Hulu Keeps Buffering? Here's Everything You Can Try to Fix the Problem

The popularity of Hulu has risen to the point where it is giving some tough competition to other video streaming services, including Netflix. The unique thing about Hulu is that it grows by leaps and bounds even when the company hasn't expanded its boundaries beyond the U.S.

Indeed, this on-demand video service is one of the best in business, and so, just like any other online streaming platform, Hulu comes with ad and ad-free subscriptions. 

So, if you have bought a subscription with the inclusion of ads, it can get as annoying as driving your head through the wall!

However, this article will guide you through the solution to how to block Hulu ads and get rid of common streaming issues. So, learn how to get rid of Hulu ads and enrich your streaming experience. 

1. What is Hulu?

If you are living in the U.S, chances are that you already know what Hulu is. Since Hulu hasn't extended its boundaries beyond the U.S for now, many people may not know what it is, and this section is for them. 

Like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, Hulu is a popular on-demand video and Live TV service currently available only in America. It was launched back in 2007-08, but with time, it has acquired more than 25 million subscribers across the country. 

Hulu is majorly owned by The Walt Disney Company, whereas NBCUniversal holds a minor part in it and is in good hands for now. 

The unique thing about Hulu is that it started with the purpose of streaming already-aired TV shows. Still, with time, as its popularity grew, the service started increasing its entertainment library. 

In other words, it also introduced thousands of movies and original TV shows in its collection, which has only worked wonders for the company. 

1.1 What to watch on Hulu?

You can have access to thousands of movies and TV shows on Hulu. Shows like The Handmaiden's Tale, Only Murders in the Building, and How I Met Your Father are some of the original Hulu shows that aren't streaming anywhere else in the world. 

Apart from the original shows and movies, Hulu is currently streaming the following popular movies: 

• Parasite 
• The Princess 
• Life in Pink 
• Fire Island
• Palm Springs
• The Valet and many more!

Amongst the TV shows, the following are the ones that you should want right now!

• Conversations with Friends
• Candy 
• Castle Rock 
• American Horror Story 
• Archer and so much more!

1.2 How to watch content on Hulu?

You will be required to purchase a Hulu subscription with or without ads to watch, stream, or download online videos, movies, or TV shows on Hulu. To buy the subscription, you must create a Hulu account with your credentials, phone number, email address, and password. 

It is quite like any other OTT service sign-up. However, we have listed the simple steps to create a Hulu account for your perusal. 

• Open or download the Hulu app on your device. You can also go to its website or plans page to sign-up. 
• Open it, and you will be automatically asked to sign-up for streaming the content.
• However, you will have to choose your Hulu bundle; that is the plan you want to subscribe to.
• Once you select your plan, double-check it for the trial and other things. Hulu's trial lasts for a month, but its Live TV plan is only for a week. So, make sure that you have chosen the plan that suits you. 
• Create your Hulu account by entering the credentials and filling out the form.
• Once done, select 'Continue' and enter the payment details.
• You will be offered to add a premium add-on plan to your subscription, which you can include in your trial. If not, you skip it.
• You will now press the 'Next' button to have a personalized Hulu account. 

1.3 What is the standard subscription price for Hulu?

The standard subscription for Hulu is available with ads and without ads. You can learn about the same below. 

• Hulu with ads - $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year
• Hulu without ads - $12.99 per month

Apart from the standard subscription plan, there are also add-on subscription plans where you can watch content from HBO Max, Cinemax, ESPN Plus, and more! Some of the ad-on programs are shared below. 

• Disney Bundle - $13.99 per month(Disney Plus and ESPN Plus included)
• Disney Bundle without ads - $19.99 per month (Disney Plus and ESPN Plus included)
• ESPN Plus – $10.99 per month
• HBO Max – $14. 99 per month
• Cinemax – $9.99 per month
• Showtime - $10.99 per month 

The standard subscription for Live TV Hulu with ads is $69.99 per month and $75.99 per month without ads.

2. Hulu Streaming Issues and How To Solve Them?

In June 2022, thousands of Hulu streamers reported Hulu streaming issues with the app. Many complained that Hulu keeps freezing, while others complained that Hulu keeps buffering. Even though the problem was solved and Hulu was back on; there was an outage for several hours. So, are Hulu streaming issues regular, and what are the solutions?

In this section, let's learn about some common Hulu streaming issues and how to solve or fix them. 

2.1 What to do if Hulu keeps buffering 

Follow the steps below if you notice Hulu buffering on your device more than usual. 

• Completely close the app and open it after a few minutes. Close any other app running in the background along with the Hulu app. Once done, wait for a minute or so, and re-open Hulu. 
• Check your internet connection and see if it's running slow. In most cases, it's the net that causes Hulu buffering. Thus, it is recommended to use a good internet connection for streaming online videos. 
• Turn off your device for a few minutes as well and see if Hulu keeps buffering or not. Make sure that you have also turned off the router and other connected devices to the Wi-Fi. 
• Check for updates on your device as well as the app. Many a time, Hulu keeps buffering because it hasn't been updated, and once done, it starts streaming again. You must also install new updates on your streaming device for the best streaming experience.
• Contact customer care if Hulu keeps buffering after taking all the above measures, for they can guide you better. 

2.2 What to do if Hulu keeps freezing 

If Hulu keeps buffering and freezing, try the following methods to solve the problem. 

• Uninstall and reinstall the app and see if it works. 
• Restart your device and check for updates. If any, immediately install them; chances are, your app will start streaming the content. 
• Check the speed of the internet and if the connection is working well. If not, restart the router or modem and see if Hulu keeps freezing still. 
• Clear cache and date if none of the above solutions work for you. Make sure you delete all data and caches related to the Hulu app. Here's how to do it – Settings >Apps and Notifications >Choose Hulu>Storage and Cache>Clear 
• Contact customer support if none of it works.

2.3 What you should do if Hulu skips episodes 

If Hulu skipping episodes is a part of your problems, then it is wise to follow the tips given below.

• Check whether Hulu servers are down or not because, in most cases, it's the service's status that causes the trouble. Use the DownDetector tool for the same, and you will receive a map that will indicate locations where the server is down. If your area is highlighted, this might be why Hulu is skipping episodes.
• Reboot your device and start the show to see if the problem continues. Usually, it goes away once you restart it. 
• Make sure that the app, as well as your streaming device, is updated. 
• Exit the app and re-open it after a few minutes. Sometimes, it starts glitching when used for hours. So, do that, and the problem will be fixed. 
• Turn off or remove VPN or any other extensions. The geo-blocking feature of Hulu may result in skipping episodes as well. 

2.4 Hulu buffering and Hulu troubleshooting 

If you are wondering why is Hulu so slow, it can be because of the issues mentioned above. Even though we have individually mentioned the best solutions, below are some lesser-used Hulu troubleshooting solutions for you. 

• Choose Hulu subscription without ads

As annoying as ads between streaming are, they can also lead to several issues, including freezing, buffering, and episode skipping. So, if you are still using Hulu with ads, it's about time you updated. However, if you cannot, try the following ideas for blocking ads on Hulu. 

• Reload the page, and you will notice that longer ads are replaced with shorter ads during streams. 
• Use Chrome extensions like Ad Skipper or Ad-Block Plus to remove the ads.
• Try web filtering 
• Open two or more tabs of the application and watch the one where the ad isn't streaming while muting the other tab. 
• Check for error codes in Hulu 

Try to check the details of a specific Hulu error code if you receive the same at the time of streaming. It is best to talk to customer care to get to the root of the problem and enrich your Hulu experience. 

• Try to stream Hulu on a different device

Install the app on a different (and updated) device to stream the video when nothing else works. If there is no buffering or freezing, it may be because your previous device has a problem. 

3. Why Watch Hulu With Ads When You Can Save Hulu Content Offline?

You shouldn't go through all the troubleshooting and find solutions for better streaming on Hulu when you have paid for it, right? 

Then, why don't you try StreamFab's Hulu downloader software and save your favorite movies and TV shows from Hulu on your device? 

You can download them effortlessly and watch them anywhere and whenever you want! 

If you want to know more about StreamFab, learn its features below.

3.1 Why StreamFab Hulu Downloader is better than using Hulu app for downloading?

If you are reading this section, chances are you are convinced that StreamFab has some features that Hulu and other OTT platforms may not provide you with. So, wait no more and read about a few spectacular features of this software. 

• Get your downloads and keep them forever

Even if you take the Hulu ads free subscription, you will never have full control over the downloads in your app. Hulu has partnerships with content creators which lets them use these for a limited period of time.

Once the license is over, the content is gone, no matter whether you have downloaded it or not. StreamFab will let you keep the download forever in and device of your choosing.

• More than 100 million downloads 

StreamFab downloader has amassed more than 80 million users across the globe who are downloading their favorite movies and TV shows by leaps and bounds! 

Yes, StreamFab has set the record straight with more than 100 million downloads, along with several updates and the introduction of new features!

• HD quality video with quick and easy multiple downloads 

The videos downloaded via this Hulu video downloader promise to maintain the quality of 720p HD along with the audio option of EAC3 5.1 and AAC 2.0 that you can choose as per your needs and interest. 

Apart from HD quality, you can download the episodes in batches within 10 to 20 minutes! StreamFab, thus, delivers multiple downloads at an unbelievable speed. 

• Batch downloads and super speed

Ever wanted to watch an entire series on Hulu? You might be wondering how you can download all episodes of a show.

With StreamFab, you can do it in one click. While downloading, you will get the option to choose multiple episodes and seasons of a show, and you can download them all in one click.

You can even set up auto-downloads for new seasons of your favorite shows. And StreamFab does all this at 10X speeds.

• Download Hulu content even if you don't live in the U.S

Perhaps the best feature of this Hulu download solution is that you do not have to live in the U.S or Japan, or anywhere else in the world to download Hulu content. All you need is a StreamFab downloader to complete your business.  

• No more dealing with ads.

Now you can say goodbye to Hulu freezing, buffering, and other streaming issues that may arise because of ads that pop up while watching TV shows under Hulu's basic plan. With StreamFab Hulu Downloader, there are no such interruptions.

Wrap up

You can choose to watch Hulu with or without ads, but undoubtedly, the latter will cost you more, and even then, you may have to deal with streaming issues on the app. 

If you want to pay less and still get the best experience of Hulu shows and videos, you need a downloader that can download the videos while also removing the ads automatically.

So, why not give the StreamFab Hulu Downloader a chance and see if it works better for you than paying for Hulu without ads?