Live NetTV v5.0Buffering happens when video arrives more slowly than it is played. The player pauses, waits for more data, then carries on. The cause can be the stream itself, your internet plan, your Wi-Fi, or the device. Most people blame the first two, but in practice the weak link is usually the last few metres: the Wi-Fi signal between the router and the TV.
Step 1: Find out where the problem is
- Only one channel buffers, others are fine: that stream is overloaded. Try another link on the same channel.
- Everything buffers on the TV, but your phone streams fine in the same room: the TV device's Wi-Fi is the problem. Start at step 3.
- Everything buffers on every device: your internet connection or router is the problem. Start at step 2.
- Buffering only in the evening: your provider's network is congested at peak times. Steps 4 and 6 help.
Step 2: Test your actual speed
Run a speed test on the device that buffers, not on your phone. On Fire TV and Android TV, install a speed test app from the store, or open fast.com in a browser. Compare the result with what you need:
| Video quality | Minimum steady speed |
|---|---|
| SD (480p) | 3 Mbps |
| HD (720p) | 5 Mbps |
| Full HD (1080p) | 8–10 Mbps |
| 4K | 25 Mbps |
These figures are per stream. If others in your home are streaming or gaming at the same time, add their needs together. Our internet speed guide explains how to work out what your household needs.
Step 3: Fix the Wi-Fi between router and TV
Use the 5 GHz band
Most routers broadcast two networks: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 5 GHz band is much faster and far less crowded, but its range is shorter. If your router shows two network names, connect the TV device to the one ending in 5G or 5GHz. If it shows one name, the router chooses for you, usually well.
Not sure which band suits your room? The Wi-Fi band picker recommends one in three questions.
Move the router, or the device
- Put the router up high and in the open, not in a cupboard, behind the TV or on the floor.
- Keep it away from microwaves, cordless phone bases, fish tanks and thick walls.
- On a Fire TV Stick, use the HDMI extender from the box. It moves the stick out from behind the TV, whose metal back blocks the signal.
Check the signal on the device
On Fire TV, go to Settings › Network, highlight your network and press Play/Pause. Anything below Good will cause trouble with HD streams. If your router app shows a dBm number instead, our Wi-Fi signal checker translates it into what you can stream.
Step 4: Use a cable if you can
A wired Ethernet connection removes Wi-Fi from the equation entirely. It is the single most effective fix for buffering.
- Fire TV Stick: Amazon's Ethernet Adapter, or a compatible third-party one, plugs into the stick's power port. Micro-USB sticks (including the 4K Max) and the newer USB-C sticks need different adapters; our Firestick Ethernet guide shows which fits.
- Chromecast with Google TV: Google's power adapter with Ethernet, or a USB-C hub with an Ethernet port.
- Google TV Streamer, Android TV boxes, smart TVs: most have an Ethernet port built in.
If the router is in another room, powerline adapters carry network data over your home's electrical wiring and are usually more reliable than Wi-Fi through several walls. A mesh Wi-Fi system is the other good option for large homes.
Step 5: Restart everything, in the right order
Unplug the router for 30 seconds, plug it back in and wait two minutes until all its lights are steady. Then restart your TV device. This clears memory leaks in the router and gives the device a fresh connection.
Step 6: Change DNS
DNS turns website names into addresses. Your provider's DNS servers can be slow, especially at busy times, which delays the start of every stream segment. Switching to a public DNS service such as Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8) on your router often improves start times and reduces stalls. On Android phones you can set Private DNS to one.one.one.one or dns.google in the network settings.
Step 7: Lighten the load on the device
- Clear the cache of your streaming app. See how to clear cache.
- Close apps running in the background, and restart the device weekly.
- Make sure the device has at least 1 GB of free storage.
Step 8: Increase the player's buffer
A bigger buffer stores more video before playback starts, which absorbs short drops in speed. VLC lets you raise Network caching in its advanced settings. Our external player guide shows how. Expect a few more seconds' wait when a channel opens, in exchange for far fewer pauses.
What about a VPN?
A VPN adds encryption and an extra stop for your data, which usually slows streaming slightly. It helps only if your provider deliberately slows video traffic, which some do at peak times. If you suspect that, test with and without a VPN at the same time of day and compare.
Setting one up? Follow our Firestick VPN guide and estimate the speed cost with the VPN speed calculator.
Frequently asked questions
I pay for 100 Mbps. Why does it still buffer?
Your plan's speed reaches the router, not necessarily the TV. A weak Wi-Fi signal can cut what arrives at the TV to a small fraction of your plan's speed. Test on the TV device itself.
Will a newer router help?
If your router is more than five years old or does not support 5 GHz, yes. A Wi-Fi 6 router, or a mesh system in a larger home, can make a big difference.
Why does buffering get worse in the evening?
Evenings are peak time for internet use, so both your provider's network and the streaming servers are busiest. A wired connection and a bigger player buffer help most here.