Kelsey Cook
Updated :
Introduction
Many factors can influence video playback (the ability to stream media), including some that pertain to your computer or device. If you’re not getting the best video-viewing experience, you might want to try these simple fixes.
Check your bandwidth
We require network speeds of 500 kbps or higher in order to stream our lowest playback quality (240p). You can use this speed test or Google's speed test to get a general sense of your Internet speed during the time of the issue (when submitting a ticket to the Steinhardt Helpdesk, please send the completed test link or a screenshot of the results). Keep in mind that bandwidth can fluctuate, especially on Wifi or cellular networks.
Disable any browser extensions, plugins, or add-ons
Third-party programs can sometimes cause issues during playback— including blocked video segments, dropped frames, buffering, etc. If you're having trouble, try disabling any active extensions one by one to find the culprit. You can also open your video within an incognito (Ctrl+ Shift + N to bring up a new incognito window in Chrome) or a private window (Ctrl + Shift+ P in Firefox, or File > New Private Window in Safari) of your browser for testing.
Restart your router and modem
Resetting your router or modem can refresh your connection and improve playback performance. Try disconnecting the power cord and then reconnecting to perform a hard reboot.
Update your browser
Browser software is constantly being improved upon. Make sure you are using the latest version of your browser for peak performance. The newest version of each browser can be found here.
Close excess browser tabs or applications
Keeping too many applications open can make everything run slower, including video playback. Especially on a mobile device, it’s easy to forget which apps are running. Make sure that you completely close or disable apps instead of just minimizing their windows.
Clear your browser’s cache
Although this may sound simple, refreshing your cache can help with many different issues, including playback. Learn more here.