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Twitch Keeps Buffering: 9 Ways to Stop it

The best ways to get back to enjoying your stream

9 min. read

Updated onNovember 1, 2024

updated onNovember 1, 2024

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Key notes

Twitch is one of the most popular live-streaming services for gamers. But despite its popularity, many users reported Twitch keeps buffering, especially on browsers like Chrome or Firefox.

On this note, userscomplained of VoD,playback problems, orclip buffering, which occurs due to background applications. All these issues will have a massive negative impact on user experience, affecting the overall gaming dynamics.

Why is my Twitch constantly buffering?

The Twitch keeps buffering issue can be caused by various factors from system issues to problems with your browser. Below are some of the popular causes:

Now, let’s see what you can do to solve all of the issues mentioned above.

Twitch users won’t encounter any issues ever again:

Your favorite streaming platform may give you hard times when encountering various errors. You can avoid all those problems and enjoy every stream by using Opera GX - the only browser with Twitch integration.

Opera GX has some excellent features like the optimization for Twitch app, sidebar notifications with your favorite streamers, and a built-in VPN so you could change the servers and access Twitch from another location with another IP.

Opera GX

How do I fix Twitch if it keeps buffering?

Before exploring our fixes on the Twitch keep buffering issue, below are some checks to perform that might solve the problem for you:

If you are still facing this issue after these preliminary checks, you can now explore the fixes below.

1. Turn off/on low latency

Now, you can restart the stream and check if the issue persists.

1.2. As a viewer

The Low latency mode is used by streamers and viewers to communicate in near real-time. However, some users have found it to be the cause of the Twitch buffering constantly issue. So, be sure to enable and disable this feature as in the example below

Click theSettingsicon on the Twitch player of the video you are streaming.
Choose theAdvancedoption.
Now, toggle the switch beforeLow latencyto activate/deactivate it.

2. Disable hardware acceleration

After disabling this feature, check if still Twitch keeps buffering on your PC.

If Twitch keeps buffering every few seconds, it could be due to the hardware acceleration feature. The hardware acceleration feature will utilize your GPU to process data.

However, it can lead to some problems, so you should disable it. After disabling this feature the issue should be resolved. Other problems can be generated by hardware accelerations, such as theTwitch error 1000.

3. Clear the browser’s cache

You should know that there are tools that can help you perform this task automatically and according to a schedule. Check thebest cookie cleaner software for your Windows 10/11 PCto discover which one is more efficient.

4. Disable browser extensions

Once you disable all extensions, check if the problem is still there. If the issue doesn’t appear anymore, try enabling the disabled extensions one by one.

Be sure to repeatedly check Twitch to pinpoint the extension causing the problem.Twitch adblockand other adblockers are notorious so once you find the problematic extension, remove it, or keep it disabled.

5. Change your DNS

After making these changes, you’ll switch your DNS to Google’s DNS and the issue should be resolved. If Twitch is buffering every few seconds, it’s possible that your network connection is the problem.

6. Disable background applications

According to users, if you’re facing Twitch buffering issues, the background applications might be responsible.

A common cause for this is Steam updating certain games in the background. So be sure that Steam isn’t downloading anything or that it does not have updating issues.

If you notice that theSteam update is stuck or not downloading, you can use our comprehensive guide to resolve the problem.

In addition, check any other applications that might be using your bandwidth in the background and disable them. After you disable these applications, check if the problem is still there.

7. Check for malware

If Twitch is buffering but the Internet is fine, we recommend performing a full system scan using your antivirus

If there’s no malware on your PC, perhaps the issue is your antivirus. To check that, disable some antivirus features and see if that can be a potential Twitch buffering fix.

Alternatively, you can remove your antivirus altogether and check if that helps. However, the preferred way, in this case, would be to use one of thebest antiviruses with Gaming Mode & Boosterin ESET NOD32.

This lightweight software does not interfere with your system and does everything to keep your PC protected online and offline. More importantly, it detects and eliminates viruses before they can affect your computer.

8. Disable your proxy or VPN

Once you disable all options, the proxy will be disabled and the problem with Twitch buffering should be resolved. If you’re using a VPN, be sure to disable or uninstall it and check if that solves the issue.

What’s more, we suggest that you try a good VPN that won’t interfere with Twitch and other websites.

Besides ensuring that browsing is safe no matter what website you access, a premium VPN also cleans your traffic and unblocks media content that is geo-location restricted.

9. Block specific IP range

Once you configure your firewall, you just have to run the following command in Command Prompt or restart your PC:ipconfig /flushdns

Check if the problem is still there. Many users reported that this solution worked for them, so be sure to try it out.

To improve your experience with Twitch and other similar streaming platforms, you can try to use any of thesebest broadcasting software. Also, find out how tofix a slow Internet connection in Windows.

Do let us know which solution from our guide worked for you, or if you have any other suggestions for us, in the comments below.

Twitch Keeps Buffering: 9 Ways to Stop it#

Why is my Twitch constantly buffering?#

Opera GX#

How do I fix Twitch if it keeps buffering?#

1. Turn off/on low latency#

1.2. As a viewer#

2. Disable hardware acceleration#

3. Clear the browser’s cache#

4. Disable browser extensions#

5. Change your DNS#

6. Disable background applications#

7. Check for malware#

8. Disable your proxy or VPN#

9. Block specific IP range#