Hulu + Live TV won't work on my TV

  • 11 November 2019
  • 30 replies
  • 7485 views
M
Userlevel 2

I recently tried a trial subscription of Hulu + Live TV through my T-Mobile Home Internet Service. It won't work due to their security measures. I signed in using my laptop and that worked fine. I managed my account and added my Samsung TV. Went to my TV to activate it and I got an error message. Chatted with tech support and they said my IP address for the TV was in the wrong zip code area. My IP is likely generated from a router in Somerville, MA whereas I live in Wells, ME.

The laptop works because they expect a laptop to move around but they can't buy that my TV in Wells has a Somerville IP address. Tech offered no work around other than to cast it to my TV.

Just an observation in case anyone is contemplating the Hulu + Live TV service, it may not work.

30 replies

gramps28
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +14

Have you checked the zip code in the settings for the TV?

BTW, I love the Wells/Kennebunkport area of Maine.

Missed going the last 2 years and I hope to go back next year.

syaoran
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +15

Hulu has a system in place that locks in your home IP.  This can only be changed 4 times within a month or a maximum of 4 IP's can only be used per month for the service.  Live TV does not work outside of your home IP address but streaming content will. 

If you think the IP address is the issue, then contact your ISP.  If you are using T-Mobile's wireless internet, then the IP address provided by the tower might be coming from a neighboring County. 

Hulu is ver stubborn when it comes to how they restrict their service.  I was considering them a couple of months ago because I wanted my locals when we travel away for he for local news broadcasts.  I was told that wouldn't be possible because of the way their system works.  Anything outside of my local Cox assigned IP would not allow live TV.

Syaoran - I am not a T-Mobile Employee but I could use a new job!
M
Userlevel 2

Hulu asks for my zip code and when I enter it, it asks me if I'm sure I want to change it and then I get an error message.

D

When I go to live TV I am seeing a black screen and a running line.

P

I just got TMobile home internet and the same thing happened, I lost live tv on Hulu.  I called and the Hulu rep said it's the mobile IP address.  I'm curious if this can be resolved by being issued a static IP or using a VPN.

What's really irritating, when I talked to TMobile about home internet, I told them I stream EVERYTHING.  I guess lige tv isn't a part of "everything".

bradgrant
Userlevel 2
Badge +5

Hulu Live TV and Hulu's system needs a home network. Basically it uses this check in system. You cannot use it with any mobile provider at all without proper Home Network Check-in. Hulu simply cannot be used for anyone with only mobile data because the location and IP changes based on best quality of service. That being said it's Hulu's fault and absolutely no one else's. Hulu just has a terrible system setup. This is like early 2000s Compact Disc DRM nonsense from hell. 

H

I also have the same problem: T-mobile home internet uses a mobile IP address and Hulu + Live TV doesn’t work on a “home device” (TV) that is associated with a mobile IP address, etc.

I was able to set up monitor mirroring using my Macbook Air and my old (8 years?) Apple TV black brick but there were lags and freezes that made it unwatchable.  I’m considering buying a Chromecast but am not sure if that will fix the problem simply by being newer technology compared to my old Apple TV device. 

Also, it looks like the newest version of Chromecast is not compatible with laptops - it now only works with mobile devices (am I right about that?). I suppose I could relent and use an iPad but would rather use the laptop.

Thunderbolt to HDMI would probably work, but then my laptop is anchored to the TV.  

Does anyone have ideas or workarounds for this? 

Thank you!

V

Hulu asks for my zip code and when I enter it, it asks me if I'm sure I want to change it and then I get an error message.

Same, any update on this?

M
Userlevel 2
Badge +1

I had to drop Hulu TV because I was also told the IP was mobile. Signed up with YouTubeTV and it works just fine (and the guide is much better too)

B

I am having the same issues with Hulu. I can not log in or get Hulu to load using my T-mobile Home internet but when I use my T-mobile hotspot from my phone it works with lagging. Very confused 🤔 I don't have Hulu Live, just Hulu.

 

A

So I am a new T Mobile home internet user, whats everyone using for live internet based TV??

R

So I am a new T Mobile home internet user, whats everyone using for live internet based TV??


You Tube TV and Philo…  Now You Tube and Roku are fighting so I cannot use You Tube TV from my new Roku devices. 

F
Userlevel 2
Badge

You can still use YouTube tv you just access it through YouTube just look at the bottom and there’s a Icon at the bottom.

C

Has anyone tried using a WiFi router connected to the T-Mobile device, then log Hulu into that WiFi account?

G

I continue to have connection problems with Hulu. Will YouTube work better now?  I see in a previous note that YouTube and roku are fighting?  I use roku as my interface.

 

D

FWIW I just signed up for T-Mobile over the weekend and lost my Hulu live TV. I was able to get Hulu to let me view live content again only after chatting with a support agent, but I’m not certain how long that will last. Fingers crossed.

T
Userlevel 6
Badge +9

FWIW I just signed up for T-Mobile over the weekend and lost my Hulu live TV. I was able to get Hulu to let me view live content again only after chatting with a support agent, but I’m not certain how long that will last. Fingers crossed.

 

It may work until the gateway gets a new IP address, usually when it reboots.  Then, you might be faced with contacting Hulu again.

 

 

S

I tried to setup a Hulu account today and learned that Live TV is not supported easily by my T-Mobile home internet.  I was told I could sign up for the subscription, but I would have to call Hulu each time my IP address updates and that would happen every 2-3 days. I will pass until T Mobile and Hulu work through this.

B

I have live tv from Hulu with TMobile. T-Mobile has a dynamic IP address so that every time the IP address changes, I call Hulu with the current IP address and they update it. T-Mobile is supposed to be working on the issue so that my router will have a permanent address. I-phone 13 has a screen mirroring option that fixes the problem! However I have an I-phone 11 and no plans to upgrade in the near future. 

T
Userlevel 6
Badge +9

I-phone 13 has a screen mirroring option that fixes the problem! However I have an I-phone 11 and no plans to upgrade in the near future. 

 

What’s different with the iPhone13 vs iPhone11?

 

Don’t both use Apple iOS AirPlay to mirror (cast) to another device?

 

B

If you have a compatible tv you can download AirPlay-2. I-phone 13 has it built in and accessible in the settings. It is not a good alternative anyway. T-mobile needs to fix the problem of a changing IP address   

J

This is not a t-mobile issue. its a hulu issue.  there are other ways to verify my location. it make no sense that I can use Hulu on my laptop on my T-mobile home network but cant use it on my tv.   I shouldnt have to chose between having HULU live with terrible internet from optimum online. or canceling HULU and keeping t-mobile. many cable internet provider are terrible with either terrible service, overpriced. or bad customer service. not to mention some people dont even have that option other than cell service for home internet. This is all part of evolving to being cord cutters. Considering hulu is a big  part of  cord cutters. shouldn't they continue to help cord cutters by not having a need to rely on cable companies for internet.

M

I recently had the same problem, but if you call Hulu technical support at 888-265-6650 they will find your IP address and adjust your account where it will work.  Happily, it did.  Problem solved.

J

I had to drop Hulu TV because I was also told the IP was mobile. Signed up with YouTubeTV and it works just fine (and the guide is much better too)

I have had Hulu for 6 months with no issue now within the last 2 weeks it’s telling me I’m not at home I am assuming my t-mobile home internet is changing IP addresses and not keeping one static IP address. Does YouTube tv do this also? Just wondering because I’m going to need to change I can’t keep calling in weekly.

A

I had to drop Hulu TV because I was also told the IP was mobile. Signed up with YouTubeTV and it works just fine (and the guide is much better too)

How do the 2 compare? We’ve had Hulu Live and liked it for the most part until we switched to T-Mobile home internet and now have to call Hulu constantly for them to override the IP address issue. 

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