When BBC iPlayer keeps stopping and interrupting your TV shows, it can be very frustrating.
We have made a guide that can assist you by providing some simple tips that will improve your playback quality.
Why does BBC iPlayer keep stopping?
The cause of BBC iPlayer stopping is likely caused by inefficient internet bandwidth optimization.
When your internet bandwidth is not optimized, stopping will often occur when playing content.
There are several ways that you can increase your ability to reduce stopping when viewing the BBC iPlayer app.
Here are some tips on how to make stop BBC iPlayer from stopping:
- Check the Server Status of BBC iPlayer
- Restart the BBC iPlayer app
- Sign out of the BBC iPlayer app
- Soft Reset your Source Device
- Reset your Router
- Update BBC iPlayer and your source device
- Disconnect other devices in your home from the internet
- Decrease Video Playback Quality
- Close any other apps that are running
- Use an Ethernet cable rather than a Wi-Fi
- Upgrade your Internet Connection
- Disable VPNs or Ad blockers
- Upgrade your Router
- Contact the BBC iPlayer app Support
Scroll down to follow a more detailed guide on how to work through these steps and stop the BBC iPlayer app from stopping.
How to stop the BBC iPlayer app from stopping
Method 1: Check to make sure BBC iPlayer servers are operational
When BBC iPlayer keeps buffering or stopping, the vast majority of the issues will usually be with your network or playback device.
Before you go into the other fixes that are listed below, it is worthwhile checking that there are no issues or outages with the BBC iPlayer platform.
Method 2: Restart the BBC iPlayer app
It is a good idea to restart the BBC iPlayer app if you are experiencing stopping issues.
By restarting the BBC iPlayer app, you give the opportunity for any updates to be correctly installed and establish a new connection with the BBC iPlayer servers.
Method 3: Sign out of the BBC iPlayer app
Another potential quick fix to the BBC iPlayer stopping problem is to sign out of your account.
By signing out of your BBC iPlayer account before your return and log in, you may resolve any account-related issues that are causing the stopping problems to occur.
Method 4: Restart your Playback Source 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
The universal recommendation for these devices and the first step in trying to eliminate the BBC iPlayer app stopping issues is to perform a power cycle of these systems.
To perform a power cycle of the devices, simply unplug them for 60 seconds before plugging them back in.
This restart allows any updates that have been 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 stopping of the BBC iPlayer app.
By reducing the number of apps running in the background, you give the BBC iPlayer app the best performance.
Method 5: Reset your Router
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book, but it is definitely effective in reducing the stopping on the BBC iPlayer 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 play content faster on the BBC iPlayer app.
Why does resetting your router reduce the BBC iPlayer app stopping?
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 BBC iPlayer app and subsequently throttle your download speed, which in turn creates stopping.
Method 6: Update your BBC iPlayer app
If you are playing BBC iPlayer using a device such as a Firestick, Roku or smart TV then I would recommend that you update 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 BBC iPlayer? 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 BBC iPlayer app stopping issues.
Method 8: 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 for you, 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 that are running are like blockages in your arteries, sorry for the weird analogy!
Those blockages impede your ability to play content faster, and then that results in stopping occurring when watching the BBC iPlayer app.
Method 9: 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 content that you play, the more likely it is that stopping will occur.
Try and decrease the video quality, especially if you have the quality set to 4K.
Method 10: 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 in preventing 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 firmware installation could cause the BBC iPlayer app to freeze.
Ensuring that you have the latest software on your devices also gives you access to new apps and an improved viewing experience.
Method 11: 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 playback device along with the walls, floor, and ceilings can all deteriorate the quality of your internet connection, causing the BBC iPlayer app stopping issues.
I always use a wired connection when it is available, and you should too!
Method 12: 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, especially due to privacy concerns.
Unfortunately, by using a VPN, you are creating another dependency that can cause BBC iPlayer to freeze if there are any problems or limited speed.
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
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 stopping 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 a massive bottleneck and a solid explanation as to why the BBC iPlayer app is stopping.
Method 15: Contact BBC iPlayer Support
If you have tried all the tips above and nothing has worked, then you can contact BBC iPlayer app support for further assistance.
Conclusion
If you have followed the guide, then you would have been successful in reducing the stopping of the BBC iPlayer app on your content device.
We hope that you enjoy stop-free playback.
