Netflix is the biggest streaming service in the world with shows, movies, documentaries, anime and original series. But sometimes the autoplay feature drives you crazy and you want to turn it off for many reasons, e.g., trailers keep playing on the browse page, the next episode starts before you are ready or the platform autoplays previews with sound on a kid’s profile.
I know, frustrating. Netflix turns autoplay on by default for everyone. Bear with me, the toggle exists. It is just hidden inside your account settings, not the player.
This easy guide will help you turn off Netflix autoplay by showing you the account settings path, explaining the two different autoplay types and helping you fix the issue for kid profiles where it matters most.
The Two Types of Netflix Autoplay
Here is the deal. Netflix has two separate autoplay features and you can turn each one off independently.
- Autoplay previews while browsing. Trailers and clips start playing automatically as you scroll the home page.
- Autoplay next episode. The next episode starts a 5-second countdown the moment your current one ends.
Most people want both off. Some only want previews off. Look, you can choose either or both.
Method 1: Turn Off Autoplay on Desktop or Laptop
This is the easiest path. The settings page only opens properly on a real browser.
- Go to netflix.com and sign in.
- Click your profile icon at the top right.
- Click Account.
- Scroll to Profile & Parental Controls.
- Click the profile you want to change.
- Click Change next to Playback settings.
- Uncheck both Autoplay boxes.
- Click Save.
Done. The change takes effect immediately on every device signed into that profile.
Method 2: Turn Off Autoplay from the Mobile App
Heads up. The mobile app does not have the full playback settings menu. You have to open Netflix in a mobile browser instead.
- Open Safari, Chrome or any browser on your phone.
- Go to netflix.com and sign in.
- Request the desktop version of the site (in Safari tap aA then Request Desktop Website).
- Follow steps 2 through 8 from Method 1.
Trust me, this is the only way. The mobile app does not have these settings even though they apply to it.
Method 3: Turn Off Autoplay on Kid Profiles
This is the one that matters most for parents. Random previews with loud audio can hit kids the moment they open Netflix.
- Sign in with your primary Netflix account on a browser.
- Go to Account > Profile & Parental Controls.
- Click the kid’s profile name.
- Click Change next to Playback settings.
- Uncheck both boxes and Save.
Repeat for every kid profile if you have more than one. Each profile has its own setting.
What If Autoplay Is Still Happening
Sometimes you turn it off but trailers still play. Common reasons:
- You changed the wrong profile. Each Netflix profile has its own setting. Make sure you edited the one you actually use.
- The change has not synced yet. Sign out of Netflix on the device, sign back in.
- You are on a smart TV with cached settings. Restart the TV or remove and re-add Netflix.
- The setting reverted after a Netflix UI update. Yeah, this happens. Just toggle it off again.
If it keeps reverting, contact Netflix support. There was a known bug in 2024 that flipped it back.
My Honest Opinion
I turned off autoplay previews the day I signed up. The constant trailers playing with audio drove me up the wall.
For next-episode autoplay, my honest opinion on this is to keep it on for shows you binge and off for everything else. Or just leave both off. Five seconds of silence between episodes is not a problem worth solving.
Final Thoughts
Turning off Netflix autoplay takes a trip to your account settings on a browser. Mobile apps and TVs do not have the toggle. Both autoplay types are per-profile so you have to change each one.
If you have not configured your account in a while, you might also want to review your other subscription settings while you are in there.
Also, if you follow our steps and still face difficulties turning off autoplay on Netflix, seek help from Netflix Help Center or leave a comment in the comment section of our blog.