How to Fix Hulu Error 301

Hulu error 301 is a Hulu error code that can appear when you're trying to watch Hulu on your computer, phone, streaming device, or smart television. This is a fairly broad error code that indicates there was a problem retrieving content from Hulu's servers.

How Hulu Error Code 301 Appears

When this error occurs, you will usually see a message that looks like this:

Error playing this video
Sorry, we encountered an error playing this video. Please try restarting the video or select something else to watch.
Error Code: 301

Wit this same error, you may also see:

Error Code: 5005
Hulu Error Code: P-DEV301

Causes of Hulu Error 301 and Similar Hulu Error Codes

When you try to play a movie or an episode of a show and see Hulu error 301, that indicates your player was unable to access the requested content. The cause of the problem could be on Hulu's end in the form of corrupt data or server issues, but it's still worth checking problems on your end first.

Local issues that can cause Hulu error 301 include an outdated player or app, your internet connection, or your local network. If you check and fix all of these issues, and you still see error 301, then you will typically have to wait for Hulu to fix the problem.

Related codes like p-dev301 and error code 5005 can also be caused by similar issues, so the following troubleshooting steps can be useful for those codes as well.

While error 301 is most commonly associated with network and connection problems, it's important to note that Hulu playback failures can also crop up due to an outdated app, outdated web browser, or corrupt local data.

How to Fix the Hulu Error 301

To fix Hulu error 301, follow these steps in order. Check to see if Hulu works after you complete each step. If you still experience error 301 after finishing these troubleshooting tips, then you are probably dealing with an issue on Hulu's end that you won't be able to fix.

Refresh the Hulu player. If you're trying to watch Hulu on the web player available on the Hulu website, start out by simply reloading the page. In some cases, that's all it takes to get rid of error 301.
Try Hulu on a different device or browser. If you find that Hulu works on other devices, then the device that doesn't work has a problem with its software or network connection. Try closing your browser, updating it, or even restarting your computer if you're able to watch Hulu in a different web browser with no errors.

If you're watching Hulu on a device that uses the Hulu app, check to see if you can watch your movie or show in a web browser or with a different app. If it doesn't work anywhere, suspect an issue with your internet or network, or a problem on Hulu's end.
Clear your web browser cache. If you're watching Hulu on your computer, try clearing the browser cache.
Update your web browser. An outdated web browser can cause the 301 error, so updating can fix the problem. Simply closing and re-opening your browser may fix the problem, or you may need to go through a more complicated process. Try updating your Chrome browser, or if you're using Firefox, you can update that, too. A fast way to see if it's an issue specific to a browser is to just choose to use a different web browser to see if that does the trick.

Edge updates alongside Windows, but you can try Chromium Edge.
Update your Hulu app. In the same way that an outdated web browser can cause error 301, an outdated app can also cause this problem. If your app is outdated, then update it. You may need to delete the app and download it again if your device doesn't provide an easy way to simply update it.

Not sure if your app is updated? Open it up, and look for the About section, which is usually accessed from the account menu. Check the version number in your app against these official Hulu app release notes. If the version number in your app is lower than the number listed for your phone or other device, then your app is out of date.
Clear your Hulu app cache and data. If your Hulu app is up to date, there is a chance that there could be some corrupt local data preventing the app from displaying your show or movie. If that's the case, then clearing the Hulu app cache and local data may fix the problem.

Uninstalling and reinstalling the app will typically remove any corrupt local data and also clear the cache if you can't figure out how to do so in your device settings.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps > Storage and cache > clear storage, then clear cache.
- On iOS: Go to Settings > General > Storage > Hulu, then delete and uninstall the app. Reinstall it via the app store.
- On Fire TV: Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > Hulu > Clear cache > Clear data.
If you're using the Hulu web player you should clear the your browser cache and data so if anything there is causing issues it's cleared out.
Check your internet connection. Hulu requires a high speed internet connection to function. If you're seeing code 301 on every show and movie on the service, and not just some specific episodes, then you may have a connectivity issue.

Before you proceed, take a moment to check your internet speed using the same device that's having trouble with Hulu. If your internet speed is slow, or you don't have an internet connection at all, then that's why you're seeing the code 301.

If your internet speed is fast enough for Hulu, there's still a chance that you may have a networking issue that's specifically preventing your device from reaching Hulu's streaming servers.
Restart your device. Perform a complete shutdown of your computer or mobile device. If it's a computer, make sure it actually shuts down and doesn't just sleep or hibernate. If it's a streaming box without an off switch, you may have to unplug it from power for up to a minute.

After you have shut down or power cycled your device, turn it back on and check to see if Hulu works. If it doesn't, then you'll need to do the same procedure but with your network hardware.
Restart your router and modem. A lot of network-based connectivity issues can be resolved by simply restarting all of your network hardware, including your modem, router, and any other components you might have.

To completely restart your network, you will have to shut down each component, unplug each one from power, and wait a while before plugging everything back in. Some components can be plugged in after 10-30 seconds, while others must be left unplugged for a full minute.
Check social media. If you're still experiencing Hulu error 301 at this point, then there is a good chance that the problem isn't on your end. One good option is to check social media to see if anyone is talking about a Hulu outage. For example, check Twitter hashtags like #hulu down, and make sure to select the latest tab. Whenever Hulu has a widespread outage, people talk about it on social media.

Another useful option is to check third party sites that track the status of services like Hulu:

What if Hulu Still Doesn't Work?

If you still see Hulu error 301 after trying all of these steps, then the problem is probably on Hulu's end. The main exception is if you don't see any evidence of a widespread outage, and you're watching Hulu on a smart TV, there may be an issue with the Hulu app on your specific make and model of television. In that case, you may want to contact both Hulu and the smart TV manufacturer to let them know about the issue.

For cases where you are able to find evidence of a widespread outage, all you can do is wait for Hulu to fix the problem.

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