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Fix Video Streaming Problems on Windows 10 [Woes, Buffering]
Find all the solutions to fix Windows 10 streaming buffering problems
11 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
The advantage ofvideo streamingis that you’re able to start watching the videos once the download commences, as the file is sent in a constant stream, so you don’t need to keep waiting.
The benefits include the ability to do live broadcasts or webcasts, so you need to deliver it from a specialized streaming server.
Video streaming problems may occur due to several factors includingInternet speedand the type of media player you’re using.
Why is my streaming not working?
If you’re experiencing video streaming problems in Windows, there are a few checks you need to consider before troubleshooting, including:
If your Internet network connectivity is constantly fluctuating, you may have video streaming problems such as slow and inconstant buffering.
However, if your Internet connection works fine but you still have video streaming issues, you need to check your media player, and change the buffer settings because each player has its own buffer settings.
Some of the most common video file formats used when creating video streams include Windows Media, Quicktime, MPEG-4, Adobe Flash, and RealMedia.
Ensure you check your wireless network card, the version driver you’re using, and the router model and firmware because you may have to upgrade the drivers, the router, and the firmware in some cases.
Slow Internet speed on Windows 11or any other operating system is a common problem, and in most cases, it’s related to your ISP or network hardware.
However, many reported issues with streaming services, and according to users,Twitch keeps bufferingeven if their connection is fast.
This isn’t the only service affected by this issue, and many reportedDisney Plus buffering issues, but luckily, there are ways to fix this problem.
How do I fix video streaming issues on Windows 10?
Before we start making major changes, here are a few quick things to try:
If none work, move the solutions listed next.
1. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
If you’re experiencing problems with video streaming, then run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to resolve the issue.
This checks for commonly occurring issues and ensures any new device or hardware is correctly installed on your computer.
Follow the instructions to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. The troubleshooter will begin detecting any issues that may be causing video streaming not to work as it should.
Hopefully, the troubleshooter will also optimize Windows 10 for streaming video and you will be able to enjoy your video.
2. Update display drivers
In order to update display drivers, you need to start your computer on Safe Mode, then uninstall your current display adapter, and finally check for driver updates.
Safe mode starts up your computer with limited files and drivers, but Windows will still run. To know whether you’re on Safe mode, you’ll see the words at the corners of your screen.
If the video streaming problem isn’t there while in Safe Mode, then your default settings and basic drivers are not contributing to the issue.
If you have many display adapters, you need to disable the added display adapter by performing the steps above.
If this doesn’t fix the video streaming problems, do the following:
Once you’re through and the video streaming issue is sorted, exit safe mode so you can get your computer back to normal mode.
Updating drivers manually is very annoying and could cause permanent damage to your PC by downloading and installing the wrong driver versions.
We strongly recommend using a professional driver updater tool to do it automatically.
Outbyte Driver Updaterkeeps your system running smoothly by upgrading its drivers. This utility analyzes your system for outdated drivers.
With a few clicks, the program will scan your PC’s hardware and peripherals for potential driver upgrades. We recommend using it to save yourself some time.
3. Disable Adaptive brightness
Does the video streaming issue persist? Try the next solution if this didn’t help.
4. Update graphics card drivers
Graphic card drivers also play an important role when streaming videos. That’s why is important to keep them updated.
-
ClickDisplay adaptersto expand the section.
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Right-click on the graphics card driver and selectUpdate driver.
4.ChooseSearch automatically for drivers.
- If the system finds a new driver, it will install it.
If you don’t want to complicate yourself with this task, there is an excellent tool calledOutbyte Driver Updaterthat updates your drivers automatically.
Once you download and install it, the tool will scan your system, and find any problems with your drivers allowing you to fix them with just one click.
5. Uninstall and Install graphics card drivers
If your videos are not streaming or playing in Microsoft Edge, follow the steps above to uninstall and reinstall graphics card drivers.
Check if your video streaming function works again, and if not, try the next solution.
6. Install drivers in compatibility mode
7. Perform a clean boot
Performing a clean boot for your computer reduces conflicts related to software that can bring up the root causes of video streaming failure.
These conflicts can be caused by applications and services that start up and run in the background whenever you start Windows normally.
In order to successfully perform a clean boot on Windows 10, you have to be logged on as the administrator.
You will have a clean boot environment after all these steps are carefully followed, after which you can try and check if the video streaming problem is gone.
If you want to know how to add or remove startup apps on Windows 10, check out thissimple guide.
8. Run the Video Playback Troubleshooter
The Video Playback troubleshooter tool is built-in on Windows 10 operating system so as to check and resolve any issues you may have.
9. Clear browsing data
We have shown you how to clear the browsing data in Edge, but the process is very similar in other browsers as well. Check if the video streaming issue persists or try the next solution.
10. Reset your browser
If you tried video streaming on adifferent browserand it worked, then the problem may be due to a corrupt add-on or compatibility issues of the website with Microsoft Edge.
In this case, you can reset the browser, but it is good to note that this feature might reset the security or privacy settings you added to your list of Trusted Sites.
It may also reset anyparental control settings, so it is recommended you note the sites before resetting Explorer or Edge, then re-enable add-ons.
11. Change buffer settings in Windows Media Player app
Windows Media Player is no longer the default video-playing app in Windows, but if you’re still using it, this solution will help you fix the Microsoft Edge streaming video problems.
How can I fix streaming problems on Windows 11?
Although Windows 11 has a different design and some new and improved features, it’s not all so different from Windows 10.
That is why all the solutions we outlined above in this guide will also work for the new OS.
Why do streaming videos keep buffering?
Buffering is downloading the video before the player plays it back, whether it’s a separate one or embedded one in the browser.
It does that all the time, but when the player can’t download the video faster than it plays is back, we actually call this effectbuffering.
There are many reasons for this problem, but as you have seen from our guide, it usually comes from a bad or unstable Internet connection.
We hope these solutions helped resolve the video streaming issue on your computer.
You might also be interested in our selection of thebest browsers for watching videos [YouTube, Netflix, Anime].
As always, if you have any other suggestions or questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below, and we’ll be sure to check them out.
More about the topics:Fix Video Streaming
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
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