Are you getting the best streaming quality possible?
Sometimes a night in is exactly what you need. You've got a comfy blanket, a tray of freshly baked cookies, and you're all tucked in and ready for the latest episode of Love is Blind. The only problem: The show won't stop buffering. How can you know who made it to wedding day if you can't get passed the ridiculous spinning circle in the middle of your screen? It's frustrating. You can't watch the show and worse—you can't can't chat about it with your coworkers.
You could endlessly scroll through YouTube®, looking for something else to watch (as your cookies get cold). Or you could fix the problem for good by increasing your streaming quality. It might be easier than you think.
At Asurion, we make tech care easy. From device repair to showing you how to make your home a little smarter—we've got you covered. Here's how to improve streaming quality for your next night in.
Upgrade your internet speed
Trying to make sense of your home internet plan can be confusing. It's easy to underestimate how much bandwidth you need, and if you have, that might be the cause of your streaming issues.
The solution: upgrading your home internet to one that offers more megabits per second, which will give you faster speeds and take the strain off your devices fighting for the scraps of wireless they have.
Not sure how fast your Wi-Fi needs to be? Check out our guide.
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Move closer to your router
When you're not streaming on a laptop or tablet, this is probably easier said than done. If you find that your modem or router is set up in a less than ideal location or far away from where you want to stream, invest in an extender. This device strengthens your Wi-Fi signal, helping it reach even the most remote parts of your home.
One Wi-Fi extender might not be enough for all the weak spots and dead-zones in your home. If you have more than one extender in your Amazon™ cart, consider setting up a wireless mesh network. It uses multiple connection points spread throughout your home to give you a stable network everywhere you go.
Use an ethernet cable
If your internet signal is struggling to connect to your device, you could connect directly to your TV using an ethernet cable. Being tethered to a cable may sound like something out of 1998, but it does offer faster speeds than Wi-Fi.
One potential hitch: sometimes cable companies put your Wi-Fi connection in the oddest places—like upstairs (sigh.) Running a blue ethernet cable throughout your entire home isn't just ugly—it's also a safety hazard. To solve this problem, consider adding a Wi-Fi extender that plugs into your outlet, giving you access to an easily hideable ethernet port.
Upgrade your streaming device
That TV, laptop, or tablet you bought 4 years ago may have been amazing when you first unboxed it. But since then, many manufacturers have upgraded their tech to get the most out of advancements in Wi-Fi—not to mention the leaps they've made in images and sound.
When shopping around for something new, opt for a 4K streaming device. Not only do you get the benefit of a clearer picture, but you can expect less buffering too.
Limit the devices connected to Wi-Fi
Be mindful of your internet speed the next time you give your Wi-Fi password to guests. The number of people on your network can weigh it down drastically, making any attempts to stream slower.
If you don't want to deal with internet buffering during the next big streaming event, take the number of devices connected to your Wi-Fi down—at least while you stream.
Make sure your smart home is protected
An Asurion Home+® protection plan provides coverage for nearly all the technology in your home with one simple plan. Laptops, tablets, TVs, gaming consoles, smart thermostats, and so much more—even future purchases. Plus, you'll get 24/7 live expert support and robust digital security. Learn more about Asurion Home+® coverage and how you can get peace-of-mind electronics protection.
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