Nothing beats getting home and binge-watching your favorite show’s latest episode that was left on a cliffhanger. But, poor internet connection, buffering, lags, disconnection – the list of things that can ruin your streaming experience can go on and on.
If you’re someone that experiences this a lot, then it’s about time you do something. But don’t fret, you’re not alone in this. We’re sharing some ways that you can finally enjoy the effortless streaming experience you’ve always dreamed of and deserved because why not?
Below are the methods that we’re talking about. Although some of these are easily implementable at home, some require additional effort, which we believe you’ll make since you’re done with your current experience and definitely want a change. So, without further ado, let’s check them out:
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Changing Your Internet Plan
In most cases, the issue isn’t with your streaming device or your internet connection but with your internet plan. The reason why you can’t enjoy streaming is that your internet plan doesn’t support the requirements for it.
Let’s look into this deeply – for starters, if you’re streaming in HD, you’ll need at least a 5-10 Mbps dedicated internet connection with no downloads of any sort. If you’re going above, like 4K UHD or more, you’ll need at least 25 Mbps dedicated speed.
If your current internet plan is just 10 Mbps, and it’s pretty obvious there are other users on the network, you can forget HD, let alone 4K streaming. Therefore, what you should do is upgrade your internet plan in the first place.
There’s no point in thinking about what you’re going to do with the rest of the speed when you’re not streaming. At least the experience should not be painstaking, for which you should contact your provider and get a speed upgrade.
If you’re using Xfinity, you can contact them via the Xfinity phone number and even ask for any promotional subscriptions, which several providers do offer to their customers. It’ll be your lucky day to have one.
Getting an Extender
If you’re streaming content on your devices using Wi-Fi, which is pretty obvious, then there might be a connectivity issue. Or more likely, signal and coverage issues. The reason is that Wi-Fi signals are radio waves, which are interfered with electromagnetic waves emitted from appliances.
In addition, Wi-Fi signals are blocked due to interferences such as closed cabins, walls, etc. If your router is placed in such a place, then it’s highly possible that you’re facing signal issues due to poor Wi-Fi coverage.
One thing to do is to change the location of your internet router. The second thing is getting a Wi-Fi extender. As evident from the name, a Wi-Fi extender will help boost the signals, making it easier to get coverage in every nook and cranny of your place.
However, it’s a Wi-Fi extender, the only thing it’ll extend is the signals. Don’t get the wrong idea of getting more speed because that’s not going to happen. For that, you’ll need to upgrade your internet speed, which we mentioned earlier.
Using the Ethernet
If you’re not satisfied with your Wi-Fi setup, then how about connecting via Ethernet? An Ethernet is a great option for those that truly want a top-grade speed experience from their internet router or gateway.
Connected to the Ethernet/ LAN port on the router, it’s able to bring the entire speed from your connection. Again, it depends on what speed you’ve opted for in your plan. But, using the Ethernet, you won’t have to face the hassles of a Wi-Fi connection.
In many cases, gamers prefer using an Ethernet connection since it avoids the disruptions faced by the Wi-Fi connection. Hence, if you’re into streaming, then why not connect your streaming devices via the Ethernet? It’ll make things easier and you’ll not have to face Wi-Fi disruptions again.
Changing the Video Quality
Yes, we know, you want to experience the crisp details from The Witcher in 4K UHD but for that, you can either upgrade your internet plan or stay with buffering. Or, there’s a third option – why not settle for HD quality?
Most streaming devices adjust the resolution according to the streaming capability of your device. Each device is configured/ manufactured with a certain display power that only runs up to a certain resolution.
In some cases, a high-end UHD LED will automatically run the stream in UHD without you changing the settings. On the other hand, a smartphone will only run the stream at the resolution that it’s able to based on its screen power.
Hence, if your screen or device isn’t able to handle the power, you can always reduce the resolution. At least you’ll get uninterrupted streaming and won’t have to settle for buffering or lags during the climax.
Closing Thoughts
Well, there you have it! With these methods, you’re now aware of what affects your streaming and how you can fix it. Keep these handy, and hopefully, you’ll finally enjoy watching your favorite shows without the frustration of lags or disruptions.
