Today I want to talk about an issue that I recently encountered when I was trying to use YouTube TV: stuttering. I was frustrated with this issue, so I did some research to figure out what was causing it and how to fix it. In this post, I will discuss tips for troubleshooting stuttering, and how I solved the issue. I will also be sharing other solutions that I have discovered along the way.
The most common cause of YouTube TV stuttering is a poor internet connection. Other programs may be slowing down your internet connection. Your internet modem and router may also be slow. Another cause of YouTube TV stuttering could be an outdated, corrupted, or missing Adobe Flash Player.
| Issue | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV Stuttering | Poor internet connection, too many cache files, hardware acceleration issues, faulty video driver | Move closer to WiFi router, close unnecessary tabs, soft/hard reset WiFi router, clear browser data, disable hardware acceleration, update video driver |
Table of Contents
4 Causes of YouTube TV Stuttering and How to Fix Them
Stuttering YouTube videos is a nuisance that many people are familiar with. So, it makes sense that YouTube TV can experience such a common issue.
- Poor Internet Connection
YouTube TV stuttering doesn’t always have to be caused by a serious problem. YouTube TV often stutters when there are any issues with the network connection.
So, before you get into any technicalities, you should check to see if you have a slow internet connection.
You can test your internet speed using online tools like Speedtest and Fast. Your internet speed should ideally be around 25 megabits per second. If it’s less than 15 megabits per second, your internet speed is slow.
Here’s what to do if you have poor internet connection:
Move Closer to the WiFi Router
As you move away from the WiFi router, the connection between your device and the WiFi access point weakens. As a result, the data page load will be delayed.
That’s why YouTube TV may stutter if your PC or laptop doesn’t have a strong WiFi signal. You should consider then moving to the room with the WiFi router or to a nearby room.
Close Tabs You Don’t Need
If you have other tabs or programs open, the web content could be consuming your internet bandwidth.
So, close any tabs or programs that you don’t need while watching YouTube TV.
Soft Reset WiFi Router
Your WiFi router may be storing too many cache files, which can slow down the internet connection. In this case, the solution would be to soft reset the router to clear out its cache files.
To soft reset your router:
- Unplug the cable that connects the router to the modem from the router
- Plug it back after 10 seconds
Hard Reset WiFi Router
If your internet connection is still slow, you may need to hard reset your router to factory settings.
To hard reset your router:
- Look for a tiny reset button that you can only access with a toothpick or a needle
- Press and hold the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds with the thin object
- Release the button and leave the router to reset completely
- Too Many Cache Files
YouTube TV may also stutter if there are too many cache files stored on your browser. In that case, all you have to do is to clear your browser’s data:
- Open a new tab on your browser
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on Windows or Command + Shift + Delete on Mac
- Choose Clear data
If you’re watching YouTube TV on a smart TV, you can clear its cache files by unplugging it from the power socket. This causes the TV to reboot, erasing any unnecessary data.
- Issues With Hardware Acceleration
If you’re watching YouTube TV in Chrome, a hardware acceleration problem could be to blame for the stuttering.
Typically, hardware acceleration allows programs to use various hardware components to perform tasks more efficiently. The problem is that this can slow down your device, causing apps like YouTube to stutter and buffer.
To disable hardware acceleration:
- Go to Settings on your browser
- Choose System from the left menu
- Click “Use hardware acceleration when available” so that the toggle button turns gray
- Relaunch Chrome
Keep in mind that if you have a fast-performing device, disabling hardware acceleration can slow it down. By enabling it, programs like YouTube TV should run smoothly.
- Faulty Video Driver
If the video driver on your device is outdated, corrupted, or missing, you may experience YouTube TV stuttering.
To fix this issue, you need to update your video driver:
- Visit the website of your graphic card manufacturer, like AMD and NVIDIA
- Search for the most recent driver update
- Download the driver compatible with your Windows version
- Restart your device
Conclusion
If your YouTube TV is stuttering, you’ll be glad to know that you’re not the only one. In most cases, a soft reset of your router should speed up your internet connection and stop YouTube TV from stuttering.
Should this solution not work, you can read through our article to determine what’s causing your YouTube TV to stutter and how to fix it so that you can enjoy uninterrupted viewing.
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