# How to Stop Netflix from Automatically Playing After Work
Netflix has become a staple in many people’s daily routines, but sometimes you might find yourself wanting to take a break from automatic playback. Whether you’re trying to be more intentional about your viewing habits or simply want to avoid having episodes start playing without your permission, Netflix offers several ways to control this behavior. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about disabling autoplay features on Netflix.
## Understanding Netflix Autoplay Features
Netflix has two main autoplay features that you should be aware of. The first one is autoplay for the next episode in a series. When this feature is enabled, Netflix will automatically start playing the next episode as soon as the current one finishes. This can be convenient if you’re binge-watching, but it can also lead to unintended viewing sessions that eat up your time.
The second autoplay feature is autoplay previews while browsing. This feature causes Netflix to start playing trailers and previews when you hover your mouse over titles on the platform. This can be distracting if you’re simply browsing through content and not ready to commit to watching something yet.
## How to Access Your Netflix Account Settings
To disable these autoplay features, you’ll need to start by logging into your Netflix account. Once you’re logged in, look for your profile icon, which is typically located in the top right corner of the screen. Click on this profile icon to reveal a dropdown menu with several options.
From this dropdown menu, you should see an option labeled “Account.” Click on this option to access your account settings page. This is where you’ll find all the controls you need to manage your Netflix experience, including the autoplay settings.
## Finding the Playback Settings
Once you’re in your account settings, you’ll need to scroll down through the various options available. You’ll see sections for language, subtitles, and other preferences. Keep scrolling until you find a section called “Preferences.” Within this preferences section, you should locate an option called “Playback Settings.” This is the key area where you can control all the autoplay features on your account.
Click on the Playback Settings option to open the autoplay controls. This is where the magic happens, and where you can take control of your Netflix experience.
## Disabling Autoplay for Next Episodes
When you open the Playback Settings, you’ll see several options related to autoplay. The first option you’ll encounter is typically labeled something like “Autoplay next episode in a series on all devices.” This checkbox controls whether Netflix automatically starts playing the next episode when one finishes.
If you want to stop Netflix from automatically playing the next episode, simply uncheck this box. Once you uncheck it, Netflix will no longer automatically advance to the next episode. Instead, when an episode finishes, Netflix will pause and wait for you to manually select what you want to watch next. This gives you complete control over your viewing experience and prevents those unintended late-night binge sessions.
## Turning Off Autoplay Previews
The second autoplay option you’ll see is for autoplay previews while browsing. This feature is responsible for those trailers that start playing when you hover your mouse over show titles. Many people find this feature annoying because it can be distracting when you’re simply looking through the catalog to decide what to watch.
To disable this feature, look for a checkbox labeled something like “Autoplay previews while browsing on all devices” and uncheck it. Once you’ve done this, Netflix will no longer play trailers automatically when you move your mouse over titles. You’ll be able to browse through the catalog peacefully without unexpected videos starting to play.
## Important Information About Profile-Specific Settings
It’s crucial to understand that these autoplay settings are specific to the profile you’re editing. If you have multiple profiles on your Netflix account, such as one for yourself and one for family members, you’ll need to adjust these settings individually for each profile.
If you want to change the autoplay settings for all profiles on your account, you’ll need to go through this process separately for each profile. This means logging out of one profile, logging into another, and repeating the steps to disable autoplay for that profile as well. This approach ensures that each person using the account can have their own preferred settings.
## Saving Your Changes
After you’ve unchecked the autoplay options you want to disable, your changes should be saved automatically. Netflix typically saves preference changes immediately, so you don’t need to look for a save button or confirm your changes. However, it’s always a good idea to navigate away from the settings page and then return to verify that your changes have been applied correctly.
## Testing Your New Settings
Once you’ve disabled the autoplay features, you should test them to make sure they’re working as intended. If you disabled autoplay for next episodes, try watching an episode of a series and see if Netflix pauses when it finishes rather than automatically starting the next episode. If you disabled autoplay previews, browse through the Netflix catalog and confirm that trailers no longer play when you hover over titles.
## Additional Benefits of Disabling Autoplay
Disabling autoplay features can have several positive effects on your Netflix experience. First, it helps you maintain better control over your time and viewing habits. Instead of accidentally watching multiple episodes in a row, you can be more intentional about what you watch and when you watch it.
Second, disabling autoplay previews can make browsing Netflix more pleasant. You can look through the catalog at your own pace without being bombarded by unexpected trailers and previews. This creates a more relaxed browsing experience where you’re in control.
Third, if you’re concerned about data usage, disabling autoplay can help reduce the amount of data Netflix consumes on your account. Autoplay features, especially previews, can use data even when you’re not actively watching content. By disabling these features, you can have more control over your data consumption.
## Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you find that autoplay is still happening even after you’ve disabled it, there are a few things you can try. First, make sure you’re editing the correct profile. Remember that settings are profile-specific, so if you’re using a different profile than the one you edited, you’ll need to disable autoplay for that profile as well.
Second, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then log back into Netflix. Sometimes cached data can interfere with settings changes. After clearing your cache, log back in and check your playback settings to confirm they’re still disabled.
Third, if you’re using Netflix on multiple devices, remember that you may need to adjust settings on each device individually, depending on how Netflix handles settings synchronization across devices. Some devices may have their own local settings that override your account-level preferences.
## Using Netflix on Different Devices
Netflix works across many different devices, including computers, tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs. The process
