Spectrum is one of the most popular streaming services in the United States, offering you access to live TV, On Demand content, and streaming apps. However, you may encounter issues with the platform displaying the ALT text rather than the actual images.
Spectrum shows ALT because of your internet connection, temporary outages, or glitches with streaming servers. Outdated apps or devices and other software-related culprits can also cause the problem.
Read on to learn more about the most common causes of this ALT text issue and helpful troubleshooting tips to resolve it.
Reasons why spectrum shows ALT and how to fix it
Below are the main culprits behind this error and how you can resolve it for good:
Internet connectivity issues
If your home Wi-Fi connection is experiencing issues like interference, low bandwidth, or dropping in and out, Spectrum may fail to retrieve and display all graphic elements as intended.
Solutions:
- Run an internet speed test: Use sites like speedtest.net or fastly.com. Speeds that are consistently below 10 Mbps or fluctuating dramatically likely indicate an issue with your internet connectivity rather than Spectrum.
- Try accessing the internet: On Spectrum device, open web pages, run speed tests, and stream video from another source. Your Wi-Fi signal is probably the culprit if multiple sites/apps fail to load images or video.
- Power cycle your wireless router and modem: Unplug them from power for one minute and plug them back in to reset connectivity. Test Spectrum again after a full reboot.
- Use an ethernet cable: If you have an ethernet port, this provides for a direct wired internet connection. Re-launch Spectrum to rule out Wi-Fi interference. Images should load properly with a stable hardwired internet link.
- Evaluate proximity to the router: Check out obstacles that may impact signal strength to your testing device. Move closer to the router or minimize interference to improve connectivity.
- Contact your internet service provider: Reach out to the support team if rebooting equipment and trying multiple devices on the home network doesn’t resolve loading issues across multiple apps and sites. They can help troubleshoot further or dispatch a technician if needed.
Application glitches
Issues within the Spectrum app prevent images and graphics from loading correctly. Glitches in the latest update, cached data that needs clearing, or corrupt installs can all cause problems with displaying visual content.
Solutions:
- Force close the Spectrum app: Completely exit it and reopen it to reload fresh in case of any software hiccups.
- Clear the Spectrum app’s cache: Go to Settings > Apps > Spectrum. Select Storage, then tap on Clear Cache or Clear Data.
- Test if the issue persists in Spectrum’s web browser version: Go to spectrum.net/tv at home on your wifi instead of using the app. Images loading here indicate an isolated mobile app problem.
- Try uninstalling and reinstalling: Download from your device’s app store and log in to fully refresh.
Device-specific issues
Sometimes, your streaming device’s hardware capabilities or settings configurations may prevent images from loading properly in the Spectrum app.
Solutions:
- Free up some storage: Check your device’s capacity and clear space by removing unused apps, photos, and files if nearing the maximum. Insufficient storage can prevent streaming visuals from buffering correctly.
- Give the app all the permissions: Ensure Spectrum has access permissions to hardware like storage, microphone, and location services, even if not in obvious use. Disabled access can disrupt connectivity.
- Restart device: Power your hardware off completely, then back on after 30 seconds to refresh the operating system and the app. Quick “reboot” clears any software quirks or memory issues.
- Test on a different device: Install the Spectrum app on alternate, ideally newer model hardware you have on the same home network. Images loading fine indicate your original device’s capabilities may be creating issues.
- Reset your device: Return the device to factory default settings if any custom configurations conflict with Spectrum app functionality. Navigate to Settings > General > Reset on most smartphones, tablets, and streaming hardware.
Outdated software
Running older, unsupported versions of operating systems, firmware, apps, or browsers can easily disrupt functionality, including the proper loading of images, when streaming via Spectrum.
Solutions:
- Update the device and app: Check your streaming device and the Spectrum app for available software updates, which may contain crucial bug fixes and compatibility improvements needed for swift image performance.
- Check OS version requirements: Spectrum lists minimum operating system requirements for their app and supported devices like Roku, FireTV, Samsung Smart TVs, and more. Verify your device OS meets standards.
- Update TV firmware: Most smart TVs receive periodic over-the-air updates with bug patches, new features, and app compatibility bridges. Check the Settings menu for update prompts or notifications and install the latest firmware release.
- Avoid legacy hardware: Older streaming devices or smart TVs with processors, memory, and GPUs below current mid-range standards can struggle with the robust demands of streaming video apps. Upgrade the aging hardware.
- Update browsers: When accessing Spectrum via web browser, ensure you are running the latest version of popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari for best compatibility with Spectrum’s web platform and to prevent image glitches.
Service outages
Spectrum may occasionally suffer partial or more widespread service outages like any streaming provider relying on internet connectivity and servers.
These temporary glitches can disrupt communication between the backend servers and platforms that deliver visual content.
Solutions:
- Check DownDetector.com and enter your ZIP code. Spikes in Spectrum reported problems in your region, which indicate an outage.
- Visit Spectrum Support’s X.com feed (@GetSpectrum) and search for recent posts about known issues or maintenance in your city impacting services.
- Ask neighbors if they are experiencing the same Spectrum difficulties loading images and video at the same time. Widespread confirmations point to an area outage.
- Wait patiently while monitoring social feeds and outage sites. Most issues are repaired within hours without customer action needed.
Essentially, once a service outage is confirmed, all you can do is wait for Spectrum to fix the problem. No local troubleshooting will resolve the issue until their servers and distribution links are restored.