Buffering can start with weak Wi-Fi
Compare the signal by the TV with the signal by the router.
Home Wi-Fi helpFix buffering, get
SIGNAL Strong NoneExample apartment · 5 GHz
Fix buffering, get
the right speed and
set up your router
Plain answers for home Wi-Fi and streaming. Start where you watch, not where your router sits.
In short01 02 03
Three things to know first
4K needs 15 to 25 Mbps
Count each screen that streams at the same time.
Router high, central, in the open
Try these three placement changes before buying anything.
Start here
What’s going wrong?
Pick what you see. Each row links to a practical first check.
Buffering every few minutesStart with the Wi-Fi signal in this room.FIX
5 min ↗Picture goes blurry, then sharpCheck for short drops in download speed.FIX
5 min ↗Slow in one room onlyLook for thick walls and poor router placement.FIX
15 min ↗Fine by day, bad at nightCompare a quiet-hour reading with your evening result.FIX
10 min ↗Video calls freezeCheck upload speed while the call is running.FIX
10 min ↗Everything stoppedTry a second device before changing the router.FIX
5 min ↗
5 min ↗Picture goes blurry, then sharpCheck for short drops in download speed.FIX
5 min ↗Slow in one room onlyLook for thick walls and poor router placement.FIX
15 min ↗Fine by day, bad at nightCompare a quiet-hour reading with your evening result.FIX
10 min ↗Video calls freezeCheck upload speed while the call is running.FIX
10 min ↗Everything stoppedTry a second device before changing the router.FIX
5 min ↗
Internet speed
How much speed do you need?
| Activity | Speed per screen | Share of a 100 Mbps plan |
|---|---|---|
| SD video | 3 Mbps | |
| HD video (1080p) | 5 to 8 Mbps | |
| 4K video | 15 to 25 Mbps | |
| Video call | 3 to 4 Mbps each way | |
| Online gaming | 5 Mbps; latency matters |
Planning estimates. The service, picture quality and other devices can change what you need.
Router tips
Three router tips that work
✓Put it high and central
Try a shelf near the middle of the home.
×Hide it in a cupboard
Doors, metal and equipment can block the signal.
✓Keep it in the open
Leave space around the router and antennas.
×Put it behind the TV
The screen and cables can get in the way.
✓Compare both bands
Try 5 GHz nearby and 2.4 GHz farther away.
×Move it for looks alone
Check your farthest room after each change.
Quick fix01 / 2 MIN 02 / 1 MIN 03 / 1 MIN 04 / 1 MIN
Fix it in 5 minutes
Restart
Restart the router and your streaming device.
Get closer
Move one room closer to the router.
Check your speed
Compare a result from the room you watch in.
Drop to HD
Lower picture quality while you narrow down the cause.
Still buffering? Ask the Wi-Fi desk.
Ask a question ↗FAQ
Questions
Why does my TV keep buffering?
Try the same programme near the router and on a second device. If only the distant TV struggles, check placement or try Ethernet before changing your internet plan.
How much speed do I need for 4K?
Allow roughly 15 to 25 Mbps per 4K screen. Leave room for other streams and calls.
Is 5 GHz better than 2.4 GHz?
Usually it is faster nearby. The 2.4 GHz band can reach farther; compare both in the room you actually use.
Do I need a new router?
Not necessarily. Check placement, updates and a wired connection first. Upgrade if the router no longer receives security updates or cannot meet your needs.