Buffering has a cause on your side or the provider’s. These steps find which one.
Step 1: restart everything
Unplug the TV device and the router for 30 seconds. Many routers and sticks slow down after days of uptime.
Step 2: test the speed where you watch
Run a speed test on the TV device itself, in the evening. You want about 15 Mbps per HD stream and 25 for 4K. If it is lower:
- switch the device to the router’s 5 GHz network,
- move the router off the floor and out of cupboards,
- add a mesh point or powerline adapter, or
- use a network cable (Fire TV Sticks take an Ethernet adapter).
Step 3: tidy the app
| App | What to change |
|---|---|
| TiviMate | Settings → Playback → Buffer size: Large |
| IPTV Smarters Pro | Settings → Player selection: try the other player |
| Fire TV, any app | Settings → Applications → Manage → app → Clear cache |
| Any | Turn off “auto-update channels” during matches |
Step 4: check whether it is the server
If every channel buffers on a fast, wired connection, the problem is upstream. Message us with the time and channel. We can move you to a less busy server.
Is a VPN the answer?
Usually not; it adds a step and often slows things down. See IPTV and VPNs.
Readers also ask
Why does IPTV freeze during big matches?
Servers are busiest then, and so is home Wi-Fi when everyone is online. A wired connection and a larger buffer setting help on your side; server load is the provider's job.
Why does only one channel buffer?
That channel's source may be struggling. Try its alternative version (HD, SD or a backup feed) if the line-up has one, and tell us which channel it is.
Does clearing the cache delete my playlist?
Clearing the cache does not. Clearing the app's data does, so you would need to log in again.