Internet Tips and Tricks

How to Stop Buffering on Any Device: Fix Video Lag on Phones, TVs, Consoles & More

Buffering can ruin movie night in an instant. Whether you’re dealing with movie sites taking forever to load, phone apps videos keep buffering, or your TV stream constantly stuttering, the struggle is real.

Studies show that after just 2 seconds of buffering, viewers start leaving, and a single buffering pause can cause 40% of people to stop watching altogether.

Buffering occurs when a video can’t download data fast enough to keep up with playback. Streaming platforms load a few seconds in advance (the buffer), but if your internet is too slow or unstable, the video pauses until more data arrives. It can be caused by weak Wi-Fi, network congestion, outdated apps, or even high video quality settings that exceed your connection speed.

But don’t worry – we’ve got device-specific solutions to help you stop buffering on smartphones, smart TVs, gaming consoles, streaming sticks (like Roku & Fire Stick), and web browsers.

General Ways to Stop Buffering on Any Device

Before troubleshooting a specific device, try these universal fixes to stop buffering and improve your streaming experience.

These solutions apply to smartphones, smart TVs, game consoles, streaming sticks, and web browsers alike.

1. Check Your Internet Speed

Buffering happens when your connection is too slow to load video data fast enough. Streaming services have different speed requirements based on video quality.

Video Quality	Resolution	Minimum Speed Required
Standard Definition	480p	1–2 Mbps
High Definition (HD)	720p/1080p	3–5 Mbps
Ultra HD / 4K	2160p	15 Mbps or higher

What to do:

Run a speed test to check your current speed.

If your speed is below the required level, buffering is inevitable. You may need to upgrade your internet plan or improve your connection.

2. Restart Your Router and Streaming Device

Your router and devices store temporary network data (called cache). Over time, these can slow down performance. A restart clears these issues and refreshes connections.

Here’s what to do:

Power cycle your router/modem – unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.

Restart your device – whether it’s a smart TV, phone, laptop, or game console. This forces it to reconnect to the internet properly.

Bonus tip: If your router is older than 5 years, consider upgrading. Newer routers handle streaming traffic much better!

3. Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal

A weak Wi-Fi signal = slow speeds = buffering. Distance, walls, and interference weaken your signal.

Here’s how to improve your Wi-Fi signal:

Move closer to your router for a stronger signal.

If possible, connect to the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band instead of 2.4 GHz. The 5 GHz band offers faster speeds but works best within a short range.

Avoid interference from microwaves, baby monitors, or Bluetooth devices that can mess with Wi-Fi signals.

Bonus tip: If your home has dead spots, consider a Wi-Fi range extender or a mesh Wi-Fi system to improve coverage.

4. Use a Wired Connection (Ethernet) Whenever Possible

Wi-Fi can be inconsistent, especially in large homes or busy networks. On the other hand, a wired Ethernet connection delivers a faster and more stable internet connection.

If you’re streaming on a smart TV, gaming console, or PC, plug it into your router using an Ethernet cable for uninterrupted streaming.

Some streaming devices (like Fire Stick and Roku) support Ethernet adapters for better stability.

Bonus tip: Ethernet is the best fix for buffering if you experience Wi-Fi congestion or interference in your home.

5. Limit Other Devices on Your Network

If multiple devices are using your Wi-Fi at the same time (someone is gaming, video calling, or downloading files), it reduces the available bandwidth for streaming.

To stop buffering:

Pause or schedule large downloads, game updates, or cloud backups during streaming.

If your Wi-Fi supports it, enable Quality of Service (QoS) in your router settings to prioritize streaming traffic over other activities.

Bonus tip: If multiple people in your home stream at the same time, consider upgrading to a higher-speed internet plan or fiber optic internet for the best performance.

6. Lower Video Quality

Streaming at higher resolutions (1080p or 4K) requires more bandwidth. If your connection can’t keep up, you’ll experience buffering.

Go into your video player settings and select a lower resolution (e.g., switch from 4K to 1080p or from 1080p to 720p).

Many streaming platforms (like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+) allow you to manually adjust quality in the settings.

Bonus tip: If you’re on a limited mobile data plan, lowering video quality also reduces data usage!

7. Clear Cache and Temporary Data

Streaming apps and web browsers store temporary files (cache) to load content faster. Over time, these can become corrupted or take up too much space, causing buffering issues.

On a browser, clear cache in Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data.

On a smartphone, clear cache in Settings > Apps > [Streaming App] > Clear Cache.

On smart TVs and streaming sticks, go to App Settings and clear cache or reset the app.

Bonus tip: Some devices don’t have a manual “clear cache” option. In this case, uninstall and reinstall the streaming app to refresh it.

8. Update Your Apps and Software

Older versions of streaming apps and system software may have bugs or performance issues that cause buffering.

What to do:

Regularly check for updates in your device’s App Store, Play Store, or system settings.

If an app continues to buffer even after updating, uninstall and reinstall it for a fresh start.

Bonus tip: Enable automatic updates for streaming apps to keep them running smoothly!

9. Change DNS Settings (Advanced Fix)

DNS (Domain Name System) helps your device find video servers. Some ISPs have slow or congested DNS servers, causing video load times to increase.

Here’s how to change DNS settings:

Manually switch to Google DNS (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) in your Wi-Fi or network settings.

This can sometimes result in faster connections to streaming servers and less buffering.

Using a fast third-party DNS can connect you to servers closer to your location, reducing latency. It won’t turn a slow 5 Mbps line into 50 Mbps, but it can shave off some wait time when apps first start streaming.

Bonus tip: Changing DNS is especially helpful for gaming consoles and smart TVs that rely on stable connections for video streaming.

How to Stop Buffering on Smartphones

Streaming on a phone or tablet is super convenient – until the dreaded buffering icon pops up. If videos on your iPhone or Android keep buffering, try these steps:

Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data (or vice versa). If you’re on cellular data and the video is choppy, switch to a Wi-Fi network if available (it’s usually faster and more stable). Conversely, if the Wi-Fi is weak (one bar, far from router), your mobile 4G/5G might be faster. Choose the connection that gives better speeds.

Improve your Wi-Fi signal. Move closer to your router or eliminate obstacles. Walls, metal objects, and electronics can weaken Wi-Fi. If possible, use the less-crowded 5 GHz Wi-Fi band for better performance (modern phones support this and it offers faster speeds at short range).

Pause other downloads/apps. On a phone, background apps might be using bandwidth. If you’re downloading updates or someone is syncing photos in the background, it can steal speed from your stream. Pause any large downloads or updates while watching.

Check your data plan limits. If you’re on mobile data, know that some carriers throttle (slow down) your speed after you hit a data cap. That could make phone apps videos keep buffering even if you normally have fast internet. If this might be the case, connect to Wi-Fi or look into a plan with higher data limits to avoid throttling.

How to Stop Buffering on Smart TVs

Many modern TVs are “smart” – they connect to the internet and stream via apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, etc. But you might find yourself asking “why does my TV keep buffering?” mid-episode. Here’s how to fix buffering on smart TVs:

Boost your TV’s internet connection. Weak Wi-Fi is a common cause of buffering. If your TV is far from the router, follow the Wi-Fi signal improvement tips mentioned earlier. If possible, use a wired Ethernet connection for the best performance.

Limit other network traffic. Just like with phones, if other devices in your home are gobbling up bandwidth (another TV streaming, someone downloading files, gaming, etc.), your smart TV might buffer. Try streaming when others aren’t using the internet heavily, or pause those activities. This is especially important if you have a slower DSL/cable plan.

Consider a streaming device. If your smart TV is older or has notoriously buggy apps, using an external streaming stick or box (like a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, etc.) can improve streaming performance. These devices often have better hardware and get more frequent updates, which means less buffering. You would use the device’s apps instead of the TV’s built-in apps.

How to Stop Buffering on Game Consoles

Consoles like the PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch aren’t just for games – many people use them to watch Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and more. Consoles have powerful hardware, but buffering can still occur if something’s off.

Pause game downloads/update installs. This is a big one on consoles – they often download large game updates in the background. If you’re streaming a movie on the same console while a 20 GB game update downloads, you’ll almost certainly get buffering. Pause or schedule downloads for a later time. On PlayStation, you can check active downloads in Notifications > Downloads; on Xbox, in My Games & Apps > Manage > Queue. Make sure nothing heavy is downloading while you stream.

Close games or apps running in background. Consoles sometimes keep games suspended in the background. Closing any running game can free up resources and ensure the system devotes full attention to your streaming app. For instance, on Xbox you can press the Menu button on a game’s icon and choose “Quit” to close it completely.

How to Stop Buffering on Streaming Sticks (Roku, Fire Stick, etc.)

Streaming sticks and boxes – like Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, or Android TV boxes – are popular ways to turn any TV into a smart streaming hub. They’re convenient, but due to their small size, they rely on good Wi-Fi and efficient use of memory.

Position the device for better Wi-Fi. If your streaming stick is buffering, apply the Wi-Fi improvement tips covered earlier. You can also use an HDMI extender to reposition the stick for better reception.

Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi if available. Most modern streaming devices support dual-band Wi-Fi. Connect them to your router’s 5 GHz network rather than 2.4 GHz for faster speeds (5 GHz has shorter range but higher throughput, which is great if the device is in the same room or not too far from the router).

Reboot the device regularly. Streaming sticks are basically mini-computers and can get bogged down after running for long periods. If you encounter buffering or app slowdowns, try a quick reboot. You can unplug the power for 10 seconds and plug it back in. Many devices also have a Restart option in their Settings menu.

Manage device storage. Some devices (like Fire Stick or Android TV boxes) can run low on storage if you have too many apps, which may affect performance. Uninstall apps you don’t use to free up space. Also, on Fire TV you might consider turning off features like video autoplay on the home screen, which can consume resources.

Avoid overheating. Ensure the stick/box has proper ventilation. Overheating can throttle the device’s performance. If it’s stuffed in a tight space, it might help to use an HDMI extension cable to position it where air can circulate. Cool devices run more smoothly.

Tiny streaming devices are powerful, but giving them a strong network and a little maintenance will keep your shows playing without interruption.

How to Stop Buffering in Web Browsers

If you stream videos on your computer through web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.), you might face buffering there too. Perhaps a movie site is taking forever to load, or an online video lags on your laptop.

Close other heavy tabs and programs. Your browser might be downloading or updating something in another tab (or your computer might be doing cloud backups, etc.). If you have a bunch of tabs open, especially ones playing media (music streams, other videos, downloads), close those to free up bandwidth and system resources. Also, pause any software updates or large file downloads on your PC while watching.

Disable problematic extensions. Some browser extensions (like ad blockers or privacy extensions) might interfere with video playback on certain sites. As a test, try streaming in an Incognito/Private window (which typically disables extensions by default). If buffering improves, one of your extensions might be the culprit. You can then disable extensions one by one to find the cause.

Use a different browser. Not all browsers perform the same. If a video buffers in one browser, try another. For instance, some users find certain streaming platforms work better on Edge or Firefox than Chrome (or vice versa), due to how they handle video codecs or DRM. It doesn’t hurt to have an alternative browser for troubleshooting.

Upgrade Your Streaming Experience with Fast & Reliable Fiber Internet

Buffering can be caused by many factors, but the good news is there’s almost always a fix. We’ve covered how to stop buffering through quick tweaks: from clearing caches and updating apps to boosting your Wi-Fi signal and changing DNS settings.

However, if you’ve tried everything and still face constant buffering, the reality may be that your internet connection isn’t keeping up with your needs. The ultimate solution to buffering is a faster, more reliable internet service.

Upgrading to a fiber connection can provide the huge bandwidth and low latency necessary for today’s HD and 4K streaming. Unlike older technologies, fiber can deliver high speeds even at peak usage times, meaning you can stream on multiple devices with no interruptions.

Race Communications offers fiber optic plans starting at just $35 per month – an affordable way for smooth streaming for all your devices. With fiber, you won’t have to worry about videos pausing or dropping quality. It’s a long-term fix that tackles buffering at the source by giving you all the speed you need.