There aren’t many things more annoying than seeing the buffering icon as you’re immersed into your favourite show. It’s the ultimate pet peeve in the age of streaming. Good news is, you don’t have to remain stuck watching that endless loading wheel. There are things you can do to troubleshoot buffering issues.
1. Check Your Internet Speed
Before diving into fixes or upgrading NBN internet plans, check first if your internet speed is actually the problem. All you need to do is run a quick speed test using online tools. Compare it to the your NBN plan’s advertised speeds.
If your results are significantly lower than expected, it could be due to a slow connection from your provider or other factors like peak-hour congestion. In this case, reach out to your provider. They can help you troubleshoot the issue or recommend an upgrade.
2. Identify Peak Hour Congestion
Peak-hour congestion can affect even a solid NBN plan. This typically happens during the evening when most people are online streaming, gaming, and browsing at the same time.
To identify peak congestion times, run speed tests at different times of the day. If your speeds drop significantly in the evening, congestion is likely the issue. Consider switching to an NBN provider that effectively manages congestion. Are peak-hour slowdowns a recurring problem? Talk to your existing provider about upgrading to a faster plan.
3. Optimise Your Wi-Fi Connection
If you’re streaming over Wi-Fi, weak signal strength can be a major culprit. A poor Wi-Fi connection can lead to buffering, even if your internet speed is technically fast enough. Try these fixes:
- Move your router to a central location, away from walls and obstructions.
- Minimise interference by keeping it away from microwaves, cordless phones, and other electronic devices.
- Use a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system if your home has dead spots.
For the most stable connection, try an Ethernet cable for your streaming device. A wired connection removes interference and provides a smoother streaming experience—especially for 4K content.
4. Reduce Bandwidth Usage From Other Devices
Does your household consistent of multiple users relying on the internet at the same time? That can eat into your bandwidth and cause buffering. Here’s what you can do:
- Pause large downloads or software updates while streaming.
- Ask others in your home to limit high-bandwidth activities.
- Upgrade to an NBN plan that can handle multiple users without slowdowns.
5. Adjust Your Streaming Service Settings
Most streaming services allow you to adjust video quality settings. If buffering is an issue, tweaking these settings can help:
- Lower the resolution from 4K to HD, or from HD to SD if needed.
- Turn off autoplay to prevent the next episode from preloading.
- Clear cache and cookies on your streaming device for a smoother experience.
6. Restart Your Router and Modem
Over time, your modem and router can slow down due to background processes and minor network errors. You’d be surprised how a simple restart may be all you need to address such issues. Here’s how to do it properly:
- Unplug your modem and router.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds.
- Plug them back in and allow them to fully restart.
If buffering persists, check if your router firmware is up to date. Outdated firmware can cause performance issues, so logging into your router settings and running an update could make a difference.
7. Consider Upgrading Your NBN Plan
Have you triend everything, and buffering is still a constant headache? That could be because your current plan isn’t enough for your household’s needs. In such a case, you need a higher-speed NBN plan to ensure smoother, buffer-free streaming.
When shopping for a new plan, consider how many devices are connected to your internet at any given time. What are your specific data and speed requirements? Knowing these will enable you to choose the right plan that guarantees a more consistent connection.
If you’ve tried everything and buffering is still a constant headache, your current plan might not be enough for your household’s needs. A higher-speed NBN plan can ensure smoother, buffer-free streaming, particularly in homes with multiple users.
MATE, for example, is one provider known for offering reliable NBN plans that cater to streaming, gaming, and general browsing without interruptions. Don’t hesitate to contact them for any inquiries.
