How to get the best movie and video streaming performance

If you’ve settled down on your couch to watch your favorite shows on your device, long load times or pivotal scenes freezing can take away from your fun. Use these video streaming tips to eliminate streaming lag and get the best video quality for your binge-watching sessions and all kinds of watching and streaming.

Start with a powerful modern browser

If you want to access a world of entertainment on your laptop, start with a modern browser. Microsoft Edge has been specifically enhanced for video and streaming performance. Whether it’s playing games or boosting startup speeds, you can count on Microsoft Edge for streaming and video quality. Plus, Microsoft Edge is the only browser in Windows that supports Dolby Audio and can play Netflix content in UHD/4K.

Check your internet connection speed

Make sure you’re really getting what you pay for by checking your internet speed. Free speed tests online can determine if you’re using the full capabilities of your internet plan. If your plan is capped by speed and your megabits per second (Mbps) usage isn’t matching up, contact your internet service provider. They may be throttling your connection, or they can tell you if you need to upgrade or update your equipment.

Use a wired internet connection, if possible

Even with advances in Wi-Fi technology, the strongest and most reliable connection is still via an Ethernet cable. You will need a cable, a connection to your modem, and a corresponding port on your device to access a wired internet connection.

Turn off other internet-connected devices

To streamline your streaming experience, turn off other devices that are connected to your Wi-Fi. While this certainly applies to your smartphone, if you’re living in a connected home, you might have other devices that are accessing your Wi-Fi network, too.

Close browser pages and apps

If you want to squeeze the most out of your connection, close other browser pages and restart your browser. Also, be sure to close apps you aren’t using. This way, you can avoid other pages and applications taking up resources on your device. If you’re using Microsoft Edge, your browser does this automatically by putting inactive tabs to sleep so they don’t take up additional resources.

Download if necessary

If you have the space, you may want to download your movie or TV show and watch it offline. However, this isn’t always ideal since not all streaming services allow it. In addition, downloading can take up a lot of time and storage space.

Setting up your device and browser with these tips will help you watch without any pesky interruptions. Try Microsoft Edge today to experience a state-of-the-art browser while you watch and stream.