topic Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks in Internet

Youtube constantly buffering/freezing

ILoveSouls — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:25:20 GMT

Not sure what's going on with Bell lately but trying to watch youtube has just turned into a constant buffering nightmare.

I've been trying to sort out what it might be as it's almost unwatchable with devices especially on WIFI the past 2 weeks or so.

Turns out I'm not the only one as I found this on reddit

You can give me all the speed in the world but when I can't even watch a youtube video at 1080P without it freezing and turning it down to as low as 360P, what's the point?

I would say maybe it's a Youtube issue but from what I've seen around here it just seems to be a Bell Network/routing issue or something.

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

ILoveSouls — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 18:38:54 GMT

Turns out if you use a VPN this issues goes away. Funny.

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

Hutch — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 02:00:34 GMT

Sorry I don't understand. I have to subscribe and pay for a VPN to be able to get decent internet from Bell?

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

Hutch — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 02:02:01 GMT

My streaming services are virtually unwatchable with all the buffering on my fibe hi speed service

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

BellPatricia — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 12:11:24 GMT

Hi there @Hutch,

Thank you for your post and welcome to the Bell Community.

The Community needs a bit more information in order to help.

What streaming services are you referring to? Are you experiencing this on all devices or just certain ones, also, what devices (make and model)?

Can you share which modem and Internet package you subscribe to?

Please post a screen shot of your Speed test so we can check it out as well.

Looking forward to your reply.

- Patricia

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

Stevevignet — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 21:41:50 GMT

This is not about the speed test , it is a regional issue , I have the same issue right now and it very frustrating , speed test is A1 , but youtube and the google app store (google servers) doesnt work anymore (very slow with wired connection) and simply not working with wifi. Why I know it'S regional , because if I start my VPN and put it in an other city near mine , it works....I suspect a bad DNS table on a switch , but trying to explain that to an agent who ask me if im sure my computer is on is pretty hard on the nerves.

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

Vanadiel — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 22:06:36 GMT

Use Winmtr, a small free program, and as address put in www.youtube.com.

Leave it for 5 minutes, then post the printout here. If you have packet loss, abnormal high ping times it will show in the printout.

Should look like this:

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

daflamme — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 02:25:26 GMT

Has anyone sorted this out? Subscribed with Bell 2 weeks ago and started having this problem this weekend. Completely unusable YouTube and playstore

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

daflamme — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 03:16:37 GMT

Yes will call tomorrow. Where are you located if this can be a related cause? Using a VPN resolves the problem like said above

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

Vanadiel — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 03:54:42 GMT

VPN still requires a connection between you and the VPN server. It's always possible there's a routing problem somewhere, but without additional data that's just guessing.

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

Jay4 — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 22:02:04 GMT

I have the same pronlem since 48hrs but when i call Bell they dont seem to know the problem

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

daflamme — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 23:49:07 GMT

Talked to a technician this morning and they're sending someone tomorrow, I'll keep you updated.

The post between my last twos somehow got deleted so can't know where the guys was from, but I talked to one of my neighbor and he has the same issue (I'm in Quebec city, Qc)

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

Stevevignet — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 00:59:28 GMT

Me too , it's obviously a problem in quebec city. Nobody called me back yet , I hope it will be this week.

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

dperez83 — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 02:02:58 GMT

I am having the same problem. It started some days ago. I am in Quebec city. If use a VPN or cellular data I don't have the problem.

@BellPatricia can you escalate this? It's clear that there is some sort of routing problem for clients in Quebec city. I am not willing to call support and go through some troubleshooting, tech visit and modem replacement loop for a network problem.

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

Michael4 — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 02:23:00 GMT

Same issue as you guys describing, from quebec also

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

Bru — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 03:58:33 GMT

I have the same issue and from quebec city as well, I hope bell will fix this soon

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

DeRfRe — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:59:36 GMT

Problem solve at 23h58 test ok google play and youtube with android devices.

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

ermar129 — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 05:08:31 GMT

Can confirm that the issue is resolved.

I had this issue since Sunday and I'm a resident of Quebec. Using a VPN was a good work around.

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

daflamme — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 06:21:08 GMT

Also solved here, will cancel the technician tomorrow

Re: Youtube constantly buffering/freezing past 2 weeks

New — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:49:29 GMT

I'm still seeing this issue today. Exactly how you all described it, from Québec City as well.