Buzz
Buffering occurs when a video suddenly halts or lowers its resolution, only resuming once it has buffered enough. This can be frustrating and disrupt your video viewing experience. There are several ways to prevent buffering, such as upgrading your router, reducing background processes, and eliminating malware from your system.
Steps to Follow
Stop all downloads on your computer or device. Background processes and data downloads consume a lot of resources and bandwidth that should be allocated to watching videos online. Close any games or applications running in the background while you watch videos.
Pause for a few minutes to allow more video to load. This lets your computer download more data, enabling you to watch the video uninterrupted and without pauses.
Consider upgrading or improving your Internet speed. You can enhance your router or internet plan with your service provider, or regularly clear your browser's cache and cookies to minimize lag and buffering.
- Try using a dual-band router that supports 5 GHz bandwidth. This type of router is ideal for streaming multimedia content as it helps reduce buffering.
Access media services during off-peak hours. Content servers like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube may experience slower speeds or higher traffic during peak hours. According to research by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), the Internet traffic peak is between 8-10 PM. If your video keeps buffering, wait for the service to be less congested before resuming playback.
Limit the number of devices using the network. Multiple devices connected to the same internet network consume bandwidth and can cause lag, especially if your router cannot handle high traffic. When streaming videos, make sure that as few devices as possible are connected to the Internet.
Use antivirus or anti-malware software to detect and remove viruses and harmful programs. Malware often causes one or more background processes that slow down your Internet speed.
Lower the video quality in the settings. Reducing video quality helps decrease bandwidth usage and buffering issues. If you are using third-party software or services to stream videos, you can adjust the video quality through the settings menu.
Consider using a wired connection. Wi-Fi connections are often prone to interference due to signal, frequency, and physical obstacles like walls or furniture. Switching to a wired connection can help eliminate buffering issues.
Install the latest version of Adobe Flash Player on your device. Most streaming sites use Adobe Flash, meaning that using an outdated version can cause buffering while watching videos. Visit the official Adobe Flash Player website at https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ to download and install the latest version of the software.
Install the latest graphics card (GPU) drivers for your device. Most graphics cards are updated automatically when you install a Microsoft or Apple update. However, if you have a custom graphics card, visit the manufacturer's website to download and install the latest driver updates for your GPU.
