Firestick Buffering Fix: 7 Quick Steps

Buffering means the video keeps pausing while it loads. On a Firestick it is usually caused by Wi-Fi, a full device or an app that needs a reset, and you can fix most of these in a few minutes. Work through these steps in order, and test a channel after each one.

Quick answer: restart the Firestick, check your speed, get closer to the router (or use a cable), clear the app's cache, free up space, then adjust the player's buffer settings.

Step 1 — Restart the Firestick

Hold Select (the middle button) and Play/Pause together for about five seconds until the screen goes black. You can also go to Settings → My Fire TV → Restart. A restart clears the memory, and this fixes buffering more often than anything else.

Step 2 — Check your internet speed

Use a speed test on your phone, standing next to the TV. As a rough guide, you need at least 10 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K. If your speed is much lower than you pay for, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Step 3 — Improve the Wi-Fi signal

Firesticks often sit behind the TV, where Wi-Fi is weakest. Try these:

• Connect to your router's 5 GHz network if it has one, because it is faster at short range.
• Use the HDMI extender cable that came with the Firestick to move it out from behind the TV.
• For the steadiest picture, use an Ethernet adapter made for Fire TV and plug it into your router.

Step 4 — Clear the player app's cache

Go to Settings → Applications → Manage Installed Applications, pick your player app and select Clear cache. Do not select Clear data, because that deletes your login and playlist.

Step 5 — Free up storage and close other apps

A nearly full Firestick slows down. Check Settings → My Fire TV → About → Storage and aim for at least 1 GB free. Uninstall apps you don't use, and close apps running in the background.

Step 6 — Change the player's buffer setting

Many players let you set how much video they load ahead. If yours has a buffer size option, set it to medium or large. If the picture freezes but the sound carries on, try switching the decoder between hardware and software. Change one setting at a time so you know what helped.

Step 7 — Find out where the problem is

• Does every channel buffer? The problem is probably your network or device.
• Does only one channel buffer? The problem is probably that channel, so tell support.
• Are you using a VPN? Turn it off and test again, because a slow VPN server is a common cause.

Still buffering? Contact support with your Firestick model, your speed test result and the channels affected.

Need More Detail?

Our full guide to Firestick buffering explains each fix in depth, including what to do when buffering only happens during big live matches.

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