How to Fix Buffering on an X96 Mini TV Box — Simple Step-by-Step Guide

How to Fix Buffering on an X96 Mini TV Box — Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Below is a very easy, client-friendly step-by-step you can send. Short sentences. Do steps in order from top to bottom.

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Quick checklist (before we start)

• X96 mini box is on and plugged in.
• TV and box connected to power and HDMI.
• Wi-Fi name and password available (or an Ethernet cable).
• A phone or laptop to run an internet speed test.

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Step 1 — Restart both devices (fast fix)

1. Turn off the X96 box and your TV.
2. Unplug the box power cable.
3. Turn off the Wi-Fi router and unplug it too.
4. Wait 30 seconds.
5. Plug in and turn on the router. Wait until it fully starts.
6. Plug in and turn on the X96 box and TV.
   This often clears small connection problems.

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Step 2 — Check your internet speed

1. On your phone or laptop open fast.com or speedtest.net.
2. Run the test while the box is idle.
3. If speed is below 5–10 Mbps, streaming in HD can buffer.
4. If speed is low, try rebooting the router or call your ISP.

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Step 3 — Use a wired connection (best stability)

1. If possible, plug an Ethernet cable from the router into the X96 box.
2. Wired internet is more stable than Wi-Fi.
3. Test streaming again after switching to Ethernet.

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Step 4 — Improve Wi-Fi if you must use wireless

1. Move the X96 box closer to the router.
2. Remove barriers (walls, metal) between them.
3. If the router supports 5GHz, connect the box to 5GHz for faster speed (if in range).
4. Avoid many devices using Wi-Fi at once during streaming.

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Step 5 — Close background apps and clear cache

1. Go to Settings → Apps on the X96 box.
2. Open the streaming app (YouTube, Netflix, Prime, etc.).
3. Tap Force Stop and then Clear Cache.
4. Uninstall apps you do not use to free system resources.

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Step 6 — Free up storage and reboot

1. Delete large unused files or apps so the box has at least 500 MB free.
2. A nearly full box runs slowly and buffers more.
3. Reboot the box after cleaning storage.

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Step 7 — Update apps and firmware

1. Open Google Play or the app store on the box and update the streaming app.
2. In Settings → About → System Update, check for box firmware update.
3. Install updates and reboot. Updates fix bugs that cause buffering.

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Step 8 — Lower streaming quality (quick workaround)

1. Open the streaming app and play a video.
2. In the player settings change quality to Auto, SD, or Medium.
3. This reduces data use and often stops buffering on slow connections.

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Step 9 — Change DNS (optional, a bit technical)

1. Go to Settings → Network → Advanced or DHCP → DNS.
2. Use Google DNS (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).
3. Save and reconnect. This can improve how quickly streams start.

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Step 10 — Check for overheating and hardware issues

1. Feel the box—if it is very hot, turn it off and cool it down.
2. Place it where air can flow around it.
3. If the box restarts or crashes often, the hardware may be faulty.

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Step 11 — Factory reset (last resort)

1. Backup any data you need.
2. Go to Settings → Backup & Reset → Factory Data Reset.
3. This deletes apps and settings and can fix deep software issues.
4. Only do this if nothing else worked.

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Step 12 — Contact ISP or seller
If buffering continues after all steps:

• Call your internet provider to check for line problems.
• Contact the seller/manufacturer if the box still performs poorly. It may be faulty.

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Quick tips to share with a client

• Try casting from phone to TV to check if the box is the problem.
• Use good quality HDMI and Ethernet cables.
• Keep the box firmware and apps up to date.
• Always try the simple restarts first.