Chrome Cast Freezes up after Rewind on YouTube TV

[TomHam]

I'm having multiple issues with ChromeCast on YouTube TV freezing up with the buffering icon after doing a Rewind then Fast Forward.  I've got the issue on both TVs and have tried: Reset, Reinstall YouTube TV app, clear cache, etc.

The only way to stop the freeze up is to change channels, then return to the original one.  Happens on Live or Library.

My Wi-Fi signal is Good and 5G speed; internet is 400 Mbs download so should be no buffering speed issues.  I'm at a lose for what to try next.  Any suggestions would be very appreciated as I don't want to go back to ComCast !  Help.    🙂   Thanks

[GothamNY]

Hey TomHam, it happens to everyone, it's streaming using your Home Wifi, it's not going to behave as if one is using a coaxial cable, a DVR box, and a direct line from the cable company dedicated to TV content with no other traffic. Chances are lots of others are rewinding the same thing, so there's that as well.

[TomHam]

Thanks for the reply.

I understand about an occasional buffering / lag, but I don't see a reason for the software to freeze up.  It just goes into a perpetual buffering state and will not come out until I switch channels or go to something else.  Plus, I'm surprised to see any buffering on a 1080 pixel TV connected to a 5 Ghz Wi-Fi with a strong signal.

If that's "normal" than I'd say it's not commercial; and I doubt Google would have put out such a product.  But I am going to try a direct connection to my Ethernet; 400 Mbs sure as heck should resolve buffering.  (heaven help folks with 4k then)    🙂      Take Care & Press On !

[GothamNY]

Have you attempted to clear the cache or reboot? It's not like there's an infinite amount of memory on a Chromecast so I'm sure the buffering is a result of dumping cache and replacing it with new data...so yeah, I'd say it's normal for a device that size. It's not being buffered to a large internal drive.

[TomHam]

Cleared the cache (many times), Reset, Rebooted, unplugged & re-plugged power, uninstall the YouTube TV app & re-installed it, etc.   Sent error log file via feedback multiple times.   Plus, made a video of the issue and sent it to YouTube TV (have not heard anything back). Bottomline is tried "everything", but certainly willing try any other ideas.

The only thing I can think of is some momentary cut out in my wi-fi, but the freeze up (i.e. locked up "buffering") is strange in any case.  It should "catch up" if there is a momentary issue.   Wednesday I'll connect it directly to my Ethernet, but that should not be necessary (IMHO).

Lastly, it does it on both TV's, so likely not a local hardware issue.  Heck, maybe Comcast figured out a way to mess with it, who knows?  Bizarre to say the least.

[GothamNY]

Yeah, it's a royal pain for sure...rest assured it's not out to get you, haha. It happened lots while watching tennis this weekend and always at a crucial point. The image would freeze and I'd get the spinning circle in the middle of the screen. However, I sorta think it's more Youtube TV.

[TomHam]

Interesting.Did your buffering ever stop and "catch up"?

When mine starts, it doesn't come out of it, just freezes up on that channel.

Since the channels & recordings are in the cloud you'd think that any buffering would stop & catch up.  I just don't see why there would be a freeze.  I'm using the Google Chromecast controller, maybe I'll try my FireStick and see what that does.  Worth a try I guess.

[GothamNY]

Yea, it did/does but thankfully it picked up where it left off so I never actually missed anything. One thing you might not have tried -- reboot your modem and router. It is highly possible your cable provider/ISP sent an update to the modem that, um, well, is making your system belch.

[TomHam]

Thanks for the suggestion to re-set the modem & Wi-Fi router.   I did both and the freeze on buffering problem continues.  Today I will try out a direct connection on one TV to my ethernet cable, trying to eliminate Wi-Fi as a possible source of the problem.  This is "unber strange".  I may also try out a spare FireStick too.

[GothamNY]

Oh well, was worth a try -- buffering issues are difficult, it could be the source and their server, the middleman or our connections. Heck, someone somewhere could be throttling rewind and ff or giving those functions low priority -- totally guessing on this one. But, as an example, I have fast internet service but if I download games on the box, no matter the time of day, it trickles. Word is MS throttles game downloads so as not to screw up bandwidth for online play or some such.

[Jeran]

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help? If not, I'll go ahead and lock up this thread in 24 hours.

Just checking up,

Jeran

[Jeran · Accepted solution]

Hey there!

We haven't heard back from TomHam, and it's been a few days, so I'm locking the thread. As always, feel free to make a new thread if you have any more questions or concerns.

Thank you for your help, GothamNY!

Best regards,

Jeran