Why videos buffer

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Problems with video buffering can be frustrating and have a negative impact on your live video streaming experience. There are several ways to stop and prevent buffering on your network, such as upgrading your router, reducing background processes, and removing malware from your system.

This wikiHow teaches you how to reduce buffering during streaming video. Quit all background apps and services.

Limit the number of devices connected to your network. Pause the video for a few minutes. Restart your router. Move closer to your wireless router. Use a wired connection. Reduce the video quality settings. Upgrade to a faster router. Upgrade to a faster internet plan. Clear your browser cache. Make sure your system and apps have the latest updates. Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers.

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Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article Steps. Related Articles. Article Summary. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. This allows your streaming video to build a bigger buffer. This allows the video to play longer before it needs to buffer again. Quit all other background programs. Other background processes and downloads will consume extra resources and bandwidth that could otherwise be attributed toward live streaming.

Even if they are running in the background. Quit any games and applications that may be running in the background when doing live streaming. Limit the amount of devices connected to your network. When streaming videos, make sure internet usage is limited across devices. Power off any internet-connected devices that are not needed. In this scenario, your device will buffer the data for the video and then begin playing it when there is enough data downloaded to prevent lag in the stream.

If the stream reaches the point where it no longer has enough data downloaded, it will pause the video, and thus you have to wait again while more data downloads. The buffering process can vary greatly based on how long the video is and the data contained within it. The buffering process may last just a few seconds for a shorter video, or several minutes for a longer video. If buffering is something that you are experiencing regularly, it may be time to upgrade your internet speed. A slow connection speed will consistently hinder the rate at which audio and video information are downloaded.

A fast speed, on the other hand, will allow you to stream very high quality videos almost instantly. Here is a resource to help you understand what speed is best for you,.

If you are streaming videos using your Android, iPhone, or iPad, the buffering issue might be even worse compared to your computer or laptop. This is usually because, at one time, your mobile device can connect either through mobile data or Wi-Fi, it cannot use both mediums at the same time.

And, if ever the speed of your internet gets slow , this will make your video to buffer frequently , or even worse, it might even disconnect you all together. It will be unfair to say that you can completely get rid of buffering. No matter if you have high-speed internet and brand new equipment, or subscribed to services from a reputed Internet Service Provider , you may still find your internet to be slowing down temporary or undergoing updates.

In case the reasons seem to be something else than such scheduled maintenance by your ISP, it is suggested to first identify the type of your Internet you are currently using. After knowing the type of your internet, consider looking for an alternative to upgrade your speed or switch to other internet types available in your area.

As in present times where every other device is now based on the internet , you may easily overlook it to be the reason for the buffering issue with your internet.

Therefore, it is suggested to check the number of such devices that might be consuming the bandwidth of your internet, not leaving much for your device to let you carry out important tasks uninterrupted of the devices that could be slowing down your internet speed includes smart speakers, tablets, smartwatches, cameras, doorbells, connected lighting, etc. Consider disabling or limiting them temporarily or go for an internet plan with more speed to resolve the issue.

You might feel like knocking off the screen of your computer, tablet, or phone when unable to load a simple webpage on it without knowing that you are not in the range of the WiFi network in your home or office.