Twitch Stream Keeps Buffering? Fixes for Viewers and Streamers

Few things kill a good live stream faster than the spinning wheel. If you watch Twitch to learn from other creators, keep an eye on competitors or just relax after work, constant buffering is maddening. And if you stream yourself, it's worth knowing which side of the screen the problem sits on.

I've gone through Twitch's own playback troubleshooting guide for this page. I'm sticking to what Twitch says, because buffering has lots of possible causes and guessing wastes your evening.

First checks when your Twitch stream keeps buffering

Twitch says most playback problems can be sorted with a handful of quick moves. Do these in order before anything fancier:

1. Refresh the page in your browser, or close and reopen the Twitch app or player.
2. Open a different live channel as a test. If that one plays smoothly, the problem is probably with the first stream and not with you.
3. Try another website. If Twitch isn't the only site struggling, Twitch says you may have an internet connection problem.
4. Try watching on a different network, such as your phone's mobile data, to see whether your home connection is the culprit.

Those four checks tell you whether you're dealing with Twitch, one streamer, your device or your connection, which is half the battle.

Why download speed matters when a Twitch stream buffers

Twitch makes a point of this: when you watch, your download speed decides your video quality. It doesn't matter if your upload speed is brilliant, because upload is what streamers use to broadcast. A weak download speed can still make a stream stutter or stall.

Twitch also publishes recommended download speeds for each quality level, from the lowest picture right up to the highest. The higher you push the quality, the more your connection has to deliver, so a busy household with several people streaming at once can easily run out of room.

Setting Twitch video quality to Auto to stop buffering

Twitch says the Auto setting adjusts your quality to match your connection in real time, which cuts down on buffering and interruptions. That's especially useful if your internet comes and goes.

1. Start any Twitch stream in your browser.
2. Click the Settings icon on the video player.
3. Choose Quality.
4. Select Auto.

Twitch warns that picking a fixed high quality can make things worse if your network can't hold it steadily. If you've manually chosen the top setting, switch back to Auto and see what happens.

Mobile data and Twitch buffering

If your Twitch stream keeps buffering on your phone, Twitch suggests checking your mobile carrier's plan. Twitch says many carriers limit streaming speed or video quality, and some only allow standard definition unless you have a video add-on. Your carrier can tell you what your plan allows.

A quick test is to switch to Wi-Fi and see whether the buffering disappears. If it does, the carrier limit is a likely suspect.

When only one Twitch stream keeps buffering

This is the clue that catches people out. Twitch explains that streams reach you from a wide range of broadcast set-ups, and if one channel buffers while others are fine, the cause may be that streamer's configuration. Twitch gives examples:

• A bitrate set far higher than the recommended settings.
• Encoder settings that are wrong, such as the wrong keyframe interval or an unsupported codec.
• An unstable upload connection where the streamer is broadcasting.
• A resolution or frame rate that doesn't match what their internet can handle.

There's nothing you can do about those from the viewer's seat except wait, try again later or let the streamer know. If you're the one broadcasting, a steady stream matters most when a crowd turns up, so it's worth reading my guide to raiding on Twitch before your next big night.

Fixing Twitch buffering if you're the streamer

Twitch's streaming FAQ says you need a stable internet connection with enough upload speed. Its rule of thumb is to make sure your upload speed is your stream's bitrate plus 30 percent, and to check that nothing else on your network is eating your upload bandwidth. A console download or a cloud backup running in the background can quietly cause trouble.

For stuttering or buffering on your side, Twitch points streamers to Twitch Inspector, which lets you review critical health information about your stream, and to its Guide to Stream Health. Twitch also suggests running a network test before you go live.

Still seeing the Twitch buffering wheel after all that

Twitch is honest that the stream passes through several stages: the broadcaster's setup, their upload to Twitch, Twitch's processing, delivery to your internet provider and then your own home network. Problems can crop up at any step, and in many cases they're on the streamer's end or in the last stretch to your device. Waiting a little and trying again often sorts it.

If you've been through everything and the issue affects many channels, Twitch says to contact Twitch Support. It also has a way to report a video playback issue, which helps its team spot patterns.

Other video sites with the same buffering trouble

If Twitch isn't your only problem, my guides to why YouTube is lagging and why YouTube keeps pausing cover similar connection and device checks on another platform.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my Twitch stream keep buffering?

Twitch says playback problems can come from your internet connection, your device or browser, or the streamer's broadcast settings. Refresh, try another channel and check whether other sites load to narrow it down.

Does upload speed affect Twitch buffering for viewers?

Not for watching. Twitch says your download speed determines video quality, so a low download speed can cause buffering even with a good upload speed.

Should I set Twitch quality to Auto?

Twitch recommends it. Auto adjusts to your network in real time, while a fixed high quality can cause worse buffering if your connection can't support it consistently.

Why is only one Twitch channel buffering?

Twitch says that may be down to that streamer's broadcast settings, such as a very high bitrate, encoder problems or an unstable upload connection.

Can my mobile carrier cause Twitch buffering?

Yes. Twitch says many carriers limit streaming speed or quality, so check your plan with your carrier or try Wi-Fi.

Where do I get more help with Twitch buffering?

If the standard checks don't work, Twitch says to contact Twitch Support, and you can report a video playback issue through its help centre.