If your Smart TV keeps interrupting playback, reducing picture quality, or interrupting and loading content in the middle of a movie, the first culprit usually seems to be the TV itself. It makes sense to check apps, clear cache, update software, and review network settings. However, the problem does not have to be in the TV.
The next suspect is usually the router. However, even a newer router that isn’t a basic model from your provider can cause problems if it treats all network traffic the same. In the specific case, the Internet speed was constantly above 250 Mbps, which is more than enough for most streaming services, while other devices did not show a noticeable drop in speed.
The solution was found in the Quality of Service function, or QoS. It is an option on modern routers that allows certain devices, applications or types of traffic to receive higher priority when sharing the same Internet traffic.
The router’s QoS setting prioritizes the TV during streaming
Without QoS settings, a router can equally treat a Smart TV displaying 4K video, a computer backing up to the cloud, and a phone downloading large files. For less important tasks, latency is not a big issue, but for streaming, gaming and video calling, connection stability is much more important.
When the Smart TV is set as a high-priority device, the router prioritizes it over less important activities. This does not increase the speed of the Internet over the package you pay for, but it helps the TV to get a more stable flow and more data when the network is busy.
QoS is usually enabled through the router’s admin panel, usually through the addresses 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. You should look for it in the settings Advanced meni and section QoS ili Quality of Service. Names vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but most use the QoS designation.
With certain TP-Link routers, it is possible to select a specific device and assign it High Priority mode. ASUS routers often offer more granular control, so the user can prioritize certain activities, such as gaming or streaming, over file downloads or regular web traffic.
However, QoS is not a magic solution for every problem. If it is set incorrectly, or if too many devices get high priority, the effect may be missing. It is best to give priority only to the device that really has a problem, for example a Smart TV, and if necessary use a schedule of priorities by time of day.
If you already have a very fast connection of 300 to 500 Mbps and few active devices, QoS may not change much. Then the cause can be a weak Wi-Fi signal, an overloaded application, a problem with the service itself or the network adapter in the TV.
However, when the internet speed seems good and the TV still stutters while streaming, the router’s QoS setting is worth checking before buying a new router or TV, XDA advises.