As an owner of a smart TV, I was getting frustrated with the constant buffering that was occurring. I had spent hours trying to find a solution and in the end, I decided to take matters into my own hands. After doing some research and trying out a few tips and tricks, I was able to solve the issue. In this post, I will share my story and the other solutions I discovered in hopes that it will help others who are facing the same issue.
Usually, your TV keeps buffering due to an internet connection problem. It may happen because the internet is too slow or the Wi-Fi signal is too weak. Additionally, it could be the result of your TV or router needing an update. Otherwise, it can just be a momentary glitch.
| Cause | Description | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Slow Internet | A slow internet connection is one of the main reasons for buffering. | Call your service provider to update your internet package or improve your connection. |
| Too Many Users | Multiple devices connected to the internet can compete for bandwidth, causing buffering. | Upgrade your internet package, or disconnect unnecessary devices from the internet. |
| Weak Wi-Fi Signal | A weak wireless connection can lead to buffering. | Move the router closer to the TV or connect the TV via an ethernet cable for a more stable connection. |
| Limited Speed Network Card | A built-in network interface card in the TV with a limited maximum speed can cause buffering. | Use an ethernet adapter to connect the router to the TV via USB, enabling you to enjoy your internet at its full speed. |
| Wrong Router | A router with a lower speed rating than your internet package can lead to buffering. | Check if your router is appropriate for your internet speed and consider upgrading if necessary. |
| ISP Problem | Temporary slowdowns or technical issues with your internet service provider can cause buffering. | Wait for the problem to resolve on its own or contact your service provider for assistance. |
| Glitch | Minor glitches in the TV or router system can cause buffering. | Reboot your TV and router by unplugging them for 60 seconds, or perform a hard reset on your TV to restore factory defaults. |
Table of Contents
Why Does My TV Keep Buffering?
Buffering occurs when your TV fails to load the needed data to play a video fast enough. This causes the video to stop and buffer until the loading process is complete.
When the stream runs out of the downloaded data, it pauses the video again and buffers until more data downloads. This process may last for a few seconds or minutes. The wait time depends on the video itself and its data size.
The most common reasons your TV keeps buffering are:
1. Slow Internet
A slow internet connection is one of the main reasons your TV might keep buffering during streaming. If that’s the case, you might need to call your service provider and update your internet package.
The minimum recommended speed for streaming 4K videos on one device is 25 Mbps.
2. Too Many Users
If you’re not living alone, or there’s more than one device connected to the internet, 25 Mbps might not be enough.
That’s because there are more than one device streaming videos or just using the internet. Therefore, a higher speed is what you need. In this case, you may want to update to 100 Mbps or above.
Another fix to that problem is disconnecting any unnecessary devices from the internet. That’s because all these devices are competing for bandwidth, causing your TV to keep buffering.
3. Weak Wi-Fi Signal
TVs normally connect to the internet either by a LAN cable or wirelessly. However, a wireless connection could get interrupted for many reasons, causing your TV to buffer.
These reasons include the router being too far away or many walls existing between the TV and the router. Attempting to bring the router closer to the TV might fix the problem.
Connecting your TV via an ethernet cable, on the other hand, provides a more stable and reliable connection. Consequently, your TV won’t keep buffering as much. So, if you can do that, try and see whether the problem gets fixed.
4. Limited Speed Network Interface Card
Typically, many TVs have a built-in network interface card with a maximum speed of 100 Mbps. This should be just fine for streaming videos and live TV. However, if your internet package is higher than that, it means that you’re not able to get full benefits from it.
To fix that, all you need to do is get an ethernet adapter. It has a USB cable on one side and a gigabit ethernet port on the other side. It allows you to connect your router to the TV via USB, enabling you to enjoy your internet at its speed.
5. Wrong Router
One of the reasons causing unstable or slow internet connection is the type of router you’re using. That’s because different routers have various speed ratings.
As a result, the router you have might be equipped to only handle a maximum speed that’s lower than what you’re currently subscribing for.
In all cases, it’s better to check if your router is right before attempting to buy a new one.
6. Internet Service Provider (ISP) Problem
Even with the highest internet speed and top-of-the-line TV, you may still encounter the annoying buffering issue. This could just be a problem with your ISP. Your service provider might experience temporary slowdowns or technical drawbacks, and it’s usually out of your hand.
In addition, some service providers schedule their major updates at midnight, which also causes your TV to keep buffering. However, since it’s temporary, this problem should get resolved on its own.
7. A Glitch
Your TV may keep buffering due to a minor glitch. All you need to do is to refresh the system by rebooting your TV.
Just unplug it, wait for 60 seconds, and plug it in again. Additionally, you might want to do the same thing to your router.
You can also try a hard reset. This involves completely resetting your TV to its factory defaults. This should be the last thing you try since you will lose any data saved on the TV. Different TV models have specific instructions on how to reset them, but you will have to do it through the settings menu.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever been in a position where you asked yourself, “Why does my TV keep buffering?” you’re not alone. It happens to everyone at some point and even more frequently than you think.
Whether you’re watching live TV or streaming videos, your TV may keep buffering for many reasons. It could be because the internet is too slow, the router is too old, or the connection is unstable. Even if it’s a minor glitch, there’s always a way to fix it.
Either way, if you fail to figure out the reason after trying all the mentioned fixes, calling a professional for help, without a doubt, is a great idea.
Read more: What causes TV backlight to fail?
