Airplay is a massive advancement in technology developed by Apple Inc. Airplay has proved quite efficient as a wireless option for streaming videos and music from your iOS device to specific compatible devices.
Airplay’s appeal for watching videos on a bigger screen cannot be overemphasized. Additionally, its advantages include technical issues associated with such tech services.
If you’ve been experiencing Airplay lagging on your TV, this article will explain six typical reasons and give fixes for it.
The primary reason for Airplay lag is a poor wifi connection, which is common to wireless services. In addition, your iOS device may have a bug, an outdated iOS device, interference from other household devices, or using an incompatible device.
What Causes Airplay To Lag On TV?
Airplay lag causes the general purpose of Airplay to be defeated. It becomes frustrating if you can’t stream music or videos comfortably.
Whenever you experience Airplay lag, it could be due to one of these:
#1. Poor Wifi Connection
Wireless services generally rely on stable internet connections to operate correctly. Airplay is one such service, dependent on a stable internet connection.
The level of bandwidth provided by your wifi network determines the quality of Airplay you can control. Therefore, poor wifi automatically provides slow Airplay.
#2. iOS Device Has Bugs
Slow Airplay could indicate that your iOS device has bugs. Whenever your iOS device or Mac gets infested by bugs, it affects its performance in different aspects. Airplay lag could also be a possible effect of bugs.
#3. Outdated Mac or iOS
Protocols such as Airplay work better in the latest version of devices. It’s always best to keep your iOS device updated to the latest version for optimum performance. If you delay updating your device, it may affect your Airplay quality.
#4. Interference
Household appliances usually unknowingly cause interference for each other.
Your microwave oven is well-known for giving out waves that affect the router, thereby interfering with the internet signal.
Your wireless speaker may also affect the wifi signal. Such interferences naturally affect Airplay, causing it to lag.
#5. Device Compatibility
Airplay isn’t compatible with many devices; it gets restricted to just a few. Although device compatibility is an uncommon reason, it will lag if your TV isn’t compatible with Airplay.
#6. Third-party Streaming Apps
Sometimes, Airplay lag could be from the app you’re streaming the song or video.
Apps such as Netflix and YouTube are typically patronized. Therefore, if these apps are experiencing issues, it will affect the Airplay.
How Do I Stop The Airplay From Lagging On My TV?
Generally, it helps to “restart” your device when Airplay starts lagging, and you can try other fixes when restarting doesn’t work.
You will experience Airplay lag from time to time for specific reasons; however, there are fixes. Each cause of Airplay lag has a solution to tackle it.
It would be best to identify the exact reason for the Airplay lag before you can effectively get its solution.
Here are the quick ways to fix different issues causing airplay to lag on a TV:
| Causes | Fixes |
|---|---|
| Poor wifi connection | Run wireless diagnostics and fix the issue behind the slow connection. |
| Bugs in Mac or iOS device | Clear your iOS of bugs. |
| Outdated Mac or iOS device | Update your Mac or iOS when necessary. |
| Interference | Create considerable distance between suspected interfering appliances. |
| TV compatibility | Use another compatible device or update the current one. |
| Third-party streaming apps | Try out other streaming apps. |
These six causes and fixes mentioned above are just a few reasons for Airplay lag on your TV.
Therefore, if you try any fixes and still experience Airplay lag, it would help get a technician to look into the matter.
How Can I Make Airplay More Reliable?
To make Airplay reliable is to put in place things or take precautions to prevent Airplay lag, stutter, and other malfunctions.
These precautions go a long way in making Airplay more reliable on your TV and other devices.
Tips and tricks to make Airplay more reliable are:
- Maintain proximity between your device and router to enhance the wifi signal.
- Use an Ethernet cable to connect your Apple TV to the router.
- Switch your Bluetooth off as it interferes with wifi 802.11 mode necessary for Airplay.
- Leaving your router in b/g mode makes the signal very slow.
- Get a new router, preferably a dual-band or tri-band router so that you can use 2.4gHz and 5gHz bandwidth.
- Individually stream a video without using screen mirroring.
- Regularly update your iOS and other devices.
- Remove electronic devices that may cause interference to Airplay.
- Try playing a video in the app first before sharing via Airplay.
- Run wireless diagnostics regularly to enhance the wifi signal.
- Uninstall screen mirroring apps.
- Let’s set the firewall setting of your Mac to allow Airplay.
- Avoid connecting many devices to a single wifi network.
- It would help if you connected your iOS device and tv to the same wifi to be able to use Airplay.
- Ensure you purchase an Airplay-compatible TV if you intend to use the protocol.
Why Does Airplay Stutter?
Airplay may stutter because of a malfunction in your iOS or device. Airplay stuttering is one major block to getting the whole experience that it promises.
One primary reason for Airplay stuttering is a weak internet connection. A poor wifi or internet connection is bound to hamper adequate Airplay, resulting in stuttering.
Another factor that might affect the internet connection is the router. If your router isn’t in good working condition or facing interference, it won’t transmit signals properly to get quality Airplay.
If your wifi supports Airplay and numerous devices, it will be slow, eventually making Airplay stutter. You must regularly update your iOS, TV, and Airplay device to prevent stuttering.
Once these devices get out of date, they don’t give the required quality anymore, causing Airplay to stutter. Although quite unlikely, some updates contain bugs that cause Airplay stuttering.
Sometimes your TV is paired to other devices, which can tamper with its Airplay connection. It would help to check the TV’s Airplay settings and unpair the other devices.
Leaving Bluetooth on your TV or iOS can interfere with the network signal, leading to stuttering. Putting off Bluetooth on your iOS or Mac device and your TV is advisable.
Screen mirroring with Airplay is another factor that causes stuttering. Screen mirroring can be pretty unstable; therefore, when it gets used, Airplay stutters.
In addition, if your TV and iOS connect to a separate wifi network, it will cause unstable Airplay.
Any reasons mentioned above can cause stuttering; troubleshooting your devices can fix them. However, you can contact the Apple support website if the stuttering persists.
What’s the Difference Between Screen Mirroring And Airplay?
Apple Airplay and screen mirroring are both features developed by Apple to provide an unforgettable streaming experience.
Apple Airplay is a protocol that enables you to stream videos, music, and pictures from an iOS device to a compatible one.
Airplay screen mirroring, on the other hand, works to clone the entire screen of your Mac or iOS device to a compatible TV screen.
Airplay mirroring covers games, videos, and even websites displayed on a TV screen or projector. You primarily use Airplay in personal home viewing of content.
Whereas screen mirroring is effective and typically used for large public presentations or displays for a crowd.
It is preferable to use Airplay wirelessly, and it works that way efficiently. Screen mirroring permits the use of a projector or any device, but it must have an Apple TV attached.
Airplay-compatible devices range from Apple to even LG products and Samsung TVs. Airplay largely relies on a wifi connection, whereas screen mirroring can operate without it.
Bluetooth is sometimes an interference to network signals in Airplay, screen mirroring, on the other hand, can work with Bluetooth.
Airplay mirroring is more effective and compatible with Apple TV. In addition, Airplay mirroring permits multiple streaming possibilities.
This way, you can play a game with your iPad as the control pad and the screen streaming the game.
Although Airplay occasionally has issues, it’s not as prone to bugs as mirroring. On the other hand, screen mirroring is more prone to bugs and causes stuttering and lagging.
Apple Airplay and screen mirroring may be considered different aspects or features of Apple’s streaming protocol.
Although these two work in different ways, they work to give you the best streaming experience. Sometimes, they work one after another to provide the desired streaming service.
Final Thoughts
Airplay lagging or stuttering are typical problems associated with the Airplay protocol.
You can resolve these issues efficiently if you follow the solutions mentioned above. The tips and tricks are also essential to getting the best Airplay experience.
Additionally, you have the Apple support website to guide you through other difficulties you may experience.