How do I resolve buffering issues on Sling TV?
In a nutshell: Like any other streaming service, Sling TV can sometimes suffer from buffering issues, where your movie or show keeps getting interrupted so it can buffer more. There are several different things that could be causing the problem but, with a little effort, you should be able to find a workable remedy.
Introduction
Like any other streaming service, Sling TV can sometimes suffer from buffering issues, where your movie or show keeps getting interrupted so it can buffer more. There are several different things that could be causing the problem but, with a little effort, you should be able to find a workable remedy.
What You'll Need
You need a reliable minimum download speed of 3 Mbps for a single Sling TV stream. If you have other devices connected to the same wi-fi, that minimum goes up to 25 Mbps.
If you're using wi-fi with whatever device is showing your Sling TV selection, disconnect all other devices from the network.
Even if they're not doing anything actively at the moment, each device you have connected to your wi-fi network uses up a portion of its bandwidth. This could easily be what's causing your bandwidth to fall so low that the buffering can't keep up.
Close any other apps that are running on your streaming device.
Too many apps open at once could cause performance issues that trigger the buffering problem.
If that wasn't the issue, connect your streaming device to the internet using an ethernet cable instead of wi-fi.
An ethernet cable provides a much stronger, more reliable signal.
If that is not possible, or if it did not help, try resetting your modem and router.
Unplug them and leave them unplugged for at least 10 seconds before plugging them back in again. Then wait a minimum of two minutes for the devices to reset themselves before trying to watch your Sling TV stream again.
Sign out of the Sling TV app, close the app, and then restart it again.
This can sometimes resolve the issue by itself, but you might get better results by starting the Sling TV app in an incognito window, instead of a normal one.
Updating the Sling TV app might also do the trick, if you haven't updated it in a while.
Next, run an internet speed test on your streaming device.
It's possible that the problem is actually with your internet service provider.
If you are using a VPN, disconnect it and then try your Sling TV again.
A VPN can make Sling TV think you are outside its service area, causing it to kill your connection.
If nothing else has worked so far, clear the cache on your streaming device.
Sometimes the buffering problem is caused by out-of-date items in your cache, so clearing them away would then eliminate the problem.
Every device has its own procedure for clearing the cache.
Try watching something on a different Sling TV channel and make note of whether the problem persists.
You will need this information for the next step.
Call a Sling TV customer service representative and tell them you need help fixing the buffering problem.
Sling TV customer service
Tell them of all the steps you have taken so far, and whether or not the problem exists only on the channel you were watching or whether it exists on all channels.
Conclusion
The Sling TV customer service center is open from Monday through Sunday from 8:00 am to 12:00 am EST.
Further questions?
Solutions to similar problems
Why does GetHuman Write How-to Guides for Sling TV Problems?
GetHuman has been working for over 10 years on sourcing information about big organizations like Comcast in order to help customers resolve customer service issues faster. We started with contact information and fastest ways to reach a human at big companies. Particularly ones with slow or complicated IVR or phone menu systems. Or companies that have self-serve help forums instead of a customer service department. From there, we realized that consumers still needed more detailed help solving the most common problems, so we expanded to this set of guides, which grows every day. And if you spot any issues with our What do I do if my Xfinity TV or internet is out? guide, please let us know by sending us feedback. We want to be as helpful as possible. If you appreciated this guide, please share it with your favorite people. Our free information and tools is powered by you, the customer. The more people that use it, the better it gets.