Stream stutters, what to do? – Improve streaming quality

Is the stream lagging on your Smart TV? Then take your smartphone or tablet and try the desired online video again. It is important that you do not change your location in the house or apartment and that you use the same app and the same stream. This should not be a problem – popular streaming services like Netflix are available on numerous systems, including:

• PC/Mac
• Laptop
• Smartphone
• Tablet
• Smart TV
• Streaming stick

If the stream runs smoothly on the alternative device but remains choppy on the original device, this indicates a specific hardware or software issue with the original device.

If the stream is stuttering on both devices, there is likely a general problem – most likely in your home network. In this case, we will assist you further below.

Does the WiFi work on the playback device?

In the first step, you should check whether your playback device has a proper WiFi connection. If websites and social media feeds load slowly or not at all, this may indicate that there is an issue with your device's internet connection. Restart the WiFi connection as a test!

On PC and Mac, this works by clicking on the WiFi icon in the task or menu bar and selecting "disconnect." Wait a few seconds and then reconnect.

On Windows PCs, smartphones, and tablets, you can alternatively briefly switch to airplane mode. In the case of a Smart TV or streaming stick, navigate to the respective options menu and restart the WiFi – or simply turn the device off for a moment.

Is the device utilization too high?

Is your video stuttering during playback? Then you should check the hardware utilization of your device . On Windows, use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+ALT+DELETE to open the Task Manager. On macOS, open the Activity Monitor under "Applications" > "Utilities." In the detailed process view, you will now see all apps and background processes. Relatively high on the list should be Google Chrome or alternative browser applications.

Do you notice an unusually high processor or memory usage ? If your computer is nearing its capacity, this is an indication that there simply aren't enough computing resources available for the current stream in high quality. At this point, you can try various things:

• Restart your browser and/or device.
• Clear the browser cache using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+SHIFT+DEL.
• Try an alternative browser that may be less resource-intensive.

By the way: Through the process view, you can also see which programs are involved in network usage. Here, you can identify and terminate background apps that may be taking away bandwidth from your stream – more on this in the Home Network Optimization section.

Do you use VPN software?

VPN services offer numerous benefits, especially for your online privacy – and are particularly enticing for streamers. Because these clever tools conceal your true location, they allow you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that is typically unavailable for streaming.

Sometimes, VPNs can noticeably throttle internet and streaming speeds. Temporarily disable the VPN tunnel and check if the streaming performance improves. If it does, you should select a different server within your VPN service that is closer to your actual location—or, as a last resort, switch to a completely different service.

But beware: The timing and context of a (live) stream can be crucial, as particularly high-profile events can cause a technical infrastructure to collapse in an instant.

If you usually never struggle with choppy online videos, but your livestream is stuttering during the thrilling World Cup final, a general overload of the streaming provider is likely. Series and movies also stutter during playback when too many users are accessing them. A quick Google search, a look at the provider's website, or services like Allestörungen.de  can provide insight into a potential server issue with the affected provider.

If there is a disruption, you can only check if there is an alternative platform for the desired stream or wait until the service is restored. Of course, you should also check if there is a disruption with your Internet provider. If an external problem seems unlikely or uncertain, you should check your home network for issues.

Check Connection Speed – How Much Bandwidth Do Netflix & Co. Require?

If Netflix is not loading or is slow, use the devolo Speed Test to find out your current internet speed. The most important metric when streaming content is the download speed.

Netflix, Amazon, and others recommend an initially relatively low benchmark of 1 Mbps for SD quality videos. However, as the picture quality increases, so do the demands on your internet speed.

To watch videos in Full HD resolution without interruptions, you should have at least 5 Mbps arriving at your device. And for crystal-clear 4K UHD images , Netflix and Amazon recommend at least 15 Mbps – Disney Plus even suggests a whopping 25 Mbps.

If your device is not receiving the necessary data, even though your internet connection should be sufficient, you can be sure you have found the root of your streaming problem . There are some simple solutions for this.

Upgrade to a new WiFi standard

If you believe your internet connection should provide enough bandwidth for simultaneous applications, an upgrade to WiFi 6 might be worthwhile. The modern WiFi standard offers increased data throughput and improved multitasking. The so-called OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) ensures that the many different network requests and applications from all family members are processed more efficiently.

If you live in an apartment building, neighbors can be another source of interference. While they may not be tapping into your internet connection (at best), they are likely broadcasting on the same frequency as your WiFi. Here, too, WiFi 6 is more efficient: With BSS Coloring , the WiFi standard offers a practical feature for conflict avoidance in residential buildings.

Shorten the distance to the router

As the distance from the router increases, a WiFi signal quickly begins to weaken. Thick walls and ceilings provide additional shielding. Therefore, if you are streaming at some distance from the access point, you should also perform the speed test directly next to the router.

If you achieve (approximately) the data speed promised by your provider here, but not at your desired streaming location a few rooms away, your problem lies in the drop of the WiFi signal . At that point, a WiFi extender is the only solution.

Use an Ethernet Cable

Many devices, such as smart TVs, laptops, and PCs, typically offer an Ethernet port. For particularly high and stable data rates connect your router and streaming device via a cable. This can be especially helpful for data-intensive 4K videos and improve overall streaming quality.

Utilize WiFi Extenders

Don't want to adjust to the location of your router? Sometimes the desired streaming spot is just one room and a wall too far from the optimal WiFi signal. In this case, you can use a repeater to extend the WiFi signal to adjacent rooms.

Even more effective is powerline technology: Network adapters from devolo transport the full power of your internet connection through the electrical wiring. This way, you can enjoy fast WiFi in every room – and even use the built-in Ethernet ports for crisp 4K streams without the hassle of running LAN cables throughout the house. Modern mesh features like band steering, airtime fairness, and BSS coloring complete the package.