When you watch ITVX and notice the picture starting to freeze, you may ask yourself, “Why does ITVX keep buffering?”
We have made a guide that can assist you by providing simple tips to improve your streaming quality.
Why does ITVX buffer so much?
The cause of ITVX buffering is likely caused by inefficient internet bandwidth optimization.
When your internet bandwidth is not optimized, buffering will often occur when streaming content.
You can increase your ability to reduce buffering when viewing the ITVX app in several ways.
Here are some tips on how to make stop ITVX Buffering:
How to stop the ITVX Buffering
1. Restart your Streaming Source Device
To access the ITVX app, you will be using a streaming device to access the app.
The most common streaming devices for the ITVX app are:
- Smart TVs
- Streaming Stick such as Apple TV, Firestick, or Roku
- Games Consoles such as PlayStation and XBOX
- A PC or MacBook Laptop
The universal recommendation for these devices and the first step in eliminating the ITVX Hub app buffering 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 successfully install and start, and it also clears the system cache.
Clearing the system cache and any lingering apps running in RAM can help in reducing the buffering on the ITVX Hub app.
By reducing the number of apps running in the background, you give the ITVX app the best performance.
2. Reset your Router
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book, but it is effective in reducing the buffering on the ITVX Hub app.
How do I reset my router?
The easiest way to reset your router is to simply 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 stream content faster on the ITVX Hub app.
Why does resetting your router reduces the ITVX app Buffering?
Think of all the devices that are and have been connected to the router. I’m sure that in today’s digital world that 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 all of those devices connected will reduce the bandwidth available to the ITVX app and subsequently throttle your download speed, which in turn creates buffering.
3. 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 that you can disconnect from your internet connection will help in stopping the ITVX app buffering issues.
4. Close any apps that are running
If you have followed our first step of restarting your streaming device, then this step would have been completed for you, otherwise, please continue to close any running apps.
How does having open apps cause the ITVX Hub app to buffer?
Imagine your internet connection to your ITVX Hub application like an artery in your body. The more games and apps that are running are like blockages in your arteries, sorry for the weird analogy!
Those blockages impede your ability to stream content faster, resulting in buffering when watching the ITVX app.
5. Decrease Video Quality
Check in the ITVX app options when watching content if there is a toggle for video quality.
The higher quality content that you stream, the more likely it is that buffering will occur.
Try to decrease the video quality, especially if the quality is set to 4K.
6. Update your streaming device software/firmware before downloading
Whether you are using a TV, Streaming Stick, or Games console, updating your firmware or software to the latest version can help in preventing issues from arising over time.
Sometimes updates can be missed, or an installation can be interrupted and cause issues with your streaming device.
Old firmware or a partial firmware installation could cause ITVX to buffer.
Ensuring you have the latest software on your devices also gives you access to new apps and an improved viewing experience.
7. Use an Ethernet cable rather than Wi-Fi
It is almost always true that when you use an Ethernet (Wired Connection) rather than Wi-Fi, you will get a better download speed.
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 streaming device, along with the walls, floor, and ceilings can all deteriorate the quality of your internet connection, causing the ITVX buffering issues.
I always use a wired connection when it is available, and you should too!
8. 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 over a 1gbps connection.
9. Disable any Ad blockers or VPNs
VPNs and Ad blockers can negatively affect the streaming performance of the ITVX app.
Your connection to a VPN will always limit the speed in which you can stream content.
10. 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 ITVX Hub app buffering problems.
If you have consistently upgraded your internet speed through your ISP but are still using an older router, you may wish to check what the maximum download speed of your router is.
It’s all good having a 1gbps connection, but if your router can only download at 100mbps, then you’ve got yourself a massive bottleneck and a solid explanation as to why the ITVX Hub app is buffering.
11. Contact the ITVX Hub app Support
If you have tried all the tips above and nothing has worked, then you can contact the ITVX Hub app support for further assistance.
Conclusion
If you have followed the guide, then you would have been successful in reducing the buffering of the ITVX app on your streaming device.
We hope that you enjoy buffer-free streaming.
