Stuttering video on Instagram and Facebook (iPhone)

[powellj3]

Hi. When streaming videos in Facebook and Instagram, the video will occasionally stall and buffer. This happens in the evening almost entirely.  Daytime is fine. At the same time I have good video on YouTube and or on smart tvs. 
if I switch to mobile data then I have no problem. If I start a free vpn (proton) the problem nearly goes away - certainly much better with very rare stalls.   I’ve tried switching off hide address and it makes no difference. 
speedtest shows around 45-50mbs down and 12ish up.   It doesn’t feel like a bandwidth issue. I was rather hopeful about the rotating  I/p but no joy. 

[ginchy]

Turn off hardware rendering in your browser!

[powellj3]

The problem occurs within the Meta apps on an iPhone. Not in a stand alone browser. 
it also only occurs in the evening (when the US is active?). 

[ginchy]

https://moviemaker.minitool.com/news/facebook-video-lag.html

You tried the above?

I only use PC for internet sorry my help was useless!

or.......

Stuttering or lagging videos within the Instagram and Facebook apps on an iPhone can often be resolved by addressing the app's performance and network connectivity. First, ensure a strong and stable internet connection. Then, try clearing the app's cache and data, or even reinstalling the app entirely. If the issue persists, check for available software updates for both your iPhone and the apps themselves. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown of potential solutions:

1. Check Internet Connection:

• Wi-Fi:

  Ensure you are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. If the signal is weak, try moving closer to the router or switching to a different network.
• Mobile Data:

  If using mobile data, verify that you have a strong signal and that your data plan is active. Consider switching to Wi-Fi if the connection is poor. 

2. Clear App Cache and Data:

• Instagram: Go to Settings > Instagram > Storage & Cache, and tap "Clear Cache".
• Facebook: Go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage, and tap "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data". 

3. Reinstall the App:

• Uninstall: Long-press the Instagram or Facebook app icon and select "Uninstall".
• Reinstall: Go to the App Store, search for the app, and reinstall it. 

4. Update the App:

• Check for Updates: Go to the App Store, tap on your profile, and scroll down to see if there are any updates available for Instagram or Facebook.
• Update: If updates are available, install them. 

5. Check for iOS Updates:

• Check for Updates: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
• Update: If an update is available, install it. 

6. Optimize Video Settings (Facebook):

• Open Facebook: Go to your profile and tap the three lines icon.
• Settings & Privacy: Scroll down and tap on "Settings & Privacy," then tap "Settings".
• Media: Scroll down to the "Preferences" section and tap on "Media".
• Optimize: Ensure that the "Optimize" setting is selected for the best video quality. 

7. Other Potential Solutions:

• Restart your iPhone: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches. 
• Free up Storage: Ensure you have enough free storage space on your iPhone. 
• Check for Background App Refresh: Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and ensure that it's enabled for Instagram and Facebook. 
• Check for VPN: If you are using a VPN, try disabling it temporarily to see if it resolves the issue. 

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the stuttering or lagging video issues within the Instagram and Facebook apps on your iPhone.