I know you want to enjoy your bing-watch session, but buffering came up. It is frustrating to wait for the screen again and again to start streaming after continuous loading. You might be wondering why my Firestick keeps buffering?. But don’t worry. I have come up with possible errors that might be freezing your firestick, and I have also come up with solutions to resolve them which are given below.
1. Slow Internet Speed:
Internet connection is one of the common errors in buffering a firestick. For continuous quality streaming, you need stable and high-speed internet.
How Much Speed Do You Really Need?
For Standard Definition (SD): At least 3-5 Mbps.
For High Definition (HD): Around 5-10 Mbps.
For 4K or Ultra HD: A minimum of 25 Mbps.
If your internet speed drops below these ranges, then the device will start buffering. The speed also depends on the number of devices in use. If, on one side, you are watching sports or movies on your TV and on the other side, four different devices from other members are also using the internet, then that can cause a delay in streaming quality.
How to Check Your Internet Speed?
Before driving any result, you must check your internet speed to see if it meets the requirements mentioned earlier. You can check the speed in 2 simple steps. 1. Visit speedtest.net. 2. Hit go button. It will show you the download and upload speed per second. Now, check the criteria. If the speed matches the requirements, then the speed is good; otherwise, improve the speed by following some tips.
Tips to improve your internet speed:
Restart your router:
Use wired connection:
Move the router closer:
Limit devices in use:
What about ISP throttling?
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can purposely slow down your connection due to heavy streaming and gaming. Can you detect it? Yes, run a speed test during light usage/browsing and also while streaming. If you notice a large signal difference, then your ISP might be throttling your connection. In this case, contact your ISP to resolve the slow speed issue.
2. Clear The Cache:
Too much data:
Corrupted data:
Sometimes, the stored data becomes corrupted. This can lead to performance issues like app freezing and hindrance in video playing. So, deleting this data and freeing up the space can help Firestick run smoothly and quickly.
When Should You Clear the Cache?
When there is frequent buffering
When the apps are freezing
When apps are working slowly
General laziness in Firestick performance
How to Clear Cache on Firestick?
1. Turn on Firestick and navigate to the main menu
2. Scroll to the top, and you’ll find the setting option here.
3. In the setting menu, scroll down and select applications
4. Here, you’ll find the apps in use clear their cache one by one.
5. To clear the cache from each app, select the app and click on clear cache.
How Often Should You Clear the Cache?
Well, there is no set rule about what is the right time to clear the cache. It depends on your usage. If you are an extreme user, you must clear it every ten days, and if you use a firestick on and off, you can clear the cache every 1-2 months. Or clear it whenever you experience a streaming blockage.
Additional Tips For Managing The Firestick Cache:
(Tip 1) Uninstall unused apps – It will free up space and help the wanted app to run faster.
(Tip 2) Restart your Firestick – Reboot will clear minor glitches and cache and prevent buffering.
(Tip 3) Use cache cleaner apps – I recommend this step if you find clearing the cache of each app a bit time-consuming. In that case, apps like clean master and Total Commander can help.
3. Overheating:
Firestick overheating is one of the overlooked reasons why your device is buffering or lagging. When the device gets overheated, it slows down the performance and even crashes the apps.
Why Overheating Causes Buffering?
Slower Processing:
App Crashes:
Device Shut Down:
The good news here is overheating is stoppable. Let’s look at some precautions to keep our firestick working smoothly.
How to Prevent Your Firestick from Overheating?
Place the Firestick in a Well-airy Area:
If your device is plugged in at the back of your TV and surrounded by many other devices, it might need more room to emit heat. That ultimately gives rise to overheating within no time. Try to give it some space. So, the device can radiate the heat as it is produced. Some firesticks have small ventilation holes. Please make sure they are not blocked by any wall or a device nearby(your TV).
Use an HDMI Extender:
You might have plugged your Firestick directly into the HDMI port of your TV. Well, that is right, most people do this. However, using the HDMI extender prevents the heat trap between the firestick and your TV. And this extender comes with the device. Use this extension between the device and the TV. It will give the device more space to stabilize the heat emission.
Turn Off the Firestick When Not in Use:
Many users leave the firestick on even when they are not using it. This constant activity can overheat your device, so it’s better to turn it off once you are done watching.
You can manually turn it off. Here is how. Press the home button from the remote, Go to settings, then my Fire TV, and click on sleep. This will put your firestick in low power (sleep) mode. Unplug it if you are not using it for a while.
Tip: If you often forget to turn it off, enable the auto sleep feature from settings. It will automatically put your device in sleep mode after a certain time of inactivity.
Avoid Overloading Your Firestick with Apps:
Keep only those apps that are in use. Uninstall the rest. These are just consuming more resources and acquiring more space. So, having them installed will slow down the performance of your regular apps and cause device overheating. Also, check if certain apps are running in the background. Remove them if they are not benefiting anyway.
Moreover, use an optimized app for IPTV streaming. You can find different apps in the market, but as a tech expert in this IPTV field, I suggest IPTV Smarters. It is super efficient, easy to navigate, and compatible with almost all devices. So, selecting the right app can save your Firestick from overloading with many other non-efficient apps. It would ultimately reduce resource usage in your Fire TV. Hence avoid device overheating and buffering.
If none of these overheating precautions work, then it’s time to replace your device. Older firesticks can not handle modern streaming apps more effectively.
4. Update Your Firestick’s Software:
Firestick’s software update is like a regular check-up to keep the device working efficiently. It improves the performance and prevents your device from app crashing, buffering, overheating, and security hazards. This process ensures your device is compatible with the latest apps and their ever-evolving streaming features.
How to Update Your Firestick Software step-by-step:
Check for Available Updates:
Go to settings and click on my Fire TV.
Choose About and select Check for updates
Download and Install Updates:
After selecting the check for updates option,
Select the install update option.
It will take a few minutes, and your device may reboot automatically. Once it’s back on, you’re good to go!
5. Restart Your Firestick:
Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best. Restart your device. It will refresh the system and eliminate minor bugs.
Do You Want to Know The Permanent Buffer-Free Solution?
Let’s be real: Firestick depends on individual apps. Some of them often have bandwidth and performance issues. Customer support? Who has enough time to email them? You need the best alternative here that provides the content you want in high quality, channels from all over the world, live streaming shows, games, and sports, 24/7 easily accessible customer support, and no buffering. I can not see any other option than IPTV (Internet Protocol Television).
Unlike Firestick, where you have to buy a subscription for each app, with SmartHub4k IPTV services, you can have access to the whole world of endless entertainment. Our team is actively working so you can enjoy your family movie session without any interference.
How about setting up? Worry not. We are responsible for it. The process is easy once you get in. In case you feel any error, we are just one click away grab your phone and talk to us on WhatsApp.