Pluto TV Keeps Freezing — What to Do

Gone are the days of scrolling through channels and timing our bathroom breaks to commercials. The world has become ever more on demand and as consumers, we’re no longer satisfied with watching scheduled programming. Streaming services have become the preferred option for millions of users and one of the favorites is Pluto TV.

Pluto TV is part of the new wave of free streaming services. It’s growing viewer base, already in the millions, is a testament to Pluto’s successful model and robust services. Even the most stable services, however, can freeze on occasion or experience other interruptions, which is why we’re going to give you some options if this happens.

Make Sure You Have the Latest Updates

As with any application, Pluto TV releases regular updates. These are important to ensure consistency and security. If you don’t have the latest version of the application, this is a known cause of stability concerns. To make sure you have the latest version of Pluto, go to their Updates page.

Another potential problem could be your device. If the operating system on your device is out of date it may not support Pluto TV correctly. Visit your device manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to update your system.

Pro Tip: You may also experience problems if either Pluto TV or your streaming platform performs updates that don’t support one another.

Check for Connectivity Issues

The nature of streaming services calls for a fast connection to the internet. You can get away with around 5 Mbps for standard video but HD video will require something in the 10 Mbps or higher range. 4K definition will load your broadband even more. If your internet speed isn’t up to the task, this could be the cause of your problem. Also, keep in mind that your speed will fluctuate during peak hours or if other devices on your network are loading the bandwidth.

Just as important as a fast connection is a stable one. Any kind of interruption in your connection could cause issues in Pluto’s streaming. If you think you may be having issues with your stability contact your internet service provider for support. Another thing you may want to try is repositioning your router. A poorly located router can create so-called dead zones in your home or office where the Wi-Fi connection is poor.

Choose the Right Browser

If you’re viewing Pluto TV on a mobile device or streaming platform, you’ll need the Pluto TV app. If you’re using a laptop or desktop computer, you can view it directly in your browser. If you’re experiencing service interruption on your computer, make sure you’re using the Chrome or Firefox browser as these will offer the best compatibility.

Another potential problem when viewing Pluto on a computer is the Adobe Flash Player plugin. Some videos on Pluto will stream through this plugin, and if your version is outdated this may be causing problems. You can download the latest version of the Flash plugin here.

Alternatively, Pluto has released a Chrome web app for more convenient viewing. You can search for it in the Chrome Web Store and use it to eliminate any doubts about browser compatibility.

Roku Devices

Roku is one of the most popular streaming devices but some older firmware versions are still not supported by Pluto TV. You can visit this page to make sure your Roku player is fully compatible with the Pluto streaming service.

Amazon Fire TV Stick

A known issue exists with the Amazon Fire TV Stick. If you’re using this device you should try clearing the cache. Each application on your Fire Stick has a batch of data stored temporarily for the app to run smoothly. And Pluto TV’s cache may not be accessed properly. To fix this, you should clear the app’s cache. Follow these instructions to apply the fix.

Outages

Although uncommon, Pluto may experience outages during certain times such as holiday breaks and, very rarely, over technical issues. If you suspect this may be the problem, visit their Twitter @PlutoTV to see if any known issues have been reported.

To Summarize

Like any streaming service, Pluto TV can have its issues. If the version of your platform or the app is incompatible, make sure you update both. A fast and stable internet connection is essential to a good streaming experience, consider upgrading it if it can’t keep up. You may also be experiencing device-specific issues. In this case, you should check if your device is fully supported. These aren’t the only potential issues but they’re a great place to start.

Now that you know what to look for and how to fix it, hopefully you can go back to enjoying your favorite shows and movies in no time.