Why Is Spectrum App Buffering On Roku?

There are many factors contributing to spectrum app buffering on Roku.

This post, going to discuss what are those specific factors and also provide you with some handy troubleshooting methods that are proven to fix Spectrum buffering.

We have got a lot to discuss so let’s get started.

Spectrum app could be buffering because of several possible causes. It could buffer due to lack of available bandwidth from your ISP, wireless network issues, or specific channels service content delivery. 

There could also be system malfunctions or peak usage times that we are going to discuss more further in this post.

Before we jump right into the solutions, let’s take a look at the well-known reasons which could be preventing Spectrum from buffering normal.

Why Is Spectrum App on Roku Constantly Buffering?

Constant buffering could be caused due to connection issues, outdated apps, and internal issues with your device.

We have figured that it would be easier to troubleshoot if you know what you’re dealing with first.

Here is a list of all possible causes for Spectrum TV app buffering on Roku issue:

• Bad internet connection.
• Outdated Spectrum app.
• Outdated device firmware.
• Insufficient bandwidth.
• Specific channel or broadcast issues.
• Peak usage times.

If you’re still not able to figure out which one of these issues you’re experiencing, next we will start troubleshooting and close the circle of possible causes, and hopefully resolve the problem.

How To Fix Spectrum App Buffering on Roku?

Now that you know more about the issue, we shall proceed to the troubleshooting part of this post.

We recommend applying our methods in the order they are listed below so you can avoid unnecessary troubleshooting.

Pro Tip: Check if your Spectrum is still buffering, once you complete a method

Method #1 Change Roku Bitrate

A widely recommended solution by the community is to differ Roku’s bitrate. People share that this way you will be able to set the max Mb/s for each and every device connected to your router.

Your router contains a feature called traffic manager which has this exact same function as the name suggests. The default bitrate setting of your router will determine the quality of the content you want to enjoy.

The lower the Mb/s, the lower the quality content you will be able to watch.

If you set the bitrate to 3.5 Mb/s for instance, the highest video quality your router will allow is 720p, but if you lower the bitrate, you would watch even lower-quality content.

You can test your network online for free to determine issues with the network.

In that case, a temporary solution would be to lower the bitrate which will reduce the quality so videos can play even with slow networks.

Note:

Lowering the bitrate will NOT help if there is no network at all.

Method #2 Check For Update

Spectrum is well-known to contain bothersome issues when launched on an older version.

This is why our best suggestion would be to check for any available firmware updates that might contain a newer player version or configuration that deals with the buffering.

But Spectrum isn’t the only end of the issue you would have to check. Remember that your TV device is still of great importance for the buffering issue. 

If it isn’t updated to its latest firmware, there is a possibility that you are watching Spectrum content on an old video player.

That is why it is of great importance to always keep both your TV and spectrum app updated.

For your comfort, you could even enable auto-update which updates your TV and app automatically.

If you’ve done that already let’s move on to our next method.

Method #3 Troubleshoot Network

Slow internet speed could be the main reason for the frustrating Spectrum buffering.

Having a reliable and quality network is one of the most important factors when streaming any online broadcast, especially in Spectrum.

Every online streaming platform has its internet recommendation and limits that Roku should cover before intercepting any online stream. 

If you are below the average internet speed, however, you might have a hard time playing any online streaming through Roku.

This is exactly why we have gathered some useful network troubleshooting methods that will boost your connection speed to its finest.

Use Ethernet Cable

To achieve quality network performance on Roku, the best thing you could do is pair up your TV and router.

This way, your router device will transmit a signal directly into your Roku device and you won’t struggle from the wireless connection outages and delay.

All you have to do is simply grab an Ethernet cable and plug it’s both ends to the router and your TV. Then simply follow the on-screen guide to establish the connection and finalize the process.

Change Router Placement

If wiring up your connection doesn’t seem to fit your situation, you can still increase the strength of your wireless network (Wi-Fi) by placing your router closer to the Roku and TV device.

This way you will benefit from a faster network speed, which might put an end to the Spectrum app buffering on Roku issue.

Tip:

The recommendation here would be to position your router a maximum of one wall away from your devices as some wireless networks can hardly travel through more than one solid.

Method #4 Channel/Broadcast Issues

After troubleshooting your end, we shall take a look at Spectrum’s software. Sometimes buffering won’t be your fault and when this occurs, it is probably due to channel or broadcast issues with Spectrum servers.

The only thing you can do to justify this would be to mail or call the Spectrum support team.

You will be informed right away if there are any maintenance or issues with the channels and hopefully learn when the issue is going to be resolved.

If there is server maintenance within Spectrum, you will be warned at least a few days before the event takes place.

This way you will at least know if there are server issues and not spend your time applying methods that obviously won’t work.

Method #5 Power Reset Roku

The last and most effective method would be to perform a power cycle.

The method is well-known to deal with temporal power malfunctions, so don’t hesitate to try this method as soon as possible.

Note: We recommend applying this method to your router and TV as well.

Here is how to do it:

1. Turn off the Roku/device and unplug the power cable.
2. Wait for around 10 minutes.
3. Plug the power cable back into the power source.
4. Turn on Roku/device and see if the issue persists.

We have to warn you that some power malfunctions could be caused due to a power strip or divider device.

In that regard, our best suggestion is to plug Roku’s power cable directly into the wall outlet to hopefully evade unwanted complications.

Read Next: Can you Use Roku with Hotspot?

Bottom Line

Learning more about the Spectrum app buffering on the Roku issue should have helped you in your troubleshooting process.

As you are probably aware, sometimes the issue could be hardware related and in order to fix it, you might have to change components of your configuration.

If you have any concerns, you should call Spectrum right away and apply your warranty if it is intact. If not, you might have to make sure purchases.