sling tv buffering problems

Experiencing Sling TV buffering problems? Stay with us to learn the quickest solutions!

To begin with, we should mention that buffering problems on any streaming device generally suggest an internet or WiFi problem in your setup.

However, buffering can also be caused by other factors so let’s explore the most important first!

To fix Sling TV buffering problems, check your internet speed and reduce the number of devices using your internet connection. Upgrading your internet plan or contacting your internet service provider can also help.

If using the application of Sling TV, then there are factors surrounding the mobile platform and device that can also produce buffering time and delay.

Why Does Sling Keep Buffering? – Top 6 Factors!

why does sling keep buffering

Sling TV keeps buffering because of the following reasons:

  1. Weak or slow internet connection (WiFi).
  2. A software-related/operating system bug.
  3. Outdated firmware (OS) of Sling television.
  4. The issue with the online browser (Web).
  5. Activated VPN or Proxy apps and services.
  6. Insufficient network resources/megabytes.
Info: The gravity of the situation strongly suggest internet issues, so this is what we’re mainly going to troubleshoot in this guide. 

How to Fix Problems With Sling TV Buffering?

Here are the top methods used for reducing buffering on Sling TV/app:

Optimize the Internet Connection

optimize the internet connecion

Sling recommends a minimum internet speed of 5Mbps for HD streaming so if your WiFi or internet speed is slower, buffering is expected.

Though most internet providers nowadays deliver way more than that so you need to perform a speed test to justify your internet speed.

You’ll soon receive the results of the speed test that’ll contain the “Mbps” of your network.

For optimal performance of online streaming services and Sling TV, you must have above 5 Mbps.

Is Your Sling TV Connected?

You also need to verify that your device is connected to a network and to the correct WiFi.

Some users who have dual-band networks may’ve accidentally connected their device to the 2.4GHz thread, which is far weaker than the 5GHz WiFi.

Reboot your Streaming Device

reboot your streaming device

Temporal issues with your streaming device could have a toll on the functionality of Sling TV, both the browser and app versions.

By rebooting your device, you will erase the temporary cache, which might have impacted the Sling’s TV performance really badly.  

Tip: Power Cycle

If you’re using a devoted streaming stick, for example, a Roku, Firestick, or a smart cable box, you could also try the power cycle process.

The process affects the power of the targeted device, discharging the hardware and refreshing the operating system.

  • To achieve a power cycle, unplug your device from power for 60 seconds!
Info: Keeping your Sling TV/streaming device unplugged for longer is recommended.

Temporarily Reduce the Video Quality

temporarily reduce the video quality

By reducing the video quality in your streams, you’ll be able to flatten the streaming feed and prevent Sling TV buffering problems.

High streaming quality requires strong and reliable internet, as well as some device performance and compatible hardware.

Follow these steps to reduce the streaming quality in Sling TV:

  1. Open the Sling TV app or web service.
  2. Select a channel or a program you wish to watch.
  3. Press the gear icon at the bottom-right corner.
  4. Choose “Quality” and change to the “SD” section.

Whilst HD requires a minimum of 5 Mbps of internet speed, there is no set recommendation for SD streaming.

The SD streaming is not much worse, in fact from 1080p you’ll be downgrading to 720p, which is not that impactful on the eye but a lot helpful for buffering issues.

Update your Browser/Sling TV App!

update your browser

To reach the utmost compatibility with the streaming player of Sling TV, you need to either update your browser or the Sling app based on your preference.

If you’re accessing the platform through an outdated client, it’s likely that abnormal things such as buffering to appear.

  • To update the browser, go to Three Dot Icon >  Settings >  Firmware > Update
  • To update Sling TV, go to Settings > Applications > Sling TV > Update 

For updating applications and services on your device, you also require an active internet connection. Thus, now’s another time to verify that your device is receiving internet.

Note: On different models of TVs and online browsers, updating might be different.

Reduce Network Usage!

reduce network usage

Networking tasks and processes that are considered “high-data demanding” have a grateful impact on the speed of your network, hence Sling keeps buffering.

However, we can manually prevent those networking processes to reduce network usage in our favor!

Here are a couple of ways to preserve the network resources for Sling TV:

  • Disable video conferencing services
  • Turn off cloud backups and sync
  • Interrupt large files downloads/uploads
  • Temporarily disable your torrenting

When you’re ready with the tips, keep a record of the results in your network speed tests.

The more network resources you have available, the less your Sling TV will buffer.

Disable an Active VPN or Proxy!

disable an active vpn or proxy

Streaming online while having an active VPN or proxy could impact the quality of your Sling TV stream and make them a buffer.

If you have a such service, you’ll be connected to a random server around the globe and your internet will take much more time than usual to load/travel.

  • To disable VPN/Proxy, access the interface app and select “Disable”!

Some VPNs are also offered as web extensions so if you have one added to your browser, stop it from the “extensions menu”.

You don’t have to necessarily delete the VPN service, but just make sure it is turned off for the rest of the guide.

Close Background Processes/Apps

close background processes apps

It’s important to make sure that no background processes or apps are limiting your device’s workability when Sling keeps buffering.

By closing all background processes and apps, your device would start operating faster and you shouldn’t be bothered by hardware throttling.

Simply stop all currently working applications on your Sling TV streaming device and only leave the content services.

Then stream something to check whether the buffering issues continue.

Clear Browser & Sling TV App Cache

As all devices pile up cache, your browser’s excess files could be the main thing causing buffering issues with Sling TV.

Browsers not only generate regular cache, but also record browsing data as well as cookies that contain saved login info for other online services.

clear browser & sling tv app cache

Clear Browser’s Cache Data:

  1. Launch your browser and go to “Settings”.
  2. Tap on “Cookies & Cache” or “Cache & Data”.
  3. Select “Cookies” first and tap on “Clear Cookies”.
  4. Press the back arrow and select “Browsing History”.
  5. Choose “Erase Browsing History” and confirm.

Clear Sling TV App Cache Data:

  1. Go to Settings > Storage or Apps.
  2. On iOS, scroll down to the apps.
  3. Locate the Sling TV app in the menu.
  4. Tap on the app and select Clear Cache.
  5. On iOS, tap the app and select Offload App.

Clearing the cache data on your browser or Sling TV app will sign you out from the associated account. Hence, you would need to sign in using your login credentials before continuing.

Flush DNS & Refresh IP Adress

flush dns & refresh ip address

This is the last, but most technical solution that has proven to be helpful when the streaming on Sling TV or any other live feed is buffering. Y

ou would need a Windows-operated computer that is connected to your WiFi router via Ethernet cable or WiFi to refresh the DNS and IP.

Follow the steps below to refresh your DNS and IP in easy steps:

  1. On your Windows computer, open the CMD (Command Prompt).
  2. Tip: Open the CMD by right-clicking > Open as Administrator.
  3. When the prompt appears, type “ipconfig /flushdns” and hit Enter.
  4. Then type “ipconfig /iprelease”, then type “ipconfig /iprenew”.

When you’re ready you can close the command prompt and check whether the streams on your Sling TV will now continue to buffer.

If yes, keep reading!

Need More Help? – Contact Support

If you’re still experiencing buffering with the Sling TV platform/app after making sure everything is correct with your setup, it’s probably an issue on Sling’s end.

Head to the Sling’s Support Center available only for the US during their working hours and request a live chat with an agent. Don’t forget to share what you’ve already tried.

Good luck!

Quick Recap:

Here we’ve learned that Sling TV buffering problems can be fixed by rebooting your streaming device and optimizing your internet (WiFi).

You should also address the problem by clearing the cache of your browser and updating the Sling TV app!

For more Sling TV and relevant solution guides, follow our blog!

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