Buffering

Videos have started buffering in the last couple of days. What could be causing this.

Which videos? Is this maybe YouTube?

Just YouTube. YouTube is also very slow to load. This just started in the last few days.

It's possible your modem has negotiated down to a lower speed. Try powering it down for 30 seconds or so and see if you still have the issue.

Or, test your bandwidth at: BandwidthPlace

What does "powering it down" mean? What exactly do I need to do? When I am downloading, my internet connection will fail and I have to keep retrying to ever get the download completed. Cox came out and worked on the problem, which did not help. They are not a very good company. Now they just tell me to unplug the modem and router. Could this be my problem? I lost my internet connection while I was typing this the first time, so this is my second try to get my message sent.

Inland means to unplug it for 30 seconds or so. This definitely sounds like a problem with your ISP. Did they provide the router or is it yours? If it's theirs, you need to insist they get it right. You are not getting what you're paying for.

I do not know if the router is mine or theirs. I will find out though. If It is mine and I buy a new one, are they hard to install. I am not real good with electronics.

There are a few simple configuration settings, defining a security phrase and router password, etc... Other than that, they just plug in and work.

Because you're using both a modem and a router, I'd power them both down for a few seconds and let them renegotiate with each other.

If the problem goes away after that, there's no need for a new one.

Don't be quick to buy a new router, if it's yours. There may be other problems not associated with the router.

When you start having problems again, first, unplug the power going to your router. Wait for about a 30 second count then plug it back in. After this, try to access the internet again. If this doesn't help, because a router is not strictly needed to connect to the internet, unplug the cord going into your router and plug it directly into your computer, into the same location the other cord on your router connects. By removing the router in the internet connection, you can find out if it is the router that's causing the problem. After making this connection, try accessing the internet again. If you still can't access the internet then you have either a bad connection going to the computer, a bad cord, or your ISP techs need to recheck their work.

Draclvr, InlandAZ and Homer6, Thank you for responding to my problem and question. I unplugged the modem and router and plugged them back, found some loose wires. The router is mine, so I will have to buy a new one if this is the problem. Homer6, if this does not work, I will try your suggestion. I have three computers plugged into the router, will that make a difference? InlandAZ, this did not, however, help the buffering problem on YouTube. My bandwidth is 5.2Mbps download. Thank you for the link to get this information.

Probably not -- unless the other two are downloading something. To check, you can temporarily unplug them from the router and see if the problem goes away.

Exactly what I was going to suggest, Jenny. I wonder if there is something going on in the background of one of these other computers - like malware "phoning home."

Bandwidth is a Two Way Street - maybe the host server slow. I see the same thing with YouTube videos from time to time, and I've got a 40 Mbps line.

Good afternoon to all. I have not had any trouble with YouTube buffering, all videos I have watched ran perfectly and to my knowledge my internet has stayed connected. I do not know what will happen later, I am completely baffled. I will enjoy my good luck while it last. I am sure that the problems have not vanished, they will be back to haunt me. Thank all of you for your suggestions and help they have been truly appreciated.

Maybe those loose cables were the problem...

...or a problem between the ISP server and the site. Or, the site itself.