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This will hopefully help you with any buffering issues you’re having. Listed below is the common issues and the non common issues. I dealt with buffering for a while now and finally figured out why it all of a sudden started. Don’t get me wrong buffering can happen, but constant buffering is not normal. Just to give you a hint it wasn’t a Plex update issue:).
Common issues,
•Is your Plex server fast enough, especially if transcoding?
You don’t need to Super beefy computer for Plex by any means. But it depends on your how many clients you’re going to have. Are they requiring transcoding, which would either use the CPU or GPU. When under load check your task manager to make sure that you’re not maxing out either your GPU, memory or CPU. If you see spikes almost to 100% that will cause buffering.
• Are you hard-wired?
If you’re not already hard-wired you may want to consider it. This will help eliminate buffering. Whether it’s your server or client. Also make sure that you’re using a Cat5e or higher wire. Mixing CAT5 with higher cables is a No-No and will cause buffering. Plex for some reason doesn’t like this.
•What about WiFi?
Wi-Fi will still have intermittent buffer especially on live TV but it can be minimal if you set it on the 5 gigahertz Network. In no way do I recommend having your server on Wi-Fi. For client devices it’s fine. The only catch is to make sure that your signal is good, excellent, or great. Ok won’t cut it.
•Are you trans coding?
As I said before, can your server handle transcoding? I use to be a trans code King , but have since tried to move away from that and go to direct play. Your GPU can handle quite a bit of transcoding but live TV is very picky and you have to have a good graphics card for instant transcoding. Also bear in mind most graphics cards are locked to two trans codes unless modded. I personally have a GTX 1070 with modded drivers. Intel CPUs with the integrated igpu tend to work pretty well especially if you only have a couple client devices.
The Uncommon issues,
• Hardware
The number one uncommon cause I have found for buffering is the router or switch. I have found a Google Nest WiFi / Google WiFi tend to be the most compatible for my Plex setup. I have tried Netgear, Asus, TP Link, Belkin, and Linksys. The only one that came in a close second was Netgear. For some reason with these devices it doesn’t matter if you have a 2.2 quad core processor in the router they still cause buffering. I have found hooking up my Google Nest Wi-Fi to a unmanaged network switch almost eliminates all buffering. Yes, there is business class routers out there but this topic is mainly for home users that just want Plex to work. I’ve also found it’s always good to have all your ethernet wires plugged into a network switch and not the router ports.
•Are you plugged directly into your ont?
For people with fiber internet if you’re using an ethernet cable from your ont which is the outside box directly into your router may cause Plex problems if your router doesn’t support a direct connection to the ont. I found the Google and Netgear work fine. Others tend to buffer.
•Ethernet cabling
Double check that all your wiring is either diagram a or diagram B on ethernet wiring if you’ve made your own cables.
• Windows tuning
I recommend that you turn off jumbo packets if it’s on and also Windows Auto tuning, see if that correct your problem.
• buffer one, buffer all
Sometimes if one device buffers every device on your server buffers. Ensure that your device has a great connection to the internet to try to stop this
• Fire stick
For some odd reason the firestick I have noticed causes buffering across all my devices on my server. I have since switched all my devices to mi box s. No more buffing.
• Nvidia Shield
When the Nvidia Shield initially starts a movie or live TV it can Spike the internet connection all the way up to 700 Megs. Just be mindful of this especially if you’re fast-forwarding.
• Tri band router
If you have a lot of devices try to spread your TV’s or client devices across the two 5 gigahertz bands. I’ve also found that some routers perform better on one band than they do the other. I like to call it a 24-hour test. I turned one my TV is on and stream live TV for 24 hours, that will help me determine which band works better. I have three TVs on one band and one on the other 5 gigahertz band.
• Love mesh network but not for Plex
Mesh networks don’t tend to work well with Plex. I found that a dedicated router just for my client devices works better and or hardwire.
Hopefully this helps someone. If I think of anything else I’ll add it on here. My issue turned out to be a couple things. First thing was I got rid of the fire stick. Next I upgraded to the biggest and baddest router I could find which was between Asus and Netgear. These actually caused my client devices to buffer quite a bit for live TV. My thought process was to have the best router and have everything plugged into the ethernet ports on the router. Not the case, I unplugged those and moved them to a switch which helped. But still was having issues. Going back to my Nest wifi with the network switch and now everything has been running super smooth. Networking is temperamental and there’s a lot of playing around until you figure it out. It’s not always that $500 router that’s going to fix your issue.
