Prioritize Ethernet cable over Wi-Fi
Even with a stable 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection, an Ethernet cable reduces latency by 3 to 5 times and eliminates micro-variations in speed. For a fixed device like a Smart TV or a media box, running an RJ45 cable is the best possible investment — less than €15 for an immediate and lasting improvement.
Regularly restart your internet box
An internet box that has been running continuously for weeks accumulates memory errors and sees its performance gradually degrade. A weekly or bi-monthly restart maintains optimal performance and stabilizes your real speed. Allow 2 minutes of interruption for a measurable gain.
Position your router intelligently
Place your router high up, in the center of your home, away from thick walls, household appliances, and metal objects. Microwaves, DECT cordless phones, and even aquariums significantly disrupt the Wi-Fi signal. Better positioning can double your signal without any additional equipment.
Use the 5 GHz band instead of 2.4 GHz
The 2.4 GHz band is shared by all your neighbors and saturated with interference. The 5 GHz band offers significantly higher speeds and much less congestion. Systematically connect your streaming devices to your box's 5 GHz network. The range is slightly reduced, but the stability is incomparably better.
Change your connection's DNS
Your operator's DNS servers are often slow and overloaded. Changing to fast DNS like 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google) reduces resolution times and improves your connection's overall responsiveness. This setting can be made directly in your box or device's network settings in 2 minutes.
Bonus: check your actual speed
First and foremost, measure your actual speed with a tool like fast.com or speedtest.net from the device that is causing problems. The minimum requirements for smooth streaming are:
- Full HD (1080p): 5 to 8 Mbps stable
- 4K HDR: 25 Mbps minimum, ideally 50 Mbps
- 4K Dolby Vision: 50 Mbps recommended for an uncompromising experience
In 80% of cases, streaming problems are resolved by combining three simple actions: Ethernet cable, box restart, and switching to the 5 GHz band. These three steps take less than 10 minutes and cost little to nothing.