Unable to stream on Netflix because it is stuck at buffering? Many users have complained about their Netflix being stuck at 25% whenever they try to watch some content. This is a common issue to be encountered by users on Netflix, but what causes it?
If Netflix buffering is stuck at 25% then it can be due to various reasons like bugs within the app, outdated system firmware, corrupted cache/cookies, slow internet, outdated Netflix app, etc. Users have said that they have tried basic troubleshooting steps like restarting the Netflix app as well as the device but that didn’t solve the issue for them.
If you clicked on this article in the hope of finding fixes for the Netflix stuck at buffering issue then you are at the right place. In this article, we will be guiding you through all the troubleshooting steps to fix Netflix Stuck Buffering at 25%.
1. Check Netflix Servers
Before we go on with the steps mentioned in this article it is important to check Netflix servers to know whether the issue is at your end or not. Just imagine you have tried every method in this article only to find out the issue was not even at your end. Well, that would be frustrating but at the same time hilarious for sure.
To check the Netflix Servers you can simply use the Netflix Help Center page. The page will show you whether Netflix is up or facing some issues with its server.
If their servers are down then simply wait for some time and the issue will be resolved on its own. If there’s no issue with the servers but you are still facing this issue then you can try the next step in this article.
2. Log Out and Re-Login to Netflix
Sometimes the issue can be due to some glitch with your account. For this, you can simply log out of your Netflix account on your device and then sign in again. You can do it by following the steps given below-
Netflix App on Phone
- Open the Netflix app, and then tap on the My Netflix icon at the bottom right corner.
- Now, tap on Menu and then on Sign Out.
- Tap on the Sign Out option to log out of your account.
- Now, restart the Netflix app and sign in to your account.
Netflix Website
- Open the browser and head to the Netflix site.
- Click on the profile icon at the top right corner and then on Sign Out of Netflix.
- Close the current tab and then open the Netflix site on the new tab.
- Sign into your Netflix account using the account credentials.
3. Check your Internet
You need a stable internet to stream Netflix especially if it’s in 4K. If content buffering on Netflix is stuck at 25% and not moving forward then you must check your internet speed. Netflix recommends these internet speeds to stream content in different resolutions-
- 4K Content – 15 Mbps or more
- FHD (1080p) Content – 5 Mbps or more
- HD (720p) Content – 3 Mbps or more
Your internet speed must be similar to or more than what Netflix suggests as recommended. You can check the internet speed by visiting Fast.com or SpeedTest. If your connection is slow then you can go through the following tips to speed it up-
- Restart your router as well as your device.
- Switch to 5 GHz frequency or if your device supports connection through LAN then go for that.
- Ensure there’s no obstacle obstructing the connection between the router and the device.
- Disconnect all the other devices connected to your router apart from the device you are using Netflix on.
- If you still face the issue then check your router for any twisted wires.
- Unplug all the cables from the router and then restart it.
- Contact your ISP to fix your internet issue or upgrade your internet plan if none of the above steps solves the issue.
4. Update Netflix App
If you are running on outdated Netflix then that can also cause this issue. It is recommended to keep the Netflix app updated to have the best experience. To update the Netflix app on your phone, follow the steps given below-
- Open Play Store on your Android; if you use an iPhone/iPad, open the App Store.
- Search for the Netflix app on the Store.
- Tap on the Update button to update Netflix to the latest version.
5. Clear the Cache of Netflix
Haven’t cleared the Netflix cache in a while? If Netflix cache is corrupted and not cleared then that can cause the content to stuck at buffering. If you think that’s what causing this issue then you can try clearing the cache of Netflix.
Here’s how you can clear the cache of Netflix on your Android phone-
- Open the app drawer and tap and hold the Netflix app icon.
- Now, tap on the App Info icon.
- After this, tap on Storage.
- Tap Clear Cache to clear the cache of Netflix.
You cannot clear the cache of Netflix on an iPhone or iPad so we won’t be mentioning them. To clear the cache on Netflix on iOS, you will have to reinstall the app.
If you are streaming Netflix on the browser on your PC then you will have to clear the browser’s cache. The steps for this may differ for each browser, but here’s how you can do it on Microsoft Edge-
- Open the Edge browser on your PC.
- Click on the three dots at the top right corner and then on History.
- Now, click on the Delete icon.
- Under the Time Range drop-down menu, select All Time.
- Check the options saying Cookies and Other Site Data as well as Cached Images and Files.
- Now, click on Clear Now to clear Netflix’s cache.
6. Change the DNS of Your Device
Sometimes the default DNS of the device may bug out and cause such problems with OTT services like Netflix. Switch to some other DNS (like Google’s DNS, or any other) and see if the issue is still encountered. Given below are the steps to do this on Android and iOS-
Android
- Open the Settings app on your phone and then tap on Connections.
- After this, tap on More Connection Setting.
- Now, select the Private DNS option.
- Select Private DNS Provider Hostname, set dns.google, and tap on Save.
iOS
- Navigate to the Settings app.
- Now, tap on Wi-Fi and tap on the i icon next to the Wi-Fi network you want to change the DNS server for.
- Now, tap on the Manual option.
- After this tap on Add Server.
- Set 8.8.8.8 for Google DNS and then tap on Save.
Conclusion
Generally, the content you play on Netflix will buffer if you are on a slow internet or using a VPN. If you are facing this issue for any reason then the steps mentioned above should help you fix it. In case, the issue is still not resolved you can try reinstalling the Netflix app again or use Netflix on the browser.