Step by Step guide to assess and address buffer issues
What Causes Buffering
Important Note: The main reason users experience buffering is due to poor connection and slow Internet speed. The best way to fix this is to either use an ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi or upgrade your Internet package with your ISP. Streaming Live TV uses a lot of data more so than VOD's & Series on demand as they are compressing and there feeds are delayed. With Live TV No ones likes time delays especially when it comes to sports.
Give yourself a gift "UPGRADE" your internet package. Considering your annual savings by using VOLT TV over conventional cable you can surely apply a fraction of that to improving your broadband package. It's worth the investment...
Bad Internet Connection
Some users experience buffering is due to a bad internet connection. We recommend always logging into your 5GHZ network option over the 2.4GHZ alternative
Overheating device
Some devices tend to overheat when used continuously for long hours. Buffering is just one effect along with connectivity loss, frequent restarting, lagging hardware, freezing menu, and melted casing.
Outdated OS
If your device has an outdated operating system, it will not be able to fix bugs that may cause buffering.
Distance between the device and the modem/router
When the device is out of range of your wireless network or far away, it will have poor signal strength from your modem router.
Full storage and low RAM
If you devices storage is FULL or close to FULL it will drastically reduce it's processing abilities. In addition, when too many apps are running in the background, it can definitely affect your available RAM causing.
Other hardware problems
It could also be that your modem router, ethernet cable, smart TV or other devices used together with the streaming device that have hardware issues.
Bad Links in Apps and Addons
Using free links within apps and addons is a likely source for buffering issues. VOLT TV Premium link service will help to eliminate these problems. Contact Support For more details.
SOLUTIONS TO CORRECTING BUFFERING ISSUES
1. Test Internet Speed
The first step to resolving buffering is to test your internet speed with a reliable tool such as the built in VOLT TV "Speed Test" found in the SETTINGS area. The steps are available in our "Buffering Reduction" tutorial. We recommend a minimum speed of 25 mbps for 1080p content and 50 mbps for 4K products. Higher speeds are ALWAYS A BONUS and will improve your overall user experience.
2. Use Ethernet Connection
Many users often connect an Ethernet Adapter to their streaming device for a more reliable connection, faster download speeds, and ultimately reduce buffering. Ethernet provides a more stable and reliable connection than WiFi, if possible this is the preferred method.
4. Volt TV Premium Link Service
Volt TV offers an unrestricted downloading service that will alleviate buffering for add-ons that serve on-demand content such as movies and TV shows for our "Search Engine" Bonus offer to customers signed up with our FREEDOM Plan. This prevents you from joining the thousands of other users flocking to free public links we offer as "open source" and thus reduce the server’s speed and contribute to buffering.
5. Restart Device
Rebooting your streaming device is a common solution when encountering issues with its functionality. Restarting your device will force close any running applications and rejuvenate the device completely.
6. Reset Device to Factory Default
When you reset your device, it will return to the same state it was in when you first purchased it. These setting are optimized to work best with it's hardware and software.
7. Close Unwanted Background Apps
Having unwanted apps running in the background will usually cause buffering, and eat up memory. Using this maintenance technique will allow you to “force stop” all unwanted apps running in the background on your streaming device and allow for more resources available for use in seconds.
8. Cool Down Your Device
When a device gets too hot, it can negatively impact the performance in many ways such as buffering. Other than checking your device from time to time, you’ll be notified with a warning sign (“Device overheating”) on your screen.
9. Update Your Devices Software
Installing the latest software update on your device will help you remove features that are buggy in the previous versions, prevent apps from crashing, and reduce buffering.
10. Reset Router
Another way to fix wireless connection issues that lead to device buffering is to simply reset your network router. This allows your device to run smoothly again. Wait for at least 30 seconds to plug your router back to allow the capacitors to be fully drained and have your device’s memory cleared. All settings will then be cleared and you’re off to a clean slate.
It may also be worth upgrading your network router if paying for an upper-tier Internet package.
11. Clear App Data & Cache
The more Device APPS you install, the more files are stored on the cache.
This is done to avoid downloading the same content again when you use the app the next time.
14. Purchase a more Powerful Streaming Device (Bonus Tip)
Although the steps above will help reduce device buffering, it may be worth looking into a more powerful streaming device. The price point is higher, but if you’re looking for better processing power, more internal storage, gaming capabilities, and other advanced features, then a more powerful device may be your best bet.
REPORT CHANNELS ISSUES
Our Technical Support Team is also available to help you assess buffering issues and address internal problems with our network, servers, channels and content providers. In some cases we must contact the provider and remedy issues.
Please report channel issues to Info@GetVolt.TV
FURTHER ASSESSMENTS & INFORMATION - MOST COMMON BUFFERING ISSUE
Internet Speed Good Near Router But Bad On Streaming Devices
Choosing The Proper Router (Upgrade)
The type of router that you purchase will also have a big impact on your Internet download speeds.
Question 1 – How many people will be using the Internet simultaneously in your home?
Question 2 – How large is your home?
Question 3 – What will you be streaming (live tv, videos, movies, music, gaming)?
Each of the questions above should be addressed prior to purchasing a router. My household consists of multiple family members streaming content simultaneously as well as gaming. Due to this, I need a powerful router and the modest investment was well worth my overall user experience.
WiFi Extender & Additional Router
If you have spots in your home that don’t receive a good WiFi signal, you can try using a WiFi Extender. You can place this between your dead spot and router, then connect to that for a better signal. I suggest the TP-Link N300. Or, you can also setup a separate router if you have an available Ethernet connection in close proximity to your dead spot.
ISP Provided Router
If your Internet Service Provider has issued you a router, you will probably be better served by purchasing your own as their router/modems all-in-ones are generally the cheapest they can acquire. In my experience, the ISP routers aren’t powerful enough for multi-user Internet use and/or larger homes or the demands streaming brings. They usually charge you a monthly lease to use this inadequate router as well.
How To Position Your Streaming Device
Make sure that your streaming device is not obstructed by the television, furniture or anything else that may hinder it from receiving a good signal. The worst thing you can do is conceal your streaming device behind your television.
Your Streaming Device
Are you using an old streaming device such as the 1st Generation Fire TV Stick or old Android Box? If the answer is yes, that can definitely contribute to your buffering problems.
The 1st Generation Fire TV Stick was released in 2014 and includes a dual-core 1.0 GHz processor and only 1 GB of RAM. When you compare this with the newer options available today, you will quickly understand why an upgrade may help. This also applies to the older Android TV Boxes that were purchased a few years ago. BUT, if you don’t have good Internet download speed, upgrading your streaming device will have no positive affect.
Please remember streaming is the future and this is inevitable... We wouldn't suggest unnecessary investments for ISP upgrades, after market routers, hard wiring your streaming device or upgrading your device unless we knew it wasn't in your best interest and will drastically improve your overall experience. Unfortunately, you will eventually have to address these issues so why not do it now and enjoy the immediate benefits.
