Skip to content Choose a buffer size that stops stuttering
Three profiles, what each trades away, and which one to pick for a weak or busy connection.
A buffer is the head start the player keeps in hand. A bigger one survives network hiccups. A smaller one stays closer to the live broadcast.
| Profile | What it gives |
|---|---|
| Fastest | Closest to live, and reliable on a good connection. Channel changes feel instant. |
| Balanced | A bigger head start, so the occasional wifi hiccup never interrupts you. |
| Smoothest | Stays further behind live and keeps playing through weak, busy or congested networks. |
Change it
Settings, then Playback, then Buffer Size.
Smoothest is not a magic fix. A buffer protects against short interruptions. If a stream cannot keep up on average, no buffer size will hold it: that is the connection or the source, not the setting.
When buffering is not about the buffer
- Only at night, on every channel: your connection is congested, which is a network problem rather than an app one.
- One channel only: that source is struggling. Try a twin from another category.
- Every device in the house: the playlist, the router or the service.
- Wifi only: move to 5 GHz or plug in a cable. Nothing beats a cable on a TV box.
Related reading: Buffering and stutter: what to change first.
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