Enjoying a seamless streaming experience means not having any form of glitches or disruption while watching videos online. It becomes a frustrating experience when your video pauses unexpectedly and sequentially.
Netflix is the home of shows, movies, and series; you can watch almost anything in the entertainment niche on the platform.
What happens when you use the Netflix app and face severe buffering issues? How do you solve this? In this article, I have highlighted possible causes and fixes for Netflix buffering.
Forms of Netflix Buffering
Netflix Buffering can occur in different forms, and they include:
- Momentary pause during active use.
- A red circular icon appears in the middle of the player.
- Moving white circular dots appear in the video player.
How To Identify Netflix Buffering Problems
Listed below are some of the things to look out for:
- Frozen Image.
- A black screen might appear.
- The gray-colored timeline changes from light to dark (The sequence in which it changes is usually from left to right. The changing timeline is just at the bottom of your player)
- A number count pops up in the middle of the Netflix video player. There might be a reset in the number count (back to zero); this count is usually ascending.
Causes of Netflix Buffering
Your Netflix might buffer due to any of the reasons stated below:
- Bad Internet Connection
A bad connection is the most common cause of Netflix buffering. Your Netflix will buffer when your connection to the internet is slow.
Addressing this now depends on your connection type, and a lot will depend on whether your connection to the internet is by your phone’s cellular data or Wi-Fi connection.
To be sure your connection is not an issue, double-check your internet speed using free tools online. To get started, just search “check internet speed” on Google Chrome.
- Outdated Netflix Update
User experience improves by consistently updating an app when necessary. For a platform like Netflix, you should expect new updates often.
You have to always be on the lookout for new updates because new features and outdated updates introduce bugs to the system. These bugs might cause Netflix buffering.
- Outdated Device Update
Occasionally, the issue may not be with your Netflix application but with your device.
It is essential to always check for new updates on your devices; this includes your personal computer, gaming console, tablet, and so on. What this does is that it improves the performance of your device.
Fixes For Netflix Buffering
Netflix buffering is not specific to any platform you access it (web, PC, Netflix app for phone and gaming console).
The fixes discussed below apply to all Netflix platforms.
- Restart Your Netflix App/ Web Browser
The first fix that comes to mind is restarting your Netflix app or web browser (it depends on what gadget you access Netflix).
Open and close the app three times in succession; you can also double-check for outdated updates and install new ones.
- Correct Internet Connection Errors
As highlighted above, a slow internet connection will buffer your Netflix. Too many users on your data connection can also reduce your internet speed. If you are on the same network with minimal bandwidth, your Netflix might buffer.
To fix this issue, you have to follow the Netflix recommendation; the recommendation is like a network connection chart that will guide you on the appropriate speed needed to avoid buffering. Below is the complete recommended guide:
- 0.5 Mbps produces minimal speed – Netflix Buffering is possible.
- 1.5 Mbps – general streaming- Minimal buffering.
- 3.0Mbps – SD streaming – No buffering.
- 5.0 Mbps – HD streaming – No buffering.
- 25 Mbps – UHD streaming – No Buffering.
NOTE: The higher the connection speed, the faster you consume data.
- Restarting Your Internet Source (Modem/Router)
Another way to fix the Netflix buffering issue is by restarting your router or modem. You should only do this if you notice that the internet speed is slow.
If you can’t fix the issue, reach out to your service provider to confirm if you are getting the required service level subscription.
- Reboot Your TV/Computer/Tablet
You need to get a system report on your TV/computer/tablet; if this does not work, double-check for system updates, then download and install new ones if necessary.
- Reduce Quality of Stream
You can also try to reduce the quality of your streaming. By default, Netflix picks the best video quality that matches your current internet speed.
A trick to solving this issue is to recognize that it streams at an unsustainable quality level, if there is fluctuation. To reduce the quality of your stream, follow the steps below:
- Launch the Netflix app or go to the Netflix website.
- Login to your account.
- Locate profile and parental controls.
- Click on Profile.
- Select playback settings.
- Click on data usable per screen.
- Change from auto to medium or low.
- Switch To Direct Connection
Changing your connection method might fix your issue; disconnect your modem and router. Connect your PC directly to your modem with an ethernet cable.
If there is a change, the issue is with your router or Wi-Fi network. Check if there are many users on your router and disconnect if any.
- Reposition Wi-Fi Signal
If the distance between your Wi-Fi and device is more than 1 meter, try to improve the signal by positioning it well. Remove any hindrance between the wireless router and your streaming device.
- Change Netflix Buffering Rate
After trying out fixes 1 to 7 and there are no changes, changing your Netflix buffering rate comes next. How to change your buffering rate for Windows OS, MacOS, and Gaming console is listed below:
For Windows OS
- Play a video.
- Simultaneously press the shift key, Alt key and left-click.
For Mac OS
- Play a video.
- Simultaneously press the shift button, options button and click.
For Gaming Console
On your Controller:
- Play a video.
- Press the up button twice.
- Press the down button twice.
- Press the left button once.
- Press the right button once.
- Press the left button once.
- Press the right button once.
- Press the up button thrice.
The above steps are to help you bring up the buffering rate menu. Once this pops up, adjust it and enjoy your video.
NOTE: Reducing your Netflix buffering rate reduces the speed at which your videos load, but it corrects the buffering issue while you watch.
