Netflix buffering — fix it

Netflix HD needs 5 Mbps sustained, 4K needs 25 Mbps. Plus reliable CDN reach.

Netflix buffering means sustained throughput dropped below the bitrate of the video stream you're watching. Netflix uses Open Connect CDN cached at major ISPs — buffering may indicate ISP-side CDN issue.

Signalyzr measures sustained throughput (not peak) and CDN reachability — the actual metrics that decide whether Netflix buffers.

What this measures

  • Sustained download (needs to be ≥ 5 Mbps for HD, 25 Mbps for 4K)
  • Latency to nearest probe
  • DNS resolution time

How it works

  1. Test
  2. Compare against the threshold
  3. Identify cause
  4. Fix

Why this matters

Peak speed lies. Netflix needs SUSTAINED speed. Signalyzr measures sustained.

Top fixes

  • If speed is fine but Netflix buffers: try changing DNS to 1.1.1.1
  • If only Netflix buffers (other sites fine): try Netflix on a different device — possibly app cache
  • If everything buffers: it's connection-wide (speed, jitter, packet loss)

FAQs

Why does Netflix buffer in HD when speed test says 200 Mbps?

Speed tests measure peak. Streaming needs sustained over 5-10 minutes. ISP throttling, CDN issues, or Wi-Fi dropouts can be invisible to a 15-second speed test.

Is Netflix blocked by my ISP?

Rare in India. Almost always either weak Wi-Fi, peak congestion, or app cache issues. Diagnose first.

Diagnose Netflix →

Related

Signalyzr is a free, privacy-first network diagnostic tool made in India. Loading the diagnostic app…