When I encountered BBC iPlayer keeps freezing on Smart TV issues, it ruined my viewing experience.
I decided to make a guide that can assist you by providing simple tips to improve your playback quality.
Why does BBC iPlayer Keeps Freezing on Smart TV issues?
The cause of BBC iPlayer keeps Freezing on Smart TV issues is likely caused by inefficient internet bandwidth optimization.
When my internet bandwidth is not optimized, BBC iPlayer buffering often occurs when playing content.
You can increase your ability to reduce freezing when viewing the BBC iPlayer app in several ways.
Here are some tips on how to make stop BBC iPlayer from freezing:
How to prevent BBC iPlayer freezing issues
Method 1: Restart the BBC iPlayer app
The first step I try when the BBC iPlayer keeps freezing on my Smart TV issues arise is to restart the application.
By restarting the BBC iPlayer app, you allow any updates to be correctly installed and establish a new connection with the BBC iPlayer servers.
You should see a performance increase upon restarting the app, especially if you had issues where BBC iPlayer keeps stopping.
Method 2: Sign out of the BBC iPlayer app
Another potential quick fix to the BBC iPlayer freezing problem is to sign out of your account.
By signing out of your BBC iPlayer account before your return and logging in, you may resolve any account-related issues that are causing the freezing problems to occur.
Method 3: Restart your streaming device
To access the BBC iPlayer app, you will be using a playback device to access the app.
The most common playback devices for the BBC iPlayer app are:
- Smart TVs
- Content Devices such as BBC iPlayer, Firestick, or Roku
- Games Consoles such as PlayStation and XBOX
- A PC or MacBook Laptop
My recommendation for these devices and the first step in eliminating the BBC iPlayer app freezing issues is to perform a power cycle of these systems.
To perform a power cycle of the devices, I unplug them for 60 seconds before plugging them back in.
This restart allows any updates that have been downloaded in the background to install and start successfully, and it also clears the system cache.
Clearing the system cache and any lingering apps running in RAM can help reduce the freezing of the BBC iPlayer app.
This method was also helpful when BBC iPlayer was not loading for me on my Smart TV.
Reducing the number of apps running in the background gives the BBC iPlayer app the best performance.
Method 4: Reset your Router
My favorite quick fix for when BBC iPlayer keeps freezing is to restart my home internet router.
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 BBC iPlayer app.
Why does resetting your router reduce the BBC iPlayer app freezing?
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.
When you notice that BBC iPlayer is so slow, your router may cause the issue.
Having all those devices connected will reduce the bandwidth available to the BBC iPlayer app and subsequently throttle your download speed, creating freezing.
Method 5: Update your BBC iPlayer app
If you are playing BBC iPlayer using a device such as a Firestick, Roku or smart TV, then I recommend updating the app if possible.
Method 6: 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 BBC iPlayer app freezing issues.
Method 7: Close any apps that are running
If you have followed our first step of restarting your playback device, then this step would have been completed. Otherwise, please continue to close any running apps.
How does having open apps cause the BBC iPlayer app to freeze?
Imagine your internet connection to your BBC iPlayer application like an artery in your body. The more games and apps running are like blockages in your arteries. Sorry for the weird analogy!
Those blockages impede your ability to play content faster, resulting in freezing occurring when watching the BBC iPlayer app.
Method 8: Decrease Video Quality
Check in the BBC iPlayer 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 freezing 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 BBC iPlayer app to freeze.
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.
Fewer variables can hinder the quality of the connection.
Wi-Fi connections are slower and generally have a slower response time.
The distance from your playback device, along with the walls, floor, and ceilings, can all deteriorate the quality of your internet connection, causing the BBC iPlayer app freezing 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 BBC iPlayer 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, mainly due to privacy concerns.
Unfortunately, using a VPN creates another dependency that can cause BBC iPlayer to freeze if there are any problems or limited speed.
Method 12: 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 13: Upgrade your Router
This option will not apply to everyone, but for some gamers, the router could be the bottleneck in their home network, causing the BBC iPlayer app freezing problems.
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 as to why the BBC iPlayer app is freezing.
Method 14: Check to make sure BBC iPlayer servers are operational
When BBC iPlayer Keeps Freezing on Smart TV, 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 BBC iPlayer platform.
Method 15: Contact BBC iPlayer Support
If you have tried all of my tips above and nothing has worked, you can contact BBC iPlayer app support for further assistance.
Conclusion – BBC iPlayer Keeps Freezing on Smart TV
The reason that I was experiencing BBC iPlayer Keeps Freezing on Smart TV issues was due to a combination of a poorly optimized home internet router and the software setup on my TV.
I hope you have improved your stream’s performance on the BBC iPlayer platform by following my steps above.
