Why Does Peacock Keep Buffering? Here's What’s Going On

You're in the middle of a suspenseful drama, the winning touchdown is about to be thrown, or you're finally catching up on a new episode of your favorite show. You're completely engrossed, and then, out of nowhere, the video freezes and the dreaded spinning circle appears. The screen goes black, and the magic is gone. The infamous Peacock buffering has just hit you.

I get it. That feeling is the worst. But don't worry; this guide will explain what causes this frustrating problem and, more importantly, provide a playbook of solutions to help you fix Peacock buffering for good.

GUIDE LIST

Part 1. Why Does Peacock Keep Buffering

Part 2. How to Fix Peacock Keeping Buffering

Part 3. How to Fix a Downloaded Peacock Video That Keeps Buffering

Part 1. Why Does Peacock Keep Buffering

Let's get into the details. Before we can fix the problem, we need to understand what’s causing it. Think of your streaming setup as a team: the Peacock app, your device, and your internet connection. If one of them is off their game, the whole team suffers.

Your Internet Connection

This is, without a doubt, the most common culprit behind most Peacock streaming issues. Even if you have a decent internet plan, an unstable connection can’t keep up with the data a live or high-definition stream requires. Peacock recommends a minimum of 3.0 Mbps for standard content, and at least 8.0 Mbps for HD and 4K content. For a smooth, buffer-free experience, especially during peak times, you really want much more than that.

Overloaded Wi-Fi Network

Ever tried to watch a show while three other people in your house are downloading massive files, live-streaming on a different device, or gaming online? Your router can only handle so much traffic at once. It's like a highway during rush hour—everything slows to a crawl.

Too Many Apps Running

This one is a sneaky one. Your device, whether it’s a phone, laptop, or Smart TV, has limited resources. If you have ten other browser tabs open or a bunch of background apps running, they're all using valuable bandwidth and processing power that Peacock needs to run smoothly.

Outdated Peacock App or Device

It’s easy to ignore those update notifications, but an outdated app can be full of bugs and glitches that have already been fixed in a newer version. Similarly, if your device’s operating system is ancient, it might not be able to handle the latest video formats, leading to Peacock app problems.

Many users stream Peacock, YouTube, etc., via Smart TVs or browsers like Firefox. When your YouTube videos are not playing on Firefox, this guide helps troubleshoot browser-based streaming issues, which often overlap with app buffering problems.

Part 2. How to Fix Peacock Keeping Buffering

Alright, let's get you back to your show. These are the first few things I always try. They’re simple, quick, and work more often than you'd think.

Immediate Troubleshooting Steps

• Restart your router and streaming device. Unplug both for 60 seconds, then plug them back in. This often clears temporary glitches.

• Disconnect unused devices from your network. Free up bandwidth for your stream by temporarily disconnecting other phones, tablets, or computers that are on your Wi-Fi.

• Update the Peacock app via your device’s app store. Go to your app store (Apple App Store, Google Play, etc.) and make sure the Peacock app is fully up-to-date.

• Clear cache and temporary data from the app settings. This removes corrupted data that can slow down performance. The steps vary by device, but you can usually find this option in the app's settings.

Advanced Solutions for Persistent Buffering

If the quick fixes didn't work and you're still seeing that frustrating spinning wheel, it's time to bring out the big guns.

• Run a speed test and upgrade your internet if needed. Go to a site like Speedtest.net to see if your internet is meeting Peacock's recommended speeds (3.0 Mbps for standard, 8.0 Mbps for HD/4K). If it's not, contact your internet service provider to discuss an upgrade.

The Internet speed is one of the reasons for various video playback errors for YouTube TV, Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming websites. If you encounter such errors, try this solution.

• Switch to a wired Ethernet connection for more stability. A direct cable connection from your router to your device is the most reliable way to stream and can eliminate Wi-Fi interference.

• Check Peacock’s social media or website for any server outage updates. On rare occasions, the issue might be on Peacock's end due to a major event or server maintenance. A quick check of their social media channels can confirm this.

Buffering can cause audio to fall out of sync with video. This guide offers practical fixes for audio delay, which is a common side effect of poor streaming performance.

Part 3. How to Fix a Downloaded Peacock Video That Keeps Buffering

If you're watching a video you've downloaded from Peacock and it's still buffering, the issue isn't your internet connection. The video file itself is likely corrupted. This can happen during the download process and is more common than you'd think. While you can always try re-downloading the video, a more reliable solution is to use a video repair tool.

ArkThinker Video Repair is a dedicated tool designed to fix corrupted or broken video files. It can repair files that stutter, freeze, or refuse to play, restoring them to their original, flawless quality.

This video repair tool works by analyzing a corrupted file and rebuilding it using advanced algorithms. They can fix issues caused by incomplete downloads, bad sectors on a hard drive, or improper file transfers.

Now, let’s follow the steps below to fix the corrupted Peacock video file on your computer.

Open this tool. Click the Add button to import the downloaded Peacock video file that is causing the buffering on the left side. You can also drag and drop the file directly into the program.

Also, do not forget to add the sample Peacock video file, which is a healthy, uncorrupted video with the same format and from the same device on the right side of this software for a smooth repair process.

Conclusion

Don't let buffering stop you from enjoying the shows you love. Give these tips a try and let me know which one worked best for you. Now, go on and get back to your show!