Buffering is almost always a connection problem, not a channel problem. The good news: you do not need a huge connection, just a stable one.
Recommended speeds
- HD (720p): 10 Mbps
- Full HD (1080p): 15 Mbps
- 4K: 25 Mbps or more
These figures are per screen. If two people watch at the same time, add the speeds together.
Stability matters more than speed
A 30 Mbps connection that never drops beats a 200 Mbps connection that spikes and falls. Test your connection at the time you usually watch, ideally on the device itself.
Four ways to stop buffering
- Use an Ethernet cable for your main TV.
- Place the router in an open spot, away from walls and metal.
- Use the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band when the device is close to the router.
- Pause large downloads while watching live sports.
Which plan fits your connection?
Silver streams in HD and Full HD, Gold adds 4K, and Platinum adds HDR on top of 4K. Not sure? Test Novakstream free for 24 hours on your own connection, then choose your plan.