So if you keep encountering spotty video feeds with loads of constant buffering, working your way through the list of fixes below should help you fix that.
Check Server Status
Check Server Status
If Twitch worked fine just a moment ago, you might be dealing with issues on the server side. You can rule that out by heading over to the Twitch Status page. Should you notice any problems listed next to Video (Watching), there’s nothing you can do but wait until Twitch sorts things out.
Lower the Quality
Lower the Quality
If you’re attempting to stream video at a higher resolution, that may end up causing issues due to network congestion and speed limitations. Try lowering the quality of the feed to a sub-HD resolution such as 480p or lower. Use the cog-shaped Settings icon to the lower-right of the video pane and select Quality to change video quality.
Restart Browser/App/PC
Restart Browser/App/PC
If Twitch continues to buffer, it’s a good idea to restart your browser, the Twitch app, or your PC. In most cases, that should help fix any minor bugs and glitches preventing Twitch from loading video content normally.
Check Internet Connection
Check Internet Connection
Try running a speed test on your computer using an online service such as Speedtest.net, TestMy.net, or Fast.com. If you notice slow internet in general, start by soft-resetting your Wi-Fi router. If the issue persists, connect via Ethernet (if possible) or switch to a different Wi-Fi network.
Flush DNS (Domain Name System) Cache
Flush DNS (Domain Name System) Cache
Flushing the DNS cache might help your PC re-establish contact with the Twitch servers. Here’s how to do that:
Stop Bandwidth-Guzzlers
Stop Bandwidth-Guzzlers
If you have any other apps with active downloads, that may adversely impact Twitch’s ability to stream video without running into buffering issues. Try pausing them. Should you have trouble identifying apps with excessive network usage, you can use the Resource Monitor on your PC to help you with that.
Change DNS (Domain Name Service)
Change DNS (Domain Name Service)
If the issue persists, it’s a good idea to change the DNS (Domain Name Service) servers for your internet connection. Using a popular DNS service—Google DNS is a great choice—might make the difference in helping your computer figure out the best servers for Twitch streaming.
Disable VPN
Disable VPN
VPN (Virtual Private Network) services are excellent for privacy, but they aren’t the best at network performance. If you use one, disabling it might help Twitch stream without buffering again.
Delete Browser Cache
Delete Browser Cache
If you’re streaming Twitch over a web browser, an obsolete web cache can prevent it from working correctly. Here’s how to delete the browser cache on three popular browsers—Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Microsoft Edge
Disable Browser Extensions
Disable Browser Extensions
Browser extensions can create conflicts with the Twitch web app and stop it from streaming correctly. Disable all add-ons and check if that resolves the issue.
Google Chrome
Select the Extensions icon to the top-right of the Chrome window and select Manage extensions. Then, turn off all the switches on the screen that follows.
Mozilla Firefox
Open the Firefox menu and choose the Add-ons and Themes option. Then, turn off all switches on the screen that follows.
Microsoft Edge
Open the Edge menu, select Extensions, and turn off the switches next to all active extensions.
Update Browser
Update Browser
Your browser itself may have issues that prevent Twitch from streaming as usual. Try applying any pending updates and see if that helps. Here’s how to do that on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge:
Google Chrome
Open the Chrome menu, point to Help, and select About Google Chrome.
Mozilla Firefox
Open the Firefox menu, point to Help, and select About Firefox.
Microsoft Edge
Open the Edge menu, point to Help and feedback, and select About Microsoft Edge.
Switch to the Twitch App
Switch to the Twitch App
If you keep experiencing issues with buffering while streaming Twitch on your web browser, switch to using the Twitch app for PC and check if that makes a difference. It’s strikingly similar to Twitch’s web app version, and you can start watching as soon as you sign in with your existing Twitch user credentials. If you already use the Twitch app, try updating it. To do that, open the Twitch menu (select the three-stacked lines to the top-left of the window), point to Help, and select Check for Updates.
Disable/Enable Hardware Acceleration
Disable/Enable Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration helps speed up performance while streaming videos over Twitch. But sometimes, it can also hurt performance. Disabling the functionality can help. Conversely, you may want to re-enable hardware acceleration if you’ve disabled it previously.
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Microsoft Edge
Twitch App
Twitch Has Stopped Buffering
Twitch Has Stopped Buffering
The fixes above should’ve helped you fix Twitch’s constant buffering on your PC. If the same problem occurs again, don’t forget to work your way quickly through some of the more straightforward solutions above. Clearing the DNS cache, getting rid of the cached browsing data, or stopping network-intensive programs should almost always help you get Twitch working properly again.
