All right, streamers, I know you guys are realistic. After Netflix introduced its “Netflix Household” policy, a lot of us felt a brief moment of unease.
At that point, it felt as if I was gambling with my favorite TV shows, thanks to me letting my cousin stream on my account.
I tried to tell my brother why his TV didn’t allow him to access content anymore, just as you would try to teach a cat how to fetch, so it was basically impossible!
The good side of things is that Netflix is not intentionally causing you any trouble. This feature of creating a “Netflix Household” helps everyone at home enjoy the same Netflix experience without interruptions.
Furthermore, life just goes on, even with unexpected events. Now and then, you may find your internet does not work as well. That’s when having the skill to update your Netflix Household becomes useful.
In case your TV has never been set up with Netflix or you have recently updated your home internet, don’t be concerned. Most of the time, updating your Netflix Household requires using the TV remote.
We’ll take it one step at a time to help you get back to your favorite binge-watching show.
1. What Is a Netflix Household?
Before delving into the methods, we should first understand what the term means. A Netflix Household includes all the gadgets linked to the internet where you watch Netflix most often. This is where you can put all your streams together.
Netflix uses your IP address, your device ID,, and your account usage to identify if you’re a member of yourhousehold.
They have clearly declared that they do not collect GPS information to find a user’s preciselocation,n which is reassuring.
Apple designed this system so that accounts are mainly used by people living together, as required by the new password-sharing policy.
Then, why should we care to update it? Well:
Still Works After Moving: When you update yourhouseholdd due to a change in your main location, your main TV and related gadgets will still stream shows smoothly.
It allows Netflix to check if your account is being used by people outside of your home.
It ensures you follow Netflix’s guidelines when you share your account with others.
If you have not opened your own Netflix Household, Netflix may auto-create ahouseholdd based on your IP address and how you use your account.
Should the details be inaccurate or you want to make a change, it’s all up to you.
2. How to Update Your Netflix Household (Using Your TV as the Go-To Method)
Usually, Netflix recommends updating or setting yourhouseholdd through a TV using the home internet connection. Most times, a TV is placed centrally forstreaming,g which is why Netflix favors casting it on the TV.
Here’s what you can do each day
Go ahead and connect your TV to your home WiFi,i which is the same as the Wi-Fi used for your Netflix Household. This allows Netflix to understand where you are most often located.
Open the Netflixapplicationn on your TV: Press the Netflix button on your TV or launch it on your streaming device like Roku, Fire Stick, etc.
To access the menu, set your TV to the Netflix screen and select the menu option.
If the account options are listed above, go to the left to see your profile icon, press Get Help, and then Manage Netflix Household.
Should the menu be on the left, head to the bottom, find and select Get Help, and lastly select Manage Netflix Household.
Heads Up! If you do not have the option “Manage Netflix Household,” then it’s likely the TV device cannot support household management.
Don’t panic! All you have to do is use another television or a TV-connected device to try again.
Go to the “Update Netflix Household” (or “Confirm Netflix Household”) option. Pick the appropriate option.
Next, Netflix will give you the option to verify your email or phone number to access your account.
Choose the option. Send Email or Send Text.
These links are available for 15 minutes and will become invalid after that. Therefore, make sure your phone or computer is available!
If the link does not arrive, you can click on “Resend Email” or “Resend Text.” You can also select “Remind Me Later” if you want more time.
Complete the process of verifying your account.
Open the email message on your device, click on the button named “Yes, This Was Me,” and confirm the changes.
In the text message, select the link that was sent to you.
On TV: When the verification is complete, your TV should restart, and you should see a message showing that you are verified. Choose “Confirm Update” (or an equivalent message) on the TV.
Most of the time, you will get an email to confirm your purchase.
Start Streaming! The changes to your Netflix account should take effect, allowing you to watch any movies or shows you like.
3. What Should You Do If You Can’t Watch On TV or Are Out of the House?
It’s clear to Netflix that sometimes we don’t watch our shows exclusively on a TV, and life might move us outside.
If you never watch Netflix on your TV or don’t connect a TV device to your home internet, you probably do not have to set up a household. Netflix’s main goal is to detect TV viewing for households in their system.
In such a situation, it is safest for you to sign out the unknown device or devices listed on the “Manage Access & Devices” page.
Netflix lets you use your account in another location for a short time. Generally, it is possible to access programs on your phone, tablet, or laptop anytime you travel.
If you attempt to watch Disney+ for more than a month on a TV in another location without connecting to your primary household’s Wi-Fi, you will be asked to verify the device.
When this occurs, the primary account holder may be sent an access code via email/phone by Netflix. When you get to the travel spot, input the code on the TV to open the room for you.
Netflix suggests that if you travel often to the same place and have a second home, occasionally (once a month) connect your device (mobile, laptop) to your main internet at home, start Netflix, and play a video for a bit.
Do the same thing at your other location as well. This lets Netflix understand that you are associated with both places in your account.
4. How to Organize and Use Devices and Profiles in Your Home
Not only should you keep your main location updated, but you should also maintain your devices and profiles on a regular basis. Normally, people do this by using a web browser or the mobile app.
Managing Access & Devices > Unrecognized Devices:
You can access the Netflix website (netflix.com) on a computer or your mobile phone’s internet browser.
Click on the option to sign in to your account.
Locate the icon of your profile (it’s usually up at the top right corner) and click on it.
Select Account.
Find the section called Security & Privacy and click on Manage access and devices.
On this page, you will find a list of the devices logged into your account. Whenever there’s a device you don’t recognize, just sign out by pressing Sign Out.
This allows you to quickly block any users or devices that shouldn’t be in your network.
Adding/Managing Profiles:
Select the profile icon at the top of the Netflix screen (no matter which device you use).
Click on the option labeled Manage Profiles.
From there, add a profile, edit the information in existing profiles, or delete them. Rather, these profiles are made for people who belong to your Netflix Household.
5. Solving Issues with Updating Your Household Devices
There are times when technology causes delay. If you can’t update your Netflix Household, try these usual solutions:
| Issue | Potential Solution |
| “Manage Netflix Household” option missing on TV. | Try a different smart TV or TV-connected device in your home. Not all devices support this specific menu option. |
| Didn’t receive verification email/text. | Double-check the email address or phone number listed on your Netflix account to ensure it’s correct. Check your spam/junk folder. Try sending the verification again. If problems persist, contact Netflix support. |
| Verification link expired. | Re-initiate the “Update Netflix Household” process on your TV to get a new verification link. They’re only valid for 15 minutes, so act quickly! |
| Error after successful verification. | Sometimes, a quick refresh helps. Try signing out of Netflix on all devices, unplug your router for a minute, plug it back in, and then sign back into Netflix on your primary TV first. |
| Device not recognized as part of Household. | Ensure the device is connected to the exact same Wi-Fi network as your primary Netflix TV. If you have multiple Wi-Fi networks, stick to the one you’ve set as your primary. Restart the device and router. |
| Using a VPN. | If you’re using a VPN, it can mask your IP address, making it difficult for Netflix to determine your true Household location. Try disabling your VPN when setting or updating your Household. |
At the start, drinking so much water was tiresome, but not long after, having to check my Netflix account settings became just as bothersome until I saw just how fluid my viewing got!
To conclude, navigating through Netflix can be simple.
The Netflix Household tool, however hard it was for some to understand, is now a key part of the company’s efforts to handle password sharing.
If you keep your equipment up-to-date, your family can watch all their favorite shows and movies without experiencing any interruptions.
That’s why you should give yourself a few minutes to explore your Netflix Household settings. Ensure that the school fits well with your existing place of residence.
When your future self is happily enjoying an uninterrupted binge, they will give you reluctant thanks. Have fun while streaming, everyone.