Please help - WiFi set up and fire stick

Loobs72

My router is in a bedroom upstairs.  I’m trying to use a firestick in the kitchen downstairs but it keeps buffering.  I bought a wifi extender but it is still buffering.  Can anyone help me with the best way I can set this up as I’m going mad.  I’m not very technical so idiot proof instructions would help me so much.  Thanks in advance 

Neil_Jones

Buffering and Wi-Fi strength are not the same thing.

You can have all the wi-fi you want but if the issue is caused by the network (such as other devices also streaming) then it doesn't matter how great the wi-fi is, you're still going to buffer.

Loobs72

What can I do?

Neil_Jones

Read what I wrote again.

Do you have other streaming devices or gaming devices and are they in use?

If so, turn everything off and try again.

If the issue fixes itself on the Firestick in the bedroom, then you can turn off the extender.  If it still works then the extender isn't going to fix your problem.

Loobs72

I don’t have anything else streaming.  It does seem a bit better at the moment with the odd buffer, not sure why

Neil_Jones

Then that suggests congestion is the cause of your problem.

If you have a router that allows you to change the wi-fi channel you may want to look into that.

PHK

I think @Neil_Jones is a little bit harsh. It’s certainly true that other items streaming will reduce the bandwidth available (which lowers data rate and causes buffering) but so will other things such a a weak signal, other items using the same channel (not necessarily your equipment but possibly a neighbours) or congestion (where the data rate coming in is low) or even a fault with the “line”

if I was troubleshooting I would start at the router. Do other items connected to the router work okay? If so can you do a speed test using a PC, mobile or tablet?

if all seems okay the. Can you temporarily move the firestick near the router ? If it works okay then please can you tell us about the extender. What make and model etc. 

Neil_Jones

 I do apologise, the caffeine has kicked in since I first wrote in here

As the OP has said the buffering isn't as bad today, that does seem to suggest a congestion issue on presumably the 2.4Ghz frequency, which is actually quite common as no end of other devices use it.

5Ghz may be freer, but doesn't have quite the same reach.

I don't think "idiot proof instructions" will help here as you haven't mentioned anything about your setup, just that you have a Firestick connected to something.  How far away is "upstairs"?  One floor?  Two floors?

Loobs72

Thanks for trying to help me, I really do appreciate it.  I’m just not very technical so it’s difficult.  Everything connected to the router by cable is fine.  Firestick in upstairs in bedroom is fine.  I just have ground floor and 1st Flr where the router is.  Downstairs I have a firestick in dining room which has been fine then into the kitchen which is buffering intermittently.  I have vpn installed on each firestick to try and avoid ISP throttling. That’s as far as my knowledge goes.

HillStreetBlues

Have you swapped over your buffering Firestick with one that isn't?

PHK

From my previous post 


if I was troubleshooting I would start at the router. Do other items connected to the router work okay? If so can you do a speed test using a PC, mobile or tablet?

if all seems okay the. Can you temporarily move the firestick near the router ? If it works okay then please can you tell us about the extender. What make and model etc