What should I do if I'm having buffering issues?

Before you begin troubleshooting buffering issues for your computer/device:

Troubleshooting

1.  Reboot your computer/device
2.  Restart your home network
3.  Connect your computer/device directly to your modem
4.  Improve your WiFi signal

What should I do next?

Before you begin troubleshooting buffering issues for your computer/device:

If you are on a work, school, hotel, or hospital public WiFi:

Check with your network administrator to make sure streaming services such as Hallmark Movies Now are supported and not intentionally blocked.

Note that many public networks have limited bandwidth.  Try a speed test to check your download speed.  

If you're using a cellular data network or satellite Internet:

If possible, try a different network.  Cellular data and satellite Internet connections commonly have slower connections speeds than cable Internet or DSL.   We recommend trying a speed test to check your download speed. If your network supports streaming, and meets our minimum streaming requirements (3 MBPS for SD, 5 MBPS for HD), completing the steps below will resolve most connection issues.

Troubleshooting

1.  Reboot your computer/device

If you haven't already, try turning your computer/device completely off, wait for 10 seconds, and then power back on before trying to stream again.  Most Hallmark Movies Now streaming problems can be fixed in this way.

• Although restarting your device can fix your problem right now, if you find you have to do it often, you'll probably want to troubleshoot your home network for a long-term fix.

2.  Restart your home network

For this step, make sure to leave your computer powered off and all of your home network equipment unplugged as a group for one minute before plugging each device back in one by one.

• Turn off your computer/device.
• Unplug your modem (and your wireless router, if it's a separate device) from power for one minute.
• Plug in your modem and wait until the indicator lights are back to its normal state.  If your router is separate from your modem, plug it in and wait until the indicator lights are back to its normal state.
• Turn your computer/device back on and attempt to stream Hallmark Movies Now again.

3.  Connect your computer/device directly to your modem

If you're connecting through a wireless router that's connected to your modem, and still can't connect after restarting your network, try bypassing the router and connecting directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable.  This will help identify what's causing the problem by eliminating the router or wireless connectivity problems as a possible cause.  Obviously, some devices (such as tablets and phones) are incapable of direct connections to a modem.

• Turn off your computer/device.
• Plug your computer directly into your modem using an Ethernet cable.
• Unplug your modem from power for at least one minute, then plug it back in and wait until no new indicator lights are blinking on.
• Turn on your computer/device and attempt to stream again.

If this step gets you streaming again:

• If you've bypassed your router and successfully connected to Hallmark Movies Now directly through your modem, it's likely that the router itself is the source of the problem.
• Bypassing the router will allow you to stream for now, but if this configuration isn't a perfect solution, you may want to contact whoever set up your home network for help resetting or re-configuring your router settings.

If you're still not able to stream:

• If you're connected directly to your modem and still can't stream Hallmark Movies Now, you may want to check with your equipment provider to make sure your modem and Internet service are functioning as intended.

If you were unable to complete this step:

• We strongly recommend attempting to connect your computer directly to your modem if you can, which will allow you to absolutely rule out your wireless router as the cause of any network connection issues.  However, if there's no way for you to directly connect your device to your modem, it's okay to skip to step 3.

4.  Improve your WiFi signal

If you're connecting over WiFi and the above steps didn't help, try the suggestions below to improve your wireless connectivity:

• Move your router to a new location to improve signal strength; you'll usually see better reception throughout your home if the router is in a central location.
• Wireless interference can cause problems when trying to connect over WiFi.  Cordless phones, microwave ovens, or other wireless devices near your router can all cause wireless interference, so move them away from your wireless router.
• Elevate your router off the floor.  A router on top of a bookshelf or desk will give you better reception than one that's hidden behind it.

What should I do next?

If you are still having trouble connecting to Hallmark Movies Now, you will want to contact the provider who set up your home network.  They should be able to help you determine if your router is properly set up to communicate with the other devices on your home network.