Most people who contact us about buffering have fast enough internet. The problem is getting that speed to the TV. Here’s what you actually need and how to make sure your streaming device gets it.
How much speed IPTV needs
As a rough guide, per stream:
- HD: 10 Mbps or more for a comfortable margin
- 4K: 25 Mbps or more
Multiply by the number of TVs streaming at once, and leave room for everyone else’s phones, laptops, and video calls. A household with two HD streams and normal internet use is comfortable on a 100 Mbps plan.
Test where it counts
Your internet plan’s speed is what arrives at the router. What reaches the TV can be a fraction of that. Run a speed test on the streaming device itself. On a Fire Stick or Google TV, open a browser and go to fast.com.
Fixes, in order of impact
Use a cable if you can
Ethernet is the most reliable fix for buffering. The onn 4K Pro has a port built in; Fire Sticks need an inexpensive adapter.
Use the 5 GHz network
If your router shows two network names, pick the one marked 5G or 5 GHz. It’s faster and less crowded than 2.4 GHz, though its range is shorter.
Move the router, not just the TV
Routers work best out in the open and up high, not in a cabinet, behind the TV, or on the floor. Every wall and appliance between the router and the TV cuts the signal.
Add a mesh system or extender for far rooms
If one bedroom always buffers, a mesh Wi-Fi point placed halfway between the router and that room usually solves it.
Restart the router every so often
Unplugging your router for 30 seconds clears out problems that build up over weeks of use.
When it’s not your Wi-Fi
If speed tests on the device look strong and a single channel still stutters, the problem may be that source. Tell us the channel and time so we can check it.
Questions? Email Support@LoftyTV.com or text (312) 248-4858 (text only, no calls).
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