Hulu is a popular streaming service known for its large library of TV shows and movies. What’s not so fun, though, is when the video freezes right after an ad break.
One common culprit of Hulu keeps freezing after ads is an unstable or weak internet connection during playback.
Since ads are separate from the video content, a brief dip in speed could disrupt the stream. Other probable reasons include out-of-date software, drivers, or the Hulu app.
Read on to learn about the causes and the steps to diagnose and address the freezing issue.
Causes and solutions for Hulu keeps freezing after ads
Below are the reasons for this issue and the steps you can take to fix it:
1. Outdated Hulu app
If the Hulu app hasn’t been updated in a while, it could potentially cause freezing after ads. Software updates often include fixes and optimizations that improve performance.
An outdated app may not be fully compatible with the latest versions of Hulu’s streaming servers. This can lead to instability during playback.
Signs your app needs an update include slow loading times, video quality issues, and other glitches in general operation.
Solutions:
- Check your device’s app store/market for available Hulu app updates.
- If an update is shown, download and install the latest version.
- Make sure automatic app updates are enabled on your device as well.
- If you are accessing the platform via a browser, ensure it is also on its latest version.
2. Slow or unstable internet connection
If your internet connection is running slowly or fluctuating during Hulu playback, it can lead to freezing after ad breaks. This is because ads load separately from the video content.
So, a brief dip in your connection speed as an ad attempts to buffer could cause it to freeze. You may also notice the issue worsening if multiple devices use bandwidth simultaneously.
Solutions:
- Check for other devices streaming or downloading content simultaneously and close unnecessary programs on your device.
- Move closer to your wireless router to try improving the signal strength.
- Consider connecting directly to the router with an ethernet cable for a more stable connection.
- Contact your internet service provider to check for outages or network issues impacting streaming quality.
- Run a speed test to verify that your download speeds meet Hulu’s minimum requirement for smooth playback on reduced video quality, which is 1.5Mbps. Usually, you’d need 3 Mbps to watch anything on the platform’s library, about 8 Mbps to watch live events, and 18 Mbps for 4K videos.
3. Device compatibility issues
If Hulu keeps freezing after ads, your device may not be fully supported. This platform has strict compatibility requirements for smooth streaming.
Outdated or low-end devices may struggle to keep pace when loading separate ad content. Signs this could be the cause include frequent freezing, buffering, or video quality issues.
Solutions:
- Compatible devices include PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, LG WebOS smart TVs, Roku streaming sticks, Android OS devices, Chromecast, Apple TVs above 4th generation, and more.
- Ensure your device has sufficient RAM and processor speed. You can clear background apps if you have less RAM and computing power.
- If available, try accessing Hulu through a supported smart TV, gaming console, or streaming device instead of directly on an older phone or tablet.
- As a test, see if freezing still occurs on the same Wi-Fi network using a different, more powerful streaming device. If it doesn’t, you need to upgrade.
4. Ad transition glitches
If you find that Hulu freezes right as an ad ends and the show starts back up, it could be due to glitches in how ads transition. Sometimes, minor hiccups occur when loading new video content.
Solutions:
- Clear your browser cache and cookies to wipe out temporary files that could be causing hiccups.
- Double-check your internet speed. Run a quick test to ensure your connection isn’t slowing down at transition points.
- Close any background apps or browser tabs using bandwidth. Free up resources for Hulu.
- Try a different web browser or the Hulu app on another approved device like your smart TV. See if transitions are glitchy everywhere or isolated.
5. Low storage
If your device runs low on available storage space, it could be contributing to freezing after ads on Hulu. When storage is low, your device has to work much harder to manage its memory. This extra strain on the system may cause glitches during playback.
Solutions:
- Check how much free space remains on your device. This could be the issue if it’s less than 10-15% available.
- Delete any unneeded files, apps, or large downloads taking up space on your device. Free up as much storage as possible.
- Move content to an external SD card if your device supports one to help alleviate the memory crunch.
- To reduce your device’s competing demands, disable any apps, features, or caches using storage in the background while streaming Hulu.
- If clearing space doesn’t fully resolve freezing, consider upgrading to a device with more built-in storage. Additional memory makes buffering and switching between content much smoother.
6. Software conflicts
If Hulu keeps freezing after ads, it’s possible specific programs running simultaneously are interfering. Some software just doesn’t play nice together.
Antivirus, VPNs, browser extensions, and even some games are common culprits. The extra workload on your device from multiple programs competing for resources could lead to video stuttering.
Solutions:
- To help narrow it down, try pausing background downloads, closing unnecessary browser tabs, and disabling non-essential software and extensions while streaming.
- Turn off your VPN or proxy.
- Disable any recently installed browser extensions.
- Restart or power off your gadget to clear the temporary glitches.
When to contact support if your Hulu keeps freezing after ads
Here are some signs it may be time to contact Hulu support if freezing after ads persists:
- You’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps mentioned above, but regular freezing still occurs.
- Freezing occurs across multiple streaming devices or browsers, not just isolated to one.
- Your streaming experience has become excessively disrupted, making shows unwatchable, despite attempts to fix it. Constant freezing defeats the purpose of your Hulu subscription.
- You notice new technical problems alongside the freezing, like abnormal buffering, video quality drops, or audio sync issues.
Use the following ways to reach out to Hulu:
- Live Chat: Visit Hulu’s Help Center, which provides a live chat option 24/7.
- Phone Support: Use 1-888-265-6650.
- Social Media: Hulu maintains active social media accounts like X (@hulu_support).