How to Stop Buffering While Streaming Your Favorite Shows

The term buffering is well known to almost all netizens, especially streaming enthusiasts. Buffering pre-loads or you can say download streaming data or other media files while you are listening or watching it. Learn about in detail how to Stop Buffering While Streaming Your Favorite Shows ?

The pre-loaded data is saved on the device in the form of temporary caches and allows you to stream your favorite TV shows, films, songs, or other media without any interruption.

Online streaming platforms offer the buffering feature to provide a seamless streaming experience to their subscribers. However, a fast, reliable, and stable internet connection is mandatory if you actually want to benefit from this feature.
You can face slow buffering on any platform like Netflix, Youtube, or Hulu. Disney Plus users have recently reported a lot of problems with their Disney Plus apps, including buffering issues. If you are also facing such hitches, read these instant fixes for Disney Plus Not Working issue.
Let’s find out how to stop buffering while streaming your favorite shows. These are easy fixes and don’t necessarily require you to be a tech geek.

What actually is buffering?

There’s a misconception about buffering that you should clear up. Most people think that buffering occurs when your video stops and that annoying loading sign starts spinning. In reality, that’s the point when the buffering actually stops.

Technically, the video you are streaming is continuously buffering in normal circumstances. But, people have wrongly labeled the irritating spinning ring as the point where buffering starts. To keep it simple, we will also call it “buffering.”

What creates buffering issues?

Slow buffering or no buffering at all usually occurs due to one of these issues:

• You have a poor internet connection that is unable to pre-load the incoming media.
• Your streaming platform is unable to send data to your device fast enough.
• Your home Wi-Fi connection is slow and unstable.

How to overcome buffering while online streaming

If you start up a stream on Disney+, Hulu, Netflix or any other streaming platform and find out that buffering is happening very badly, try applying one of the given solutions to fix the issue.

1. Turn it off and then turn it back on

Yes, you heard it right and it is a serious thing. This solution may have been the topic of many memes and jokes, but let us tell you something, it really works. Rebooting the devices that are working like a router, TV, or streaming app can give your system a fresh start.

2. Kill the background applications

While you are at it, do check to make sure that no apps are working like downloading or updating in the background. It would also be a good idea to shut down any apps that are active in the background on your device like a PC, phone, or tablet.

3. Disconnect idle devices from the Wi-Fi network

If you have other internet-connected devices like smart TVs, tablets, or computers on your internet network, either turn them off or cut the Wi-Fi from them by disabling it. These devices could be consuming the bandwidth and penetrating into your stream.

4. Clear your web browser cache and temporary files

If you are using a web browser on your laptop to stream content, clearing up the cache and temporary files may help in improving the streaming quality and speed by cleaning out junk data.

5. Lower the video resolution

If all the options above fail, try lowering the video quality to get the stream load quickly. If you have been watching your videos in HD quality, your videos will take more time to buffer hence the buffering problem will occur. Most of the streaming platforms do it automatically when slow buffering is detected, but if you do it manually, it will expedite things.

6. Download media instead of streaming online

If you keep facing the video buffering issue, one thing you can do to avoid it is to download the content on the streaming app. If you have your streaming list sorted out, you can download it prior to watching. Download the video so you won’t have to put up with this buffering problem. This way you can even watch it without an internet connection.

Another solution to avoid the video buffering issue is to consider becoming a cord cutter. By eliminating traditional cable and switching to streaming services, you can download and watch your content beforehand without interruptions. It is a great option for those who frequently experience buffering problems.

7. Switch the frequency of your router to 5 GHz

If your internet router or modem is running on a 2.4 GHz frequency rather than 5 GHz, the Wi-Fi signal will be carried farther but with a slower speed. This could cause an annoying buffering issue. To avoid that, place your router closer to your streaming device and switch its frequency to 5 GHz for faster speed and a better watching experience. You can easily change the frequency of your router by accessing its settings through the admin portal.

8. Upgrade to a better internet connection

If you have tried everything and still the buffering issue is keeping up with you like a shadow, it’s perhaps due to the internet connection you are using. First, make sure you have enough data left in your plan to stream the content. Moreover, delve into residential internet service options to find a tailored solution that promises smoother and faster streaming experiences that align perfectly with your needs and preferences.

If there’s an ample data bucket left and you are constantly facing buffering issues, it could be due to insufficient speeds required for streaming. For example, Netflix ideally recommends an internet connection with a minimum 5 Mbps speed. If your connection offers a speed lesser than this, you must immediately upgrade it. Satellite internet, 5G/4G/LTE connections, and DSL offer enough speeds and data caps for online streaming.

Conclusion

Getting buffering issues while Streaming is such a nuisance. Hopefully, you’ve got rid of buffering issues by following our guide. So, Happy Streaming!