Help I am Buffering!

FIRST: Have you checked the discord group?
If we have an isse our end, we will announce in the "ANNOUNCEMENT" section. 

What is discord?
Discord is the app we have our customer group on. We post important updates, information, competitions and much more.
If it essential you join. Check your emails from when you joined us, we would have sent you join instructions. Or contact us to ask for discord join instructions

If we do not have an issue our end, then the reason for buffering is your end. There are many variables to it, this guide will cover most of the fixes. This is all the advice we can offer. There is nothing more our support can provide to you.

• Is your internet fast enough? at least 20mbps is required to run SD channels.
  - Consider an internet upgrade, it might not just be your internet speed that is the issue, it could be your router is old or defective, or simply too far from your device, or you have too many devices using the internet at the same time. E.g if you are trying to stream, and also have someone else streaming something else and someone online gaming, your 20mbps is now much less.
  
  
•  Is your device too old? as with anything over time devices become outdated and slow, this will negatively effect your performance.
  - Consider upgrading your device, the new Firestick 4k is recommended.
   
• Are you using a VPN, if you are, it could be the VPN server you have chosen which is causing issues, try connecting to a different server, potentially a location outside of the UK. Or try turning it off.
  
  

Things you can try:

• Have you tried both of the apps available UK and Non UK, they use different connection methods so one may work better than the other for you, regardless of your actual location. So try both! 
  
  
• Clean your device, uninstalling any unused apps to free up space. Uninstall your current NV apps, and reinstall to get a fresh install.
  
  • To uninstall go to firestick settings -> apps -> manage installed apps -> and click on the NV Media app(s)
  • click Uninstall.
  • To reinstall, open the downloader app.
  • In the URL box in the downloader app, put in one of the codes below:
    • NV Media Smarters: 461366
      NV Media Smarters UK: 510043
  • Download, install and login.
    If you don't know your login, check your emails for when you first joined your logins will be there, if you don't have them, you can open a ticket asking for your login.
  • We recommend you at least have both the Smarters and the Smarters UK app, then you have 2 apps to choose from incase one incounters issues.
    
    If you need further help re-installing, see instructions here:
    Firestick
    Android 
• Internet service providers often have security setup which can actually cause issues, try disabling them. See here how to disable.
  Instruction may be outdated, google it for latest instructions.
  
  • BT
  • EE
  • SKY
  • TALKTALK
  • VIRGIN
  • VODAFONE

If you have an issue with your system, and we have not announced issues our end, then it has to be resolved your end, there isn't anything we can do because the problem is being caused your end. Follow each step of this guide and it will resolve your issue.

**Please follow the above flow chart, this is the fix for the majority of buffering issues**

**FAQs:**

**My internet speed is 500mbps, Netflix works fine, NV Media is buffering**
Netflix are a multi billion dollar company, with local servers all over the world. NV Media works a lot different to that, although you have a great 500mbps internet speed, the routings to our servers are likely being throttled. A VPN is your best bet for this, this way you change the routing and stop your ISP from limiting your speed.

**At certain times I get buffering, e.g during peak times, or a big sport event**
For some sporting events, it could be that NV Media is overloaded, but as we expect these events and balance our servers towards these channels, it doesn't happen too often, but sometimes it could occur.
Try an alternative channel, see the sport schedules for list of channels for sport events
Another issue is with some local internets, they get overloaded at peak time, and so they struggle to retrieve the data, a VPN could be the solution for you.

**Everything is buffering, nothing is working**
It may be time to upgrade your device, with every piece of tech, a time comes when it needs to be replaced
for an affordable device consider a firestick 4k max, it is a great device.
**Or try cleaning up your device see here: **https://rebrand.ly/deviceclean

__**WHAT IS A VPN?**__
VPN stands for "Virtual Private Network" and describes the opportunity to establish a protected network connection when using public networks. VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and disguise your online identity.

We can recommend https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/

In terms of TV streaming, it can modify your connection and routing to our servers, speeding up your response. Most customers who use a quality VPN rarely have any issues.