One of the most frustrating problems faced by modern content consumption is streaming videos buffering. Everyone comes across this every time they upload a streaming video; it’s that annoying spinning circle that tries to distract you while the content is loading in the background. Sometimes the buffering only lasts a few seconds, but sometimes you sit there and feel like forever, waiting impatiently, wondering if your video will ever load.
There are several ways to deal with streaming buffering. Let’s s the most effective ones:
Use a VPN that doesn’t limit your Internet speed.
There can be many reasons leading to buffering and deceleration issues. One of the most common is directly linked to your ISP provider.
The best way to put an end to slow buffering problems is to run a good VPN with fast and reliable servers. Virtual Private networks are powerful and easy to use, and you can run them on any of your devices, including PCs, smartphones, tablets, and even Fire TV. Just by signing up and connecting, you can instantly fix some buffering issues.
Virtual private networks provide privacy and anonymity through data encryption, a process that wraps each packet of information in a layer of unbreakable code before it leaves your device. No one can see what’s inside these packets, not even your ISP, which means they can’t take regulatory action for your connection.
You will be even more protected from these dangers thanks to the anonymization features provided by the VPN, which reduces buffering delays and ensures smooth and calm video every time you connect.
An active VPN will also allow you to easily bypass any territorial blocks. By the way, if your country has regional restrictions on Netflix, we recommend reading the Wizcase guide on how to bypass the Netflix proxy server.
Stop any other active downloads on your computer or mobile device.
Background processes and downloads can consume free resources, thereby limiting the streaming capabilities. Close all games and apps that may be running in the background during the live broadcast.
Pause the video for a few minutes to increase the available buffer.
This will allow the computer to download a larger portion of the video so that it can be viewed in its entirety without interruptions or pauses.
Consider increasing the speed of your Internet connection.
Update your router or data plan with your Internet service provider (ISP), or regularly delete your browser cache and cookies to reduce buffering and time lag.
Use a dual-band router.
This device broadcasts the network at a frequency of 5 GHz and has additional bandwidth. A router of this type is usually used to conduct online broadcasts on the Internet and is known to reduce buffering.
Wait until the streaming source is less loaded.
The servers of content providers such as Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube may be slower than usual, depending on the provider’s resources and peak hours. For example, studies conducted by the FCC have shown that the peak time of Internet traffic is between 8 and 10 pm. If the video hosting service continues to buffer the video, wait for the services to unload a little before continuing to view it.
Limit the number of active devices on the network.
Multiple devices running on the same Internet network will take up the bandwidth of this network and cause a buffering effect, especially if the router is not designed for high traffic intensity. When watching videos, make sure that the download speed is limited on all devices.
Check your computer for viruses and trojans.
Use antivirus software to detect and remove viruses and malware. Malware can run one or more processes in the background, thereby slowing down the speed of the Internet connection.
Reduce the video quality in the settings.
Lowering the video quality will help reduce network load and buffering cases. If you use third-party software or services to view the video, change the video quality in the settings m
Consider using a wired internet connection.
Signal problems, frequency changes, and physical obstacles such as walls or furniture can cause your wireless Internet connection to fail. Try switching to a wired connection to fix the buffering problem.
Install the latest graphics card drivers.
Most graphics cards are updated automatically when Microsoft or Apple updates are installed. However, if you have installed a different graphics card, go to the manufacturer’s website to download and install the updated drivers for it.