How to Stop Buffering on FireStick

👉 Also Read: Best VPN for FireStick in 2021

In this post, I will share with you all the different solutions that you can use to fix FireStick buffering issues.

When you’re watching your favorite movie, TV series or Live TV on FireStick, the last thing you want to deal with is buffering. Occasional buffering issues are common with using the FireStick devices and it can be frustrating. However, the good news is it is possible to fix buffering on FireStick.

If you are constantly facing buffering errors, it means the connection to the server was lost or something else went wrong. So, if you are wondering how to stop FireStick from buffering, there are quite a few tricks you can apply to help you get the streaming back on track.

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Why does my FireStick Keep Buffering?

FireStick buffering issues are common. There are many reasons why your FireStick could be buffering. In this guide, I have covered various scenarios and provided a solution for each one of them.

Here is the quick look at the most common reasons:

• Slow Internet Connection
• Poor Wi-Fi Signal
• ISP cutting down speed on streaming/Internet throttling
• Running out of RAM space
• Low Storage
• Outdated FireStick OS
• FireStick overheating
• Other devices hogging bandwidth

How to Stop Buffering on FireStick and Fire TV

As discussed earlier, in this section, we cover the most common scenarios that contribute to FireStick buffering and how to fix them.

We will start with a generic solution – rebooting the device.

1. Reboot FireStick

Restarting your FireStick can resolve many problems, including buffering. Restarting will shut down all the apps and processes that are currently running on your FireStick. Therefore, a reboot should be the first thing that you do for almost any issue that you face on FireStick. Here’s how you do it:

1. From the home screen of your FireStick, navigate to Settings

2. Scroll to the right and click My Fire TV

3. Click Restart

If your problem isn’t solved by restarting your FireStick, then go ahead and try the other solutions provided in this article until your FireStick buffering issue is fixed. Now, let’s look at the common reasons behind buffering errors on FireStick and what you can do to fix them:

2. Slow Internet Connection

Slow internet connection is the biggest reason behind the buffering issues. In order to enjoy smooth buffer-less streaming, you need a fast internet connection.

Netflix recommends the following minimum speeds:

• 3Mbps for SD
• 5Mbps for HD
• 25Mbps for 4K

However, I recommend a 50Mbps connection for a smooth streaming experience. You may have multiple devices connected to the network and if they stream simultaneously, each device will eat up its share of the bandwidth.

Solutions:

Check Your Internet Speed

Here are the steps to check internet speed on FireStick:

1. From the home screen of your FireStick, navigate to the Search icon in the top-left corner

2. Type in Internet Speed Test App and install the app by clicking Get/Download

3. Open the app after it’s installed and then click Start Test to get the results

Reboot Your Router

Rebooting the router is the best way to fix interference problems with your FireStick and boost your local network’s performance. Turn off your router and modem by plugging it off the power source, and then wait for a couple of minutes. Plug everything back in and wait to see if it solves your buffering issues.

Try a lower video quality

Higher video qualities usually require more bandwidth, so choosing a lower video quality can help with the buffering issues. If there’s an option to manually set video quality, you can do so until the slow connection issue lasts and then change it back to the higher resolution.

3. Poor Signal Issues

If your Wi-Fi modem is placed too far from your FireStick, the signal strength will be weak and will cause buffering issues.

Solutions:

Improve Wi-Fi signal

First, check the strength of your Wi-Fi signal in the Fire TV settings. Here’s how you do it:

1. From the home screen, navigate to Settings

2. Click Network

3. Scroll to the Wi-Fi network which you are connected to right now. You will see the Signal strength on the right of the screen. Ideally, it should be Good or Very Good

If the connection is weak, try moving your Wi-Fi router or the FireStick closer so the signal improves. If it still doesn’t work, you might also consider getting a Wi-Fi booster or Wi-Fi extender.

Note: Wi-Fi routers usually come with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. Even though 5 GHz is faster, it has a shorter range.

Use an Ethernet cable

If there’s no way to improve the Wi-Fi signal, you can always use an Ethernet adapter to ensure you get the best possible connection strength.

You can buy an Ethernet Cable from Amazon for $14.99.

4. ISP Throttling? Prevent Buffering with VPN

Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) sometimes slows down your connection speed and it is also one of the big reasons behind buffering issues.

This happens especially when you are streaming with third-party APKs like Cinema HD, Typhoon TV, Mobdro, etc.

Solutions:

Use a VPN for a faster streaming experience

A good VPN can fix FireStick buffering issues caused by ISP throttling. VPN can mask traffic to stop slowdowns enforced by ISPs. A VPN encrypts any data traveling to and from a device and routes it through an intermediary server in a location that you choose while connecting to a VPN.

If your ISP throttles video streams, a VPN can mask the stream to make it indistinguishable from any other type of download.

We recommend ExpressVPN as it’s the most reliable VPN. With the annual plan, ExpressVPN offers you 49% OFF with 3 extra months. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

1. Click HERE to Sign up for ExpressVPN

2. Click the Search Feature on your FireStick home screen

3. Search for ExpressVPN app and install it

4. Launch ExpressVPN after it is installed and then Log in using your ExpressVPN username and password

5. Connect to a VPN server of your choice and start seamless streaming

Change VPN Server Location

Try to change the server location and check if the streaming speed has gotten better. For example, if you are connected to a VPN server in the USA, you can change it to a location in Canada or UK, as that server might be less congested and you will get better speed.

5. Use Real Debrid to reduce FireStick buffering issues

If you are experiencing buffering on FireStick with third-party apps like Cinema HD, Typhoon TV, or Kodi addons like Exodus Redux, Venom, it would be a good idea to use Real Debrid.

These apps and addons generate free streaming links. However, the free links are often not reliable. The servers to which these links point to are often jammed with millions of playback requests.

On the other hand, Real Debrid offers premium and high-quality links exclusive to its subscribers. You will experience zero or less buffering and smoother playback.

Click HERE to sign up for Real Debrid

For complete information read How to sign up for, set up, and use Real Debrid on FireStick

6. Low storage

Since FireStick is a low-storage device, this issue is very common. It has only 8GB storage and the OS itself takes up a lot of the space.

Solution:

Uninstall the Unnecessary Apps

Do you have a lot of apps in your FireStick? This can drastically compromise your streaming experience. As the apps tend to take up a lot of space, it is better to have only the app you regularly use and need. Here’s how you uninstall any app:

1. From the FireStick homes screen, click Settings from the top menu.

2. Scroll to the right and click Applications

3. Click Manage Installed Applications

4. Choose the app you would like to uninstall. I am using BeeTV App as an example.

5. Click Uninstall

2. Clear App Data and Caches

Every app has its temporary and permanent storage on FireStick. If you have been using an app for some time, it is possible that the app has stored too much data, which uses up the limited space that is available on your FireStick. Here’s how you clear data or clear cache:

1. From the FireStick home screen, go to Settings

2. Click Applications

3. Select Manage Installed Applications

4. When you highlight an app, on the right side, you will see the data the app stores, and how big its cache is.

5. Click the app that took up too much space

6. Then, you will have two options:

Clear Cache – It will just clear cache and keep all other information and settings.

Clear Data – It will completely reset the app to factory settings and clear all the app-related data such as login info, settings, etc.

7. Low RAM

It is not unusual for FireStick to run low on RAM if there are several background apps and processes are running.

Solution:

Free Up FireStick RAM

If you run a lot of processes on your Fire Stick, it is likely to run out of RAM quickly. It can cause your FireStick to buffer. You can simply free up RAM by following the steps given below:

1. From your FireStick home screen, click on the Search Feature

2. Type Background Apps and Process List and select it from quick suggestions below

3. Click on the app

4. Then click Get.

5. Next, click Open.

6. Then click Got It! It will display a list of apps that are currently running in the background.

7. Click Close All Apps from the top menu panel

8. Pick any app that you want to close and click Force Stop.

You can repeat this process for all the other apps you want to close. Just press the Back button on the remote to continue.

Note: Do not force close the VPN app you are using on your FireStick as it helps with your streaming speed and also security.

8. Modify Your Privacy Settings

Amazon collects your data in the name of enhancing user experience and marketing. Not only this can compromise your privacy, but it also needs certain processes running in the background to constantly monitor your data. These activities could slow down your FireStick device and ultimately cause buffering issues.

Data Monitoring and Data Collection are usually ON by default. Here is how you can disable them:

Turn Off Collect App Usage Data

1. From the FireStick home screen, go to Settings

2. Click Preferences

3. Next, click Privacy Settings

4. Click Collect App Usage Data once to turn it off.

5. It will show a prompt, click Turn Off.

Turn Off Data Monitoring

1. From the FireStick home screen, go to Settings

2. Click Preferences

3. Click Data Monitoring

4. Click Data Monitoring once again to turn it off.

9. Turn Off Automatic Updates

Automatic Updates can cause the FireStick to slow down and eventually cause buffering problems. Here’s how you can turn off Automatic Updates:

1. From the FireStick home screen, go to Settings

2. Click Applications

3. Click Appstore

4. Click Automatic Updates once to turn it off.

Note: This will just turn off automatic updates for your installed apps. Your FireStick will still be updated automatically.

10. Outdated FireStick OS

If your FireStick has an outdated OS, you may experience buffering problems.

Solution:

Update Fire OS

Keep your Fire OS be up-to-date to improve its overall performance. The Fire OS updates automatically, however, if you need to manually update it, follow these steps given below:

1. From the FireStick home screen, click on Settings

2. Click My Fire TV

3. Click About

4. Click Check for Updates

5. If an update is available, Click Install Update

This might also require restarting your FireStick.

11. FireStick over-heating

If your device is getting overheated, it can cause FireStick buffering issues.

Solution:

Ensure the FireStick Stays Cool

Too many apps and processes running on a FireStick can overheat it. Sometimes, this can affect the performance of FireStick and create buffering issues.

Keep the FireStick out using the HDMI extender. Since TV generates heat too, it can transfer some of the heat to the FireStick. You might also try using a different HDMI port. 

12. Other Devices Hogging Bandwidth

Are there other devices in your house that are using the internet? If they are performing bandwidth-intensive processes such as streaming videos or downloading files, then it’s possible that they are siphoning too much bandwidth and there is not enough for your FireStick device.

Solution:

Prevent Other Devices from Hogging Bandwidth

To stream seamlessly, stop other devices that are running bandwidth-intensive tasks to free up bandwidth for your FireStick.

13. Last Resort – Factory Reset

When all else fails, consider doing a factory reset. Factory Reset will erase all your apps and data, so be sure to have backups if necessary.

1. From the FireStick home screen, click on Settings

2. Click My Fire TV

3. Scroll down and click Reset to Factory Defaults

4. Select Reset

This will give you a clean slate and remove any persistent problem including malware that might be causing your FireStick buffering.

If nothing works and your FireStick keeps buffering, then it could be a local hardware issue. Your router, modem, Ethernet cable, or even the FireStick itself can be faulty and they may be causing buffering issues. In that case, you need to get them fixed or replace them.

FAQs – FireStick Buffering Issues

Conclusion

Buffering problems on FireStick can be frustrating to deal with, especially when you are watching your favorite show or movie. Luckily, if you follow the solutions given in this article, you should be able to successfully fix buffering on FireStick.

If you have any other suggestions that can solve FireStick buffering issues, then please share them with us in the comments below!

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