Your DirecTV Stream keeps buffering and you’re wondering why?
In this guide, we’ll be going through ALL possible causes for the issue with your DirecTV Stream App, along with their respective sources.
We’ll also make sure to unwrap the topic and provide you with the best and most time-efficient solutions!
To fix when DirecTV Stream is buffering to no avail, reboot the streaming device it is installed on and reconnect the device to the WiFi. After that, update the software of the streaming device as well as DirecTV and reinstall the app to fix the problem!
Keep reading to learn more details regarding the buffering and why it is occurring…
Why Does DirecTV Stream Keep Buffering?
If you’re having issues with the DirecTV Stream application, it could be happening due to multiple things.
It’s only expected to review the WiFi connection of your device and make sure everything is due with the speed, stability, and reliability of the connection!
Here’s a simple look over the most-frequent DirecTV buffering causes:
- The WiFi Connection is Weak
- The DirecTV App is Outdated
- There’s an issue with the Streamed Content
- The Resolution Settings of the App are Incorrect
All of the following things could have a slight, all the way to a major impact on what you stream through DirecTV.
To manage the problem, proceed with our troubleshooting guide!
How to Fix DirecTV Stream Buffering Issues?
We hope that you now have a general idea of why the problem is occurring and what could cause it.
That’ll enable you to reach your true troubleshooting potential, during our upcoming guide so make sure to pay attention to each solution, note, and tip that is included.
Let’s jump in!
Solution #1 Restart your Streaming Device
The first thing you should do is Reboot your Streaming Device, in order to get the DirecTV Stream app re-loaded.
It’s a trusty way to give a start to our troubleshooting and who knows, restarting your device may get the buffering problem resolved!
- Based on your device, use the Power Button or Unplug from Power!
Before unplugging your streaming device from the electrical outlet, it’s best to shut it down using the power options within the settings.
On most devices, performing a restart is possible by going into Settings > Power > “Restart”, and the process lasts about 60 seconds!
Note: When the restart is done, test whether the DirecTV is now buffering!
Solution #2 Stream Alternative Media!
Chances are that the media you’ve turned on for streaming is having host issues and therefore it is buffering for you on DirecTV Stream.
The best way to figure out if the problem is with a single media is to stream alternative videos within DirecTV Stream.
Use your streaming device’s navigation unit (remote or on-screen controls) to exit the current media.
Head to the home screen of the application and you’ll be able to choose a different video to be played on your device.
- Make sure that the new stream you’ll test on is not related to the previous one
This is important to mention since if a particular database of media from a single merchant is having signal issues, all content uploaded from them will buffer.
That problem is for DirecTV to take care of and there is nothing in your power you could do at the moment.
Tip: If the issue was with a single broadcast, report the problem to DirecTV.
Solution #3 Disconnect & Reconnect with the WiFi
Fertile WiFi Connection is most likely causing the stream within DirecTV Stream to buffer.
What you should do in this solution, is disconnect your streaming device from the WiFi and then connect it again.
This will refresh the connection of the device to your router, which will hopefully resolve the slow, nonpersistent connection troubles you may be going through.
Here’s how to reconnect most streaming devices from the WiFi, supporting DirecTV Stream:
- Navigate to the Settings of your streaming device.
- Access the WiFi tab.
- Locate the WiFi you’re connected with.
- Enter the configuration settings for the network.
- Choose “Disconnect” to unpair from the network.
- Press the WiFi network again and type in the password.
- Hit the “Connect” button to host the connection again.
Once your streaming device reconnects with the WiFi, test DirecTV Stream again!
Note: In the meantime, you could reboot your router device as well to refresh the WiFi.
Solution #4 Lower Video Resolution
Adjusting the video settings of the media that keeps buffering for you might be a solution.
High-resolution configurations could be causing buffering problems, especially if your WiFi/Network speeds are slow in general.
It’s a great way to test out whether the problem is due to high internet consumption, or if there is another problem to look out for.
- The default resolution setting for DirecTV Stream is set to Full HD 1080P
To change the resolution quality, follow these steps:
- With the DirecTV Stream app, press the INFO Button.
- Navigate to Audio/Video.
- Press the down arrow to change the resolution and format settings.
- Highlight a resolution (we suggest changing to SD 720P).
- Save the changes and exit the tab.
- Test…
After lowering the resolution, turn on a broadcast from DirecTV Stream and test. If the buffering persists, lower the resolution even more and repeat the same steps.
Note: If the buffering lasts even on the lowest resolution, revert back to Full HD 1080P.
Solution #5 Update Your Streaming Device/DirecTV Stream
Perhaps, either your streaming device or the DirecTV Stream app is outdated and this is the origin of the bothersome buffering,
We strongly suggest performing a software update to your streaming device and then verifying the version of the installed DirecTV application.
Let’s begin with an update on your streaming device!
How to update streaming device (universal steps):
- Navigate to Settings.
- Head to “Firmware” or “Software Update”.
- Press the Check for Updates button.
- If an update is available, press “Download & Install”.
- Wait…
How to update the DirecTV Stream app (universal steps):
- On your device, access the app store platform.
- Head to “Manage Installed Applications”.
- Use the search field to locate the DirecTV Stream app.
- Highlight the service.
- Press “Update” and wait…
Updating either your streaming device or the DirecTV Stream app will take a while. Especially if you haven’t updated your streaming device for a while now, the update could take up to 10 minutes.
Note: WiFi is required for both updating the DirecTV Stream app and your device.
Solution #6 Reinstall the DirecTV Stream App
If nothing worked so far, we strongly suggest Reinstalling the DirecTV Stream app.
It’s perhaps the quickest way out of this problem and works flawlessly to resolve application/platform issues with any service, including DirecTV.
All you have to do is first remove the DirecTV Stream app from your device and then download it again.
Follow these instructions to get the DirecTV Stream app reinstalled:
- Open the Settings of your device.
- Navigate to the Storage.
- Gain access to the app section.
- Use the search field to locate the DirecTV Stream app.
- Highlight the app and select “Uninstall”.
- Sit still until the DirecTV app is successfully removed from your device.
- Launch the app store.
- Download the DirecTV app on your device again.
- Complete the first-time launch setup.
- Test…
You’ll be required to sign back into your account after reinstalling the app. Make sure that you’re aware of the credentials used for the registration before removing the app.
Alert: Any in-app changes and configurations will be erased after uninstalling DirecTV.
Quick Recap:
Thus, DirecTV STREAM keeps buffering, rebooting the streaming device and reconnecting it to the WiFi, before updating both DirecTV and your streaming unit.
After that, lower the streamed video’s resolution and reinstall the DirecTV Stream platform. If you’re still experiencing issues with DirecTV Stream, it’s best to contact them directly!
Read Next: DirecTV Stream Not Available On Sony TV?
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.