Streaming services have changed the world for good. It has changed how we approach movies, television shows, and sports. Given the hectic life in this modern age, it’s pretty hard to keep up with the television schedule or visit a cinema whenever a new movie drops in. Streaming services like HBO, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon have made our lives significantly easier by providing us with all the entertainment in the comfort of our homes.
However, people still have a lot of concerns. Sometimes it is the speed of the streaming services that bothers us while sometimes it’s the geo-blocking of the content. One of the frequently asked questions by millions of people from around the world is: how to increase the speed of streaming services?
Needless to say, there’s nothing more irritating than a slow streaming service. Imagine sitting in front of your smart TV or computer screen only to see your favorite movie or show stuck on buffering. It’s extremely frustrating, but you don’t have to worry because it can be fixed. Here’s everything you can do to speed up the streaming process:
Use a VPN
Speaking of speeding up the streaming services, how can you possibly forget about VPNs? Yes, you can easily increase your internet speed with a VPN. While a lot of people will argue here that a VPN slows down your internet, we tend to disagree. In fact, it’s mostly just a myth because a VPN never affects your internet speed unless it’s incompatible with your device.
A lot of external factors throttle the speed of your internet. A VPN can save you from all such issues with its encryption protocols, preventing external factors from knowing what server you’re communicating with and hiding your IP address. On top of that, a VPN can help you unlock the geo-blocked content, improving your Netflix experience or any other streaming service that you use. It can help you access all the content that isn’t available to watch in your region, which is a bonus.
Ditch the Wi-Fi and Go for a Wired Connection
Wi-Fi is an amazing invention and there’s no doubt about it. However, Wi-Fi can be pretty unstable compared to wired connections. Wired connections, although old school, are still more stable and secure. The Ethernet cable provides you with a smooth connection and that is all you need for quick streaming.
Of course, you don’t have to use it all the time. But whenever you feel like watching a movie or a show on a streaming service like Hulu, Netflix, or Amazon, make sure to disconnect your Wi-Fi and go for a wired connection. It’s a hack that true streamers swear by; therefore, it’s worth giving a shot.
Keep Your Device Upgraded
Remember that it isn’t always the internet that affects the speed of your streaming service. A lot of times such things happen when your device is old and the software isn’t updated. Thus, it’s important to ensure that your device’s software is updated at all times. In case there’s a software update, make sure to install it right away.
The new software will automatically remove any bugs that were previously present while improving the speed of your device. In this way, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite movie or television show without having to worry about any blackouts.
Turn Off Unnecessary Tabs and Programs
As mentioned earlier, it’s not always the internet that slows down your streaming service. Sometimes, it’s the device that’s running slow. Now if you’re wondering that there’s no software update in the queue and the internet is also working fine, so what is it with the streaming service? Well, it could be because of the tabs and programs running in the background.
Yes, they often make your device slow, especially if you’re using a laptop, a personal computer, or a phone device. You must clean your device if you want to speed up the streaming service. Go ahead and shut down all the tabs and programs running in the background that you don’t need. It holds especially true for any applications or programs that you might be downloading as they always affect the speed.
Download the File
Lastly, if you have space on your computer, the best option is to download the movie or show you want to watch. It will eliminate the issue of buffering or streaming altogether. The great thing is that most streaming services, including Netflix and Hulu, allow you to download whatever file you want.
Simply download your favorite movie or play and watch it later whenever you have time. It’s one of the best, and of course, most effective ways to get rid of the slow streaming speed and blackouts. No streaming, no problems! It’s as simple as that.
The Final Word…
Winding it up, I’d like to mention one thing that it’s not uncommon to experience speed issues with streaming services and you’re not alone in it. We all come across such issues time and again, and thankfully, they can be fixed. Just be sure to follow the tips and tricks mentioned above and you won’t be affected by speed issues again and have a smoother streaming experience.