Thousands of users reported a massive global outage just as the highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things launched, with many unable to log in or stream Volume 1.
November 27, 2025: The highly anticipated release of Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 5 on Wednesday (November 26, 2025, in the US) led to thousands of fans logging in simultaneously to Netflix, causing a significant strain on the streaming platform’s servers.
Widespread Outage and NSES-500 Error
The massive surge in traffic resulted in a widespread outage, particularly in the United States. Down detector, a platform that tracks online outages, registered over 15,000 complaints from the US alone almost immediately following the premiere.
Many users reported being met with the frustrating NSES-500 error, which displays the message: “Something went wrong. Sorry, we’re having trouble with your request.”
This error prevented videos from loading, often freezing mid-episode or stopping the video from starting, disrupting the initial binge session for the show’s final season.
Understanding the NSES-500 Error
The NSES-500 error is primarily a server-side issue, indicating a temporary glitch or overload on Netflix’s end, which is common during record-breaking traffic events like a major show premiere. However, the error can also be triggered by local factors, such as network instability or corrupted cache files on the user’s device.
Quick Fixes to Resolve the NSES-500 Error
If you encounter the NSES-500 error while trying to stream Stranger Things Season 5 or any other content, here are the recommended troubleshooting steps:
- Refresh and Restart: The simplest fix is often the most effective. Close the browser tab or app and then reload the platform or application.
- Check Internet and Servers: Ensure your local network is functioning correctly. Netflix recommends a minimum speed of 25 Mbps or more for high-quality streaming. You can also visit Down detector or Netflix’s official status page to confirm if the issue is a known platform-wide outage.
- Clear Browser/App Cache: Corrupted cache data can cause playback conflicts.
- Chrome/Browser: Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data (select cached files and data).
- App (Mobile/Smart TV): Go to Settings > Apps > Netflix > Storage > Clear Cache.
- Update Software: Ensure your Netflix app or browser version is current, as outdated software can often lead to streaming conflicts.
- Switch Devices: Try accessing Netflix on a different device (like a phone or another browser). If the stream works there, the issue is likely isolated to your original device, and a full reinstallation of the Netflix application might be needed.
- Contact Support: If the error remains unresolved, use Netflix’s Help Center chat for faster assistance during peak outages, as email responses can take up to 24 hours.