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The short answer
Most buffering comes from weak Wi-Fi at the TV, not from your internet line. Run a quick speed test next to the TV, then try a network cable, move the router closer or add a mesh point, and use the 5 GHz band. If the line itself is slow, the fix is a better package, not a new router.
As a rough guide, streaming needs about the following per stream. Check each service’s own guidance, because it changes.
| Picture quality | Rough speed per stream |
|---|---|
| HD | About 5 to 8 Mbps |
| 4K | About 15 to 25 Mbps |
Remember that other people streaming, gaming or on video calls share the same line.
A cable beats Wi-Fi almost every time, because it doesn’t drop in and out when someone microwaves lunch or closes a door. Some Apple TV models have an Ethernet port and others don’t, so check yours.
A cheap extender often halves your speed because it uses the same radio to talk to the router and to your TV. A mesh system, ideally with a cable between the units, usually does better. It costs more, but it solves coverage in a larger home or one with thick walls.
When power returns, your fibre box, router and Apple TV all restart. Starting them in the wrong order can leave devices without a proper connection.
A small UPS on the fibre box and router avoids the restart altogether. The same start-up order problem breaks remote viewing for cameras too. See why you can’t see your CCTV on your phone.
Evening-only buffering often means the line or the provider is congested, or that many devices in your home are using it at once. Capped, throttled or fair-usage accounts can slow down once you pass a limit. Test at different times of day and, if the line is the problem, ask your provider about it.
We set up Apple TV, run network cable, mount TVs and hide the wiring. See our Apple TV installations, including Sandton, Randburg, Bedfordview and Centurion. If you want a full premium setup, see our premium equipment checklist.
See also: how much data Apple TV uses · Apple TV vs Explora.
No. Wi-Fi works well in many homes, but a cable is more reliable if you stream in 4K or your Wi-Fi is patchy.
It is faster over short distances. For a TV in the same room as the router, 5 GHz is usually the better choice.
Because more people are online, either in your home or on your provider’s network. Test at other times to find out which.
Only if the router is the bottleneck. Run the speed test at the TV first.
It depends on the quality. 4K uses several gigabytes an hour, so on a capped line choose HD.
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