What Are Dropouts and Buffering?

  • A dropout is when your stream suddenly cuts off or goes silent — even briefly.

  • Buffering means your stream pauses to load, often causing delays or silence.

These issues can damage the listening experience and frustrate your audience. The good news is: most of them are preventable with the right setup and habits.

🛡️ ViaRad.io Is Built for Stability

At ViaRad.io, our infrastructure is optimized for maximum uptime, low latency, and high listener concurrency. We use Icecast KH on high-performance servers with ViaRad.io DNS routing — so cuts and buffering are extremely rare on our end.

Still, your stream is a two-way connection — and issues can arise from the encoder side, your local network, or the path to the server.

This guide shows how to keep your stream strong from start to finish 💪

⚙️ 1. Use the Right Encoder Settings

Wrong configurations are one of the top causes of stream interruptions.

✅ Best practices:

  • Match your encoder settings with your mount point (format, bitrate, codec).

  • Use Constant Bitrate (CBR) if possible — VBR can cause instability.

  • Don’t set the bitrate higher than your actual upload speed.

  • For low-bitrate streaming, use HE-AAC v2 (more stable, lighter on bandwidth).

💡 Need help with audio settings? Check out our guide: Choose the Best Settings for Perfect Audio

📶 2. Check Your Internet Connection

Your stream needs continuous, reliable upload speed — not just “fast internet”.

✅ Do this:

  • Use wired Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi.

  • Close other apps or devices that use your bandwidth.

  • Test your upload speed before broadcasting. You need:

    • At least 2x your stream bitrate for safety.

    • e.g. for 128 kbps stream → 256 kbps minimum upload.

💻 3. Keep Your Computer Clean and Focused

Too many processes can disrupt your encoder.

✅ Checklist:

  • Avoid multitasking while broadcasting (e.g. Zoom, downloads, etc.).

  • Disable sleep mode, energy-saving options, or screen timeouts.

  • Update your encoder software regularly.

🔄 4. Restart Your Router (It Works!)

Sometimes the simplest fix is the best one. Rebooting your router can:

  • Clear connection issues

  • Refresh your IP address

  • Fix slow routing problems

We recommend doing this before important live shows or sessions.

🔎 5. Use Traceroute If You Suspect Connection Issues

If your stream cuts regularly or buffers from a specific location:

  • Run a Traceroute to see the network path to the server.

  • Share the results with our tech team — we’ll help you interpret them.

📘 See our full guide: How to Run a Traceroute

🧠 Other Pro Tips

  • Use AutoDJ as a fallback — it keeps music playing if your live connection drops.

  • Don’t push your connection to 100% — always leave some bandwidth free.

  • Consider streaming in mono at low bitrates — it’s more stable and often sounds better in poor connections.

  • Stream at non-peak hours if your internet slows down during the day.

🚨 Quick Checklist: My Stream Is Cutting — What Can I Do?

Step Action
🔌 Reboot your router and computer
⚙️ Double-check encoder settings (bitrate, format, CBR)
🌐 Switch to Ethernet, test upload speed
🔁 Try a lower bitrate and use AAC+
📄 Run a Traceroute and contact support if needed

✅ Summary

Stream dropouts and buffering are frustrating — but they can be solved. With the right encoder settings, a clean connection, and good streaming habits, your station will sound smooth and professional every time. And if you ever need help, the ViaRad.io support team is here for you.