The “Continue Watching” row on Netflix can be a persistent, and sometimes unwelcome, reminder of unfinished cinematic journeys or regrettable viewing choices. Fortunately, Netflix provides relatively straightforward methods to remove movies and TV shows from this section, allowing you to curate your viewing experience and say goodbye to those unwanted titles. This guide will walk you through every method, ensuring a clean and personalized Netflix interface.
Understanding Netflix’s Continue Watching Algorithm
Before diving into the “how-to,” it’s crucial to understand why Netflix populates the “Continue Watching” row in the first place. The algorithm analyzes your viewing history, specifically focusing on programs you’ve started but haven’t finished or shows where you haven’t watched every available episode. This feature aims to help you easily resume where you left off, streamlining your binge-watching experience. However, it also means those half-watched documentaries and guilty-pleasure reality shows linger long after you’ve lost interest. Therefore, removing them becomes essential for maintaining a tidy and relevant home screen.
Method 1: Removing Titles Directly from “Continue Watching” (Web Browser)
This is the most direct and effective method for removing unwanted titles, offering granular control over your viewing history.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Access Your Netflix Account: Open a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) and navigate to the Netflix website (netflix.com).
- Login to Your Profile: Sign in using your username and password.
- Locate the “Continue Watching” Row: Scroll down the homepage until you find the “Continue Watching” section.
- Hover Over the Title: Place your mouse cursor over the movie or TV show you want to remove.
- Click the Three Dots (Ellipsis): A small icon with three vertical dots (an ellipsis) will appear in the bottom right corner of the title card. Click on it.
- Select “Remove from Continue Watching”: A dropdown menu will appear. Choose the option labeled “Remove from Continue Watching.”
- Confirmation: The title should disappear almost immediately. If it doesn’t, refresh the page.
This method is quick, simple, and works reliably across most web browsers.
Method 2: Hiding Titles from Your Viewing Activity (All Devices)
This method utilizes the Viewing Activity section of your account settings. While slightly more involved than Method 1, it offers a comprehensive overview of your viewing history and allows for bulk removal of titles. This is particularly useful if you want to delete several titles at once.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Access Your Account Settings: Click on your profile icon in the top right corner of the Netflix website (or mobile app menu) and select “Account.”
- Locate Your Profile: Scroll down to the “Profile & Parental Controls” section. Find the profile you want to edit (e.g., “John’s Profile”).
- Select “Viewing Activity”: Click on the arrow next to your profile name to expand the section. Then, click on “Viewing Activity.”
- Browse Your Viewing History: This page displays a chronological list of everything you’ve watched on Netflix.
- Hide Individual Titles: To remove a specific title, click the “Hide” button (a crossed-out circle) next to the title you want to remove.
- Hide Entire Series: If you’ve watched multiple episodes of a TV show and want to remove the entire series from your viewing history, select the “Hide Series” option. This option appears when you click “Hide” on any episode of that series.
- Confirmation: The title will be hidden from your viewing history and removed from the “Continue Watching” section (usually within 24 hours, but often much faster).
This method provides a comprehensive way to manage your viewing history and remove unwanted titles from “Continue Watching” across all devices linked to your account. It’s particularly useful for managing the viewing history of shared profiles.
Method 3: Starting and Immediately Stopping a Title (All Devices)
This is a less elegant, but sometimes effective workaround, especially on devices where direct removal options are limited. The logic is that Netflix registers the program as “watched” after a few seconds.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Select the Title: Find the movie or TV show you want to remove from “Continue Watching.”
- Play the Title: Start playing the title.
- Stop Immediately: After a few seconds (5-10 seconds is usually sufficient), stop the title.
- Check “Continue Watching”: The title should disappear from the “Continue Watching” row shortly after.
This method works by tricking the algorithm into thinking you’ve finished watching enough of the title that it no longer needs to be suggested for continued viewing. It’s not always reliable, but it’s a quick and easy option to try, particularly on smart TVs or streaming devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How long does it take for a title to be removed from “Continue Watching” after I hide it?
A: Generally, it takes up to 24 hours for a title to disappear from the “Continue Watching” row after you hide it via the Viewing Activity page. However, in most cases, the removal is almost immediate, especially if you refresh the Netflix page or restart the app.
Q2: Can I remove multiple titles from “Continue Watching” at once?
A: Yes, through the Viewing Activity page, you can hide multiple titles individually. Unfortunately, there is no “select all” or bulk delete option. Each title must be removed individually.
Q3: Will removing a title from “Continue Watching” affect Netflix’s recommendations for me?
A: Yes, removing titles from your viewing history and “Continue Watching” will influence Netflix’s recommendation algorithm. By removing content you didn’t enjoy, you signal to Netflix that you’re not interested in similar titles, leading to more relevant and personalized recommendations in the future.
Q4: I’m using a shared Netflix account. Will removing titles affect other profiles?
A: No. The “Continue Watching” section and viewing history are specific to each profile. Removing titles from your profile will only affect your own viewing experience and recommendations.
Q5: I’ve removed a title, but it keeps reappearing in “Continue Watching.” Why?
A: This can happen if the title is still actively playing in the background on another device, or if your viewing activity hasn’t fully synced across all your devices. Make sure the title is completely stopped on all devices and try refreshing your Netflix account. If the issue persists, clearing your Netflix app’s cache can sometimes help.
Q6: Can I undo a title I’ve hidden from my Viewing Activity?
A: Yes! On the Viewing Activity page, at the bottom, you’ll see an option called “Show Hidden Titles“. Click this to reveal a list of all the titles you’ve previously hidden. Next to each title will be a “Unhide” button. Click this to restore the title to your viewing history and potentially back into “Continue Watching” if it was previously incomplete.
Q7: Does clearing my Netflix profile affect my download history?
A: No. Clearing your profile only affects viewing history, recommendations, and the “Continue Watching” section. It does not delete any downloaded content. Downloaded movies and TV shows are managed separately within the Netflix app.
Q8: Is there a way to prevent titles from automatically appearing in “Continue Watching” in the first place?
A: Unfortunately, there’s no direct setting to prevent titles from automatically populating the “Continue Watching” row. However, being mindful of what you start watching (and quickly abandoning what you dislike) can help minimize unwanted entries.
Q9: Does this apply to games available on Netflix?
A: No. The “Continue Watching” feature applies exclusively to movies and TV shows. Games downloaded and played through Netflix have their own separate progress saving systems.
Q10: I am trying to remove something on my smart TV, and the interface is clunky. Is there a better way?
A: Yes. The easiest method is often to use your web browser on a computer or mobile device. Log into your Netflix account through a browser, navigate to the “Viewing Activity” page, and remove the unwanted titles. These changes will then be reflected on your smart TV.
Q11: If I remove something from ‘Continue Watching’ will it also be removed from ‘My List’?
A: No. Removing something from “Continue Watching” and removing it from “My List” are independent actions. “My List” is a separate collection of titles that you’ve intentionally saved for later viewing.
Q12: Is there a parental control feature to prevent younger viewers from adding things to the “Continue Watching” row that I don’t want them seeing?
A: While you can’t directly prevent them from adding items, you can set up individual profiles for each family member with age restrictions. These restrictions limit the types of content they can access, thereby influencing what might appear in their “Continue Watching” row. You can also regularly review their viewing activity and remove titles you deem inappropriate.
By utilizing these methods and understanding the algorithm behind Netflix’s “Continue Watching” feature, you can effectively curate your viewing experience and enjoy a personalized and clutter-free home screen.