Apple TV Keeps Buffering? Here's How to Fix It for Good

Enjoying your favorite show or movie on Apple TV ought to be a soothing experience, but when buffering hits, the mood can quickly change from calm to frustrating. If you’ve ever settled in with your snacks ready, only for the spinning wheel to interrupt your binge-watch, you know exactly how it feels. Whether it's a sudden buffering issue during your movie night or constant interruptions while streaming in 4K, Apple TV buffering can be a real downer.

You’ve probably already tried restarting the device or checking your internet, but the issue might persist. Don’t worry! You’re not alone, and there are practical solutions to get your Apple TV streaming smoothly again. Let’s dive into why Apple TV keeps buffering and the best ways to fix it.

GUIDE LIST

Part 1. Why Does Apple TV Keep Buffering

Part 2. 6 Methods to Solve Apple TV Buffering

Part 3. How to Fix a Downloaded Video from Apple TV that is Corrupted

Part 1. Why Does Apple TV Keep Buffering

First, let's get to the root of the problem. Buffering isn't just random bad luck; it’s a symptom of an underlying issue, and it's usually one of these culprits:

Slow Internet Speed

This is the most common reason. Streaming services need a specific level of bandwidth to operate effectively. For a clear, high-definition (HD) stream, you generally need at least 5 Mbps, and for a pristine 4K stream, you need 25 Mbps or more. If your connection is too slow, your Apple TV simply can't download the video data fast enough.

Network Congestion

Think of your home Wi-Fi like a busy highway. When everyone is on it at the same time—your brother is gaming online, your mom is on a video call, and you're streaming a movie- it can get congested. This slows everything down, resulting in slow Apple TV streaming and lag.

Weak Wi-Fi Signal

Having a fast internet plan doesn’t guarantee your Apple TV is getting the full speed. If your router is far away or has obstacles like walls, floors, or even furniture in its way, the Wi-Fi signal can weaken significantly.

Outdated Software or Apps

An old version of tvOS (Apple TV's operating system) or a streaming app can have bugs that cause buffering issues. Developers release updates to fix these kinds of problems, so staying current is a must.

Too Much Cache

Over time, your Apple TV and its apps store temporary files (cache) to load things faster. However, excessive cache can slow the device down, causing it to freeze during streaming or experience frequent drops in Apple TV video quality.

Part 2. 6 Methods to Solve Apple TV Buffering

Now for the good part: the solutions! Before you get into the nitty-gritty of advanced troubleshooting, start with these simple fixes. You'll be surprised how often they do the trick.

Solution 1. Restart Everything

Solution 2. Check Your Internet Speed

You can use a speed test app right on your Apple TV to see if your internet is the problem. If your speeds are lower than what you’re paying for, or if they’re below the recommendations for HD or 4K streaming, the issue is with your network. Consider conducting the speed test multiple times to obtain an average result. A little warm tip: to get the most accurate results, make sure no other devices are actively using the network during the test.

This solution very useful, especially when you get stuck in some playback issues like VLC lagging, Netflix buffering, and more.

Solution 3. Use an Ethernet Cable

This is probably the single best solution for serious buffering problems. Connecting your Apple TV directly to your router with an Ethernet cable provides a rock-solid, stable connection that is far superior to Wi-Fi. It eliminates all the issues with wireless interference and signal strength, giving you the fastest possible speeds. My personal experience? Swapping to an Ethernet cable completely solved my Apple TV buffering on YouTube and other apps.

Solution 4. Update Your Software

Make sure your Apple TV is running the latest tvOS. Go to Settings > System > Software Updates. If an update is available, download and install it. While you're at it, check the App Store for any updates to your streaming apps. An old app version could be the reason for your Apple TV freezing while streaming.

Solution 5. Lower the Video Quality

If you've experienced buffering while streaming in 4K or HD, consider reducing the video quality to ease the strain on your internet connection. Go to Settings > Video and Audio and select a lower resolution, such as 1080p, to see if it helps.

Lowering streaming video quality can fix various issues like YouTube TV playback error, Netflix video lagging, and more.

Solution 6. Change Your DNS Settings.

Think of a DNS (Domain Name System) server as a phone book for the internet. Your Apple TV uses it to find the servers for streaming apps. At times, the DNS server offered by your internet service provider may experience slowness or become overloaded. You can consider changing to a public DNS server like Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1). Go to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) > Configure DNS and change it to Manual. This simple change can sometimes make a huge difference in loading times and reduce buffering.

Part 3. How to Fix a Downloaded Video from Apple TV that is Corrupted

Sometimes, the problem isn't with your internet or your Apple TV at all. What if you've already downloaded a video to watch offline, but it's corrupted and won't play? This isn't a buffering problem, and it's a video file problem. The file might be choppy, stuttering, or simply broken before it even gets to your Apple TV.

The solution to this specific issue is a powerful video repair tool, like ArkThinker Video Repair. This tool is created to repair these types of files, allowing you to experience your movies and shows just as they were intended.

ArkThinker Video Repair is a dedicated software that helps you fix corrupted, broken, or damaged video files. It's a lifesaver when you've got a video that just won't play. It addresses a wide range of corruption issues, allowing you to fix choppy, stuttering, or broken videos that cause playback failures, which you might have mistakenly identified as buffering problems. It’s designed for anyone to use, not just tech wizards. You don’t need any special knowledge to get it working, which is a big relief when you're already frustrated.

Now, let’s follow the steps below to fix the video that is buffering in Apple TV with ArkTHinker Video Repair.

• Click on "Add Video" on the left pane: This button lets you select the corrupted video that you’ve downloaded to your Apple TV.

• Upload the sample video on the right pane: Navigate to the right pane to add the sample video that is from the same source as the corrupted video file in a good status.

If the video appears to be in good condition and plays without issues, you can click on "Save" to select a destination on your computer or external storage device for saving the corrected files.

Now, you can transfer the repaired video back to your Apple TV or watch it on another device without any buffering or lagging.

Conclusion