Netflix is one of the most popular streaming platforms globally, known for its vast library of movies, TV shows, and original content. While it offers a seamless streaming experience, you may encounter situations where you want to adjust the video quality to suit your preferences or network conditions.
If you’ve poor internet connectivity, Netflix may not be able to provide a smoother experience. Similarly, if you’re experiencing low video quality on Netflix, you can also change the video quality. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of changing video quality on Netflix, whether you’re using a computer, a smartphone, or a smart TV.
Why Change Video Quality?
Before we delve into the how-to, let’s understand why you might want to change the video quality on Netflix:
- Data Usage: Streaming in high quality can consume a significant amount of data. Lowering the video quality can help you save on data usage, especially if you have a limited data plan.
- Buffering Issues: If you’re experiencing frequent buffering due to a slow internet connection, reducing the video quality can improve your viewing experience.
- Device Compatibility: Some older devices may struggle to play content in higher resolutions. Adjusting the video quality can help ensure smooth playback.
- Maximizing Your Netflix Subscription: If you have a strong internet connection and you’re a Netflix Premium subscriber experiencing low video quality issues, you can adjust the video quality to fully utilize your Netflix subscription.
Now that we understand why we should change the video quality, let’s explore video quality options on Netflix.
Netflix Video Quality Options
The video playback quality you’ll get on Netflix completely depends on your subscription plan. If you’re subscribed to the basic plan, then you’ll only be able to watch content in 480p resolution, which isn’t ideal for viewing on desktops and TVs. Therefore, changing the video quality won’t help much as you’re limited to 480p.
So, you’ll need to upgrade to the Standard plan. In this plan, you can watch Netflix content at 1080p, which is perfect for viewing on any device. However, if you want to enjoy Ultra HD (4K) and HDR content, you’ll need to subscribe to the Premium plan.
Now, let’s explore how to change the video quality on Netflix across different devices:
How to Change Video Quality on Netflix
Once you’ve confirmed your subscription plan and want to maximize your Netflix experience, you’re in the right spot. Just like other video streaming platforms, Netflix offers an option to select your video quality. However, it’s determined by your specific subscription plan.
Here, we’ll show you how to adjust your Netflix video quality:
1. Change Your Netflix Subscription Plan
If you don’t have the right subscription plan, changing the video quality on Netflix will not help you much. Here’s how you can change your Netflix Subscription Plan to adjust the video quality on your Windows 11 PC:
1. Navigate to the Netflix Account settings.
2. Here, you’ll find all the information about your Netflix account and plan details.
3. If you’re on the Standard or Premium plan, adjusting the video quality will improve your experience on your device. You can also upgrade your plan.
Note
However, if you’ve limited data or poor internet connectivity, the Basic plan is ideal for you.
2. Change Netflix Video Quality from Account Settings
Now, depending on your data usage and internet plan, you can adjust the video playback quality settings on your Netflix to achieve the smoothest video playback experience. To do this, follow the following steps:
1. Sign in to your Netflix account.
2. Click on the profile icon and select the Account option from the drop-down menu.
3. Navigate to Profile & Parental Controls and click on the dropdown arrowhead to select the user profile.
4. Next, go to the Playback Settings page by clicking on the Change option.
5. Under the Data usage per screen section, choose the option that best fits your needs and matches your data plan. You can also set it to the default and let it adapt automatically based on your network connection.
6. Afterward, click Save to apply the changes.
3. Changing Downloaded Video Quality on Netflix
Once you’ve adjusted the video playback based on your data usage, you can now expect smooth video playback without buffering. However, if you frequently download content using the Netflix app, you need to ensure that you always download the best available quality. By doing so, you can download movies or shows in advance and enjoy them in high quality without the fear of video lag.
To do that, follow the following steps:
1. Open the Netflix app on your device.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner of your Netflix app. Then click on the Settings option from the drop-down menu.
3. Within the Settings menu, locate the Downloads section, and click on Video Quality to choose your preferred video quality.
Conclusion
Changing the video quality on Netflix is an easy process that can greatly improve your streaming experience. Whether you’re worried about data usage, dealing with buffering issues, or ensuring compatibility with your devices, Netflix offers options to tailor your video quality settings.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can savor your favorite shows and movies on Netflix with the best viewing experience designed to suit your preferences. However, if you encounter issues with Netflix not working, you can refer to our guide on how to fix Netflix not Working on Windows 11.
