Apple TV lagging issues can make you pull your hair out!
We dig deeper and investigate what causes the Apple TV lagging issues and how you can fix them.
Why is my Apple TV lagging?
The cause of Apple TV lagging is likely an inefficient internet bandwidth optimization or a software issue.
When your internet bandwidth is not optimized, lagging often occurs when playing content and can cause Apple TV to act slow.
You can increase your ability to reduce lagging when viewing the Apple TV app in several ways.
Here are some tips on how to make stop Apple TV from lagging:
How to stop the Apple TV app from lagging
Method 1: Restart the Apple TV app
Restarting the Apple TV app if you are experiencing lag issues is a good idea.
Restarting the Apple TV app allows any updates to be installed correctly and establishes a new connection with the Apple TV servers.
Method 2: Sign out of the Apple TV app
When you experience the Apple TV app lagging, you should restart it.
Signing out of your Apple TV account before you return and log in may resolve any account-related issues causing the lagging problems.
Method 3: Restart your streaming device
What device are you experiencing Apple TV streaming problems on?
The most common streaming devices for Apple TV are:
- Smart TV
- Content Devices such as Apple TV, Firestick, or Roku
- Games Consoles such as PlayStation and XBOX
- A PC or MacBook Laptop
The first step in trying to eliminate the Apple TV app freezing issues is to perform a power cycle of these systems.
To perform a power cycle of the devices, unplug them for 60 seconds before plugging them back in.
This restart allows any updates downloaded in the background to install and start successfully and clears the system cache.
Before the lagging occurs, it is not unusual to see the picture quality decrease rapidly along with buffering on Apple TV.
Clearing the system cache and any lingering apps running in RAM can help reduce the lagging of the Apple TV app.
Reducing the number of apps running in the background helps eliminate Apple TV lagging.
Method 5: Reset your Router
I find restarting my router can help stop Apple TV lagging issues.
How do I reset my router?
The easiest way to reset your router is to unplug it from the wall socket for 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
This action will “power-cycle” your router and provide more bandwidth to increase your ability to play content faster on the Apple TV app.
Why does resetting your router reduce the Apple TV app lagging?
Think of all the devices that are and have been connected to the router. I’m sure that in today’s digital world, quite a few devices are connected to the router.
Your router is like a mini-PC and will slow down as more tasks are added.
Having numerous devices connected will reduce the bandwidth available to the Apple TV app and subsequently throttle your download speed, creating lagging.
Method 6: Update your Apple TV app
If you are playing Apple TV using a device such as a Firestick, Roku, or smart TV, I recommend updating the app if possible.
Method 7: Disconnect other devices in your home from the internet
If you cannot reset your router for any reason, I would try and disconnect none essential devices from the internet.
Is someone in your home watching Netflix? What about your phone? Is someone downloading games or apps on XBOX?
Every device you can disconnect from your internet connection will help stop the Apple TV app lagging issues.
Method 8: Decrease Video Quality
Check in the Apple TV app options when watching content if there is a toggle for video quality.
The higher the quality of content you play, the more likely it is that lagging will occur.
Try to decrease the video quality, especially if the quality is set to 4K.
Method 9: Update your device software/firmware before downloading
Whether you are using a TV, Content Device, or Games console, updating your firmware or software to the latest version can help prevent issues from arising over time.
Sometimes updates can be missed, or an installation can be interrupted and cause issues with your playback device.
Old firmware or a partial installation could cause the Apple TV app to lag.
Ensuring you have the latest software on your devices gives you access to new apps and an improved viewing experience.
Method 10: Use an Ethernet cable rather than Wi-Fi
It is almost always true that you will get a better download speed when you use an Ethernet (Wired Connection) rather than Wi-Fi.
Wired connections transmit data quicker and with less interference. There are also fewer variables that can hinder the quality of connection.
Wi-Fi connections are slower and generally have a slower response time.
The distance from your playback device and the walls, floor, and ceilings can all deteriorate the quality of your internet connection, causing the Apple TV app lagging issues.
I always use a wired connection when available, and you should too!
Method 11: Disable any Ad blockers or VPNs
VPNs and Ad blockers can negatively affect the playback performance of the Apple TV app.
Your connection to a VPN will always limit the speed at which you can play content.
We understand that using a VPN can be a sensible choice, especially due to privacy concerns.
Unfortunately, using a VPN creates another dependency that can cause Apple TV to lag if there are any problems or limited speed.
Method 12: Manually clear the Apple TV cache
Clearing the Apple TV cache should be a step your take when lagging starts.
Method 13: Upgrade your Internet Connection
Not everyone has access to high download speed through their ISP (Internet Service Provider), but for those that do, consider upgrading your internet connection.
It is pretty straightforward that a 100mbps connection will have a slower download rate than a 1gbps connection.
Method 14: Upgrade your Router
If you have consistently upgraded your internet speed through your ISP but are still using an older router, you may wish to check your router’s maximum download speed.
It’s all good having a 1gbps connection, but if your router can only download at 100mbps, you’ve got a massive bottleneck and a solid explanation for why the Apple TV app is lagging.
Method 15: Check to make sure Apple TV servers are operational
When Apple TV keeps lagging, most issues will usually be with your network or playback device.
Before you go into the other fixes listed below, it is worthwhile to check that there are no issues or outages with the Apple TV platform.
Method 16: Contact Apple TV Support
If you have tried all the tips above and nothing has worked, you can contact Apple TV app support for further assistance.
Conclusion
If you have followed the guide, we hope you have successfully reduced the lagging of the Apple TV.
We hope that you enjoy lag-free playback.
