How to prevent buffering while streaming

BY HCIS

Every wonder why Netflix, Amazon, YouTube TV, and others always buffer every time you try to watch something?

The best way to deal with constant buffering is to prevent it from happening in the first place, and fortunately this is a problem that has many solutions.

If streaming and you experience buffering issues, try one of these options to fix the problem:

• Turn it off and turn it back on. Yes, HCIS is serious. This isn’t a joke, it actually works. Rebooting your TV, router, or streaming platform can be just what your system needs. Give it a fresh restart, power off the device for 10-20 seconds, and its possibly all your system needs to get back on track.
• Make sure no applications are running in the background. Make sure there are no downloads happening while streaming. Apps and programs love to update at the worst time possible, and it’s also a good idea to close any other programs or apps if you’re streaming on a computer or phone.
  
• Gaming Systems. Make sure all gaming systems are set to update at non peak hours. Schedule those game downloads for between 12am-5am. No need to have updates slowing down your service.
• Disconnect other devices from the network. If you’ve got other smart TVs, computers, tablets, or other devices connected to your network, they could be using up bandwidth and cutting into your stream. This is something you have to be especially conscious of if your internet speed is 10 Mbps or slower.
• Reduce the video quality. If all else fails, lower the video quality of your stream to get service streaming more effectively. Access your device or streaming platform and adjust your video settings. Most streaming platforms perform this service automatically but making this adjustment manually will speed along the process.
• Plan your streaming for non-peak hours. You may not realize it, but the internet has a rush hour. The US peak internet usage in from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. More people are actively using the internet during this time than any other.

This can put a major strain on an ISP’s network, which in turn trickles down to you in the form of slower overall speeds as the provider tries to balance bandwidth and keep everyone’s connection running as smoothly as possible. Planning your streaming time outside this rush hour can go a long way toward minimizing issues.

• Upgrade your router. Not all wireless routers are created equal, and while they generally last a long time, the technology they use can become outdated quickly. If your router is more than a couple years old, it’s a good idea to check its specs and make sure it can support the internet speed you’re paying for. 
• Connect your streaming devices using Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi. If possible, connecting your streaming device directly to your modem and bypassing Wi-Fi entirely is the best way to ensure a strong connection. Even the fastest Wi-Fi networks are vulnerable to interference and signal loss from traveling through the air and objects in your home. An Ethernet connection avoids these problems.
• Move your router closer to where you stream. Relocate your router closer a central location in the house, for instance the living room or whatever room you do most of your streaming. This can reduce signal loss and interference, resulting in a stronger, faster Wi-Fi connection.
• Keep your devices updated. In some cases, simply updating software and firmware on devices will fix problem and provide other improvements. These updates can provide new features that can increase performance and may cut down on streaming problems.
• Upgrade your internet service speed. Finally, if you’ve tried the other suggestions and nothing is helping, you can always spring for a faster internet connection. More speed may be enough to power through other issues and get your streaming up to speed.  Call HCIS today to increase your speed package.