Featured Image Credit: SOPA Images/dem10/Getty Images
There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of binge watching your favorite show and the dreaded buffering sign coming up.
And is it just us, or does it always happen when you're at the most gripping part?
You might have tried turning the telly on and off, shouting at the screen or just plain sighing in defeat, but now, here are the solutions straight from the source - Netflix.
Advert
'If possible, put them in the same room,' Netflix suggests.
It goes without saying really - if you’re trying to watch Netflix in the furthest room away from the router, the slower your program will likely load.
Thick walls between your device and the router could also slow things down - and where in the room you place your router makes a difference.
'Keep your router in an open space off the floor. Routers get better reception when on a desk or bookshelf,' Netflix advises.
If it’s on the floor, its signal could get blocked by furniture.
According to The Sun, Netflix experts also recommend making sure your router is away from other wireless devices.
That means your kitchen is probably not the best place for it, as you might have lots of gadgets that might interfere with the internet speed. But, it’s important to remember not every router is the same - it can take some experimentation to work out the best position for yours.
If your favorite series is loading slowly or stops to buffer every two seconds, Netflix also says you can also try restarting the device - so basically turning your appliance on and off again.
If that still doesn't fix the issue, try signing out of Netflix and checking if your network can actually play Netflix if you’re in a public place.
If even after trying all these tips your Netflix is still constantly buffering, it could be worth looking into the Premium version.
If you do shell out for Netflix Premium, you'll be able to watch TV shows and films in Dynamically Optimized (DO) HDR - which essentially helps you stream even better than ever.
According to Netflix, tests suggest watching in DO HDR resulted in '40% fewer rebuffers' - that's when your show constantly stops, buffers and waits for the internet to load it up.
So, if you’re willing to try placing your router in a few different places in your home, or even shelling out a bit of extra cash a month, you may be able to say goodbye to buffering - for good.
