How to Make Netflix Better by Changing a Few Settings

Netflix works fine out of the box, but with a few setting tweaks, you can seriously level up your streaming experience. Whether you’re after better video quality, smarter recommendations, or less clutter, here are the settings worth changing.

1. Turn Off Autoplay Previews

You know that thing where trailers start playing as you scroll? Annoying. Kill it.

How:

• Go to Netflix.com on a browser.
• Click your profile icon > Manage Profiles.
• Select your profile.
• Uncheck “Autoplay previews while browsing on all devices.”
• Save.

Now you can scroll in peace.

2. Fine-Tune Your Recommendations

Netflix suggests what it thinks you want. Help it get smarter.

How:

• Head to Account > Viewing Activity.
• Hide stuff you don’t want influencing recommendations.
• Rate shows and movies you like (thumbs up/down helps).

This cuts down on the weird suggestions and makes your home screen more relevant.

3. Control Data Usage for Better Streaming Quality

If your video quality is randomly dropping, your settings might be capping it.

How:

• Go to Account > Profile > Playback Settings.
• Choose High for best video quality (just know it uses more data).
• Hit Save.

If you’re on a limited data plan, adjust accordingly.

4. Enable Subtitles the Right Way

Netflix subtitles can be ugly and hard to read—but you can customize them.

How:

• Go to Account > Subtitle Appearance.
• Change the font, size, and color for readability.
• Save and enjoy subtitles that don’t suck.

Great for foreign films or late-night bingeing without waking anyone up.

5. Set Maturity Controls (Even for Yourself)

Not just for kids. You can filter out content you don’t want to see.

How:

• Go to Account > Profile > Viewing Restrictions.
• Set a maturity rating limit or block specific titles.

Keeps your feed clean—and avoids awkward recommendations.

Bonus: Create Separate Profiles for Different Moods

Instead of letting Netflix mix your action movies with your feel-good shows, make extra profiles. One for thrillers, one for rom-coms, etc. It keeps recommendations sharp and makes it easier to find what you’re in the mood for.

Final Thought

Netflix gives you the defaults, but the best experience comes when you take control. These quick setting changes can make a big difference—more relevant picks, better visuals, and way less frustration.

Try a few. Your future self on the couch will thank you.