On April 8, 2025, streaming giant Hulu experienced a significant service disruption, leaving thousands of users across the United States unable to access content on the platform. Reports of issues began to surge early Tuesday morning, with outage tracker Down Detector noting a spike in complaints that continued throughout the day.
According to Down Detector, approximately 46% of the complaints were related to server connection issues, while 33% involved problems with video playback. Additionally, 23% of users reported app-related glitches, making it difficult for many to stream shows or even log into their accounts.
Hulu acknowledged the outage in a message posted to its support page and on its official social media channels. "Having issues logging in? If so – we’re on it! Our team has identified the issue, and we hope to have things back up and running soon," the company stated on Tuesday morning.
While Hulu has not specified the cause of the outage, the volume and distribution of complaints suggest that this incident is more severe than previous technical issues the platform has faced. Users in major cities such as Boston, New York City, Minneapolis, Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles reported difficulties accessing the service.
Many frustrated subscribers encountered a white screen on the desktop site displaying the message: 'Error 503 healthy backends.' This has led to a wave of complaints on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), where users expressed their dissatisfaction with the service. One user lamented, "What a surprise. Hulu easily is the most technically flawed streaming service. Frequently down & requires relogging in at least once a month."
The timing of the outage has raised eyebrows, especially since it coincided with the release of the highly anticipated sixth season of 'The Handmaid's Tale,' which dropped on the platform at midnight ET on April 8. Many users took to X to voice their frustration, questioning whether the outage was related to the influx of viewers attempting to watch the new season. "Hulu going down as soon as Handmaids Tale drops…. coincidence?" one user tweeted.
As Hulu's support team works to resolve the issues, some users have reported sporadic access through smart TVs, while others remain completely locked out on mobile devices and browsers. Experts recommend that users refrain from deleting or reinstalling the app, as this may complicate troubleshooting efforts once the service is restored.
In light of the ongoing issues, many Hulu subscribers may need to seek alternative platforms for their streaming needs. With approximately 53 million paid subscribers in the U.S. as of December 2024, the impact of this outage is significant, affecting a large number of viewers who rely on the service for their entertainment.
This developing story continues to unfold as Hulu provides updates on the situation. Subscribers are encouraged to monitor Hulu’s official support page and social media for real-time information regarding the outage and expected restoration times. As of now, the company has not provided a timeline for when full functionality will be restored.
In the meantime, Hulu users are left in limbo, hoping for a swift resolution to the service disruption that has left many unable to enjoy their favorite shows and movies. While the company works diligently to address the technical difficulties, the frustration among subscribers is palpable, highlighting the challenges that streaming services face in maintaining reliable access for their viewers.
