Netflix is back online after a high-traffic surge caused a brief crash during the 'Stranger Things' Season 5 launch. Read the full details here.
Netflix experienced a significant service outage early Thursday following the highly anticipated release of Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 1.
The disruption began immediately after the final season's first batch of episodes became available for streaming. According to outage tracking website Downdetector, reports spiked within minutes of the premiere, with over 8,000 users in the United States logging complaints.
Issues were also reported by subscribers in India and other international markets. Users attempting to access the platform were met with frozen screens or an ‘NSES-500’ error code.
Some subscribers also reported seeing a standard error message reading, ‘Something went wrong. Sorry, we're having trouble with your request.’
Netflix acknowledged the technical difficulties in a statement, confirming that the surge in traffic impacted access for some members, particularly those using TV devices.
"Some members briefly experienced an issue streaming on TV devices, but service recovered for all accounts within five minutes," the company stated.
The outage occurred despite reported preparations by the streaming giant. Co-creator Ross Duffer had previously indicated that Netflix increased its bandwidth capacity by 30% to accommodate the expected influx of viewers for the franchise's conclusion.
Service has since been fully restored. The first four episodes of the season are currently available, with the next volume scheduled for release on December 25, followed by the series finale on January 1, 2026.
However, this is not the first time high-traffic events have strained Netflix’s infrastructure. The platform recently faced similar stability issues during the live broadcast of the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing match.
As fans successfully dive back into Hawkins, the pressure on Netflix is far from over. This streaming platform must now gear up for the final two drops on Christmas and New Year's, dates likely to draw even higher concurrent viewership.
Riya turns everyday tech into effortless choices! With a knack for breaking down the trends and tips, she brings clarity and confidence to your downloading decisions. Her experience with ShopClues, Great Learning, and IndustryBuying adds depth to her product reviews, making them both trustworthy and refreshingly practical. From social media hacks and lifestyle upgrades to productivity boosts, digital marketing insights, AI trends, and more—Riya’s here to help you stay a step ahead. Always real, always relatable!
