Watching your favorite web series and it is taking ages to load? Or maybe you’re experiencing lag when playing online games? In both cases, it’s probably due to your bandwidth. To a large extent, your online streaming experience depends on the speed and strength of your internet connections. However, there are quite a few Ways to Improve Streaming Experience.
Ways to Improve Streaming Experience
Adjust settings
Nothing can beat the experience of watching a ‘HD’ quality video. But if you notice that the video is taking more time to load than usual, it is highly advised to adjust your settings and choose lower quality settings.
Doing so can help because a high-quality video requires a stronger internet connection when compared to a lower quality video. Another great way is to switch to a 5 GHz channel instead of 2.4 GHz on your routers. However, keep in mind that if you do that, you might have to sit closer to the router as such a 5 GHz channel has a much shorter range.
Close all background apps
Make sure that you have closed all the apps running in the background while streaming. Doing so is essential because background apps can consume a lot of bandwidth, and as a result, slow down your connection significantly.
Additionally, if you are downloading anything, it is highly recommended to pause the process or wait until it’s completed for the best streaming experience.
Disconnect other devices from the network
If you have a lot of devices connected to your Wi-Fi, temporarily disconnecting some of them could have a great impact. This is because simultaneous connections share the same bandwidth and that is often the reason people are experiencing latency issues.
Use a VPN
It is important to note that streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu provide content based on the user’s geographical location. This means that some TV shows or movies might be accessible in the US but not in the UK.
If you wish to enjoy the most of your Netflix or Hulu subscriptions, you might want to consider using VPN services to bypass geo-restrictions. While VPNs are primarily famous for their security and privacy features, the technology has found a place among avid streamers as it allows to change one’s virtual location, which means that you’ll get access to all content regardless of your actual location. And it might have a positive effect on streaming speed as well since ISP’s tend to throttle bandwidth and masking your traffic with a VPN might eliminate the issue.
Use Ethernet instead of a Wi-Fi
It’s probably no surprise that an Ethernet connection is much more stable, stronger and faster than Wi-Fi. Additionally, it prevents latency and also lowers the rate of drop-outs.
Connecting to the router via an Ethernet cable minimizes the hindrances between the device and your router and provides a better overall experience when streaming.
Upgrade your app version
If you’re using your mobile device for streaming, it’s highly recommended to use its latest version. Be sure to update the app as often as possible. Doing so will not only fix various bugs but will also patch potential security holes.
Stream outside peak hours
It’s important to note that ISPs tend to throttle connectivity to limit the chances of network congestions. Unfortunately, in most instances, people who love to stream or play online games are the most affected by this shady tactic.
To limit the chances of getting your connection throttled, you might want to stream during the low-activity time.
Wrapping Up
These were a few actionable ways which can more or less improve your online streaming experience. All of the mentioned tips can vary in its effectiveness but be sure to give every suggestion a try and eventually you’ll find one that works best for you.
What are your views on this? How do you ensure a seamless streaming experience? Do let us know in the comments below.
