Twitch is one of the most popular streaming platforms among gamers. But it can be annoying when it keeps freezing. The good news is that there are some known fixes available. Read on and find out what they are.
Try these fixes…
You don’t have to try all of them, just work your way down the list until you find the one that does the trick!
1: Check your Internet connection
3: Modify your browser’s settings
5: Check your antivirus software
Bonus: How to keep your PC in top condition
Fix 1: Check your Internet connection
Twitch can’t run smoothly without a stable Internet connection. It’s necessary to check if your Internet is reliable and fast enough. Here are a few things that you should look at:
- Check your Internet speed. If you have low-speed Internet, it can affect the connection to Twitch and cause freezes and buffering. There are many tools online to help you do this. If your Internet speed is unreasonably low, you should contact your Internet provider for help.
- You can power cycle your router and modem. Simply unplug the power cables from both of the devices, leave them disconnected for at least 30 seconds, and then plug the cables back. When your Internet is working again, check if Twitch still freezes.
- You don’t want overcrowding to cause poor connectivity when you use Twitch. If your Wi-Fi is connected to multiple devices, try disconnecting the unused ones. Or you can simply turn off the Wi-Fi on the devices that you don’t need at the moment.
- If possible, consider using a wired connection. It’s usually more reliable and faster.
If your Internet connection doesn’t seem to be the problem, try the next fix.
Fix 2: Change a browser
Another simple fix you can try is to change a browser. If you use another browser and find that Twitch doesn’t freeze anymore, then you know the browser you used before is the problem.
If changing a browser doesn’t solve your problem, try the next fix.
Fix 3: Modify your browser’s settings
Many users have been able to watch Twitch streams without buffering issues and lag anymore after they modify their browser’s settings. Here are a few things you can do:
- Clear cache in your browser. Take Chrome, for example, you’ll need to go to Settings and find Clear browsing data. Clear all of your browsing histories, cookies, and caches then reopen your browser. The steps for other browsers are similar.
For most browsers, the hotkey to clear browsing data is Ctrl and Shift and Delete.
- Disable your browser’s extensions. Look for unused or suspicious ones. You can disable the extensions one at a time to test the issue. If you find Twitch doesn’t freeze anymore after you disable a particular extension, then you know this extension is the problem. Consider uninstalling it or updating it then test the issue.
- If you use Chrome, try turning off the hardware acceleration.
If adjusting your browser’s settings doesn’t solve your problem, move on to the next fix.
Fix 4: Use a VPN
Consider using a VPN when your Twitch keeps lagging and buffering. When your web server is overcrowded, you can use a VPN to avoid Internet throttling. Among all the options on the market, our best pick is NordVPN. It’s known for its fast speed and top security features. Many use NordVPN for video streaming, such as on Netflix, Hulu, and of course, Twitch, and have given high ratings to the service.
Also note that if you’ve been using a VPN but Twitch still freezes, then you may consider turning it off to test the issue, or choose another VPN service.
If you’re not a fan of VPN, or if it doesn’t solve your problem, move on to the next fix.
Fix 5: Check your antivirus software
If you’re using any antivirus tool, make sure Twitch is not blocked by it. Many Twitch users have been able to solve the freezing issue by configuring their antivirus software.
You can also try turning off or uninstalling the antivirus software, and then test the issue. If you no longer experience the Twitch freezing issue, then you know the problem is with your antivirus software. Consider contacting the supplier for support, or using a different antivirus tool.
If checking your antivirus doesn’t solve your problem, try the last fix.
Fix 6: Configure DNS settings
If you use your ISP’s (Internet Service Provider) default DNS server, you might encounter issues like a crowded cache, which could cause Twitch to freeze. There are two things you can do: flushing your DNS cache or switching to a public DNS server to solve the problem. We recommend trying both options:
2: Switch to a public DNS server
1: Flush your DNS
By flushing your DNS, your DNS cache will be cleared. When your PC needs to access a website, it’ll need to obtain the address from the DNS server again. This may solve the Twitch freezing issue if the DNS cache data was invalid or corrupt. Here’s how:
- Press the Windows logo key and R on your keyboard to invoke the Run box.
- Type cmd, then press Shift and Enter at the same time. If prompted for permission, click Yes.
- Copy ipconfig /flushdns, and paste it in the pop-up window. Then press Enter.
- Your DNS cache is successfully cleared.
2: Switch to a public DNS server
We also recommend using a public DNS server to test the issue. Here we’ll use the Google DNS server as an example, since it’s fast and secure. Here’s how:
- On your taskbar, right-click the network icon, then click Open Network & Internet settings.
- Click Change adapter options.
- Right-click the network you’re using, then click Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then click Properties.
- Select Use the following DNS server addresses, fill in the Google DNS server addresses as below, then click OK.
Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
Open Twitch and test if the problem is solved.
If you’re running Windows 11, what you have to do is press the Windows logo + I keys simultaneously to open Settings. Select Network & internet. Click Ethernet or Wi-Fi depending on the internet you’re using. Then click on the Edit button. Select Manual from the drop-down. Toggle on IPv4 and IPv6. Then enter the recommended DNS server addresses. Click Save to save your changes.
Bonus: How to keep your PC in top condition
One of the easiest PC maintenance tips is to keep your drivers up-to-date. In many cases, updating your drivers can solve the random issues you may run into, or prevent them from happening.
Automatic driver update – If you don’t have the time, patience, or computer skills to update your drivers manually, you can do it automatically with Driver Easy. Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for your PC and your Windows version, and it will download and install the drivers correctly:
1) Download and install Driver Easy.
2) Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
3) For example, I want to update my graphics and network adapter driver here. Click the Update button next to the flagged drivers to automatically download the correct version of them. Then you can manually install them (you can do this with the FREE version).
Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system. (This requires the Pro version which comes with full support and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All.)
Hopefully, this article has solved your problem and you can now watch Twitch streams without any freezes! Please feel free to leave a comment if you have questions or suggestions.
