How to stop your internet connection from buffering

Define the problem     Find the culprits      Hack the solution What is buffering? “Buffering” is when your online device pauses mid-task.Your system will put your task on hold until enough data is downloaded to allow the music or video stream to play without lag.Though buffering may be annoying at first, it’s meant to help you stream more fluidly.  This temporary lag is often seen at the beginning of a video, but it can also occur when opening new web pages, streaming music or using apps on your cellphone.  The universal symbols for buffering are the infinite loop or the hourglass.

Did you know? Waiting icons make us willing to wait longer.In fact, three times as long as designs with no visualization to indicate something is happening behind the scenes, according to Jason Farman, author of Delayed Response.Causes of buffering According to The Guardian, internet speed and your equipment (i.e., computer and router) are the two main factors that affect buffering.

Issues that can ruin your streaming experience include: A slow internet connection Lack of bandwidth Provider throttling A slow network Too many devices on a network Device problems Poor Wi-Fi signal The video resolution is too high Buffering hacks: How to stop buffering before it stops you There a some options for you to try to stop the buffering.Problem Solution Webpage won’t loadClose unnecessary tabs.Restart your browser or switch to a different browser (i.e., try using Chrome instead of Safari).

Some pages load better in alternate browsers.Video stream won’t play Pause the video to allow enough data to download.Lower playback quality on your streaming service.

Music streaming won’t playPause music player to allow more data to download.App is freezingDelete and re-download the app.Close/turn off background applications in your settings tab.

General buffering and lagUpdate virus protection on your device.Viruses and malware can slow operations.Upgrade your internet speed.

How to stop buffering on streaming devices or services If you notice your favorite show is glitching or freezing, Verizon suggests a few ways to stop that buffering while streaming: Make sure no other programs are running on the device you are streaming from Restart your router and check your internet speed with a speed test Update your streaming app or device Use a direct connection like an Ethernet cable If you have a dual-band router, switch to 5.0 GHz What type of internet do you have? Let’s just say this upfront — avoiding all buffering is probably unavoidable.Even with high-speed internet and brand new equipment, any internet service provider (ISP) may still undergo updates or temporary slowdowns that are out of the individual consumer’s control.Some providers schedule systemwide updates after midnight to interrupt as little traffic as possible.

Identify what type of internet provider you are currently using and see if there is an alternative to either upgrade your speed or switch to a different type of provider in your area.Dial-up    DSL    Cable    Fiber    5G   Satellite How many devices are connected at once? In our current technology-driven economy where tons of everyday objects are getting upgraded for internet connectivity, it’s easy to overlook how many other devices are Wi-Fi vampires.Devices that may be slowing down your network include connected cameras, doorbells, tablets, smart speakers/voice assistants (like the Amazon Echo), smartwatches, connected lighting … and the list goes on.  What’s happening on those devices? Take a close look at how many of your devices are actively running at any time.

For instance, if you have four cellphones in your house and two of them belong to teenagers who are constantly on YouTube and Snapchat, then Netflix streaming on your smart TV can be negatively affected.  Buffering FAQs Why does my computer keep buffering? If you are on a network during a busy time or your ISP slows down your speed at certain times, you’ll experience lag when loading sites and streaming shows.Check our list above for other causes.Why is my internet fast, but streaming is buffering? Your device is probably competing against other devices connected to your network.

Check your speed to see if you are overloading what your plan is capable of handling.Can a virus cause buffering? Yes, malware can cause ​buffering issues​​​ when streaming, so check your device for viruses.Written by: Lisa Iscrupe Writer, Broadband & Data Content Lisa uses years of experience in sales and customer service for internet-TV providers to inform her writing on broadband.

Her work has been referenced by CNN and other national sources. In Lisa’s Words: Ever… Read more Edited by: Anine Sus Editor I Read bio What to read next Read more Featured 7 tips to reduce lag when online gaming Ari Howard — 4 min read Featured Ethernet vs.Wi-Fi: Which is faster? Michelle Honeyager — 5 min read Featured How much internet speed do I need? Robin Layton — 8 min read Latest Tuesday, January 28, 2025 How to stop your internet from buffering Lisa Iscrupe — 3 min read Friday, January 24, 2025 How to get the most out of your streaming services Camryn Smith — 3 min read Tuesday, January 21, 2025 Americans are getting over 267 Mbps in download speed, but are you? Robin Layton — 6 min read