 1. Force close the app
2. Uninstall and reinstall the latest version of the app 3. Restart your device |
| Video not available | 1. Force close the app
2. Uninstall and reinstall the latest version of the app 3. Check video availability by region |
| Too many stream error | 1. Ensure only up to 4 simultaneous streams running
2. Sign out of the app on unused devices |
| No internet connection error | 1. Check the internet connection on other devices
2. Restart router and modem 3. Force close and reopen the app |
| Playback issues (freezing/buffering) | 1. Check internet speed and connection
2. Restart all your connected devices 3. Adjust video quality settings in the app |
| Shows won’t save to My List | 1. Ensure that you log into the correct profile
2. Force close and reopen the app |
| Can’t find or download the app | 1. Ensure device compatibility
2. Check for available software updates 3. Search for the app again |
Discovery+ App Issues on Samsung TV: What to Do?
Follow these steps in order until Discovery Plus works again:
Power Cycle Your Devices
If the above steps haven’t helped, try power cycling your devices:
- Unplug your TV and router from power for 2 minutes.
- Plug them back in and power them on.
- Test Discovery Plus again.
- Power cycling often resolves temporary glitches and clears any accumulated data cache/errors.
Check Internet Connection
The first thing to check is your internet connection.
- Run a speed test on a computer/mobile device connected to the same network as your Samsung TV.
- You’ll need at least 5-8 Mbps download speeds for streaming Discovery Plus in HD quality.
- If the speed test shows lower speeds, try resetting your router and connecting your TV via ethernet if possible.
Check Supported Devices
- Discovery Plus officially supports 2016 or newer Samsung smart TVs.
- If your model is older, try casting from a phone instead of using the native app.
Check Account Login Details
- Open the Discovery Plus app and select Sign Out.
- Then, sign back in with your username and password.
- Reset password if forgotten. This eliminates login issues.
Delete and Reinstall the Discovery Plus App
If your apps are up-to-date, deleting and reinstalling the Discovery Plus app may help.
- Go into Apps > Discovery Plus on your TV and select “Uninstall.”
- Then open the Samsung TV App Store and download and install Discovery Plus again.
- Log into Discovery Plus using your account details.
Adjust DNS Settings
An incorrect DNS server can cause connection issues between your TV and Discovery Plus servers. To change the DNS settings:
- Go to Settings > General > Network > Network Status
- Set DNS Server to “8.8.8.8” or “1.1.1.1”.
- DNS servers like Google DNS often provide faster and more reliable connectivity.
Disable Advertising Tracking
Samsung TV has an “Advertising Tracking” setting enabled by default. To disable it:
- Go to Settings > Support > Terms & Policies > Interest Based Advertisement
- Disable “Customization Service”
- This stops the TV from pulling ads from the internet, which can interfere with streaming playback.
Allow Apps from Unknown Sources
- Go to Settings > General > External Device Manager > Unknown Sources and enable it.
Reset App Preferences
- Go to Settings > Apps > Discovery Plus > Storage > Clear Data
- This resets app login credentials and preferences.
Update Apps and TV Software
- Go into your TV settings and check for any available software updates.
- Install any updates and then open the Discovery Plus app on your TV.
- Tap the profile icon in the app and select “Check for Updates” to update the Discovery Plus app as well.
- App and software updates often include bug fixes that could resolve the playback issues.
Factory Reset the TV
- Back up settings and apps first. Then go to Settings > General > Reset and reset the TV.
- Reinstall apps and reload settings. This wiping fixes software issues.
Contact Support
If you still cannot get Discovery Plus working after trying all troubleshooting, contact Samsung or Discovery Plus support. They can investigate the issue and help pinpoint any problems on their end. When you contact them, have your TV model number and Discovery Plus details.
Tips to Prevent Future Issues
Follow these tips to keep Discovery Plus and other apps working smoothly on your Samsung TV:
- Maintain fast, steady internet speeds of at least 25 Mbps.
- Keep your TV, streaming devices, and router updated with the latest firmware.
- Close background apps when streaming to allocate max bandwidth to Discovery Plus.
- If issues reoccur, try deleting and reinstalling the app again.
- Stream Discovery Plus via an Ethernet cable connected to the TV instead of WiFi for consistent performance.
FAQs
Q: Why does Discovery Plus show a black screen on Samsung TV?
A: A black screen is usually due to an app malfunction. Try updating the app, deleting and reinstalling it, or performing a factory reset on the TV if needed.
Q: How can I sign out and back into Discovery Plus on my Samsung TV?
A: Open the Discovery Plus app, go to settings, select sign out, and then sign back in with your username and password.
Q: Does Discovery Plus work on all Samsung TV models?
A: Discovery Plus is supported on 2016 and newer Samsung TV models. You must cast from a phone instead if you have an older TV.
Conclusion
With various troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve any Discovery Plus issues on your Samsung TV. Start with quick fixes like restarting devices and checking for app updates. For ongoing problems, steps like changing DNS servers, resetting app data, and factory resetting the TV will help identify and eliminate the cause. With this guide, you can get Discovery Plus working again quickly. Happy streaming!
