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Curmudgeon10's avatar
Curmudgeon10
Binge Watcher
2 years ago

Prime Video is Stuttering

Two Roku 3's, up to date software/firmware, 250MBps download, rebooted everything, just deleted the Prime apps, restarted Roku's, reinstalled Prime.  Same problem: after a few minutes Prime Video begins stuttering and becomes unwatchable.

No hardware changes to our network for a year.  Only one streaming device in use at any one time.

This problem began two weeks ago.

Threads for this problem now posted here, and previously on Xfinity and Amazon.  Recommendations seem to be all the same: reboot/restart/reinstall everything and hope it works.

I've done all that.  Now what?  Surely there must be a KNOWN , technical explanation for this issue.

 

 

 

app playback

14 Replies

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  • makaiguy's avatar
    makaiguy
    Community Streaming Expert
    2 years ago

    Curmudgeon10-

    Your Roku 3s were extremely capable at the time of their release in 2013, but they may be reaching the point where they are underpowered and slow for running some of today's bloated apps.  Roku 3s have 512 MB of memory, while today's offerings have faster processors and  (with the exception of the bottom end non-4K Express) have 2 to 4 times the memory.

    The nature of streaming apps is that their developers keep updating and adding code to their apps which causes them to use up more of the capabilities of the devices they are being streamed on.  It's possible a recent update to the Prime app has pushed it over the edge for your Rokus.  I can find no listing on the Amazon website of which Roku models they currently support.

     

    You might possibly find Prime runs better if it is the first app you run after rebooting the Roku 3 so that you are starting with a clear memory cache.

    • Curmudgeon10's avatar
      Curmudgeon10
      Binge Watcher
      2 years ago

      Thanks for weighing in.  You are the first in any of the threads to suggest that Prime's signal is too much for Roku's hardware. 

      Do you think the Roku Ultra LT (2023) HD/4K/HDR will fix the problem?

       

      • makaiguy's avatar
        makaiguy
        Community Streaming Expert
        2 years ago

        Curmudgeon10-

        Your jaw will drop when you see how much more responsive the Ultra or Ultra LT is compared to your Roku 3s.  Faster processor and EIGHT times the memory so either should handle anything you throw at them.

        Ultra LT is exclusive to Walmart and is a somewhat stripped down version of the Ultra.  Compared to the Ultra, the LT lacks support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, the Ultra's rechargeable remote with 2 programmable buttons, USB port for running media files, Bluetooth connectivity, the Ultra's longer range WiFi, and comes with generic earphones instead of JBL headphones.  As a result it does sell for somewhat less than the Ultra.

  • Gui97's avatar
    Gui97
    Reel Rookie
    2 years ago

    Curmudgeon10 discomacc45 

    Coming here late to say that the same problem occurs on the Roku Express 3930, manufactured in 2019/2020. And I read a lot of people online with questions similar to this even on 4K models, including the wired versions, which in my opinion rules out the hypothesis of outdated models and lack of support. 

    I've been experiencing these problems since November, and neither Amazon nor Roku support can explain (or solve) it. This last one barely has accessible support, btw, with an email that doesn't really answer your questions, appearing to be all automated.

    My internet speed is always with an excellent signal according to the device itself and my model does not have an ethernet port. 

    I rarely have problems with other apps on the same Roku Express, and Prime Video has never given me a headache on other TVs and devices. It appears to be a specific problem with Roku > Prime communication or vice versa. After almost 7 months I simply gave up. Sometimes I can watch an entire movie, overnight, for some reason. If the settings of my router wasn't blocked by the ISP itself, I would look deeper, but I suspect the result would be the same in the end.

     

    • discomacc45's avatar
      discomacc45
      Reel Rookie
      2 years ago

      I personally thought too that it was never a out of date hardware problem but I'm happy to report that since my last post I have had no further issues with stuttering on Prime video, there has been another software update installed (always worrying) but luckily no change to my viewing.

       

      • Gui97's avatar
        Gui97
        Reel Rookie
        2 years ago

        discomacc45 it's nice to hear that!

        I think you're a lucky one actually, because I've tried everything and nothing fixed it. I can only watch Prime Video on a smart TV and PS5. But it's sad, because my parents like using Roku as it's simple, and our living room TV doesn't have functional apps anymore. 

        Really hate these "smart" technologies nowadays. I miss the time when you could just play a DVD and enjoy ;x

  • discomacc45's avatar
    discomacc45
    Reel Rookie
    2 years ago

    Hi there,

    Just like you I was having an issue with the Prime Video app stuttering at around 15mins on my Roku 3 after starting to watch a film, this also caused the audio to cut out, quitting the app, restarting my equipment etc. didn't fix the issue.

    However as of last night (15/5) when I checked for any software updates, a new one for Prime video installed and I'm happy to report that I got through watching a couple of films without any further stuttering/audio issues.

    Seems like it must have been a dodgy previous update, maybe they need to check this stuff before releasing it.

    Hope this helps.