How to Stop Buffering When Streaming Online?

Who doesn’t hate buffering while streaming their videos? It can interrupt your viewing experience. Hence, many look for how to stop buffering when streaming.

The good news is there are ways to stop buffering when you are streaming. In this article, we are going to take a look at how to stop buffering when streaming.

1. What Can Cause Buffering Issues When You Are Streaming Online?

Before you move on to how to stop buffering on live videos, you need to know what leads to buffering.

• The streaming provider cannot send data to the device as fast as required.
• You have a slow internet connection that is unable to keep up with the incoming data.
• The home Wi-Fi network is making things slow down a little.

2. How to Stop Buffering When Streaming Online?

In case you start to stream and find video buffering, you can try out the options given below to fix the issue.

2.1 Turn Off the Video and Turn It Back on

This is a trick that works. The trick might have been subjected to several jokes but it can work. When you reboot the streaming platform, router, or TV, it can be a fresh start the system requires to get back on track. Do not give up until you have tried.

2.2 Ensure No Applications Are Running in the Background

You need to ensure that there are no pending downloads when you are streaming the videos. Also, it is a great idea to close down other apps or programs that you are streaming on the phone or computer.

2.3 Delete the Temporary Files and Browser Cache

In case you are using your desktop or laptop to stream videos through the browser, clear the temporary files and browser cache. It will help in cleaning up the gunk and speed up things a little. If you are using Google Chrome, you can look for the option under Settings and then Advanced Settings.

2.4 Disconnect All Other Devices from the Network

In case you have got smart TVs, desktops, laptops, tablets, or other devices connected to the network, they will be using up the bandwidth and cutting down on the streaming speed.

So, you can disconnect all other devices you are using or put them on airplane mode. It is something you have to be particularly conscious of if the internet speed is 25Mbps or less.

2.5 Reduce the Video Quality

If the above methods fail, you should try to lower the video quality of the stream to make sure things are moving smoothly.

The process to reduce the video quality is going to vary from one device to the other and also the streaming platform to use. However, usually, in most cases, the setting can be found in the settings of the streaming app.

Some streaming service platforms are going to sense the slowdown in speed and do it automatically. But if you do it manually, you can expedite things.

2.6 Update the Streaming App or Device

You should not ignore the update prompts of the smartphone or tablet. The new software might simply fix the problem that is causing a glitch or slowing down the device. An update will also help in improving security.

2.7 Switch the Router to 5 GHz

In case the router or modem is using a 2.4GHz frequency rather than 5GHz, the signal is going to travel farther but is also going to be much slower. This might lead to a buffering issue. Make sure that the router is close to the prime streaming device and use 5GHz to enjoy a better viewing experience.

If you have to check the frequency you are using, you need to type 192.168.0.1 into the browser window. It is going to bring up the window the name of the internet provider and ask for the admin name and password. When you insert the password, you will be given the option to choose between 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

3. How Can You Prevent Buffering While Streaming Videos?

If you are wondering how to stop buffering when streaming, you should look at the ways to prevent it altogether. The solutions that you are using are given below.

3.1 Stream in Non-Peak Hours

You might not realize but there are rush times for the internet, too. Studies have shown that the peak time for internet usage is 7 pm to 11 pm. So, more people the internet at this time of the day than any other.

It can put a big strain on the internet service provider network and it will ultimately trickle down to you as a slower overall speed since the ISP tries to balance bandwidth to make sure everyone gets to enjoy a smoother connection. So, plan your stream outside the rush hour.

3.2 Upgrade the Router

Not all routers are the same. Even though they last long, the technology they use might become outdated. In case the router is more than only a few years old, it is better to check the specifics and ensure it can support the speed you are paying for.

3.3 Move the Router Closer to Where You Are Streaming

You can move the device closer to the router if Ethernet is not an option. It will help in reducing signal loss and interference and will result in a faster and stronger Wi-Fi connection.

3.4 Avoid Buffering by Downloading Streaming Videos to Watch Offline

If you are experiencing a buffering issue while streaming online, you can consider downloading the content to your PC to watch completely offline. This way, you can avoid buffering for good. For that to happen, you can use a streaming downloader called StreamFab.

It is a streaming video downloader that lets you download streaming videos from different streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus Hotstar, and more.

It supports more than 1000 sites. You can save the video in up to 8K quality and output premium of AC3/EAC3 5.1 audios.

To download, you will have to follow a few simple steps. Let’s take a look at them.

• Download and install StreamFab on your desktop.

• Launch the downloader on your device.
• Go over to the streaming app page and log in using your login details.

• On the homepage of the streaming app search for the video, you want to download.
• When you find the video, play it.
• As the video plays, you will notice a pop-up window asking you to download it, click on the download option.

• When you have downloaded the video, play it whenever you want on the preferred device.

It makes sure that you do not encounter buffering problems while watching. However, the downloaded videos are only for personal purposes. You are allowed to make up to 50 downloads a day.

Final Words

Now you know how to stop buffering on live streaming and regular streaming. There are various tricks to go around it. You can try them out to solve the problem. But you can also download the content to watch offline.

Use StreamFab downloader and you don’t have to encounter any such issues. It comes with many features that can prove to be useful when you are downloading content and watching them offline.