How to Windows

How to Fix Netflix lagging on Windows 10

Netflix lagging

Netflix has a lot of different plans for watching content; the cheapest limits users. In order to watch on a tablet or mobile device whenever all other tiers permit users in order to watch on their desktop. The streaming quality and the number of devices you guys can watch on will differ, however, Netflix offers SD quality, HD, and Ultra HD as well. In this article, we are going to talk about How to Fix Netflix lagging on Windows 10. Let’s begin!

Why is my Netflix lagging?

It stands to reason that the quality of the Netflix stream will rely not just on the plan you’ve purchased. However, also on your internet’s speed. Whenever Netflix detects a poor or weaker internet connection, and it downgrades the stream quality as well.

Netflix makes up for slow internet via decreasing the quality of the stream from HD to SD. It will normally buffer a title a little in advance so that the stream plays smoothly and doesn’t really stutter along the way. If Netflix is lagging constantly on Windows 10, then you should try the following fixes.

How to Fix Netflix lagging on Windows 10

Before you guys try any solutions, you should make sure that your Internet connection is stable and there are no similar problems in any other apps.

Check internet connection

Your internet connection may also be responsible for the lag. In fact, it is the first thing you guys should check.

  •  Then you can open your browser.
  • Use the Netflix Fast tool in order to check your internet connection’s speed and stability.
  • If the tool tells you there’s a problem along with the connection, you guys will have to resolve it before you can watch anything. 

Restart system or router

A problem along with the system or the router may also be causing Netflix to lag and a simple restart can fix the problem.

  • You can shut down your system.
  • Tap on the power button on the router in order to power it off.
  • Unplug it for fifteen minutes as well.
  • Plug the router back in as well.
  • Then power the router on.
  • Now turn your system on.
  • Try to stream on Netflix.

Disable VPN or Proxy

If you guys are using a VPN or a proxy, try to disable them. It’s not uncommon that these tools interfere along with online services. For instance, many time VPNs can affect your internet connection speed and this could lead to lagging issues in Netflix as well.

The same goes for proxy servers, especially if they guys are overcrowded. Most of them are as they’re free and attract a lot of users. After you disable your VPN or proxy, the lag in Netflix should be gone. But, if you guys have a split-tunneling-ready VPN, then you can also make use of this useful feature. Private Internet Access is a great VPN service that comes along with split tunneling capabilities.

Here’s a list of Private Internet Access’ main features as well:

  • More than 22,000 fast servers all around the globe
  • Zero-logging policy as well
  • Military-grade encryption actually
  • It supports OpenVPN and WireGuard
  • Has a built-in kill switch also
  • It offers split tunneling
  • Can also unblock Netflix and other geo-blocked services

Quit other apps

Lots of apps use the internet and if they’re also using it at the same time because you’re trying to watch something on Netflix. They’re all sharing the connection as well. This will impact the bandwidth that’s also available for streaming. You can quit all the apps that may also be using the internet; Steam, download managers, torrents, as well.

You should also set the connection as a metered connection actually. This will pravoid event Windows 10 from downloading updates and also taking up bandwidth.

  • You can open the Settings app (Win+I keyboard shortcut).
  • Head to Network and Internet.
  • You can choose the WiFi tab.
  • Tap on your network.
  • Scroll down and then turn the Metered connection switch on.

Close apps that are guys using a lot of bandwidth

In many cases, bandwidth-hungry apps can also make your Netflix experience laggy, so it’s really best to close them. Some really great examples are cloud services, Windows updates, and many other programs that perform background operations.

Here’s how you guys can get rid of these apps:

  • Right-tap on your Windows taskbar
  • Then choose Task Manager
  • You can identify apps that use a lot of bandwidth
  • Right-tap on them and choose End Task

After you close these apps, you can also check and see if Netflix is running because it should.

Change the DNS address

  • In the Windows search box just type Control Panel
  • Tap on the first result
  • Now under Network and Internet, click on View network status and tasks
  • In the left side panel, then tap on Change adapter settings
  • Right-tap on your active connection and choose Proprieties
  • Just choose Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4)
  • Tap on the Properties button
  • In the new window, just choose to Obtain an IP address automatically
  • Then toggle the Use the following DNS server addresses option
    • In the Preferred DNS server, now enter the Google Public DNS address: 8.8.8.8
    • In the Alternative DNS server, just enter the Google Public DNS address: 8.8.4.4
  • Tap on OK and then restart your PC

Try a different browser

Netflix also has a dedicated Windows 10 app, however, you can still watch it in your browser. If you guys are watching in the Netflix app, try to switch to the browser. If you’re already watching in a browser, then switch to a different one. It may also help.

The following browsers can also be used to watch Netflix.

  • Opera
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Edge

You can switch to any of the above and try to stream.

Download Netflix title

Many Netflix titles can be downloaded. If you guys continue to experience lag, check if the title can be downloaded or not.

  • Just open the Netflix app.
  • Tap on the title you want to watch.
  • Press the download button (if available).
  • Permit the title to download and then watch it.

Check your antivirus or firewall

If you guys have an antivirus, then make sure you check if it’s not blocking your Netflix app or your browser.

In many cases, antivirus software can interfere along with the network connection and that may also cause Netflix to lag.

You guys should also check your Firewall settings in order to make sure that they don’t block your Internet connection.

Conclusion

Alright, That was all Folks! I hope you guys like this article and also find it helpful to you. Give us your feedback on it. Also if you guys have further queries and issues related to this article. Then let us know in the comments section below. We will get back to you shortly.

Have a Great Day!

Also See: How to Stop ATT U-Verse Throttling – Use VPN

About the author

Windy Moore

Leave a Reply