Peacock Keeps Buffering: 12 Ways To Fix Lagging Issues!

Does Peacock keep buffering on your TV? A lot of other streamers also face a similar buffering issue. But it doesn’t mean you should cut ties with Peacock. 

Peacock TV is the ultimate source of entertainment, and everyone loves the services. But the only thing that makes you overwhelmed is the buffering of this streaming service. 

Luckily, some fixes will eliminate the lagging and loading issues from Peacock and improve your streaming experience. 

Reason Why Peacock Start Buffering 

The Peacock starts to buffer due to a slow internet connection or corrupted cache.  

Mostly, the Internet becomes slow when there are a lot of devices connected to the Wi-Fi, which will cause network congestion; due to this reason, streaming services like Peacock start buffering and lagging. 

Other reasons behind the buffering of streaming services include outdated firmware versions, outdated apps, devices running out of memory, power issues, or you’re using VPNs.

But you don’t need to worry; I will share some of the best remedial measures to fix the buffering of the Peacock app. Stay stuck with this guide till the end. 

1- Fix The Slow Internet Connectivity  

Streaming services like Peacock require higher bandwidth internet for a seamless streaming experience. 

But due to network congestion, Peacock starts to buffer. This usually happens when you connect many devices with the same Wi-Fi network. Under this situation, the network blocks new connections and stops sending data packets to other devices. 

So, the only way to fix this issue is to disconnect all other devices with that network or reboot the router.  

Restarting the router will improve the bandwidth and increase the internet speed, which gives a quick boost to the performance of streaming services. 

To restart the router, unplug it from the wall mount outlet for 30 seconds, wait for the next 30 seconds, and then plug it back. 

How Resetting The Router Improves Streaming Performance

You might be pondering how restarting a router can fix the streaming or buffering issues. 

Restarting the router will clear the temporary glitches and resolve congestion issues. This simple method reestablishes a stable connection with your devices for a seamless streaming experience. 

2- Clear The Cache Of Your Devices 

The corrupted cache is another primary factor that can cause Peacock to buffer. This usually happens with Smart TV users. To fix the issue, restart your streaming devices. 

Due to the corrupted cache, the streaming apps get stuck, crash, or start lagging, which gives you the worst streaming experience.  

Luckily, restarting the streaming devices is the ultimate and easiest way to wipe out the cache. 

Simply unplug your streaming devices from the wall outlet for at least 60 seconds, wait for the next 30 seconds, and plug it back into a power outlet. 

Once the cache is cleared, reopen the Peacock app, and you won’t face any buffering or lagging issues. 

3- Use 5 GHz Band Network Instead Of 2.4 GHz

5GHz band provides faster internet speed, whereas 2.4 GHz is preferable for large ranges. 

Undoubtedly, for streaming services like Peacock, you need faster internet speed. So, if you live in an apartment or the Wi-Fi router is near your streaming devices, you should opt for a 5GHz band network. 

The 5GHz band will provide stable Internet to reduce lagging and buffering issues. 

If you’re living in a larger home, the 2.4GHz band is the best option as it provides the best speed in a large range. You can choose between 5GHz and 2.4GHz band networks depending on your preferences and living area. 

4- Reinstall The Peacock App

If you have encountered the buffering of Peacock, delete the app and install it back. There might be an internal issue with the app; reinstalling it will bring a new, updated version and resolve the buffering issue. 

Most of the readers use Roku Streaming devices to Watch Peacock; here are the steps to reinstall the app on Roku Device; 

If you’re using Vizio TV, I have made a dedicated guide on how to delete apps on Vizio TV. 

Once you have reinstalled the Peacock app, you will never face glitches or lagging issues. 

5- Update The Firmware Of Streaming Devices

The outdated firmware is the root cause of many streaming issues, including buffering and lagging. 

If the issue persists and Peacock tv keeps buffering, your streaming device runs on outdated firmware. 

The outdated software of a streaming device conflicts with the updated version of the Peacock app and causes several glitches and issues. 

Before starting to hate the Peacock app, give it a try to update the firmware. I’m sure after updating the software of your streaming device, the Peacock won’t buffer on it. 

6- Close Background Running Apps

Slow loading or buffering issues also happen when multiple apps run in the background. 

Simply put, your streaming device has limited memory, and when a plethora of apps are running in the background, it will cause memory overflow, leaving no room for the new app to open. 

These background apps eat more memory and sometimes reduce the performance of currently running streaming apps. 

So, if the Peacock app is frequently buffering or lagging, you should clear the background app ASAP. You can also do this by restarting the streaming device or firestick. 

7- Overheating Of Device 

Streaming devices usually get overheated and trigger thermal throttling. Due to this issue, the device stops the processor’s performance to prevent further head build-up. 

If your streaming device instantly gets overheated, the app will likely buffer on it. So, if the Peacock is buffering, it probably means that your device has triggered the thermal throttling. 

To verify the issue, check the back of your smart TV or laptop; if it gets hot, the device is overheated. 

In such a scenario, shut down the device for a few minutes to let it cool down. Provide proper ventilation to the TVs to avoid overheating issues, avoid putting TVs in closed cabinets, and turn on the air conditioning. 

8- Decrease The Video Quality 

The Peacock TV offers content in 4K resolution, and if you stream Peacock in ultra-high resolution, chances are the app will start buffering.

Streaming content in higher resolution requires a more stable and faster Internet. And if you’re using a 2.4GHz band network or have connected multiple devices with the router, you will face trouble streaming high-resolution content. 

To avoid the buffering of Peacock, you should lower the video quality on it. Try to play the content in 1080P or 720P resolution; such resolution provides a seamless video streaming experience even on slow internet speed. 

9- Use Ethernet Cable 

Everyone wants a faster internet speed to stream without lagging or buffering. Luckily, with the ethernet cable, you can achieve the desired internet speed that will enable you to watch your favorite TV shows on Peacock without buffering. 

The ethernet connection is much faster and more reliable than the Wi-Fi network. You just need an ethernet cable to establish the connection.    

Ethernet connections provide a dedicated, wired connection with less interference, as walls, roofs, furniture, and other objects can disrupt Wi-Fi signals. 

An ethernet connection is too easy to establish, even if you can do it alone. Measure the distance between the router and the streaming device, and order the ethernet cable. Once you have a cable, connect one end to the router and the other to the smart TV, and you’re done!

10- Turn Off The VPN

VPNs can affect the performance of streaming apps, including Peacock. Most importantly, VPNs can slow down the internet performance, due to which the apps start lagging or buffering. 

The VPNs also change the IP address and align it with other regions where Peacock won’t work. That’s why most streaming apps don’t allow users to use VPS while streaming.  

So, if you have enabled a VPN, turn it off before accessing the Peacock app. 

11- Ask Your Internet Provider To Upgrade The Internet 

A faster internet will skyrocket the performance of streaming apps. 

Lagging, freezing, buffering, all these issues happened due to sluggish Internet. The Peacock app will never buffer once you have a faster internet connection at home. 

Consider upgrading the current internet plan, and it’s a worthwhile option if you have extensive family members at home. 

12- Check The Uptime Of Peacock Servers 

Sometimes, there are no issues with the Peacock and streaming devices, but the Peacock servers are down for certain reasons.

In this case, you can’t do anything except wait. You can check the Peacock server’s status here. If they are down, wait until they go live. 

Final Words 

Undoubtedly, the buffering in Peacock worsens the entire streaming experience. But it doesn’t mean you should delete the Peacock app forever; rather, you should fix the buffering by following a few steps.

I hope this guide was helpful to you and solved your Peacock buffering issue. 

FAQs