Sling TV Streaming / Xfinity Router

[Summerbear5]

I'm having issue watching the live channels on Sling TV. While watching the show it will go to a black screen for a few seconds to a minute and then start playing again. I originally thought it was a problem with Sling but I've already talked to Sling about this, and they claimed it was something on my end. I have 350mbps internet speed so I don't think it's my connection. I also had an older 1st generation firestick that was really slow so I purchased the newest model firestick but, it's still doing it. I'm wondering if there is something I can do to improve streaming. Maybe opening ports or doing some port forwarding (searched google but couldn't find any info on ports for Sling TV). If anyone has information on that I would be greatly appreciated. At this time I don't have a static IP for the firestick but, if it will improve streaming I could give it a static IP. Also I talked to comcast about QoS and WMM and there are no WMM settings for the Xfi router I have and the represenative couldn't help me without wanting to file a ticket and send someone out (which I personally think is unnessesary).

So if anyone could help me I'd be greatly appreciated. I just want to be able to watch my Ricky and Morty on Adult Swim without it cutting out. Wubba Lubba Dub Dub

[jlavaseur]

I have a fire stick and I find it works best on the 2.4g band, I can stream movies and shows with it, monitored it, it shows only 1.7 Mbs being used streaming a movie, I also use a vpn, I didn't have to do anything but plug it in to work, didn't have to touch the router settings

[EG]

@Summerbear5 

Are you getting any error messages / codes ?

Is this with a WiFi connection ?

[lesmikesell]

It is probably your wifi.  Would an ethernet adapter be practical?

[EG]

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@lesmikesell wrote:

It is probably your wifi.  

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That's why I already asked........

[Summerbear5]

It's connected via wifi. Originally it was on the 2.4 band and it was cutting out even more. Changed it to the 5g band and even though it still cuts out it's not as bad. 

I was considering using a ethernet adapter but on the reviews of the adapter people said the wifi was actually faster than the ethernet connection. I can run a speed test on the stick and will post back later what the speed is. 

Also no error messages from the Sling app...the live streaming just goes to a black screen and then after a few seconds starts playing again.

[Paraniod]

I have experienced the same issue on Sling/Fire TV. Been working fine lately though, but then I'm not on it all the time. Hasn't bothered me enough to contact Sling support.

I suspect the problem lies with Sling, since I have a good connection to my Fire TV devices.

Just saying.

[EG]

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@Summerbear5 wrote:

It's connected via wifi.

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See if anything here helps;

Some tips for improving WiFi performance;

http://corporate.comcast.com/comcast-voices/10-ways-you-might-be-killing-your-home-wi-fi-signal

http://forums.xfinity.com/t5/Your-Home-Network/Improve-Your-Wireless-Gateway-Home-Network/td-p/26276...

https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/improve-your-wireless-home-network

There are other options. Google for WiFi repeaters / range extenders, WiFi mesh systems / pods.

[PompanoMark]

While watching SLING the show it will go to a black screen for a few seconds to a minute and then start playing again.

The only way to fix it is to either go to the last button, or close the APP totally.

We have COMCAST with the SLING APP - that's how we access it.

But this is occurring about every 20 minutes.

We have SLING APP on our SMART TV back home - no problems whatsoever.

This seems to be a COMCAST APP problem!

I called customer service - said we had the lastest SLING APP Version.

Please advise - thank you!

[Summerbear5]

I'm still suffering with the issue here. I'm it's only a problem on the FireTV Stick with the Sling app. Also seems to happen mostly at night, and mostly on adult swim.

[ptownmark]

I've researched and discovered that it's a data cap issue.

Sling uses a LOT of bandwidth = $$$$

So they check every so often to make sure you are still watching so as not to 'waste' data.

Thats how I understand what's going on.

[Summerbear5]

Sorry I can't believe that because during a 30 minute show it pauses multiple times. And I can go all day and not use sling at all because I have other ways of watching TV but the minute I turn on a show with sling it starts cutting out, and I doubt it's because they are "checking" to see if I'm still watching. I have before gotten the message "are you still watching" but never did it cut out in fact it continued to play the show even with that message across the screen.