Watching videos on the internet has become part of our daily life. But no matter what app you’re using, which website you’re login, buffering is an annoying issue for us.
In this post, we will tell you what is buffering, what causes buffering while streaming and how to stop buffering.
So here comes the first question:
What is buffering?
Buffering is a kind of problem happened on live Streaming.
When you click on the link, the script will connect to your internet using the URL address and the data will flow into your device. Typically, the server you’re connecting will take a few seconds to input data through the internet connection. That’s why streaming services like Netflix and Hulu usually offer low-quality video at the beginning, and when full data is connected to your device, they become high-quality video.
One thing you should know: The Buffering issue cannot be eliminated and can only be avoided.
Obviously, the things that can effect buffering is your internet speed and your router.
How to prevent buffering
- Pause the video for a minute
- Close unnecessary programs
- Reduce the quality of the video
- Limit the number of devices on your network
- Increase your bandwidth
- Install the latest video card drivers
Method 1: Pause the video for a few minutes
Pause the video for a few minutes is a common method for everyone. This method gives data enough time to fully flow into your device so that you can watch the video in entirely without breaks.
Method 2: Close unnecessary programs
One of the reasons for buffering is your internet speed. And background programs will take valuable resources and slow down the live streaming speed. Therefore, to increase the speed and stop buffering, you should stop unnecessary background programs and stop active downloads on your device. You can open Task Manager to end these unnecessary programs.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc together to open the Task Manager.
- Choose the program and click End task.
Method 3: Reduce the quality of the video
To speed up the transaction speed under your internet speed, low-quality can certainly help. Although it is not pleasant to reduce the video quality, this method can speed up data transmission and reduce the bandwidth load to stop buffering.
To do this, you can change the video quality in settings.
Method 4: Limit the number of devices on your network
It is well known that multiple devices using one network will consume the network’s bandwidth and cause buffering. Especially when you’re under heavy traffic. So control the number of active devices before watching a video can avoid video buffering. Also,
Method 5: Increase your bandwidth
The internet speed is the biggest limitation for video buffering. If you’re tired of the low speed, you can change your Internet Service Provider or change your service plan.
But if you don’t want to change ISP, there’s another method you can try–get a VPN.
A good VPN (Virtual Private Network) can lead you passing by the ISP to reduce the speed loss and avoid the restrictions. And help you avoid video buffering issue. It can protect your privacy as well.
You can use the VPN you already have, if you don’t have one, it’s recommended to use NordVPN.
NordVPN can bypass geo-restrictions to get all add-ons desired, keeps you protected from snooping eyes, and secures your data to keep your online activity private. It’s safe and easy to use!
- Download NordVPN in your device. (You can get 75% OFF right now!)
- Run NordVPN and open it.
- Connect to a server in a chosen location.
Method 6: Install the latest video card drivers
Drivers are the bridge to communicate device with the operating system. The failure to update the driver in time will affect video playing and may cause buffering issue. So updating the drivers in time can help your device run smoothly.
There are two ways to update drivers:
Option 1 – Manually – You’ll need some computer skills and patience to update your drivers this way, because you need to find exactly the right the driver online, download it and install it step by step.
OR
Option 2 – Automatically (Recommended)– This is the quickest and easiest option. It’s all done with just a couple of mouse clicks – easy even if you’re a computer newbie.
Option 1 – Download and install the driver manually
You can go to your video card manufacturer’s official website, find the driver for your system version and download them manually.
Once you’ve downloaded the correct drivers for your system, double-click on the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.
Option 2 – Automatically update drivers
If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update the driver manually, you can do it automatically with Driver Easy.
Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.
You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE or the Pro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 clicks (and you get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee):
- Download and install Driver Easy.
- Run Driver Easy and click Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
- Click the Update button next to the driver to automatically download and install the correct version of this driver (you can do this with Free version).
Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (this requires the Pro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All).
We hope this post can meet your needs. If you have questions or suggestions, please leave a comment below.