My Router Dropped Connection With Netflix Streaming

Netflix streaming enables you to watch videos instantly online by streaming them over an Internet connection. When you experience problems with the router or your Internet service, the connection with Netflix stops, causing the video to pause. In most cases, router connection issues are easy to fix, allowing you to get the Netflix connection up and running in a matter of minutes.

An unstable or slow Internet connection will often cause Netflix to stop streaming. Netflix recommends you use a connection of at least 1.5 megabytes per second, which is standard for many Internet service providers. When you experience a dropped connection with Netflix that persists for several minutes, the hardware is usually to blame. Check the cable connections to the router and the computer to ensure they are plugged in fully. Power-cycling the router, which involves unplugging all of the cables and plugging them back in, resets the router and resolves connection problems with the Internet. In some cases, you must restart your Web browser and the computer to reconnect to the Internet.

If you are using a wireless Internet connection, wireless interference can cause the signal to drop, cutting off your Netflix stream. Common household objects can interfere with the Wi-Fi network: thick walls, floors, metal objects like file cabinets and wireless devices are all potential culprits. By moving the router off the floor and away from the walls and placing it in a central location closer to your computer, you can improve the signal strength. If wireless devices are to blame, changing the frequency on the router can solve the problem.

Because streaming video over Netflix takes up a great deal of bandwidth, take steps to optimize your Web behavior. When you are watching a video, closing other browser windows can reduce the load on your router, making the stream faster. Shutting down other programs frees up space for your computer to run faster. Even programs that are not related to the Internet can slow down the overall processing speeds.

Certain Internet settings can interfere with Netflix streaming video, making it difficult for the player to work. Antivirus programs and firewalls often present problems. To test if these programs are the issue, turn them off temporarily; if Netflix works when they are off, you will need to allow the Netflix player as an exception. The documentation for your specific program will explain how to enable certain websites without sacrificing the overall functionality.