Around a fifth of homes (5.2 million) subscribe to all three – Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ – of the most popular streaming platforms. On-demand streaming is where most of us head these days when looking for something to watch. We’re spoilt for choice with pre-recorded content and no one wants it spoilt with annoying technical interruption.
Buffering when streaming is the process of temporarily storing a portion of the video or audio data on your device before it's played. This creates a kind of ‘reserve’ that allows the content to play smoothly even if the internet connection slows down temporarily.
Streaming involves continuously transmitting data from a server to your device. Network conditions can fluctuate, causing temporary slowdowns. Buffering helps to bridge these gaps, preventing playback from stopping completely.
Run a speed test
If this is a common occurrence, it would be a good idea to check your internet speed.
There are lots of tools you can use. The Which? broadband speed test is a decent place to start to ensure you're getting the speeds promised by whoever provides your broadband. If it isn’t delivering then you should get in contact to find out what’s up.
And, if your speed is what’s promised, maybe you need to upgrade to a faster plan?
Upgrade your broadband
Upgrading to a faster broadband package gives you extra bandwidth, which means more data can be downloaded at once. This is crucial for streaming, as it allows your device to receive the video data quickly enough to play smoothly without interruptions. This is especially important for 4K – the latest display resolution with approximately 4,000 horizontal pixels – streaming.
Find out what internet speed you might need and then check out today’s latest deals and find a new faster service.
Restart your router and modem
The old ‘off and on’ can sometimes do the trick. A simple reboot can often resolve temporary connection glitches. Unplug both devices, wait 30 seconds, and then plug them back in.
Identify Interference
Wi-Fi signals can be hindered by walls, appliances (especially microwaves), and even other electronic devices. Try relocating your router to a central location or consider using a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal.
Lower the quality
High-definition (HD) and 4K videos require significant bandwidth. Consider lowering the video quality to 720p or even lower to reduce buffering.
Close unnecessary apps
Other applications and programs running in the background can consume bandwidth, slowing down your streaming. Close any unnecessary apps or programs.
Plug it in
If possible, connect your streaming device directly to your router using an Ethernet cable. Wired connections generally provide a more stable and faster connection than Wi-Fi.
Restart Your Device
A simple restart can often resolve software glitches that may be causing buffering.
Update software
Ensure your streaming device (smart TV, game console, streaming stick) and the streaming apps themselves are updated with the latest software versions. Updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements.
Clear app cache
Cached data can sometimes take up storage space and interfere with smooth streaming, so it can be worth clearing the cache on your streaming apps. Steps vary for this but in your device’s settings find the ‘Apps’ section and tap on ‘storage’ or ‘cache’ and then ‘clear cache’.
Extra support
If you've tried all the troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing buffering issues, contact your ISP's customer support for assistance. There could be reported outages in your area.
