What is buffering and how can you stop it?

Buffering is when your internet connection speed can't keep up with the content playback rate. It happens when your device to temporarily stores data from the internet before it’s fully loaded, so that you can still stream your favourite movie, tv show or song – even with a weak internet connection. 

When you watch a video online, your device doesn’t receive the entire video file at once. Instead, it downloads small chunks of it and stores them in a temporary memory called a buffer. Without these buffers, streaming would constantly stop and start, making it difficult to enjoy any content online.

But if your internet is too slow or the connection is interrupted, the buffer might run out of data to play, causing the video to pause. That’s when you see the spinning wheel or a loading bar, signaling that the device is waiting to refill the buffer before continuing.

Buffering happens when your TV, tablet or phone isn’t receiving data fast enough to keep playing a video, song, or stream smoothly. It usually happens when there’s a delay or slowdown in the flow of information between your device and the internet.

This can be caused by several different things, from a slow internet to a problem with your device or your device.

Here’s some of the most common causes of buffering:

Bandwidth has a direct impact on buffering because it determines how much data your internet connection can handle at once. When streaming videos, music, or games, your device needs a steady and fast flow of data. If your bandwidth isn’t high enough to keep up with the demands of the content you’re streaming, the playback will pause and buffer while your device waits for more data to load.

For example, streaming an SD video requires less bandwidth than a HD or 4K video because the data files are smaller. If your connection provides only 5 Mbps, it might handle SD streaming smoothly but struggle with HD or 4K, which require more data to deliver sharp images and clear audio.

Bandwidth also gets divided among all the devices and activities using your internet connection. If you’re streaming while others in your household are gaming, downloading files, or using video calls, the available bandwidth is shared. This can reduce the speed your streaming device receives and increase the chances of buffering.

Buffering is usually caused by your internet speed, so to stop it you’ll either need to improve your internet connection, reduce the strain on your network, or optimise how your device handles data.

There are several quick fixed to help you do this:

1. Reduce video quality

One of the easiest ways to reduce buffering is to lower the video quality on your stream. Higher quality, like HD or 4K, uses more data, which can strain your internet connection. Switching to standard definition (SD) or a lower resolution can reduce the amount of data your device needs and help the video play without interruptions. Most streaming platforms allow you to change the quality in the video player. Look for the little gear icon to see and try a lower quality setting to see if it’s causing the issue.

2. Disconnect other devices from your router

If you have a slow internet connection, disconnecting other devices from your router can make all the difference to your streaming experience. If multiple devices in your home are streaming, downloading, or browsing at the same time, they compete for bandwidth, slowing down your connection and causing buffering. Disconnecting devices, you’re not using or asking others to pause their activities can free up bandwidth for your stream, so you can enjoy your favourite show in peace.

3. Close your apps or tabs

Got multiple tabs or apps open at the same time? All that multitasking might be causing your buffering issues. Apps running in the background, especially those using the internet, can slow down your device and take up valuable bandwidth that’s needed for streaming. Quitting unused apps or tabs on your computer or phone lets your device focus its resources on streaming.

4. Restart your device or router

It might be the oldest trick in the book, but restarting your device can solve sine buffering problems. This clears temporary glitches on your device, refreshes your internet connection, and gives your streaming app or device a fresh start. Restarting your WIFI router has the same effect, helping you resolve connectivity issues and reset your internet speed.

5. Pause your stream

If all else fails, pausing the stream for a few seconds can help temporally reduce buffering. Pausing gives your device time to load more data into the buffer, so it can continue playing without stopping again. Think of it like letting a video "catch its breath" before you carry on watching.

In most cases, no. A VPN can actually make buffering worse since your data has to travel through the VPN server before reaching the streaming platform, which adds extra steps to the process and slows down your connection. This is especially true if the VPN server is far away from your location or if the VPN provider doesn’t have fast, reliable servers.

To use a VPN effectively, choose a service with high-speed servers optimized for streaming. Some VPNs even have dedicated features for platforms like Netflix or YouTube to keep speeds fast. However, keep in mind that a VPN won’t fix buffering caused by other issues, like a weak Wi-Fi signal, slow internet speeds, or an overloaded network.

On average, you’ll at least 10 Mbps for streaming in HD and 25 Mbps for 4K video without buffering. These speeds should allow your device to download data quickly enough to keep the stream running without hiccups, even during network fluctuations.

However, if you've got multiple people at home, you porobably need much faster broadband, especially if you all stream, browse and game at the same time.

If your current broadband package doesn’t meet these speed requirements, consider upgrading to a superfast fibre broadband package or switching to a provider that offers better speeds in your area.

Not sure what you can get? Use our helpful broadband checker to see all of the broadband packages and speeds available in your area.

While the quick fixes above may temporarily stop buffering issues, they’ll probably come back if your internet is too slow.  To prevent buffering in the long run, you’ll need to improve your internet connection and optimise your setup.

A good place to start is by upgrading your internet plan to one with faster speeds. Streaming platforms have minimum speed requirements for smooth playback, and if multiple people in your household stream, game, or work online at the same time, consider a broadband package with even higher speeds to handle the extra demand.

It’s also important to place your Wi-Fi router in a central, open location to ensure a strong and even signal throughout your home. If you have a large space or experience dead zones, invest in a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system to boost the signal.

For the most reliable connection, use a wired Ethernet cable for your streaming device. This will eliminate any risk of interference and provide consistent internet speeds.

If you’re in need of a speed boost, it may be time to switch to our superfast broadband.

Our broadband deals offer superfast internet speeds from as little as £23.50 a month for 132Mbps, providing you more than enough bandwidth to stream all your favourite shows without interruptions.

Check out all of our broadband deals to see what you can get.