After the app restarts, try using Paramount+ again. If it still keeps buffering, try the next solution.
Reboot device:
If you are using a Smart TV, unplug the cable from the power source and plug it in again. Ensure you keep the TV unplugged for a few minutes before you try and put the power chord back into the power source. Once you plug in the cable again, try streaming Paramount+ on your Smart TV again.
- Turn off your TV and any connected devices such as a streaming box or game console.
- Restart your router by unplugging it, waiting 30 seconds, and plugging it back in.
- Turn on your TV and try streaming again.
If restarting the TV does not work for you, try the next solution.
Reboot router/connection:
We encounter buffering issues with any service mostly when there is a network issue. And a router restart is enough in most scenarios to give your connection a reset. For this, power off the router connected to your device by taking out the power cord from the power source and waiting for a few seconds. After that, plug the power cord back into the power source and set up the router again. If you still can’t fix the buffering issue, try the next fix.
Choose Lower Quality for the Video
The most common situation with buffering videos on any streaming platform is mostly related to a slow or inconsistent internet connection. So when streaming videos it is best to choose a lower video quality so that it can compensate for the slow internet speed.
To change the video quality on Paramount Plus:
- Play the content you want on Paramount+.
- Select the cogwheel icon in the video’s options.
- Select Video quality.
- Choose Low quality.
This should fix the buffering issue. If it still arises due to some reason, move on to the next solution.
There is a possibility that your ISP has some sort of block on Paramount+ or there is a limit in terms of traffic. The only way to confirm this is to contact your service provider and enquire about it. If there is any such issue, they should be able to provide you with a resolution or a timeline as to when you can expect this to be fixed.
If the problem is not with your ISP, but you still encounter buffering issues with Paramount+, try the next solution.
Try ethernet cable:
Wired connections are often more reliable and efficient than wireless connections. So if you are trying to stream Paramount+ on a device wirelessly, try using an ethernet cable with the device. If your smart TV does not have an ethernet port, you can use a dongle with an RJ45 port. Connecting the TV to the router then should do the trick for you.
If you still can’t fix the buffering issue, try the next fix.
Disable ad-blocker:
Ad-blocker apps are quite common among content streamers these days due to the high amount of ad traffic we see across platforms and services. But most services these days also rely on ads to bring in a major chunk of their revenue. So users enabling ad-blocker does not really help their case.
So services like Paramount+ might have issues delivering content when ad-blocker is enabled, especially when the plan subscribed by the user is one with ads. To fix this, you need to disable any ad-blocking apps that might be present on your system.
Once you get rid of any such services, try streaming content on Paramount+ again. If it still buffers on your smart TV, try the next fix.
Disable VPN or Proxy :
Netflix, HBO Go, Disney+, and even Paramount+ have a way of detecting any suspicious anonymous connection. Irrespective of the VPN client or proxy you are using, Paramount+ has a way of detecting if the connection is an authorized one or an unauthorized one. So if you have proxy server settings for your connection, or if you are using a VPN client while connecting to the internet, then try disabling it. After disabling the proxy or VPN, Paramount+ should run fine on your system without any buffer.
After successfully uninstalling the VPN client or Proxy, restart your TV and check whether Paramount+ buffers again or not. If it still buffers, move on to the next solution
Try a different browser:
This error is relatively standard in the Chrome browser. If you are also someone who is trying to stream Paramount+ only in Chrome on your Smart TV, then try a different third-party browser like Firefox or Opera. You can first try updating your Chrome browser if you want to continue using the Chrome browser for Paramount+ streaming. But if even the update does not fix the buffer issue, then you should switch over to a different browser.
If switching over to a different browser does not help with the buffer issue, try the next fix.
Check the Paramount+ server:
Much like any other service, Paramount could also face issues with its server and in a downtime it could show up issues like buffering. In worst-case scenarios with downtime, the service won’t load at all. And in the best case scenario, when the servers are down to a limited capacity, buffering issues could rise up for the users.
So open up sites like down detector and check whether Paramount+ servers are working fine or not. If there is any downtime, it will show up there. Additionally, you could also check the social media handles of Paramount to check for any new updates. Usually, services inform their users through social media about any possible downtime.
If the servers are working fine but you are still facing buffering issues, move on to the next fix.
Check your Paramount Plus subscription plan:
Sometimes streaming services do not cut off access to content for their users even when they fail to pay for the next month on time. They give out something like a week as an extended period to pay the due amount for the next month. So go to your account page in Paramount+ and check whether your plan is activated or not. If it has expired, recharge your plan and try streaming again. If it still does not work, try the next fix.
Clear app cache:
Cache data builds up over time as a means to improve the UI of the application significantly. Stored cached data is loaded onto the device quicker than what the network can capture and this gives us the feedback that the app is well connected to the server. So cache data does help in terms of app speed. But corrupted cached data stored on a device for any app could also result in malfunction, and this is where you need to understand that you need to clear the cache.
Even with your buffering issue, it could be a corrupted cache data issue. To fix this, you need to clear the cache for the Paramount+ app on your TV. Here, we will guide you on how you can do it on a Samsung Smart TV and any basic Android TV. If you have any other smart TV, the process would be similar in that case as well. The UI might be different, but the steps would be somewhat similar.
For Samsung TV:
- Press the settings button on your remote or select the settings icon on the home screen.
- Tap on Support.
- Select the “Self DIagnosis” tab.
- Select TV device manager.
- Go to the Clean Now button under Memory Boost and Clear Running apps.
- Select it and wait till it’s cleaned.
- Now go to the Show App list under Manage Storage.
- Scroll through the list of apps that show up here and select Paramount+.
- Tap on View details.
- Select Clear Cache.
Android TV:
- Press the home button on your remote and select Settings.
- Go to Apps.
- Select See all apps or apps.
- From the list, select Paramount Plus.
- Select Clear Cache and then select Ok.
Now try streaming on Paramount+ again. If it still buffers, move on to the next solution.
Roll back to the previous build:
If the buffering occurred after recently updating the Paramount+ app, there is a possibility the trouble is with the new version itself. In that case, the best plan of action would be to uninstall the current version and go back to the previous build of the app.
To uninstall the apps on a Samsung TV or Android TV, follow the steps mentioned below.
For Samsung TV:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Scroll down and select Apps.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select app.
- Finally, select Delete.
For Android TV:
- Press the home button on your remote and select Settings.
- Go to Apps.
- Select See all apps or apps.
- From the list, select Paramount Plus.
- Select Delete or Uninstall button.
Now open the web browser on your TV and search for the older version’s apk file on any website. Once you find it, download it and then install it on your TV.
If even this does not help with the buffering issue, try the next solution.
Update the application:
Paramount+ application developers will update the app frequently to iron out any possible bugs that might be present in it. So if you are using an older version of the app and it has some bugs in it, then that could be the cause behind the buffering issue as well. To fix this, you need to update the application to the latest version right away.
Samsung Smart TV:
- Go to the home screen by pressing the home button on your remote.
- Navigate to the bottom and select Apps.
- In the list of apps, select the Paramount Plus icon.
- On the app page, tap on the Update App button. If there is no update available, you won’t see such a button. But if you do, it would mean that the app is not on the latest version.
- So tap on the button and wait till the application is updated to the latest version.
LG Smart TV:
- Press the Home button on the remote of your LG TV.
- Go to the LG Content store.
- Tap on Apps at the top of the page.
- Select Paramount Plus.
- If there is an update available, you will see an update button. Tap on it and wait till the application is updated.
Android TV:
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Tap on the profile icon at the top right corner of your screen.
- Select Manage apps and games.
- Go to the updates section.
- Select Paramount Plus and it will start updating the application.
Once the app is updated, try streaming on Paramount+ again. If it buffers again, try the next fix.
Update the streaming device:
Sometimes it is not enough to just update the apps. At times, we also need to update the TV we are using to stream Paramount+ content. If the TV is running on outdated software, it will run into all kinds of compatibility issues with Paramount+ and therefore it becomes essential to update the device as well.
Samsung TV:
- Open Settings on your TV.
- Go to the support tab.
- Select Software Update.
- Tap on Update Now.
- If there is any update available, it will be installed on your TV.
LG TV:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Select Settings in the top right corner of your screen.
- Select All Settings in the bottom corner of your screen.
- Select the General Tab.
- Scroll to the About this TV section and then select it.
- Select Check for Updates.
- If there is an update available, it will show up here. Proceed to download and install the update on your TV.
Android TV:
- Press the HOME button on the remote.
- Go to Apps.
- Select Help.
- Go to system software update.
- Select software update.
- The TV will start updating if there is any update pending to be installed.
After the update is complete, the Paramount+ buffering issue should be resolved.
- If none of the above solutions work, reach out to Paramount Plus customer support for further assistance.
Conclusion:
Buffering issues on streaming platforms like Paramount Plus on Smart TVs can be influenced by a range of factors, from device-specific settings to broader network challenges. Addressing these concerns involves a systematic approach, including verifying internet speeds, ensuring software updates, or even reaching out to customer support. While each troubleshooting step offers a potential solution, it’s essential to understand that the effectiveness might vary based on individual circumstances. Regular maintenance and awareness of device and network performance can help ensure a smoother streaming experience for users.
If you have any questions or queries about this article, comment below, and we will get back to you. Also, check out our other articles on iPhone tips and tricks, Android tips and tricks, PC tips and tricks, and much more for more helpful information.
