Netflix is back online after a three hour outage on Thursday that left customers unable to watch their favourite shows.

Customers started reporting issues with the service at about 1pm GMT saying it 'won't let them watch anything'.

The service came back online at about 4pm GMT for most users. Netflix has not said what caused the problem.

When the service returned the Netflix UK and Ireland account said: 'We're back. Thanks for your patience.'

Netflix came back up for most users at about 4pm GTM

Most of the reported problems with the service have come from western Europe, Malaysia and parts of China

The first reports came in at about 1pm GMT according to DownDetector

Netflix says it is working to solve the problem

Netflix apologised to users saying it was working to fix the problem as quickly as possible

DownDetector, a website that monitors online outages, reported issues worldwided but showed most of the problems in western Europe, parts of China and Malaysia.

There were also some reports of outages on the east coast of the United States.

Users took to social media to see whether other people were having issues connecting to Netflix, with some saying 'I don't know what to do with myself now'.

People shared pictures of their computer, TV, phone and laptop screens all saying there was an error.

There appeared to be several different error codes on display depending on the device being used to watch the streaming service.

Some of the errors said Netflix could not be reached or the service couldn't be reached. Others claimed not to be able to reach the title.

Netflix users took to Twitter to ask others if they were having problems connecting and to share their concerns over 'what to do now'

One user, called Charles Lopez said 'This is so disappointing. Netflix is down and I now have nothing to do while I sit at my desk at work'.

Another said they weren't concerned by the outage as they had their own form of entertainment.

A user called PastaHusband tweeted: 'Everyone is justified in mocking me for buying Blu-Rays and DVDs until Netflix goes down.

'[then] I get to temporarily look down smugly on everyone around me like Rorschach giving a monologue on top of the Comedians apartment building.'

Several users said they were having a quiet day and wanted to be able to watch Netflix to relax, asking when it would be available again.

One said 'Today is a down day and I need Netflix. What is happening?'