How to Fix Twitch Stream Lagging Issue

At least two million viewers tune in each day to Twitch, one of the most well-liked live streaming video sites globally, to watch streamers playing their favorite video games. If you’re one of them, the website may have been experiencing some buffering and lagging problems on twitch stream. So, let’s check out the fixes that will help you resolving the Twitch Stream lagging issue:

Why is the Twitch stream lagging and buffering?

Despite the fact that Twitch stream, like any large-scale website, occasionally has issues, most lagging and slowdown problems are user-generated. Insufficient resources frequently lead to lagging, which can be brought on by:

Irregular internet connectivity
Inadequate computing power
Malicious files/ Malware
Outdated cache on the browser.
Too many extensions for browsers
Run background applications
A DNS-related problem.

If there are no problems with the browser or connection, Twitch’s own server may be offline. A major website like Twitch usually notifies its users right away when there are significant server problems. Visit a similar streaming website and attempt to load a stream there to further test this.

You might want to think about joining the Twitch community if you spend a lot of time playing video games online. Here’s how to begin Twitch streaming.

How To Fix Twitch Stream Lagging

Finding the root of the problem is the first step in solving a lagging or stuttering Twitch issue. The top 10 problems that stop Twitch stream from lagging issues are listed below, along with solutions.

Fix 1: Check your network connectivity strength.

If the Twitch stream feed you are trying to view continues lagging, the problem may be as straightforward as a poor Internet connection.

To test the speed of your Internet connection, use SpeedTest by Ookla. Twitch feeds may be impacted by below-average speed. You could attempt:

You can improve your computer’s connection by removing other devices from your Wi-Fi network.
Utilize a cable to directly connect your PC to the modem.
Reboot your router and modem.
Ask your Internet service provider whether they are upgrading the local infrastructure.

You can try to lessen the resolution of the stream you’re watching if you reside in an area with weaker Internet speeds than average or have a slow Internet plan. To achieve this, select the cogwheel icon in the stream by clicking on it.

Fix 2: Outdated cache on the browser

If you haven’t recently deleted your browser’s cache and cookies, it could be the reason for the stuttering in your Twitch videos. These may slow down your browser and interfere with your ability to watch Twitch. The procedure for cleaning the cache is the same regardless of the browser you use.

Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to delete cache and cookies on Google Chrome, as it is the most popular browser:

Click the three dots in the top right corner of Google Chrome after opening the browser.
Click History (or use Ctrl+H) while your cursor is above the History section.
From the menu on the left side of the screen, choose Clear browsing data.
Tick the boxes next to Cached pictures and files and Cookies and other data.
In the pop-up box, choose the options next to Cookies and some other data and Cached pictures and files. Additionally, you may clear your browsing history here.
In the time range box at the top of the pop-up box, choose All Time.
Select Delete data.

Fix 3: Turn off browser add-ons

Extensions for your browser are practical add-ons that can increase its capabilities. However, having too many extensions installed can make your browser sluggish and cause buffering and lagging issues on Twitch. To turn off or delete browser add-ons in Google Chrome:

Launch Google Chrome and select the three dots icon in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Hover your mouse over More tools, then from the drop-down menu, choose Extensions.
A list of all the extensions you have installed on your browser will appear in the subsequent window.
Click the blue toggle button at the bottom of the box to turn off the extension.
Click Remove and then Delete to remove an extension from your browser.

Check to see if the buffering problem has been fixed once you disable all extensions.

If Twitch is currently operating without any lagging issues, you can simply turn on each extension one at a time to find out which one is causing buffering.

Fix 4: Turn off hardware augmentation

Enabling hardware acceleration to analyze data through your GPU may cause Twitch video to stutter. To make this function in Google Chrome inactive:

Start Google Chrome and select the three horizontal dots in the upper right-hand corner.
From the dropdown menu, pick Settings.
In the left-hand menu of Chrome’s settings, select System.
Toggle off “Use hardware acceleration when available” by clicking the switch next to it.
To make the update effective, restart your browser.

Fix 5: Adjust the DNS Settings

When utilizing the default DNS server provided by your ISP, your Twitch stream may lag while you are watching. In most cases, the problem can be resolved by switching to a public DNS server like Google DNS. To change to an open DNS server:

On your desktop, click Start and choose Settings (or press Windows + I as a shortcut).
Select Internet & Network.
Choose Change adapter options from the Status menu section.
A window displaying every network connection available will open. Right-click on your network connection after you’ve located it. Select Options from the menu after that.
After making your choice, click Properties and then Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
Make a mark in the pop-up window. Use the DNS servers listed below.
Fill up the Preferred DNS server area with 8.8.8.8 and the Alternate DNS server field with 8.8.4.4.
To save the changes, click OK.

Fix 6: Turn off background programmes

Even when you aren’t using them, background-running programmes use some of your bandwidth, especially if they frequently need updates and download fixes from the Internet. This is a surefire way to make your Twitch feeds stutter. To prevent Windows 10 programmes from operating in the background:

Go to the PC’s settings.
Select Privacy.
Scroll down and choose Background apps in the left-hand column.
Flip the switch next to the option to Let programmes run in the background. This will halt any background-running applications.
Additionally, you can choose which applications you don’t want to run in the background under Select the programmes that can run in the background.

Fix 7: Turn off your VPN and/or proxy

Because a VPN adds an extra step by sending your information to a VPN server, it reduces the rate of your Internet connection. A proxy functions similarly.

Even though all VPNs, to some extent, impair your connection speed, you probably won’t notice much of a change when using a VPN that’s ideal for streaming.

If you’re using a free VPN, you might need to deactivate it in order to fix the Twitch broadcast slowness. Here’s how to disable a proxy server on Windows 10 if you’re connected to one.

On your Windows computer, access the Start menu and choose Settings.
Go to Network & Internet by clicking.
From the left sidebar menu, choose Proxy.
Under Automatic proxy setup, toggle off the choices for Manually detecting settings and Use the setup script. Then, under Manual proxy settings, scroll down and select the Choose a proxy server option.

Fix 8: Identify malware

Malware frequently consumes a lot of energy, slowing your system and any internet activity.

Depending on your circumstances, this can be a quick remedy for Twitch lag. Installing antivirus software is one approach to determine whether or not you are working with malware.

If the software doesn’t detect any malware, it’s possible that the antivirus software itself is too responsible for the lagging (since it’s always functioning in the background).

You can turn off your antivirus programme and retry the stream to see if the problem still exists. If so, think about switching to a new antivirus programme. Our recommended antiviral programme for 2022 can be found here.)

Fix 10: Use an alternative browser

You should think about switching the browser if you can’t figure out what is lagging in twitch streamer and that is why your browser must be slowing down.

Try the more well-known choices, such as Opera GX, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox, a browser designed especially for gamers that have Twitch integration, enabling users to swiftly and easily access their preferred Twitch stream creators and content.

Fix 10: Block Correct IP address

Finally, you might try using the Windows firewall to restrict particular IP addresses. It is worthwhile to give this a try because many users say that it fixed their Twitch stream lagging and stuttering. To block an IP addresses:

In the search field of your Windows computer, type “Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security,” and then click the first result.
In the window panel on the left, pick Inbound Rules. On the right hand side, under Actions, choose New Rule.
Click Next after making the Custom rule selection in the pop-up window.
Click These IP addresses, followed by Add, under “Which remote IP addresses does this rule apply to? “
Choose This IP address range in the next pop-up box. In the From and To fields, respectively, enter 206.111.0.0 and 206.111.255.255.
To save the changes, click OK.
To access the Scope window, repeat steps 7 and 8.
Enter 173.194.55.1 this time and 173.194.55.255 the last time.
Choose Block this connection after clicking Next.
Restart your computer to apply the modifications once you’ve finished.

Sum up

These methods to fix Twitch stream lagging and stuttering usually resolve the majority of issues, despite the fact that several Twitch stream users seem to run across minor troubles on the website. If you’ve tried every fix and nothing seems to be working, Twitch may be the cause of the issue, in which situation you will just have to keep patience till they solve it.