Hulu Activate Not Working: How to Fix in Seconds

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Missing your favorite action-packed sports coverage on Hulu due to activation issues can sometimes be painful, especially because Hulu is something that you’ve paid for and yet, you cannot enjoy the benefits.

I have been in a similar situation before, and I know how dealing with such unexpected glitches feels like.

A couple of days back, I fired up my Hulu app and was looking forward to watching my favorite NFL team’s game when I realized I couldn’t get the activation process to work.

I struggled for a bit before giving up and turning to the internet.

I learned from my research that most of these issues are caused due to incompatibility of the app, incorrect browser settings, activation code mismatch, or it could also be due to a technical error at the service provider’s end.

I was able to fix my problem within a few hours of researching, but I did end up missing my game.

So I thought I’d make this comprehensive guide on quickly fixing the Hulu activate problem for other people facing the same issue.

You can resolve Hulu activate not working easily by simply relaunching the app, updating it, and disabling Adblockers. If that doesn’t work, try using a different browser or clearing your browser cache.

Close Hulu App

I found that the most recommended solution to this problem is, relaunching the Hulu app as it can resolve minor issues related to the app.

Moreover, when the application is started afresh, it drastically reduces the background processes, which impacts the performance of the Hulu app.

If you are running other applications, then I suggest you close them, as it frees up space to operate the Hulu app in a smooth and efficient manner.

Disengage Ad Blocker

Disabling the adblocker has saved my day on several occasions, especially for activating my online streaming account.

The problem with the ad blocker is that it mistakes the Hulu app for an audio and video autoplay employed by several online advertisers, which prompts the ad blocker to filter out certain processes run by Hulu, causing it to crash or throw an error at the time of activation.

Disabling the ad blocker in your browser settings can fix this problem.

Ensure that You’re Using the Right Code

An unsuccessful attempt to activate a Hulu account is largely attributed to a typo error from the user’s end.

At times, I have entered an incorrect code primarily due to my carelessness.

However, on other similar occasions, I have ended up using an already expired activation code which Hulu refuses to accept.

So I urge the readers to access their Hulu account with a calm and composed mind, especially when entering the activation code, and ensure that you enter it without any typo errors.

Use a Different Browser

Browser compatibility is yet another issue that needs to be looked at if you are to overcome hurdles related to Hulu account activation.

I usually run the Hulu app on my chrome browser. However, there was an instance when I couldn’t complete the activation process as Hulu threw an error stating “unsupported browser version”.

You can look out for the best web browsers for your Smart TV if you watch Hulu on your TV more than your laptop or PC. This will eliminate browser issues on your TV.

On updating the browser to its latest version, I could activate and run the Hulu app and watch all my favorite shows in a hassle-free manner.

Compatibility issues can also be observed in other web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, etc.

Therefore, I recommend you keep your browsers updated before launching the app, or if you have multiple browsers, then try launching the app on different browsers to get the desired outcome.

Reset Your Password

Using multiple streaming platforms, I sometimes find it difficult to access my account after a longer period of inactivity.

Under such circumstances, the streaming service provider is concerned about cybersecurity threats and can intentionally deny access to your account and restrict further activity.

The only way to solve this problem is by resetting your account password. Resetting the password gives a chance for Hulu to verify your identity and account details.

Many Hulu users have reported having to reset their passwords on several occasions to activate their accounts successfully.

I suggest the same to you if you’re trying to access your profile after a long time.

Login Using Email Address

The Hulu activation process can be hampered if the credentials used to log in are invalid.

This is mainly due to misspelling our credentials, or it could also be due to our forgetfulness.

For those who cannot use their Hulu credentials to log in, I recommend using email to get access to their Hulu account and begin the activation process straight away.

Clear Browsing Cache

Clearing the cache memories, browsing history, and other metadata can significantly improve the performance of the Hulu app, which otherwise would lag and sometimes even crash unexpectedly.

Deleting caches and browsing history frees up space that the Hulu app can effectively utilize to function smoothly.

I went through the help section of Hulu, where the streaming service provider explains the consequences of corrupt caches and its impact on streaming.

This could also be one of the reasons that deter Hulu activation.

Browse in Incognito Mode

A much better solution to corrupt caches is to browse and stream using the incognito mode.

I find this feature fascinating because it does not store browsing history, cookies, and passwords that degrade the app’s performance in the given browser and, most importantly.

I don’t have to engage in clearing activity frequently as none of my data or website info is stored by the browser.

From my observation, Hulu and other streaming apps performed well without much buffering when browsed in incognito mode.

Furthermore, it saved me from dealing with activation issues that usually exist otherwise.

Update Your Application

If you are using a Hulu mobile app, then it’s time to check for new updates.

Running an updated version of the streaming app offers a better experience for you as Hulu fixes most of its bugs through regular updates.

In addition to that, I would also recommend you update the OS versions of their viewing devices.

For instance, I have wondered why my iPhone doesn’t support the Hulu app, only to find out later that the app can run only on Iphones with higher IOS versions.

Uninstall and Reinstall Hulu App

If both the app and device are running on the newest versions and the activation problem still persists, it could be because of user data build-up in the mobile device.

I faced this problem with my iPhone, and all I did was uninstall and reinstall the Hulu app, as it helped me clear the clogged-up data and free my device memory to accommodate the streaming app.

The solution mentioned above works for android devices as well.

Deactivate Hulu Device

The last option to solve activation issues is to deactivate the Hulu device that is currently in use and reactivate it by adding the device again.

Sometimes the device becomes unresponsive to certain apps if used for a long time. Deactivating and reactivating the device can resolve issues.

So far, I have never had to deactivate my device, but many other users in the Hulu community who have been grappling with activation issues have resolved theirs by applying the above solution.

Final Thoughts

The activation issues need not be constrained to the above-discussed points as there are instances of outages from Hulu’s end, which had caused temporary activation issues for some.

As a last-ditch troubleshooting option, you can resort to power cycling your modem and resetting it.

Keep in mind that resetting the modem will cause it to erase all current settings, so you will have to set it up again.

Do note down your settings before you reset the modem.

If none of the above guidelines help resolve your issue, I advise you to seek assistance from Hulu’s customer care team.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an activation code for Hulu on my Apple TV?

Launch the Hulu app on Apple TV > Click “Log In “on the Welcome screen, then choose “Activate on a computer”. You will be redirected to a screen that will prompt you to navigate to hulu.com/activate, upon which the activation code appears on the screen.

How many devices can you have Hulu on?

Hulu does not limit the number of devices it can be used on, but it must be noted that streaming can be done only on two devices simultaneously.

How do I get the activation code for Hulu?

You can activate his Hulu device by navigating to hulu.com/activate, following which the activation code appears on the screen.

How do I reactivate my Hulu account?

Hulu accounts can be reactivated by visiting the Hulu Account Page at any time.