The vast majority of IPTV problems are Internet problems. Some of the causes are, in descending order:
- Using wi-fi to connect to the Internet.
- The Internet provider.
- Home network overloaded.
- Internet congestion between the STB and wherever a server is located.
- Using a VPN connection.
- Configuration when using an Ethernet cable to connect to the Internet.
- The STB needs to be rebooted.
1. Using wi-fi to connect to the Internet:
If you are connected to the Internet via wi-fi and are experiencing buffering then try connecting to your Internet router with an Ethernet cable, even just temporarily to see if it solves the problem.
One of the reasons why wi-fi is so problematic is because a wi-fi router has to adjust it’s speed and bandwidth to accommodate the slowest device that is connected to it.
As an example, in my house I have one security camera that is connected via wi-fi which is located some distance from my wi-fi router. If I connect my Android box via wi-fi, even though it is much closer to the router, I get buffering on TV channels. They reason is because the router is operating in a mode that allows communication with my security camera but one which cannot handle the bandwidth of HD TV. If I disconnect my security camera then my TV works fine, and if I connect using an Ethernet cable then my TV works fine even with the security camera connected.
In another example a subscriber called me and said that her TV channels were buffering. It turned out the reason was because her daughter’s computer was connected to the wi-fi and she was watching YouTube videos. When she stopped so did the buffering. It is far less likely to experience this problem when the box is connected with an Ethernet cable.
2. Internet provider:
IPTV requires a speed of as little as 2Mbs but it must be constant. The Internet you get from cable Internet providers and wireless Internet providers is shared so the bandwidth is not constant. Please refer to the Installation section for how to test for compatibility.
Another problem is when the Internet provider blocks a port used by the IPTV service. This is rare but it has occurred. An indication of this is being able to get a channel guide but no picture on most channels. One housing development in Guanacaste had this problem but they brought the problem to the attention of their wireless Internet provider and were able to get it resolved.
3. Home Network Overloaded:
There are limits to everything in life and a home network is no exception. As each day passes people connect more and more devices to their home networks, not only computers and STB’s but cell phones, security cameras, smart TV’s, even refrigerators and washers and dryers. Not only does every device put a load on the network but some devices act as bottlenecks and slow down every other device on the network. The example above of my wi-fi security camera is such a bottleneck.
Another common bottleneck is the Internet router. Even if an STB is connected to the router with an Ethernet cable an inexpensive router might not be able to handle that and several other devices at the same time.
The way to troubleshoot this problem is to disconnect all other devices, removing power from them if they connect via wi-fi and see if that solves your buffering problem. If it does then reconnect devices one by one until you start to get buffering again and you have found your culprit. There is a solution to every problem. Oftentimes the solution is simple. The most difficult part of solving any problem is finding out what is causing it.
4. Internet congestion between the STB and wherever the server is located.
Congestion on the Internet here in Costa Rica can cause buffering. Congestion on the Internet in your own house can cause buffering. Buffering can also be caused by congestion on the Internet anywhere between you and what other country the TV channel is coming from. Because IPTV servers are widely distributed you can usually tell if the congestion is here or elsewhere by trying different channels. If the problem is local then you will get buffering on all channels, not just some channels.
5. Using a VPN connection.
Some people have a VPN connection in order to get streaming services like NetFlix from the USA. What a VPN connection does is route all traffic from the USA. This increases the distance that the signal has to travel and can cause problems because IPTV does not come from the USA.
It’s an easy problem to fix. A VPN connection requires a VPN router. Simply connect directly to the modem and bypass the VPN router.
6. Configuration error when using an Ethernet cable to connect to the Internet.
If you experience a connection problem when trying to connect to the Internet using an Ethernet cable make sure that under Network settings it is set up for DHCP.
7. STB needs to be rebooted.
As with all electronic equipment, whether it be an STB, modem, router, cell phone, etc. if it becomes unresponsive first try rebooting it by removing the power, then powering back on. Remove the power plug from the back of the STB instead of unplugging from the wall if you can since a wall transformer stores a small amount of power after it is unplugged.
What to do if you cannot resolve a problem.
If you cannot resolve a problem by yourself then please call me. If you are experiencing buffering then call me and tell me what channel so that I can check the channel on my end. The problem could be the IPTV provider, in which case we will both be experiencing the same problem. But if you are experiencing a problem on that channel and I am not experiencing a problem then we know the problem has to be on your end.
All I ask is that you please try other TV channels to see if they are all giving you the same problem. If some TV channels are buffering but others are not then the problem is the IPTV provider and there is nothing that anybody can do about it. No IPTV service works perfect 100% of the time. Not one, anywhere. This is why I recommend that people subscribe to at least two different services.