When the Spectrum TV picture starts to stutter, you may ask yourself, “Why does Spectrum TV keep buffering?”
We uncover some of the reasons that users experience Specturm buffering and how you can fix it.
Why does Spectrum TV buffer so much?
The cause of Spectrum TV buffering is likely caused by inefficient internet bandwidth optimization.
When your internet bandwidth is not optimized, buffering will often occur when streaming content.
There are several ways that you can increase your ability to reduce buffering when viewing the Spectrum TV app.
Here are some tips on how to make stop Spectrum TV Buffering:
- Check the Server Status of Spectrum TV
- Restart the Spectrum TV app
- Sign out of the Spectrum TV app
- Soft Reset your Streaming Source Device
- Reset your Router
- Update your Spectrum TV and your streaming device
- Disconnect other devices in your home from the internet
- Decrease Video Streaming 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 Spectrum TV app Support
Scroll down to follow a more detailed guide on how to work through these steps and stop the Spectrum TV app from buffering.
How to stop the Spectrum TV app Buffering
Method 1: Check to make sure Spectrum TV servers are operational
When Spectrum TV is buffering, the vast majority of the issues will originate from your Internet network or streaming device.
It is worthwhile checking that there are no current issues or outages with the Spectrum TV platform.
You can check the current status of the Spectrum TV servers to make sure that they are operating correctly.
Method 2: Restart the Spectrum TV app
It is a good idea to restart the Spectrum TV app if you are experiencing buffering issues.
By restarting the Spectrum TV app, you give the opportunity for any updates to correctly install and establish a new connection with the Spectrum TV servers.
Method 3: Sign out of the Spectrum TV app
Another potential quick fix to the Spectrum TV buffering problem is to sign out of your account.
By signing out of your Spectrum TV account before your return and log in, you may resolve any account-related issues with are causing the buffering problems to occur.
Method 4: Restart your Streaming Source Device
To access the Spectrum TV app, you will be using a streaming device to access the app.
The most common streaming devices for the Spectrum TV 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 trying to eliminate the Spectrum TV app buffering 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 buffering on the Spectrum TV app.
By reducing the number of apps running in the background, you give the Spectrum TV 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 buffering on the Spectrum TV 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 Spectrum TV app.
Why does resetting your router reduce the Spectrum TV app from 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 Spectrum TV app and subsequently throttle your download speed, which in turn creates buffering.
Method 6: Update your Spectrum TV app
If you are streaming Spectrum TV 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 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 Spectrum TV app buffering issues.
Method 8: 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.
Did you know that they are also ways to get the ESPN app on your LG TV?
How does having open apps cause the Spectrum TV app to buffer?
Imagine your internet connection to your Spectrum TV 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, and then that results in buffering occurring when watching the Spectrum TV app.
Method 9: Decrease Video Quality
Check in the Spectrum TV app options when watching content if there is a toggle for video quality.
The higher the quality of 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.
Method 10: 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 the Spectrum TV app to buffer.
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 streaming device along with the walls, floor, and ceilings can all deteriorate the quality of your internet connection, causing the Spectrum TV app buffering 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 streaming performance of the Spectrum TV app.
Your connection to a VPN will always limit the speed at which you can stream 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 Spectrum TV buffering 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 Spectrum TV 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 Spectrum TV app is buffering.
Method 15: Contact Spectrum TV Support
If you have tried all the tips above and nothing has worked, then you can contact Spectrum TV app support for further assistance.
Conclusion
If you have followed the guide, then you would have been successful in reducing the buffering of the Spectrum TV app on your streaming device.
We hope that you enjoy buffer-free streaming.
