You turn your TV on and try to scroll to your favorite streaming platform. Every click of your remote takes seconds to register. Or, while watching your favorite show, the action is punctuated by constant buffering. You’re probably frustrated, asking: Why is my TV so slow?!
There are many different factors that can impact the speed of your smart TV. Here are the top six that could slow your device to a crawl!
1. Slow or Poor Internet Connection
Streaming a movie or TV show can cause lagging or bring your device to a complete halt if your internet connection is poor. Your internet plan could be too slow to support streaming (you’ll generally need speeds of at least 5 Mbps for high-definition streaming). Even experiencing a smart TV audio delay can be a result of a slow or poor internet connection.
If you recently moved your TV to a new room, set up a device in a new space for the first time, or relocated your router, your WiFi network may need to be stronger in the new location. Use another device on WiFi, such as your phone, to check and see if there’s a strong connection in that room. You may need a network booster, especially if your router is on another floor or separated by several walls, which can interfere with the WiFi connection.
2. Too Many Devices on Your Network
Every time you stream a show and your kiddo goes to another room to play Fortnite, your show screeches to a halt, and you get a black loading screen. You’re probably wondering: Why does my smart TV keep buffering?
Your internet may need to be faster to support streaming and gaming simultaneously. Check with your provider to see what plan you have and what that can support. Most providers will break down the different speeds by how many devices can use high-demand services simultaneously. It might be time to upgrade your plan.
3. You Have Too Many Apps Open
If you hop between apps without closing the last one you used, you may have a considerable backlog of apps running in the background. Try force-closing some apps to see if it helps bring your TV back up to speed. If it works, it can be helpful to get in the habit of closing apps each time you’re finished with them. This can prevent that pesky slow down or even shut off that your TV does when it starts lagging!
4. Your TV’s Firmware or Apps are Outdated
Have you ignored that “update available” notification every time you turn on your TV? Not updating your TV’s firmware can leave it running on an operating system that is no longer supported, causing it to slow down. Check your system settings to see if there’s an update available.
If your smart TV is connected to internet but the apps are not working, they may also need updating. Set your apps to auto-update so you’ll always have the latest version!
5. Your TV is Out of Storage Space
Your TV has a limited amount of data storage. Even if you only use it for streaming apps, you still accumulate data that takes up space on the TV and can slow it down. Here’s how to increase TV storage:
Clear the cache
Think of the “cache” as a home for temporary data that improves your user experience. Clearing the TV’s cache won’t delete your apps, though. You can typically do this from the system settings on your TV, but check the user manual for your specific model.
Delete apps and data
If you have a lot of apps that you don’t use, delete them individually to free up space on your TV. On the other hand, if you want to start clean, you can do a factory reset to delete all the data on your TV. However, you’ll likely lose your apps, saved login info, and more.
Use external storage
Some smart TVs may support external storage, such as a USB drive. Check your TV’s owner’s manual to see if your model supports external storage and how to set it up.
6. Your TV is Outdated
Just like a computer or mobile device that doesn’t support the latest version of an app, your TV can become obsolete. An older television may be unable to support new app versions, causing it to slow down or stop working altogether. Research your TV model and see if there have been several new ones since it was released—this could be an indication that your older device isn’t up to newer specifications.
Rent-A-Center Has the Latest Smart TVs!
There’s nothing worse than a slow TV when trying to enjoy your downtime after a long, busy day. Other TV problems, like burn-in and the dreaded “screen of death,” can also be frustrating. So if you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and your smart TV is still sluggish, consider shopping for brand-new, brand-name smart TVs at your local Rent-A-Center. With free delivery and flexible payment options, you can upgrade your living room as soon as today!