Slow Video Streaming: Seven Fixes, and How Speedify Adds Cellular for Faster Streaming

Improve Video Streaming: No More Buffering or Low Quality Video

Picture quality drops to a soft, blurry 480p on a big screen, or the video stops to reload part-way through, which most people call buffering. Both are the same problem: the stream is not getting enough steady bandwidth, whether you are at home with a busy household or in a hotel sharing one line with the whole floor.

Speedify is an app that carries your traffic over Wi-Fi, 4G/5G cellular, wired Ethernet and other internet connections at once. Seven steps follow for sharper and steadier playback, plus how Speedify adds a second internet connection so your show keeps playing. On a single connection, Speedify works as an encrypted VPN and cannot make that connection faster or stop it from dropping.

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Slow Video Streaming: Find Out Where the Problem Starts

Before trying the steps below to make streaming video faster, do two things:

  1. See where the issues originate. The streaming platform of your choice should be up and running without issues. Check and see if there’s any news of issues for Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, BBC, etc. If it’s not them, then it’s you.
  2. Run a speed test on your connection. Netflix recommends at least 5 Mbps for Full HD (1080p) and 15 Mbps for Ultra HD (4K).

Now you know where to act. If the platform is down, you will have to wait until it sorts things out, which usually happens within hours. If the problem is on your side, start troubleshooting below.

7 Steps on How to Optimize Streaming Video

If the platform is up, your internet connection is the likely culprit. Try these steps to fix it and enjoy your shows:

  1. Reboot your modem / router and the device you’re streaming from (computer, tablet, phone, etc.). Sometimes that’s all you need to do.
  2. Move closer to the wireless router. Actually, use a wired connection, if available.
  3. Close any background programs that might be using bandwidth. These include backup programs, social networks, collaboration tools, etc.
  4. Check to see if there are any other devices on your home network using bandwidth. Maybe your kids are streaming something themselves. Or playing games online.
  5. Try disabling hardware acceleration in your browser / streaming app’s settings. Certain combinations of devices and streaming platforms may not work well together.
  6. Upgrade your internet plan if it is too slow for the quality you stream. If the speed you get is already below what you pay for, contact your ISP and ask it to deliver the minimum bandwidth in your contract.
  7. Use a second internet connection if you have one, such as your phone’s 4G/5G cellular (on a computer, connect the phone by USB cable; on a Mac, use an iPhone), together with your home or hotel internet for faster, more stable streaming. All you need is an app that combines connections, like Speedify.

How Speedify Adds a Second Internet Connection for Faster Streaming

Speedify is a fast VPN that lets you combine multiple internet connections at once. The combined traffic runs through a VPN-grade encrypted tunnel, so your privacy and data security are protected.

If one of the connections you’re using becomes slower or even disconnects, Speedify will automatically start moving traffic to the other working connection(s). When the initial connection is back, it starts using it again.

Some streaming services block VPN traffic. Speedify’s Bypass feature sends the services you choose, such as Netflix, Hulu or Disney+, directly from your device outside the encrypted tunnel, so they see your normal connection. You manage it under Settings > Bypass.

Next step: try Speedify for free. The free tier includes 5 GB per month with a free account.

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Get started with Speedify today.

Speedify combines Wi-Fi, 4G/5G cellular, Ethernet, Starlink and satellite into one faster, more reliable internet connection. Free to try: 5 GB a month with a free account. No credit card required.

🚀 Speed

Faster uploads and downloads, because Speedify uses all your internet connections at once.

📶 Stability

If one internet connection drops, Speedify moves your traffic to the others in milliseconds.

🔒 Security

AES-256 encryption on every internet connection, on any network you join.

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15M+ downloads worldwide. 75K+ five-star reviews on iOS and Android.