IPTV Box Buffering? 12 Fixes for a Smooth Picture

A little spinning wheel during a big game is the most frustrating thing about streaming. The good news: most IPTV buffering is caused by something in your home network, and it's usually easy to fix. Work through these fixes in order; the first few solve most problems.

1. Use an Ethernet cable

A wired connection from the router to the IPTV box is the single biggest fix. It removes Wi-Fi interference completely. If the router is far away, powerline adapters carry the connection through your electrical wiring.

2. Switch to 5 GHz Wi-Fi

If a cable isn't possible, connect the box to your router's 5 GHz network. It's faster and less crowded than 2.4 GHz, though its range is shorter.

3. Move the router

Routers in basements, cupboards or behind the TV lose a lot of signal. Put it up high, in the open, as close to the TV as possible. In larger homes, a mesh Wi-Fi system is worth it.

4. Restart everything

Turn off the router and the box for 30 seconds, then turn the router on first. It clears memory and resets the connection.

5. Clear the app cache

On Android TV and Fire TV, go to Settings > Apps, choose your IPTV player and clear its cache (not its data, or you'll have to log in again).

6. Close other apps

Streaming boxes have limited memory. Close apps running in the background, or restart the box before a big game.

7. Check who else is streaming

Several 4K streams, video calls and game downloads at once can saturate a connection. Pause downloads during live sport.

8. Choose HD instead of 4K

4K needs around 25 Mbps on its own. If your connection is slower or shared, the HD version of the channel will be smoother.

9. Test your speed on the box

Run a speed test on the IPTV box itself, in the evening. Phones near the router give a misleadingly good result. You want a steady 10 Mbps or more per HD screen.

10. Change the DNS

Some routers use slow DNS servers. Setting a public DNS server on the box or router can make channels start faster.

11. Update the app and the box

Player apps and box firmware get regular fixes. Install updates when they're available.

12. Contact support

If one channel buffers and others don't, or the problem happens on every device, tell us on WhatsApp which channel and when. We can switch the source or check the server for you.

Still struggling with a slow connection? Read our guide to internet speed for IPTV in Canada.

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