How To Fix a Chromecast That Keeps Buffering

Google Chromecast is a popular device for streaming content to your TV. However, it is not without its challenges. The device can experience buffering issues, which ruins the movie-watching experience.

If you’re wondering how to resolve your Chromecast buffering issues, help is at hand. This article will showcase a few tips and tricks to get your device working smoothly.

What to Do When Chromecast Keeps Buffering

Trying to get through a TV show that consistently pauses can be very frustrating. Fortunately, there are a few methods you can use to try and fix your Chromecast buffering issues. Let’s take a look at them here.

Close Other Apps

When streaming from a computer or a smartphone, other apps that may be running at the time may interfere with Chromecast. Close the other apps and pause downloads in progress. If possible, download the movie or TV show that you are interested in watching and view it once the download is complete.

Lower the Viewing Quality

Ultra HD video makes for fantastic image quality. Unfortunately, this high-quality content may be the reason your Chromecast keeps buffering. While Chromecast is a robust device, it can only work as well as your internet connection allows it to.

Streaming uses bandwidth provided by your network, and high-quality video requires more data. High definition content will therefore need more bandwidth, resulting in buffering issues. Lowering the viewing quality to 480p could solve your problem.

Cast Videos

Your device downloads the content while simultaneously displaying it for viewing when streaming content. This process requires a lot from your internet connection and can result in buffering.

An alternative method of streaming videos would be to cast them from your device to the TV while bypassing the internet. You will require compatible software to cast content. There are numerous casting programs available, some of which are free, like VLC.

This is how to use VLC on your PC.

1. Download and install VLC to your computer.
   
2. Open the app on your device.
   
3. Navigate to “Playback,” located at the top of the page.
   
4. Select “Renderer” from the dropdown menu.
   
5. Go to “Local” in the pop-up menu that appears.
   
6. Tap on the Chromecast device listed.
   

You will now be able to cast your content, reducing the load on your internet connection. Chromecast should be able to play the video content without buffering.

Use an Ethernet Adapter

Connecting the internet cable directly to your Chromecast device would improve connectivity. Unfortunately, Chromecast does not have an Ethernet port.

A workaround for the missing port would be to get a Chromecast Ethernet adapter. You could also upgrade to the Chromecast Ultra that has a cable port located in the power adapter.

Plugging the internet cable directly into your device will enable faster internet speed. The increased rate should keep Chromecast from buffering.

Use Supported Apps

Using apps compatible with Chromecast will make for a better viewing experience. Although unofficial apps can still stream videos to your device, the picture quality may not be as good. You also may not be able to cast content to your TV.

Fortunately, many streaming services support Chromecast, so finding one that works with your device should not be a problem. Official apps provide a smooth streaming experience and are less likely to buffer.

Change Wi-Fi Channels

Your internet connection is transmitted through channels in the Wi-Fi router. Multiple connections on the same channel can cause the channel to broadcast less optimally.

Changing the Wi-Fi channel of your Chromecast device can improve internet speed. The faster rate will ease Chromecast buffering issues.

Wait It Out

If you have tried everything and your Chromecast keeps buffering, the problem may not be with your device. Your internet connection may be slower than it should be, or one of the apps could have a glitch. Give it some time. These issues may resolve themselves, and your Chromecast should operate without pausing.

Chromecast Keeps Buffering for YouTube

YouTube is constantly working to improve its video service. The optimized image quality and increased storage are excellent for users but can cause delays and pauses when viewed from Chromecast. A quick fix would be to reset the YouTube app.

Here’s how to do that:

1. Open YouTube and scroll down to “Settings,” located in the panel on the left-hand side.
   
2. Tap on “Reset App” in the menu that opens.
   
3. Press “Reset App” to restore it to default settings.
   

Once you have reset your YouTube app, Chromecast should stream without buffering.

Chromecast Keeps Buffering Disney Plus

If you are experiencing buffering issues when watching Disney Plus on Chromecast, there are a few steps you can take to fix the problem.

First, ensure that you are using the most up-to-date version of the app. An outdated version may not be working optimally and could be the reason for the constant pausing.

If you are already using the latest version of Disney Plus, then you may need to reboot the whole system. To do so, turn off all the devices, including the TV, and unplug the equipment from the main switch. Plug everything back in and switch them on again.

Rebooting the system should resolve the problem, but you can delete and reinstall the Disney Plus app if that doesn’t work. After reinstalling, relaunch it to see if the Chromecast pausing issue has been fixed.

If all else fails, try clearing the cache on the app.

1. Open Disney Plus and go to “Settings.”
2. Select “Apps” then “Chromecast built-in.”
3. Press “Clear Cache” and then “Clear Data.”

After following these steps, your Disney Plus app should be able to stream on Chromecast without buffering.

Chromecast Keeps Buffering for Netflix

If an episode on Netflix keeps pausing while you’re watching it, it means that there’s data on the device that needs to be refreshed. The steps below will help you troubleshoot Netflix buffering issues.

Netflix may freeze when you’re watching a movie or a TV show. If this is the case, reset the Chromecast device by doing the following:

1. Press the button on the Chromecast device and hold it down for 25 seconds or until the indicator light starts to flash.
   
2. Relaunch the Netflix app once the device has been reset.

If Netflix pauses at any other time other than when you’re watching, contact Netflix Customer Support as there might be a problem with your account.

Enjoy Marathon Viewing

Streaming movies or TV shows is a perfect way to unwind. However, if your Chromecast device keeps buffering, your experience goes from relaxing to becoming a frustrating ordeal. You can try several things to get your Chromecast to operate optimally. This tutorial not only pointed out what could be causing your device to pause, but showed you how to fix the problem.

Do you stream content on Chromecast? Does your Chromecast keep buffering while you are streaming? Let us know how you resolved the problem in the comments section below?