Want to know why does Netflix keep buffering when you have good WiFi? Sounds frustrating right? Buffering is not what you want when you want to enjoy your favorite show or match.
If you are getting this issue, worry not you are not alone. Here we will mention some actionable methods to remove the buffering issue easily.
So, without any delay let’s get started!
Netflix Buffering
Netflix is very popular with many around the world. It has more than 40 million subscribers and that number is growing constantly.
In the UK alone, it is around 12.5 million viewers. With such popularity, they must be close to perfection, yet their service is great but it is not impeccable.
In fact, the most common issue when it comes to Netflix is precisely the buffering problem.
So, for all of you who keep asking why does Netflix keeps buffering, we offer the solution to your conundrum.
Netflix Keep Buffering – Fix Methods
Let us learn the fix methods that you can apply if you are experiencing the issue with the streaming service.
Fix 1. Check Internet Connection
It may sound like you have heard it so many times, that it has become like a cliché, but this is the thing you should always do first. Also, check for all open applications or windows and close them all.
In many cases, nothing else is needed and luckily, you don’t need us anymore. For anyone else who found this action unfruitful and your Netflix keeps buffering, please read on.
If you want to check your bandwidth take into consideration that for any kind of content on Netflix, you need a minimum download speed of 0.5(Mbps).
Fix 2. Clear Cache of Smart TVs
If Netflix on your smart TV is buffering forever, take your remote and follow these steps.
Depending on the brand of TV, the menu will be slightly different, but these steps apply to all of them
- Press the little gear icon on your remote control
- Press Settings
- Go to System
- Find Application Settings
- Press Clear Cache and Cookies (This will erase all sign-ins from your TV and when you use Netflix after this, it will be like you are using it for the first time)
Fix 3. Change your Playback Options
Many times, changing the playback options can help you fix the issue that you are facing. To do so, follow the steps:
- Go to the Netflix home screen and select Account
- Go to My profile
- Select Playback Settings
- Find and select Data usage (Note that less data usage will provide you with low-quality playback, but on the bright side, the buffering will stop).
Fix 4. Fix your Bandwidth
You can go out of the house and check for your ISP cable, look what kind of cable goes to your modem, is it one cable or is it a splitter.
If you don’t know what ISP is, it stands for Internet Service Provider(AT&T, EE…). It is the wiring from your Internet provider.
Most people have a splitter cable and as the name suggests, it splits the signal between multiple sockets. The logic suggests, if the signal is split, you are not getting full power.
Sometimes the router will be moved several times until the correct position is found and all of these cables from the splitter might be going nowhere but, your signal could be reduced.
This happens when your TV and Internet are both from the same provider.
It means that it runs on only one cable. You can phone them and ask them to provide two separate cables for two separate services, your cable TV and your Internet.
Fix 5. Wired and Wireless Connection
If your Netflix still keeps buffering, try changing the way you are connected to the Internet. Wi-Fi is great, but it is not a direct connection and wired connection beats wireless at any time.
So, try connecting your devices directly to your modem. Also, pay attention to the cables as well. Your cables play a significant role and what type of cable you have makes all the difference.
So, if you are using the streaming service on your TV, it is always better to go for an Ethernet cable.
Fix 6. Get 5GHz Connection if Using on Mobile
The difference between the two is speed and range. The maximum connection speed of 2GHz is 150 Mbps and 5GHz is 1Gbps.
The maximum range of the signal is 410 ft for 2GHz and 410 amplified.
So, what that tells you that the first has a slower speed but better range, while the second is faster but at the short distance.
Everything depends on where you are, but you can try to connect on the 5GHz instead of 2GHz and see what will happen.
Fix 7. Increase your Wi-Fi Signal
You should choose the place in the room where your signal is strongest to amplify that strong signal.
You don’t want to boost a weak signal, because you don’t get much out of it. Buy a Wi-Fi extender and it should do the trick. Our suggestion will be to go for a WiFi Mesh system for your home.
You can also refer our guide on how to boost your WiFi signal if you don’t know how to optimise your connection.
Fix 8. Avoid Peak Times for Streaming
This is the same as when you have a broadband issue and the reason why does Netflix keep buffering might as well be due to the peak times.
More or fewer people watch TV at about the same time and that can lead to some buffering. The solution might be to stream while fewer people stream, but that’s not fun, right!
Fix 9. Update Software
Software updates are meant to make any app or device faster and fix the known bugs.
So, it is a better option to try and check for software updates both for the app and your device.
First, check the updates for your TV or Mobile. Steps to do this are the following:
- Go to Settings
- Find Software and check for updates
To update your app, you need to visit your app store and see if there are any available updates. If available, you should download it immediately.
Pretty straightforward and simple but sometimes that is enough to enjoy your evening.
Qos
If you don’t know what this is, it is the quality of service. It seems easy, but how to enter your router’s software?
Follow these steps
- Go to command prompt, type in the IPCONFIG, and press Enter
- Find Default Gateway and the number there is your router IP address
- Go to your browser
- Enter in the search box IP address of your router.
- Enter the username and password (it is the generic one unless you have changed it)
- Find Media Prioritization if you have one and put the device you prioritize.
Fix 10. Lower your Video Quality
It is great to watch a movie in a high resolution, but the problem is that your bandwidth may struggle to deliver this data.
Maybe you can reduce the quality and the steps you can find here.
- Go to the Internet Connection page
- Press Video quality
- If you have a minimum of 5 Mbps, press High
- If you have less than that, press Medium
- If you have less than 1,6 Mbps press Low
- Click Save
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have found the solution in our guide, we have provided quite a few and some of those were quite technical.
If you are still wondering why does my Netflix keep buffering, then you can check out Netflix support and your Internet Service Provider.
Get our guide to better WiFi and learn how you can fix your WiFi issues and get the most our of your Internet Plan.
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.