Dealing with error code 42 on Disney Plus can be pretty frustrating—especially when you’re just trying to binge your favorite show. Normally, it screams: “Hey, something’s wrong with your internet or their servers, ” but honestly, it’s more complicated than that. Sometimes, it’s just outdated cache or misfiring DNS settings messing with the connection. Fixing it usually involves a few common troubleshooting steps, but every device behaves differently, so a bit of trial and error might be needed. If you’ve already rebooted or updated your app without luck, these fixes could save you from pulling your hair out.
How can I fix the error code 42 on Disney Plus?
Power cycle your router
- Unplug the power cable from your router. Yeah, just yank it. Sometimes, the simplest move resets all those tiny internal processes that go haywire.
- Leave it off for about 30 seconds to a minute. Not sure why, but this little wait seems to clear some weird cache or stuck connections.
- Plug it back in and wait another 2 minutes or so until all the lights stabilize. It feels slow, but this helps your router settle down.
- Once the lights are stable, fire up Disney Plus again. Usually, this step helps if the issue is network weirdness or temporary server hiccups, and it’s low effort.
This fix is kind of weird, but in practice, it often flushes out pandy glitches that prevent the app from connecting properly. It applies whenever your internet connection feels flaky or if Disney’s server status looks okay but you’re still getting errors. Worked on a setup where the error pops up every now and then, especially after a long day of streaming.
Update your Disney Plus app
TV
- Start from the home screen, go to Apps.
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Search for Disney Plus, or select it from your app list.
- If it shows there’s an update available, smash that Update button. Trust me, app updates often fix compatibility issues or bugs that cause errors like 42.
Windows PC
- Hit the Windows key, type Microsoft Store, and open it.
- Click on the three dots at the top right and go to Downloads and updates.
- Hit Get updates. If Disney Plus app has a new version, it’ll start downloading. Sometimes, outdated versions just struggle to connect.
Android
- Fire up the Play Store, search for Disney Plus.
- If there’s an update option, tap Update. Some bugs only get fixed in the latest version, so don’t skip this step.
iOS
- Open the App Store, tap your profile icon.
- Tap My Apps.
- Look for Disney Plus and hit Update if it appears. Major fixes are rolled out through updates, so keeping everything fresh helps a lot.
Updating fixes are often overlooked but can resolve things sneaking under the radar, especially compatibility issues after system updates or app deprecated functions. It’s quick and worth it.
Sign out and sign back in
- Open Disney Plus on any device showing the error.
- Navigate to My Profile or Settings, then find Help & Settings.
- Tap or select Log Out. Confirm if asked.
- Wait a few seconds, then log in again—enter your email, phone number, and password or OTP.
Not sure why, but sometimes, Disney needs a little kick to resync your account info or clear session hiccups. On some setups, this step seemed to fix the error instantaneously, especially if you switch devices often.
Reinstall the Disney Plus app
TV
- From the home screen, go to Apps.
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Find Disney Plus, then select it and hit Uninstall.
- After uninstalling, head back to the Play Store, search again, and hit Install. Done this on a few TVs, and seems to clear stubborn bugs.
Windows PC
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Disney Plus, click the three-dot menu and select Uninstall. Confirm, then reboot if needed.
- Open the Microsoft Store, search for Disney Plus, and install again. Sometimes, a fresh install clears out corrupted files or runtime issues that trigger error code 42.
Android
- Tap and hold Disney Plus icon, then select Uninstall.
- Head to the Play Store, search for Disney Plus, and install it again.
iOS
- Long-press Disney Plus icon, tap Remove app, then Delete.
- Open the App Store, search for Disney Plus, and get that fresh install. Reinstalling can fix app-corruption issues that might block proper connection.
Reinstalling helps get rid of persistent bugs that a simple update might not fix, especially if your app keeps crashing or acts oddly. Took a couple of tries sometimes, but it’s worth it.
Clear your browser cache
- Open Chrome—because, honestly, most people try streaming via browser at some point.
- Click the three dots at the top right, go to Settings.
- Navigate to Privacy and security > Delete browsing data.
- Select All time in the Time range, check Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files.
- Hit Delete data. Sometimes, old cache or cookies mess with login sessions or streaming data, so clearing this can give it a fresh shot.
Change your DNS settings
PC
- Open Control Panel via the Start menu or search bar.
- Set View by to Large icons and go to Network and Sharing Center.
- Click Change adapter settings on the left.
- Right-click your active connection—Wi-Fi or Ethernet—and pick Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
- Check Use the following DNS server addresses. In preferred, type 8.8.8.8, and in alternate, 8.8.4.4. These are Google DNS servers and are usually more reliable, especially if your ISP’s default is flaky.
- Hit OK, then again to apply.
Changing DNS is kind of underrated, but it can help bypass regional blocks or DNS-related slowdown issues, particularly if your connection keeps stumbling on Disney content.
TV
- Go to Settings.
- Navigate to Network & Internet.
- Select your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
- Look for Advanced settings or IP settings. Switch DHCP to Static.
- Usually, you’ll see options for IP address, Gateway, and two DNS fields.
- Set DNS 1 to 8.8.8.8 and DNS 2 to 8.8.4.4. Save, and try streaming again.
Applying these DNS tweaks can resolve errors caused by regional restrictions or slow DNS servers, which might explain why Disney Plus keeps throwing error code 42 even if your internet seems fine.
Summary
- Restart your router after unplugging—sometimes, it resets weird network stuff.
- Update the Disney Plus app on all devices—old versions can throw compatibility fits.
- Sign out and back into your Disney account—boundary issues or session errors can cause connectivity problems.
- Reinstall the app if issues persist—corrupted files might be the culprit.
- Clear browser cache—stale cookies or cached data can interfere with login or streaming.
- Switch to Google DNS or set static DNS—helps bypass regional DNS problems or ISP throttling.
Wrap-up
Most of the time, error code 42 boils down to some network quirks or outdated app data. These fixes are generally simple but effective—no need to dive into complicated settings unless things stay stubborn. Every device has its quirks, so don’t get discouraged if one approach doesn’t work immediately. Usually, a combination of these fixes clears the way for smooth streaming again. Fingers crossed this helps somebody avoid the endless reload loop or calling support.