Struggling with unwanted titles cluttering your Netflix “Continue Watching” row on your Smart TV? This guide walks you through simple, brand-specific steps to remove or hide shows and movies from that list—whether you’re using a Samsung, LG, Sony, or other Smart TV. Keep your viewing history clean and personalized in just a few clicks.
Key Takeaways
- You can’t delete the “Continue Watching” row itself, but you can remove individual titles from it using your TV remote or Netflix account settings.
- Most Smart TVs allow removal directly from the Netflix app—look for the “Remove from Continue Watching” option when hovering over a title.
- Using a web browser gives you more control, including bulk removal and managing viewing activity across all devices.
- Clearing your viewing activity resets recommendations, so use it wisely if you rely on Netflix’s personalized suggestions.
- Parental controls can prevent unwanted additions to the Continue Watching list by restricting profile access.
- Some older Smart TV models may not support in-app removal—in those cases, use the Netflix website or mobile app instead.
- Regular maintenance keeps your queue tidy—set a monthly reminder to review and clean up your Continue Watching list.
How to Remove Netflix Continue Watching on Smart TV
If you’ve ever scrolled through Netflix on your Smart TV only to be greeted by a row of half-watched shows or movies you have no intention of finishing—or worse, something you watched years ago—you’re not alone. The “Continue Watching” row is designed to help you pick up where you left off, but sometimes it becomes more of a distraction than a helper. Whether it’s an embarrassing binge from last weekend, a kids’ show your child started but didn’t finish, or a movie you accidentally clicked on, that list can get messy fast.
The good news? You can remove titles from the “Continue Watching” row—even on your Smart TV. While Netflix doesn’t allow you to delete the entire row (it’s a core feature of the platform), you can clear individual items with just a few button presses. And if your Smart TV doesn’t support direct removal, there are alternative methods using your phone, tablet, or computer.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to remove Netflix Continue Watching on Smart TV step by step, covering all major brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, and more. We’ll also show you how to manage your viewing activity from a web browser, troubleshoot common issues, and keep your Netflix experience clean and personalized. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to take control of your Continue Watching list—no matter what device you’re using.
Why Does Netflix Show “Continue Watching”?
Before we dive into the removal process, it’s helpful to understand why Netflix includes the “Continue Watching” row in the first place. This feature is part of Netflix’s broader effort to enhance user experience through personalization. When you start watching a show or movie, Netflix logs your progress and adds it to this dedicated row so you can easily resume later—even if you switch devices.
Visual guide about How to Remove Netflix Continue Watching on Smart Tv
Image source: candid.technology
The row appears on nearly every Netflix interface, including Smart TVs, mobile apps, tablets, and web browsers. It’s especially useful for long series or movies you plan to finish over multiple sessions. However, it can also become cluttered with content you’ve lost interest in, accidentally played, or watched under a different profile.
Netflix uses your viewing history—including what’s in “Continue Watching”—to power its recommendation engine. The more you watch, the better Netflix gets at suggesting content you’ll enjoy. But if your Continue Watching list is filled with irrelevant or outdated titles, your recommendations may suffer. That’s why keeping this list clean isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about improving your overall Netflix experience.
Can You Delete the Entire “Continue Watching” Row?
Let’s address a common misconception: you cannot delete the “Continue Watching” row itself. This row is a permanent feature of the Netflix interface and appears on all devices, including Smart TVs. Netflix does not provide an option to disable or hide it entirely.
However, you can remove individual titles from the row. Once all titles are removed, the row may temporarily disappear—but it will reappear as soon as you start watching something new. So while you can’t eliminate the row forever, you can keep it empty and relevant.
This distinction is important because many users search for ways to “delete” or “hide” the entire row, only to find it’s not possible. The solution lies in managing the content within the row, not the row itself.
How to Remove Titles from “Continue Watching” on Smart TV
The method for removing titles varies slightly depending on your Smart TV brand and model. Most modern Smart TVs with the Netflix app support in-app removal, but older models may require alternative approaches. Below, we’ll cover step-by-step instructions for the most popular brands.
Removing Titles on Samsung Smart TVs
Samsung Smart TVs are among the most user-friendly when it comes to managing Netflix content. If you have a Samsung TV from 2015 or later, follow these steps:
- Open the Netflix app on your Samsung Smart TV.
- Navigate to the “Continue Watching” row using your remote.
- Highlight the title you want to remove.
- Press the Up arrow on your remote to reveal additional options.
- Select “Remove from Continue Watching” from the menu.
- Confirm by selecting “Remove” when prompted.
Tip: If the “Remove from Continue Watching” option doesn’t appear, your TV model may be too old or the app may need an update. Check for Netflix app updates in the Samsung Smart Hub.
Removing Titles on LG Smart TVs
LG Smart TVs with webOS (typically 2014 and newer) also support in-app removal. Here’s how:
- Launch the Netflix app on your LG TV.
- Use your remote to scroll to the “Continue Watching” row.
- Hover over the title you wish to remove.
- Press the OK or Enter button on your remote to open the title’s details.
- Look for the “Remove from Continue Watching” option (usually near the bottom).
- Select it and confirm your choice.
Note: On some LG models, you may need to press the Options button (three dots or a gear icon) to access the removal menu.
Removing Titles on Sony Smart TVs
Sony Bravia TVs with Android TV or Google TV interfaces offer a similar experience:
- Open Netflix on your Sony Smart TV.
- Navigate to the “Continue Watching” row.
- Highlight the unwanted title.
- Press the Options button on your remote (often labeled with three dots).
- Select “Remove from Continue Watching”.
- Confirm the action.
Tip: If you don’t see the Options button, try pressing and holding the OK button for a few seconds to bring up the menu.
Removing Titles on TCL and Roku TVs
TCL Smart TVs often run on Roku OS, which has its own Netflix app behavior:
- Open the Netflix channel on your TCL/Roku TV.
- Go to the “Continue Watching” row.
- Highlight the title you want to remove.
- Press the * (asterisk) button on your Roku remote to open the options menu.
- Select “Remove from Continue Watching”.
- Confirm your selection.
Note: Not all Roku models support this feature. If the option is missing, use the Netflix website or mobile app instead (see below).
Removing Titles on Other Smart TV Brands
For brands like Vizio, Hisense, or Philips, the process may vary. Here’s a general approach:
- Open Netflix and go to “Continue Watching.”
- Hover over the title.
- Look for a menu button (often a gear, three dots, or star icon).
- Check for a “Remove” or “Hide” option.
- If unavailable, proceed to the web-based method below.
Pro Tip: Always ensure your Netflix app is updated to the latest version. Older versions may lack removal features.
Alternative Method: Remove Titles Using Netflix Website
If your Smart TV doesn’t support in-app removal—or if you prefer a more comprehensive approach—you can manage your “Continue Watching” list from any web browser. This method works on any device and gives you full control over your viewing activity.
Step-by-Step: Remove Titles via Netflix Website
- Open a web browser on your computer, phone, or tablet.
- Go to netflix.com and sign in to your account.
- Hover over your profile icon in the top-right corner and select “Account”.
- Under the “Profile & Parental Controls” section, find the profile you want to edit and click the dropdown arrow.
- Select “Viewing activity”.
- You’ll see a list of everything you’ve watched, including items in “Continue Watching.”
- To remove a title, click the “Hide” icon (a small “X”) next to it.
- The title will be removed from “Continue Watching” and will no longer influence recommendations.
Important: Hiding a title from your viewing activity will also remove it from your viewing history. This action cannot be undone, so be selective.
Bulk Removal Tips
If your list is long and cluttered, you can remove multiple titles at once:
- Scroll through the “Viewing activity” page and click “Hide” on each unwanted title.
- Netflix does not offer a “Select All” option, so you’ll need to remove items one by one.
- Consider removing titles in batches—focus on the most recent or irrelevant ones first.
Bonus Tip: Use the search bar on the “Viewing activity” page to quickly find specific shows or movies.
Using the Netflix Mobile App to Manage Continue Watching
The Netflix mobile app (iOS and Android) also allows you to remove titles from “Continue Watching,” and it’s often faster than using a Smart TV remote.
Steps to Remove via Mobile App
- Open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet.
- Tap your profile icon to ensure you’re on the correct profile.
- Scroll down to the “Continue Watching” row.
- Tap and hold the title you want to remove.
- A menu will appear—select “Remove from Continue Watching”.
- Confirm the action.
Note: This change will sync across all devices, including your Smart TV, within a few minutes.
Advantage: The mobile app interface is more responsive and intuitive than most Smart TV remotes, making it ideal for quick cleanups.
Why Can’t I Remove a Title from Continue Watching?
Even with the right steps, you might encounter issues when trying to remove a title. Here are common reasons and solutions:
The “Remove” Option Is Missing
Cause: Your Smart TV model or Netflix app version doesn’t support in-app removal.
Solution: Use the Netflix website or mobile app instead. These platforms always support removal.
Title Reappears After Removal
Cause: Someone else on your account (or a child) started watching the title again.
Solution: Check which profile is active and remove the title from that profile’s viewing activity. Consider setting up separate profiles for family members.
Remote Not Responding
Cause: Remote battery is low or signal is weak.
Solution: Replace batteries or move closer to the TV. Try using the Netflix mobile app as a remote (via the “Remote” feature in the app).
App Freezes or Crashes
Cause: Outdated app or software glitch.
Solution: Force-close the Netflix app, restart your TV, and check for updates in your TV’s app store.
How to Prevent Unwanted Titles from Appearing
Removing titles is one thing—preventing them from appearing in the first place is even better. Here are proactive strategies:
Use Separate Profiles
Create individual profiles for each user. This keeps viewing histories separate and prevents kids’ shows or guest watches from cluttering your main profile.
Enable Parental Controls
Set maturity ratings for each profile to restrict access to certain content. This reduces accidental plays and keeps the Continue Watching list relevant.
Log Out After Guest Use
If someone else uses your TV, make sure they’re not signed into your profile. Or, let them use a guest profile if available.
Regularly Review Viewing Activity
Set a monthly reminder to check your “Viewing activity” page and remove unwanted titles. A little maintenance goes a long way.
Does Removing Titles Affect Recommendations?
Yes—but only slightly. Netflix uses your viewing history to suggest new content. When you remove a title from “Continue Watching” or hide it from your viewing activity, Netflix no longer considers it part of your preferences.
However, if you’ve watched multiple episodes of a show, Netflix may still recommend similar content based on the genre, actors, or themes. Removing one title won’t drastically change your recommendations unless it was a major part of your viewing pattern.
Tip: If you want to reset your recommendations entirely, you can contact Netflix support to request a full viewing history reset—but this is irreversible.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Netflix Experience Clean
Managing your “Continue Watching” list on Smart TV doesn’t have to be frustrating. With the right steps, you can easily remove unwanted titles and keep your Netflix interface clean and personalized. Whether you’re using a Samsung, LG, Sony, or another brand, the process is straightforward—and if your TV doesn’t support in-app removal, the web and mobile options have you covered.
Remember, the goal isn’t to eliminate the “Continue Watching” row (which isn’t possible), but to keep it relevant and useful. A little regular maintenance—like monthly cleanups or using separate profiles—can make a big difference in your streaming experience.
So the next time you see that embarrassing reality show or half-finished kids’ movie staring back at you, don’t panic. Just follow the steps in this guide, and take back control of your Netflix queue. Happy watching!