Twitch is one of the most popular online streaming platforms owned by Amazon which was founded in 2011 with more than 15 million daily active users today. Initially it featured only video games but lately it has expanded its content to include artwork, music, and TV shows among others. Although this is a solid platform there are instances when certain issues can occur. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Twitch stream keeps buffering in windows 10 issue.
Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.
There are several factors that can cause this particular problem ranging from issues with the cache and cookies to a DNS problem. Listed below are the recommended troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this problem.
Check if background applications are downloading updates
One of the most common factors that can cause this problem is a program that is using up the internet bandwidth. Twitch will experience buffering issues if it does not have the required bandwidth necessary to deliver a smooth stream. If you have any programs running that is using your bandwidth such as Steam or a torrent client then try to close these applications.
How to fix Twitch Stream Keeps Buffering In Windows 10
Change the DNS
A problem with the DNS setting can usually cause this particular problem. To check if this is a DNS related issue you can try using Google’s public DNS.
- Click on the Start button
- Open Settings.
- Click on Network & Internet.
- Click on Change Adapter options.
- Right click the Network Connection and select Properties.
- Highlight the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) then click on the Properties button.
- Click on use the following DNS server addresses
- Enter 8.8.8.8 as a preferred DNS Server and 8.8.4.4 as Alternate DNS Server
- Press OK to save your changes.
Check if the Twitch stream keeps buffering issue still occurs.
Disable the antivirus
The antivirus program you are using can protect your computer from any online threats. It can however cause issues with the way some of your software work. To check if the antivirus program that you are using is causing this problem you should try to disable it.
If you are using Windows Security
- Select Start – Settings > Update & Security – Windows Security – Virus & threat protection > Manage settings
- Switch Real-time protection to OFF
If you are using Avast
- Search for the Avast icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
- Click on Avast shields control.
- Locate the options to disable the program – the options are to disable it for 10 minutes, an hour, until the computer is restarted or permanently (until you yourself turn it back on). Select whatever option suits you best and use it to disable the program.
If you are using AVG
- Search for the AVG icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
- Click on Temporarily disable AVG protection.
- Choose how long you want AVG to be turned off and whether you want AVG to disable its Firewall too.
- Click on OK to disable the antivirus program.
If you are using McAfee
- Search for the McAfee Antivirus icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
- Click on Exit.
- You should see a dialog box warning you that McAfee‘s protection will be turned off. Click on Yes in this dialog box to disable the antivirus program
If the buffering problem does not occur after turning off the antivirus then I suggest that you turn on the antivirus then add Twitch in its exception list.
Windows Defender
- Click the Windows button and in the search bar type “Windows defender”.
- Open the application named “Windows Defender Security Center”.
- Select the option “Virus and threat protection”.
- Go to Virus and Threat Protection Settings. Windows may prompt you to allow an administrator access to use this feature. If so, press Yes.
- Search the window which says “Add or remove exclusions”. Click it and you will be navigated to a menu where you can add exclusions.
- Click on the option which says “Exclude a folder” and navigate to your Twitch directory. Once you reach the location select the folder and save changes.
Bitdefender
- Open Bitdefender and go to the Protection Window by clicking the shield icon shown below in the picture.
- Click on the link which says View Modules.
- Click on the Settings icon which you can see on the upper right corner of the antivirus.
- Go to the Exclusions tab present in the window.
- Click on “List of files and folders excluded from scanning”.
- Click on the ADD button. Navigate to your Twitch directory and select the folder to exclude it from the scanning process. You should also select the Both option before you add an exception
- Click Add and save changes.
- You can also add the Twitch executable file in the exceptions list by clicking on “List of processes excluded from scanning”.
Avast Antivirus
- Open the Avast interface.
- Click on Settings found at the bottom left corner of the screen.
- From Settings, browse to General and scroll down the options until you find Exclusions.
- Expand the section and you will see a dialogue where you can add global exceptions. Navigate to your Chrome directory using the option of Browse.
- Once you have selected the Twitch folder, click on ADD found at the bottom left side of the screen. Press OK and it is now added to global exceptions of Avast antivirus.
McAfee Antivirus
- Open McAfee Antivirus by clicking on its icon present on the toolbar on the bottom right side of your Windows.
- Click on Manage Security.
- Select the option of Schedule and run scans option present in the box of Virus and Spyware Protection.
- Select the option of Schedules scans from the list of options that follow. A new window will open and from there you will see the Add button present under the tab of Excluded Files and Folders. Select the Twitch directory after clicking Add through the file explorer.
- Once you reach the location select the folder and save changes.
Kaspersky AV
- Open Kaspersky AV from the icon present in your taskbar at the bottom right of the screen.
- Navigate to the Settings menu.
- Select the tab of Additional and select the tab of Threats and Exclusions from the list of options given.
- Click on the Configure Exclusions present in the middle of the screen.
- Select the option of Add present in the bottom right of the screen.
- Now navigate to the Twitch directory using the Browse button. Once you reach the location select the folder and save changes.
Malwarebytes
- Open your Malwarebytes window by either clicking on the icon in the taskbar located at the bottom right side of the screen, or by clicking the program’s launch file.
- Once the program is opened, click on the Malware Exclusions tab located on the left side of the window.
- In this tab, you find an option which says “Add folder”. Click it and you will be navigated to File Explorer from where you can select your Twitch directory.
Disable the Proxy or VPN
- Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
- Go to the Network & Internet section.
- Select Proxy from the left pane.
- On the right side disable all options.
Check if the Twitch buffering problem still occurs.
Clear the cache and data of the browser
There’s a possibility that a corrupted cached data in the browser is causing this problem. To eliminate this possibility you will need to clear the cache and data.
Google Chrome
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, click More.
- Click More tools and then Clear browsing data.
- At the top, choose a time range. To delete everything, select All time.
- Next to “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files,” check the boxes.
- Click Clear data.
Microsoft Edge
- In the top right hand corner you’ll see three dots in a horizontal line. Clicking here opens a drop down that reveals the settings option. Select “Settings”.
- Once in settings, select “Choose what to clear”.
- You’ll reach a screen that has you check off what you’d like to clear. It is recommended that you check off the first four boxes (Browsing History, Cookies and saved website data, Cached data and files, and Download history). Next, click “Clear”.
- Restart the browser
Mozilla Firefox
- Click on your Tools bar.
- Click on Settings.
- On the menu to the right, select “Privacy”.
- Under the history option, there is a shortcut titled “clear your recent history” – click that.
- Select only the top four options and hit Clear Now.
- Close out of your browser for changes to take effect.
Safari
- Click on the Safari drop-down menu and select Preferences.
- Click the Advanced tab. Select the Show Develop menu in menu bar checkbox and close the Preferences window.
- Select the Develop drop-down menu. Click Empty Cache.
- You may want to also clear your browser history. Select the History drop-down, then Clear History.
Check if the stream buffering problem still occurs.