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Common Causes of Slow Network Media Streaming and Content Buffering

Common Causes of Slow Network Media Streaming and Content Buffering View the Use of Third-Party Software or Websites disclaimer.
Western Digital Support cannot help with third-party software or hardware.

Streaming content from a My Cloud OS 5 or My Cloud Home results in choppy audio, pauses, or buffering. This can happen for many reasons.



Computer and Mobile Phone


  • CPU (32-bit vs 64-bit)

Older 32-bit computers normally use 10/100 Mbps network adapters.
Solution: Stop software that use too much CPU and memory. Replace the 10/100 network adapter with a 1000 Base-T Gigabit one. Use a newer 64-bit computer with more power.

  • System Memory

Computers with small amounts of memory may not have enough resources.
Solution: Stop software that use lots of CPU and memory. Upgrade or add more memory.

  • Laptops and Mobile Phones

Low battery life or not connected to a power source.
Solution: Use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi on computers. A direct connection will result in better performance than Wi-Fi. Batttery life should 75% or higher and plugged into a power source.

  • Wi-Fi Bands (2.4 and 5 GHz bands)

Data transfer over 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands will be much slower than Ethernet.
Solution: Use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. Use 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz when direct Ethernet is not possible. Turn off the 2.4 GHz band. Put the computer next to the router.


Local Network


  • 10/100 Networks

Data transfer using 10/100 hardware will be slow.
Solution: Use Gigabit network adapters, switches, and routers. Connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band and remote the Ethernet cable.

  • Network Traffic

Network traffic (overhead) can affect speed.
Solution: Turn off media stream devices likes Media Players, Tablets, other computers, and Smart TV.

  • Faulty Network Hardware (router, switch, cable)

Bad network hardware like network card, network cable, switch, or router can cause performance issues. It can also cause a mismatch in network speeds and prevent auto-negotiation from working right.
Solution: Replace bad and outdated networking hardware.

  • Network Hubs

Hubs can cause collisions, drop packets and auto-negotiation mismatches.
Solution: Replace network hubs with Gigabit switches.

  • Cable Modem and Wi-Fi Router (Double NAT)

Double NAT means there is more than one router between the storage drive and the internet.
Solution: Connect the storage drive directly to the cable modem or router closest to the internet connection.



Remote Network

Streaming over a Wide Area Network (WAN) Wi-Fi or carrier network can result in content buffering. Make sure the internet connection speeds are good enough for the media type. (HD, 4k, etc...)

Need more help?
Answer ID 27612: Steps to Test Network Internet Speeds for Video Streaming and Content Buffering

  • ISP bandwidth limitations or throttling

Solution: Contact the ISP to see if they limit network bandwidth or throttle when streadming.

  • Network Jitter and Latency

Solution: Test the network. High amounts of Latency and Jitter can result in packet losses, network reliablilty and connectivity issues.

Need more help?
Speed Test Plus

  • Slow Upstream Connection

Local smaller ISP use larger upstream providers. Issues with the upstream provider can cause network problems at the downstream ISP.
Solution: Contact the local ISP for more information regarding their service.

  • Spotty Wi-Fi or Carrier Network Connection

Crowded or high use hot spots can cause network latency.
Solution: Use a different network.

  • Router Bandwidth Limits

Solution: Check the router for any incoming or outgoing bandwidth limits.

  • Content Filtering

Solution: Contact the ISP. Check the local router setting for any content scanning or filtering options.



My Cloud

  • My Cloud OS 5 Indexing and Generating Previews

This occurs when updating from OS 3 to OS 5. It happens when data is added to the My Cloud.
Solution: Wait for Indexing and Generating Previews to complete. Turn Off Cloud Access to transfer data.

Need more help?
Answer ID 29819: Steps to Disable and Enable Indexing and Media Services on My Cloud OS 5

  • My Cloud Services
  • Indexing and thumbnail creation happen when data is added.
    Solution: Turn Off Cloud Access (Remote Access) and all third-party apps.

    Need more help?
    Answer ID 29819: Steps to Disable and Enable Indexing and Media Services on My Cloud OS 5

  • Third-Party Apps
  • Plex, Twonky and Anti-Virus Essentials apps scan and download content adding to network traffic and CPU usage.
    Solution: Ensure third-party apps are not indexing or scanning. Turn off third-party apps.

    • Backups

    Remote and USB drive backups use CPU and memory. They also increase disk activity.
    Solution: Stop My Cloud backups.

    • macOS

    Local data transfer to and from password protected Private shares are slower than non-password protected Public shares.
    Solution: Disable SMB2 Signing from the macOS SMB client.

    Need more help?
    Answer ID 23093 My Cloud: macOS Slow Transfer Performance with Private Shares


    My Cloud Home

    • USB Backups

    USB backups will result in disk read and writes. Backup to the My Cloud Home will result in indexing and generating previews.
    Solution: Ensure all USB Backups have completed.

    • Data Transfer

    Data Transfers will result in more network traffic, disk read/writes, content indexing and thumbnail generation.
    Solution: All data transfers should be completed or stopped when streaming media content.

    Details
    Answer ID 14862
    Published 08/20/2018 02:07 AM
    Updated 03/07/2024 08:39 AM

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