This wikiHow teaches you how to prevent YouTube videos from being constantly buffered on your computer, phone, or tablet. The term buffering refers to a situation where the video is loaded early so that video playback can run smoothly. As long as you have a fast internet connection and don't have too many apps open, you can usually enjoy videos from YouTube without any buffering or buffering issues. If the video often stops due to buffering, you can resolve this annoyance by lowering the video playback quality until the problem with the internet connection is resolved. If the quality change doesn't work, it's possible that the problem is related to network, software, or hardware performance issues.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Adjusting Video Playback Quality
Step 1. Open the video on YouTube
YouTube will automatically adjust the playback quality based on factors such as internet connection speed, screen size, and video upload quality. If the video you're watching keeps crashing due to buffering, the video playback quality may be too high for your current internet connection speed. Start by playing a YouTube video through a web browser or the YouTube mobile app.
Step 2. Click the pause or pause button when the video starts playing
Additional icons will be shown in the video.
Step 3. Click the gear icon (computer) or touch the three-dot menu (mobile app)
The gear icon is in the lower-right corner of the video window, while the three-dot menu is in the top-center of the app window.
Step 4. Click Quality
A list of playback quality options will be displayed.
The selected quality setting is shown in brackets next to " Auto ". However, just because the option is displayed doesn't mean the video has been playing in that quality the entire time. Currently, the video plays in that quality due to existing (or possible) conditions
Step 5. Select the video quality
Click an option other than the highest quality, then play the video again. If you're still having trouble after a few minutes, choose a lower quality option. Try experimenting with the different qualities available until you find an option that allows the video to play stably.
If you're still having trouble, read our troubleshooting methods for video playback
Method 2 of 2: Troubleshooting Video Playback
Step 1. Reload the page (if you are using a web browser)
If the video continues to be buffered or won't load properly, you may just need to reload the video page to reload from the beginning. You can reload the page in most web browsers by right-clicking an empty space on the page and selecting “ Reload ”.
Step 2. Close all open applications on your computer, phone or tablet
Playback of YouTube videos may often be hampered by buffering if your computer, phone or tablet is working too hard. Once all the apps are closed, open YouTube (either via its mobile app or web browser) and try playing the video again.
If you're watching YouTube videos through a web browser, try closing other open browser tabs. Too many browser tabs open at the same time can take up a lot of RAM and CPU power thus affecting video playback
Step 3. Try watching YouTube videos in another browser
For example, if you use Chrome to watch YouTube videos, try using Firefox, Edge, or Safari. If you're using a phone or tablet and you're having problems with the app, find out if the same issue appears in your web browser. If YouTube is working fine in a web browser:
- Clear browser cache. Read the article on clearing the browser cache to find out how it works on some browsers.
- If you're using the YouTube mobile app on an Android, iPhone, or iPad device, visit the Play Store or App Store to check for app updates.
- If you're using Chrome on a computer, click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window, then select “ New incognito window " After that, visit YouTube and play the video. If the video doesn't stop too often due to buffering, the problem may be caused by a corrupted Chrome extension. Return to the three-dot menu, select " Tools, and click " Extensions ” to disable unknown extensions.
Step 4. Disable VPN if you are using one
If you watch YouTube videos through a VPN server, try disabling the VPN and reloading the site to access it from a regular internet connection. If video playback runs smoothly after the VPN is disabled, the problem may be with the VPN being used.
If the VPN service you are using offers a variety of server options, try choosing a different server
Step 5. Restart your computer, phone or tablet
Sometimes, the performance of the device becomes hampered (eg if the application is experiencing a memory “leak” or some services have not closed properly). By restarting your PC, Mac computer, Android device, iPhone or, iPad, you can solve more problems than you think.
If you are using a Windows or MacOS computer, prevent unnecessary applications from starting automatically when you turn on the computer. Search and read articles on how to disable programs at the start of your computer to find out
Step 6. Restart the wireless router and modem
If the computer or device is connected to a wireless network, turn off the router (and modem, if separate) by unplugging the power cord from the wall outlet for 30 seconds. When you restart your router (and modem), wait a few minutes for the computer to reconnect to the network.
Step 7. Turn off the computer and other accessories that use the home network
Sometimes, something else takes over the home network, including anyone who is using the network and is streaming video, playing online games, or using video conferencing equipment.
Step 8. Connect the computer or device to another network
If YouTube performs poorly when you connect your device to a certain network (e.g. a home WiFi connection), find out if the same problem persists when you connect your device to another network. As an example:
- If you're using a phone or tablet, try using a mobile data plan (charges may apply) to see if the issue persists. If you've been using a cellular data plan, try using a WiFi connection.
- If you're using a WiFi connection on your computer, try connecting your computer directly to your router via an ethernet cable. If the issue is resolved successfully, your WiFi connection may be weak or overloaded.
Step 9. Run internet speed test
If the internet network at home is the source of the problem, run an internet speed test to see if the problem is related to the internet service provider. To perform a speed test:
- Visit https://www.google.com in any web browser.
- Type internet speed test into the search box and click the magnifying glass icon.
- Click the button " Run Speed Test ” which is blue.
- Compare the test results with the speed information provided by the internet service provider. If your connection is slow, contact your internet service provider for assistance. The problem might be on their side, but it could be that the problem is related to the modem being used.
