Struggling with unwanted titles cluttering your Netflix “Continue Watching” row on your Smart TV? This guide walks you through easy, step-by-step methods to remove or hide those shows and movies—no matter which Smart TV brand you use. Keep your home screen clean and personalized in just a few clicks.
Key Takeaways
- You can’t delete “Continue Watching” directly on most Smart TVs – but you can remove individual titles or hide the entire row using Netflix’s website or mobile app.
- Use the Netflix mobile app or web browser for full control – it’s the most reliable way to manage your viewing activity across all devices.
- Clearing viewing history removes items from “Continue Watching” – this is the official method recommended by Netflix.
- Different Smart TV brands (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.) have slightly different interfaces – but the core Netflix app behavior remains the same.
- Hiding the “Continue Watching” row is possible on some TVs – especially newer Samsung and LG models with customizable home screens.
- Logging out and back in resets temporary glitches – a simple fix that often restores missing menu options.
- Regular maintenance keeps your Netflix experience fresh – review and clean your “Continue Watching” list weekly for best results.
Introduction: Why Your “Continue Watching” Row Needs a Cleanup
We’ve all been there. You’re scrolling through Netflix on your Smart TV, ready to start something new, and there it is—the dreaded “Continue Watching” row. It’s packed with half-finished shows, forgotten documentaries, or that one movie you watched three months ago and never meant to finish. Not only does it clutter your screen, but it can also skew your recommendations, making Netflix suggest content based on things you’re no longer interested in.
The good news? You don’t have to live with it. While Netflix doesn’t offer a direct “delete all” button for “Continue Watching” on most Smart TV interfaces, there are several effective ways to remove individual titles or even hide the entire row. This guide will show you exactly how to do it—step by step—no matter what kind of Smart TV you own.
Whether you’re using a Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, or any other brand with built-in Netflix, we’ve got you covered. You’ll learn how to use the Netflix app on your phone, a web browser, or even your TV’s limited menu options to keep your viewing history clean and your home screen distraction-free.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know not only how to remove items from “Continue Watching,” but also how to prevent unwanted titles from appearing in the first place. Let’s get started!
Understanding How “Continue Watching” Works on Netflix
Before we dive into the removal process, it’s important to understand how Netflix’s “Continue Watching” feature actually functions. This row appears on your home screen and displays titles you’ve started but haven’t finished. Netflix tracks your progress—whether you’ve watched 2 minutes or 45 minutes—and keeps the show or movie in this row until you either finish it or manually remove it.
The “Continue Watching” list is synced across all your devices. That means if you start a show on your phone, it will appear on your Smart TV. Similarly, if you remove a title from your viewing history on a laptop, it will disappear from your TV’s “Continue Watching” row within a few minutes.
However, the Netflix app on Smart TVs is designed for simplicity, not customization. Most TV interfaces don’t include advanced account management tools like viewing history controls. That’s why you often can’t delete items directly from the TV—you need to use a secondary device like a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Netflix uses this data to personalize your experience. The more you watch, the better its algorithm gets at suggesting content you’ll love. But if your “Continue Watching” list is full of irrelevant or outdated titles, those recommendations can become less accurate. Cleaning up this list helps Netflix learn your current preferences and serve up better suggestions.
Method 1: Remove Items Using the Netflix Mobile App (Recommended)
The easiest and most reliable way to remove titles from “Continue Watching” on your Smart TV is by using the Netflix mobile app. This method works on both iOS and Android devices and gives you full control over your viewing history.
Step 1: Open the Netflix App on Your Phone
Launch the Netflix app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged into the same account you use on your Smart TV. If you have multiple profiles, switch to the one you want to manage.
Step 2: Go to Your Profile
Tap on your profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen. This will take you to your personal Netflix homepage.
Step 3: Access “Viewing Activity”
Scroll down until you see the “Viewing Activity” section. Tap on it. This page shows a complete list of everything you’ve watched on Netflix, including shows, movies, and even trailers.
Step 4: Find the Title You Want to Remove
Scroll through the list to find the title that’s currently in your “Continue Watching” row. You can search by name if the list is long.
Step 5: Remove the Title
Next to the title, you’ll see a small “X” or a trash can icon. Tap it. A confirmation message will appear asking if you’re sure you want to remove the title from your viewing history. Tap “Remove” to confirm.
Step 6: Wait for Sync
The change may take a few minutes to sync across all devices. Once it does, the title will disappear from the “Continue Watching” row on your Smart TV.
Pro Tip: Remove Multiple Titles at Once
If you want to clear several items, repeat the process for each title. Unfortunately, Netflix doesn’t offer a “remove all” button, so you’ll need to do this one by one. However, this method is still much faster than trying to navigate limited TV menus.
Example: Removing a Forgotten Documentary
Let’s say you started watching a nature documentary months ago but never finished it. It’s still sitting in your “Continue Watching” row, pushing newer shows down. Open the Netflix app, go to “Viewing Activity,” find the documentary, tap the “X,” and confirm. Within minutes, it’s gone from your TV screen.
Method 2: Use a Web Browser on a Computer or Tablet
If you don’t have a smartphone or prefer using a larger screen, you can manage your “Continue Watching” list from any web browser. This method is just as effective as the mobile app and works on Windows, Mac, Chromebooks, and tablets.
Step 1: Go to Netflix.com
Open your preferred web browser and navigate to [www.netflix.com](https://www.netflix.com). Log in with your account credentials.
Step 2: Select Your Profile
Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner and choose the profile you want to manage.
Step 3: Access Account Settings
Hover over your profile icon again and click on “Account” from the dropdown menu. This takes you to your account management page.
Step 4: Find “Viewing Activity”
Scroll down to the “Profile & Parental Controls” section. Under your profile name, click on “Viewing activity.” This opens a new page with your full watch history.
Step 5: Remove Unwanted Titles
Just like in the mobile app, you’ll see a list of everything you’ve watched. Find the title you want to remove and click the “X” next to it. Confirm the removal when prompted.
Step 6: Check Your Smart TV
Wait a few minutes for the change to sync. Then, go back to your Smart TV and refresh the Netflix app (or exit and reopen it). The removed title should no longer appear in “Continue Watching.”
Bonus: Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Speed
On a computer, you can use the “Find” function (Ctrl+F on Windows, Cmd+F on Mac) to quickly search for a specific title in your viewing history. This saves time if you have a long list.
Example: Cleaning Up After a Binge Session
Imagine you binge-watched a thriller series last weekend but didn’t finish the final episode. Now, every time you open Netflix on your TV, that cliffhanger is staring you in the face. Use the web browser method to remove the series from your viewing history. Problem solved—and no more spoilers!
Method 3: Hide the Entire “Continue Watching” Row (Samsung & LG TVs)
If you’d rather not see the “Continue Watching” row at all, some Smart TVs allow you to hide it entirely. This is especially useful if you share your account with family members or just prefer a cleaner home screen.
Step 1: Open Netflix on Your Smart TV
Launch the Netflix app from your TV’s home screen.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Continue Watching” Row
Use your remote to highlight the “Continue Watching” row.
Step 3: Press the “Up” Arrow or “Options” Button
On Samsung and LG TVs, pressing the “Up” arrow while the row is highlighted may reveal a small menu. Alternatively, press the “Options” or “More” button on your remote (often labeled with three dots or a gear icon).
Step 4: Select “Hide Row” or “Remove Row”
If available, you’ll see an option like “Hide this row” or “Remove from home.” Select it. The entire “Continue Watching” row will disappear from your home screen.
Important Notes
– This feature is not available on all Smart TV models. It’s most common on newer Samsung and LG TVs (2020 models and later).
– Hiding the row doesn’t delete your viewing history—it just removes it from view. You can still access paused content by searching for it.
– If you change your mind, you can usually unhide the row by going into Netflix settings or resetting the app.
Example: Creating a Kid-Friendly Home Screen
If you have children who use Netflix, you might want to hide the “Continue Watching” row to prevent them from accidentally resuming adult content. On a Samsung QLED TV, simply highlight the row, press the “Up” arrow, and select “Hide.” Now the row is gone, and your kids see only age-appropriate recommendations.
Method 4: Use the Netflix App Menu on Your Smart TV (Limited Options)
Some Smart TVs offer basic menu options within the Netflix app that allow you to remove individual titles—but this is rare and inconsistent across brands.
Step 1: Highlight the Title in “Continue Watching”
Use your remote to navigate to the title you want to remove.
Step 2: Press and Hold the “Select” Button
On some TVs, pressing and holding the center button (or “OK” button) on your remote will bring up a context menu.
Step 3: Look for “Remove” or “Delete” Option
If available, you’ll see an option like “Remove from Continue Watching” or “Delete.” Select it.
Step 4: Confirm the Action
Confirm when prompted. The title should disappear from the row.
Limitations
– This method works on very few Smart TV models. Most brands don’t support it.
– Even when available, the option may not appear for all titles.
– If the menu doesn’t show a remove option, you’ll need to use the mobile app or web browser method instead.
Example: Sony Bravia TV with Limited Functionality
On a Sony Bravia TV from 2021, some users report being able to remove titles by pressing and holding the “Enter” button. However, this doesn’t work consistently. If it fails, fall back to the mobile app method.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the right steps, you might run into problems. Here’s how to fix the most common issues.
Issue 1: Removed Title Still Appears on TV
Sometimes, a title you deleted from viewing history still shows up in “Continue Watching” on your Smart TV.
Solution: Force-close the Netflix app and reopen it. On most Smart TVs, you can do this by going to the home screen, finding Netflix in your apps list, and selecting “Force Stop” or “Close.” Then relaunch the app. The change should now appear.
Visual guide about How to Remove Continue Watching on Netflix Smart Tv
Image source: cdn.unlockboot.com
Issue 2: “Viewing Activity” Option Is Missing
If you can’t find the “Viewing Activity” section in the mobile app or on the website, you might be on a child profile or a restricted account.
Solution: Switch to the main profile. Only adult profiles have access to viewing history controls. If you’re the account owner, check your profile settings to ensure it’s not set as a kid’s profile.
Issue 3: Sync Delays Between Devices
Changes made on your phone or computer don’t appear on your TV right away.
Solution: Wait 5–10 minutes. Netflix syncs data periodically, not instantly. If it’s been longer, try logging out of Netflix on your TV and logging back in. This forces a fresh sync.
Issue 4: Can’t Hide the “Continue Watching” Row
The “Hide Row” option doesn’t appear on your TV.
Solution: Your TV model may not support this feature. Check your TV’s user manual or Netflix support page for compatibility. Alternatively, use the mobile app to remove individual titles instead.
Issue 5: Netflix App Crashes or Freezes
The app becomes unresponsive when trying to access settings.
Solution: Restart your Smart TV. Unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Update the Netflix app if an update is available. If problems persist, reinstall the app from your TV’s app store.
Preventing Unwanted Titles from Appearing
Once you’ve cleaned up your “Continue Watching” row, you can take steps to keep it that way.
Tip 1: Finish What You Start (Or Delete It)
If you start a show but lose interest, remove it from your viewing history right away. Don’t let it linger.
Tip 2: Use Multiple Profiles
Create separate profiles for different family members. This keeps viewing histories separate and prevents one person’s choices from cluttering another’s screen.
Tip 3: Regularly Review Your Viewing Activity
Set a monthly reminder to check your “Viewing Activity” and remove anything outdated.
Tip 4: Avoid Accidental Plays
Be careful when browsing. Hovering over a title for too long can sometimes trigger an automatic play, adding it to “Continue Watching” even if you didn’t intend to watch it.
Tip 5: Use “My List” Instead
Add shows you’re interested in to “My List” rather than starting them immediately. This keeps your “Continue Watching” row focused on active viewing.
Conclusion: Keep Your Netflix Experience Clean and Personalized
Managing your “Continue Watching” row on Netflix doesn’t have to be a hassle. While Smart TV interfaces are limited, using the Netflix mobile app or web browser gives you full control over your viewing history. Whether you remove individual titles, hide the entire row, or just stay on top of your watch list, a little maintenance goes a long way.
A clean “Continue Watching” row means better recommendations, less clutter, and a more enjoyable streaming experience. Plus, it helps Netflix learn what you really love—so you spend less time scrolling and more time watching.
So the next time you see that half-finished show staring back at you, don’t ignore it. Take two minutes to remove it using the methods in this guide. Your future self will thank you.
Remember: You’re in control of your Netflix experience. Keep it fresh, keep it personal, and keep watching what matters to you.