Judith234

Q: My Apple TV viewing is constantly stopping and buffering

I have a 3rd Gen AppleTV.  Whenever I am watching Netflix or something using Apple TV it constantly stops and buffers sometimes for a long time. It stops and starts throughout any program. Thoughts or solutions?

AppleTV 2, OS X 10.9.5

Posted on Jul 14, 2016 10:59 AM

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Q: My Apple TV viewing is constantly stopping and buffering

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  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jul 14, 2016 11:03 AM in response to Judith234
    Level 10 (103,855 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 14, 2016 11:03 AM in response to Judith234

    Intermittent problems are often a result of interference. Interference can be caused by other networks in the neighbourhood or from household electrical items.

     

    You can download and install iStumbler (NetStumbler for windows users) to help you see which channels are used by neighbouring networks so that you can avoid them, but iStumbler will not see household items.

     

    Refer to your router manual for instructions on changing your wifi channel or adjusting your multicast rate.

     

    There are other types of problems that can affect networks, but this is by far the most common, hence worth mentioning first. Networks that have inherent issues can be seen to work differently with different versions of the same software. You might also try moving the Apple TV away from other electrical equipment.

     

    The following article(s) may help you.

     

    Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections

    Recommended Wi-Fi settings

    Sources of Interference

    Wifi Diagnostic Software (for Mac users)

     

    You may also find some help on this page, where I’ve collected some of the more unusual solutions to network issues.

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Jul 14, 2016 11:33 AM in response to Judith234
    Level 4 (3,812 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 14, 2016 11:33 AM in response to Judith234

    How fast is your internet connection? You can measure it with a computer or device speedtest app.

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jul 14, 2016 11:50 AM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 10 (103,855 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 14, 2016 11:50 AM in response to Winston Churchill

    stopping and starting isn't a result of a slow internet connection.

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Jul 14, 2016 12:24 PM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 4 (3,812 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 14, 2016 12:24 PM in response to Winston Churchill

    I understand. When I watch YouTube over my 2.5 Mb DSL, and it stops for a moment, showing the wheel, that's not because the player caught up to the download. That's good to know. Thank you.

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jul 14, 2016 12:38 PM in response to Diana.McCall
    Level 10 (103,855 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 14, 2016 12:38 PM in response to Diana.McCall

    IT is because the play head caught up with the download, but that's not because of a slow download, it's because of an inconsistent download. The Apple TV calculates when it can start playing a download so it doesn't stop, this only works properly if the speed stays constant irrespective of what the speed is. If it's not constant it may stop.

  • by Chahineata,

    Chahineata Chahineata Jul 14, 2016 11:41 PM in response to Judith234
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 14, 2016 11:41 PM in response to Judith234

    Most probably its problem in ur network, usually for sd content you need minimum 2.5mbps , for hd 4mbps , for full hd 8 mbps

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jul 15, 2016 2:13 AM in response to Chahineata
    Level 10 (103,855 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 15, 2016 2:13 AM in response to Chahineata

    Yes it's most likely an issue with their network, but I repeat, it's not about the speed but rather the consistency of the speed. If you have a slow network, depending on what you are watching, you will either have to wait a while or see it at a lower quality than otherwise might be available, you should however not have it stop and start once it starts to play, if it does that is because the download has slowed down.