Is Paramount+ Down or Is It You?

What to do when the streaming service is not working

By
S.E. Slack
S. E. Slack
S.E. Slack
Senior Strategy & Editorial Director, Lifewire.com
  • California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo
S.E. Slack has 30+ years' experience writing about technology. She has authored 12 books, thousands of articles, and worked for IBM and Microsoft.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on March 4, 2021
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher headshot
Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

If you can't watch Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access), it might be because of a server issue on the streaming service's end. Sometimes, though, the problem isn't with them; it's with your devices or connections. This article explains how to:

  • Check for large-scale outages across the Paramount+ network.
  • Troubleshoot common internet and television problems on your end.

How to Tell if Paramount+ Is Down

Before you go checking your devices, you can quickly check to see if the app is having issues or not. Try these methods:

  1. Head to Twitter and search for #ParamountPlus. Look at Tweet timestamps to see if other people are experiencing the same kinds of problems you are. You can also give the Paramount+ feed a look. When the streaming service is experiencing major, nationwide troubles, Paramount will usually post information on the feed.

  2. Use a third-party 'status checker' website like IsItDownRightNow or SiteDown, These user-based sites tell you if other customers are reporting outages and sometimes can even pinpoint the exact issue or location of the problem.

  3. As a last resort, check their Facebook page. It's normally a rah-rah page but if there is a serious problem occurring, they might post a notice here.

What to Do When You Can't Get Connected to Paramount+

Nothing indicating a problem on the Paramount side of things? Then it's time to take a look at your side. Try the troubleshooting steps; it could be something simple you can easily fix.

  1. Log in and check your account status. Confirm your account is in a paid status and that your service hasn't been blocked for some reason.

  2. Check for internet connection problems on your side. You can also check your internet speed if that seems to be part of the problem.

  3. Check all the connections between you and your device. Look carefully for:

    • Error messages from your TV or another device you're trying to access Paramount+ on. You might just need a simple adjustment to correct an error.
    • Loose connections. Wiring and cables can be unplugged or come loose, creating connection problems.
    • Input issues. If you've recently used your TV for gaming or to play a DVD, you might just need to change the Input back to TV.
    • A poor HDMI connection.
    • Bad Wi-Fi connections.
    • Home electrical connections or electrical service interruptions in your area.

  4. If you're watching on a browser, try closing down your browser or forcing a full refresh on the browser tab you're in using CTRL + F5. If that doesn't work, try clearing the temporary cache in your browser.

  5. Reset your DNS cache when watching on a computer. In Microsoft Windows, you can flush the local DNS cache using the ipconfig /flushdns command in a Command Prompt. macOS users should use dscacheutil -flushcache. 

  6. Check your streaming device for problems. If you're experiencing slow speeds, lag, or the app keeps crashing you might need to clear the cache on your FireTV Stick, for instance. Roku users might need to reset the device.

    If you think something else might be happening with your device:

  7. If you're having trouble on your phone, check for things like whether or not you're in a covered service area, SIM card problems, if you've accidentally turned on Airplane mode, and that Network mode is set to the proper Auto setting for your phone.

    On Android phones, go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks to view the Network mode setting. If you need to change the setting, tap Network mode, and make your selection. iPhone users can reset network settings, too.

    Newer androids may require that you go to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile network to view the Preferred network type setting.

  8. Still no luck? It's time to reboot your router if you're at home. If you're out and about, restart your mobile device. Reboot your Android device or restart your iPhone to see if that can get things moving again.

  9. If rebooting the router doesn't work, try resetting it. Sometimes a simple reset will fix whatever error restarting didn't clear.

  10. If you're still experiencing trouble, grab that phone and call (888) 274-5343. You've tried everything else; now it's time for Paramount to get involved.

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