How to Fix BBC iPlayer Not Working On FireStick?

BBC iPlayer, the place to watch all of your favorites from BBC Networks and UK TV shows. This application is available on multiple devices including FireStick devices. You can easily get BBC iPlayer on FireStick and watch TV Shows, Movies, and more entertainment on it. The app works well with your FireStick Remote and takes your streaming experience to a whole new level. But sometimes, there are some issues that cause the BBC iPlayer app to not work on FireStick devices. If you are facing issues with BBC iPlayer app on your Fire TV, this simple guide can help you with the procedure to fix it.

BBC iPlayer

Why is BBC iPlayer Not Working on FireStick?

It is rare to find the BBC iPlayer not working on FireStick devices, but not impossible. There are various factors that cause the BBC iPlayer app to not work on FireStick. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of this issue. Here are some of the common causes found for the app to not work on your device,

  • Having a Poor Internet connection
  • Using FireStick device that has outdated OS.
  • Lack of device storage due to junk files.
  • Using BBC iPlayer out of its region of access (BBC iPlayer is Geo-restricted to the UK)
  • Not using the latest version of the BBC iPlayer app

On very rare causes, you can find that the BBC iPlayer server is down. Now that you have an idea of the causes for BBC iPlayer not working on FireStick issues, it is time to fix it.

firestick Logo

How to Fix BBC iPlayer Not Working On FireStick?

As you know, the problem with BBC iPlayer not working on FireStick is either the app or the device. Here you can find all the fixes or solutions to make the app work again on your FireStick device. But sometimes, it might also be due to Network connection problems or errors within Network providing devices. From here on, read and try all the methods given,

Power Cycle WiFi Router

After all, without the internet, you cannot access the BBC iPlayer app on any device. You need to make sure you have paid your Internet bills. If you feel like the problem is with your Modem or Router, you can reset them easily by pressing the reset button on it. You can also do a Power Cycle on it to make it work even better. Follow the steps to Power Cycle any device,

  • Plug out the power cable of your Router from the Power Plug.
  • Let the lights on the Router turn off and wait for some time.
  • Plug the power cable back into its place and turn on your Router.

This will solve most of the Network problems causing BBC iPlayer Not Working on FireStick issues.

Check BBC iPlayer Server

If you find the BBC iPlayer to continuously crash, then we can assume that there is a problem with BBC iPlayer’s server. To confirm your assumption, go to the downdetector website and check if the BBC iPlayer server is down or not. You can also directly call BBC iPlayer Help Center to get the information you need.

For issues regarding BBC iPlayer Server, all you can do is wait for the issue to be resolved from their side. It will take just a few minutes or sometimes a few hours.

In the time of waiting for the BBC iPlayer server to be back, why not try other streaming services like Viaplay? Check out How to Get Viaplay on FireStick? and start streaming your favorites on it.

Clear BBC iPlayer Cache on FireStick

Your FireStick device has limited memory, so having more Cache memory can cause any app not to work. This might be one of the reasons for BBC iPlayer Not Working on FrieStick. You can clear a specific app Cache Memory from the FireStick device and do that for the BBC iPlayer app on FireStick; follow the steps set here for you,

  • Find all the settings options available on your FireStick by selecting the Setting icon in the shape of a gear.
  • As all the setting options are laid down, choose the Application tile to make changes to installed apps.
  • Here you have to select Manage Installed Application.
  • Use your FireStick remote movement buttons to find the BBC iPlayer app.
  • With two options available, select the Clear Cache option to clear up some Memory space at FireStick.

bbc iplayer clear cache

If the cause was Cache Memory, then after following these particular steps, you can make BBC iPlayer work again on your FireStick.

Check BBC iPlayer Server

BBC iPlayer needs to keep its Servers updated to provide its content more effectively for its users. So when BBC iPlayer undergoes a Server Update or fixes errors at its server, then it is possible that the BBC iPlayer application is not working on your FireStick or any other device.

When you check with other BBC iPlayer users, and they also can’t access BBC iPlayer, the only thing you can do is wait till the professionals at BBC iPlayer handle it.

Update BBC iPlayer on FireStick

Your BBC iPlayer app not being at its latest version on your FireStick can cause to it to not work. You have to update the BBC iPlayer application to its latest version to get new features of the app. The steps that are set here can be used to update any app on your FireStick. To Update BBC iPlayer, the steps are,

  • If you are not at the FireStick home screen, then press the Home button on your FireStick remote.
  • You can go into the Applications section from the FireStick Home screen.
  • All the apps available on your FireStick device are present here; you need to navigate and highlight the BBC iPlayer app here.
  • Now on your Remote, click the Hamburger Menu button and choose the More Info option.

Fire TV remotes

  • If there is any update on the BBC iPlayer app, then you can see the Update option and just select Update BBC iPlayer on FireStick.

check updates

After Updating, try using the BBC iPlayer app on your FireStick and see if it works. If not, then you have to reinstall the app on your FireStick device. To know more, continue reading this article.

How to Reinstall BBC iPlayer on FireStick?

If your BBC iPlayer is still not working on your FireStick, then improper installation of the application on your devices can also be the cause of it. You need to Uninstall the app and install it again on your FireStck devices. The steps that are to be discussed can be used for all apps, including the BBC iPlayer application. Go after the steps to reinstall BBC iPlayer on FireStick.

Uninstall BBC iPlayer on FireStick

  • Find and select the Setting icon with gear shape on the FrieStick home screen.
  • Go to the Application tile and follow up by selecting the Manage Installed Application option.
  • Find the BBC iPlayer Application and select it.
  • From the available option available, select Uninstall.

uninstall

Install BBC iPlayer on FireStick

  • Go back to the FireStick Home page and select Find, and then Search.
  • Get to the BBC iPlayer app on the FireStick app store.
  • On the BBC iPlayer app information page, select the Get option to download and install BBC iPlayer on FireStick.

If you have doubts about the installation procedures to get BBC iPlayer on FireStick, then check out How to Install BBC iPlayer on Firestick?

Check FireStick Clock Time

Having the wrong clock time on your FireStick can cause the Disney Plus app not to work. You need to make sure you have selected the correct region in Time Zone. To change your FireStick Clock Time and solve the Disney Plus not Working on FireStick issue with the steps here,

  • Go to FireStick’s Settings menu and choose Preferences.
  • Now select Time Zone and select your Region from the list available.

time zone

If you find that the Time Zone is true to your Region, then there is no need to change it.

Update FireStick Firmware.

When your FireStick is not up-to-date, most of the Applications will not work. If your Disney Plus app is not working on FireStick even after re-installing the app. Then you need to check for Updates on your FireStick and if there are any, get the update done. Get to the steps down here to Update FireStick Firmware.

  • Go to FireStick Settings; if you don’t know, just select the Gear Icon on the FireStick Home Page.
  • Now select the My Fire TV tile and select the About option on it.
  • Choose the Check for Updates option.

check updates

  • If any updates are found, click on the Download option, and after that, select Install Update.

Your FireStick device will restart on its own after the installation is complete. Once Restarted, try to use the BBC iPlayer on your FireStick. If updating Firmware can also not solve your problem, then you need to reset FireStick to its Factory Settings.

Factory Reset FireStick

If you think that some of the settings you played with caused BBC iPlayer not to work on FireStick devices, then it is time to reset your FireStick to how it was when you purchased it.  Doing a Factory reset on your FireStick device can solve all your problems in one go. Make a Factor Reset on FireStick with the steps included here,

  • Dive into the My Fire TV menu from FireStick Settings Menu.
  • Scroll to the end, and you can see Rest to Factory Defaults option there.

reset to factory defaults

  • Give your FireStick PIN to conform to Factory Reset.
  • Now select the Reset option in the Pop-up.

You need to download the BBC iPlayer app again on your FIreStick. After installing, you can open the app and see it working just fine.

NOTE: Use this Method as a last measure because it will erase all the data you have stored till now, including all installed apps.

Suggestions

If you are sure that your FireStick devices are the cause for the BBC iPlayer app not working. then try to screencast the app from its supported devices to a Fire TV screen. You can also change to other streaming devices like Roku to watch BBC iPlayer. If you are thinking of changing to Roku, follow How to Get and Watch BBC iPlayer on Roku? to get the BBC iPlayer app on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Access BBC iPlayer App?

Get BBC iPlayer on its supported devices and open it. Select Sign in to get the Activation code and use it on www.bbc.com/account/tv to activate your Account. After activation, you can watch all the live and on-demand programs at BBC iPlayer on your device.

Is BBC iPlayer Free?

Yes, it is a press app from BBC to sign in on all BBC platforms. You can add programs and get recommendations on programs to watch. Another good thing is you can continue watching the program you left halfway very easily.