Netflix briefly experienced a major service disruption on November 26, impacting thousands of users just as anticipation built for the debut of the final season of Stranger Things. According to outage-tracking platform Downdetector, more than 10,000 users reported problems with Netflix at the time of writing. Of those complaints, 51% related to video streaming, while 41% involved server connection issues.
Netflix Down Because of Stranger Things Season 5?
The outage reportedly began around 5 p.m. PT and left many unable to access the platform.
With Stranger Things Season 5 now available, many viewers immediately linked the surge in traffic to the disruption.
“NOT NETFLIX BEING DOWN BC OF STRANGER THINGS INFLUX LMFAOOOOO,” one user posted on X.
Another wrote, “Waited all day to watch Stranger Things and now Netflix is down.”
A third person shared a screenshot of their frozen screen, captioning it, “Bro is Netflix fucking DOWN? LIKEHAHSJSJ.”
Why is Netflix Down?
Netflix has not yet addressed the outage, and the reason remains unclear. However, this is not the first time the platform has struggled under Stranger Things–related demand. In July 2022, when the final two episodes of Season 4 were released, the service was briefly unavailable, as reported by Variety.
Also Read: Google Meet Down: What Caused The Disruption?
Stranger Things Season 5 Release
The final season of Stranger Things follows the returning heroes of Hawkins as they prepare for a climactic battle against Vecna and the Upside Down. Eleven is expected to confront her former psychic counterpart, One, also known as Vecna, while Will’s lingering connection to the Upside Down will take on new significance.
Netflix confirmed the release of the first volume, posting, “STRANGER THINGS 5 VOL. 1 IS NOW ON NETFLIX,” even as users continued reporting service issues.
Release Schedule
Volume 1: Now streaming
Volume 2: Releases December 25, Christmas Day
Season Finale: Premieres on New Year’s Eve
Also Read: Stranger Things Season 5 Part 1: Release Date, Time, Total Episodes, Cast, Storyline & More
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
