Why and How to Fix Netflix Keeps Buffering (8 Solutions)

Let’s be real: buffering is the villain of every binge session.

If you're anything like me, Netflix is your go-to for unwinding after a long day. But there’s nothing more frustrating than hitting "play" on the latest episode of your favorite show, only for the screen to freeze every few seconds due to buffering. Whether you're watching on your phone during your commute, streaming on your smart TV, or binge-watching on your laptop, Netflix buffering can feel like the ultimate party pooper.

You might blame it on your internet connection, but often, it’s not that simple.

So if you’re wondering how to stop Netflix from buffering, even when your Wi-Fi seems fine, this guide is for you.

GUIDE LIST

1. Why Netflix Keeps Buffering (Even When Your Internet Is Fine)

2. 5 Quick Fixes You Can Try Right Now

3. 3 Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Buffering

4. Offline Playback Issues: Could It Be a Corrupted Video File

1. Why Netflix Keeps Buffering (Even When Your Internet Is Fine)

Before we get to the fixes, let’s talk about the "why." Understanding the cause is the first step to solving the problem, and it's not always what you think.

Internet Speed Myths

You might pay for a lightning-fast internet plan, but your Netflix streaming still happens slowly. This is because video quality demands a lot of bandwidth. Netflix suggests a minimum speed of 5 Mbps for HD streaming and 15 Mbps for 4K. Your internet might be fast enough for general browsing, but it might not be able to handle a high-quality stream while someone else in the house is gaming or downloading a big file. A simple check on fast.com, which is a speed test created by Netflix, will tell you exactly what your connection speed is.

This is also the reasons why Netflix videos black screen with sound, Netflix audio delay, and other Netflix playback problems.

Device Overload

Think of your phone, smart TV, or PC as a small, bustling city. If there are too many things happening at once, the whole system can slow down. If you've got ten browser tabs open, music playing in the background, and a few apps running, your device's memory and processor might be too busy to handle a smooth video stream. This is a super common reason for Netflix buffering on a smart TV or PC. Giving your device a little space to breathe can make a world of difference.

Netflix Server Hiccups

This is less common, but it does happen. Sometimes, Netflix itself experiences a server overload, especially during peak hours or when a major new season is released. If it seems like a lot of people are having the same problem at the same time, it might be on their end.

2. 5 Quick Fixes You Can Try Right Now

Let’s get to the fun part: making the problem go away! These simple streaming troubleshooting steps are often all you need.

Restart Your Router and Modem

Close Other Applications and Devices

Your internet connection is like a pipe, and all your devices are trying to get water from it. If your roommate is downloading a huge game update and your phone is syncing photos, there might not be enough "water" left for your stream. A good first step is to close other apps and disconnect devices you aren't using.

This solution is easy and universal to various playback issues, like Netflix audio delay, video black screen, and more.

Lower Your Streaming Quality

If your internet speed is consistently on the lower side, you can manually tell Netflix to use less data. This is an easy way to stop Netflix from buffering without upgrading your internet.

Save the changes. Then you can see if the Netflix buffering is removed.

Tip: Lower quality still looks great on smaller screens and saves data!

Check for a Netflix Server Outage

It’s always a good idea to check if Netflix is experiencing a widespread issue. You can check the official Netflix Help Center status page to find out if there are any known issues in your area.

Try a Different Device

This simple test can tell you a lot. If Netflix works perfectly on your phone but not your smart TV, you know the issue is with the TV and not your network. This helps you narrow down your Netflix buffering fix to the right source.

3. 3 Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Buffering

If the quick fixes didn't solve your problem, it's time to dig a little deeper.

How to Clear Your Device Cache and Cookies

Cached data is intended to help, but when it becomes outdated or corrupted, it can lead to issues with video playback and other bugs. Clearing the cache forces the app to load new data, which often resolves the issue.

On a Smart TV: Go to the TV's settings, find the Netflix app in the application manager, and select "Clear Cache" or "Clear Data."

On a PC: Clear your browser's cache and cookies.

On a Mobile Device: Go to Settings > Apps > Netflix > Storage and select "Clear Cache."

Change Your DNS Settings

This might sound a bit technical, but a DNS server is like the internet's phone book. It translates website names, such as netflix.com, into an IP address. Sometimes, your internet provider's default DNS can be slow. Switching to a public DNS like Google's (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare's (1.1.1.1) can sometimes speed things up.

Upgrade Your Wi-Fi Router or Device

If your router is several years old, it might not be able to handle the data demands of modern streaming. Newer routers often have better technology to manage multiple devices and faster speeds. Similarly, if you're using an older device, its hardware might simply be at its limit.

4. Offline Playback Issues: Could It Be a Corrupted Video File?

Here's the frustrating part: you downloaded your favorite movie to watch on a flight, but when you hit play, it just keeps buffering or freezing. Why is my downloaded movie still buffering? You’re not connected to the internet, so it can't be a network problem, right?

The truth is, sometimes a downloaded video file can become corrupted during the download process. This can happen due to a momentary Wi-Fi drop or a hiccup in the app itself. The result? A perfectly downloaded file that simply won't play correctly, giving you the impression of Netflix offline playback problems.

The solution is to repair the corrupted Netflix video file.

This is where a dedicated ArkThinker Video Repair can save the day. Although you can't fix the file directly within Netflix, a simple third-party application can get it working again.

It’s an easy-to-use tool that can fix a wide range of video files, including corrupted MP4 and MOV files. It specifically addresses issues like Netflix buffering, stuttering, freezing, and other playback errors that indicate file damage. What's even better is that it allows you to repair multiple videos at once, saving you a ton of time.

Here are the steps for fixing a buffering Netflix video file downloaded with ArkThinker Video Repair:

Open the application. You'll see a clean, easy-to-use interface.

That’s all there is to it! Once the Netflix video file is saved, you should be able to play it without any issues. It's a quick and simple way to solve those frustrating offline playback problems that aren't related to your internet connection.

Trust me, I’ve been there. I once downloaded a movie for a long flight, only to have it freeze a few minutes in. It wasn't my Wi-Fi, since I wasn't connected. It was so frustrating. I discovered the video was corrupted, and using a tool like ArkThinker Video Repair solved the problem in minutes. I was able to enjoy the rest of my movie, and my flight felt a lot shorter.

Conclusion

Don't forget to try ArkThinker Video Repair if your downloaded content won’t play properly, and keep your streaming setup optimized for the best experience!