This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to test Internet speed on Fire TV or Firestick.
Many people often have buffering problems with their Fire TV or Fire TV Stick and one of the first things that should be checked is the download speed on the device. There are many reasons why your Fire TV or Firestick would have problems streaming and an Internet speed test will help with the troubleshooting process.
It is important to understand that you only need approximately 7-10 Mbps to enjoy a quality HD stream. Also, most servers that you are streaming from won’t download much faster than that anyway, especially when using Kodi on your Fire TV or Firestick. Many people get hung up on the notion that their buffering problems are caused due to the fact that they aren’t getting 50Mbps or higher download speed. I would confidently make the claim that if your Internet speed is 10 Mbps or higher and you are experiencing poor performance, the culprit is the server you are streaming from and really nothing can be done about that.
TIP: If you’re trying to install large unverified apps, this could also take time when you have a slow internet speed. In addition, you can only complete it by side-loading or installing anything into your device without using the official app-distribution method from the Amazon App Store. I recommend using a VPN to install such apps. Click this link to learn how to install a VPN for Firestick, Fire TV, Fire TV Cube.
I suggest using the video below because I cover important details that aren’t outlined in the general steps.
How To Test Internet Speed On Fire TV or Firestick Tutorial
- Install Firefox Browser
- Launch Firefox Browser
- Type the following URL into adddress box troypoint.com/st
- Click Start Test button to begin speed test
- View report following test
- Follow recommendations in video if you have speed problems
Watch video below for details not covered in general steps above.
Recommended Router – Asus AC3100
Recommended WiFi Range Extender – Netgear N300 WiFi Range Extender
Get Your Free Supercharge Fire TV/Stick Guide
Hopefully I can get help. I’ve been having horrible buffering issues this week when I try to stream from my Fire Stick. Network connection says I have a very good Signal strength from the router. I have IP vanish (Best Avail server is checked) and I always use it. I’ve been trying to stream from Cinema (most recent update) which was usually very reliable. But I just found this strange, when I did the speed test in the Troypoint app it says I’m not even getting 1Mbps download or upload but when I run a speed test on my phone… Read more »
Hi Michelle,
We always suggest using real-debrid to eliminate buffering issues.
Hi thanks for the quick reply. I forgot to say I also have real debrid. I’ve followed all Troypoint advice and am at a loss as to why my Fire Stick speed is so poor. It’s impossible to stream. Even downloading updates to the 3 party apps were painfully slow.
Michelle,
It sounds like you might need to reset your firestick. Have you tried a factory reset?
Thank you for your response! No I have not tried a factory reset. I do not know how to do that? What I then need to “jailbrake” it again?
After factory reset you will need to reinstall applications. Here is how you do it: https://troypoint.com/how-to-reset-firestick/
I ran a speed test with Analiti last night. Got 80 down and 10 up. Troypoint APK says 25 down 7 up? Is Analiti a bad test? or is Troypoint speed test running slow? trying to figure out what to believe? Thank you.
Troy long time member and I have a question. I just upgraded to 200 MB download on computer. I have ethernet plugged in to an amazon fire box. Using your site to test speed I get 10mb. Where did the speed go?
Do you get that speed on your computer as well ? If so I believe the issue is with your router’s ability to properly give you that higher speed. Perhaps the ports on it are not gigabit or there is a slower router somewhere in your network.
Not sure what happened, but speed test app on stick was 79/17 (analiti) and this speed test was 15/75. Download speed is the first number. Any reason why the upload speed was very high. Really it a few times and got the same range
Hi Zac, I have noticed that as well over the past week and something isn’t right with those tests. I would suggest trying a different test. The TROYPOINT App has a free speed test tool that has been working fine – https://troypoint.com/troypoint-rapid-app-installer-reg
How in the world am I supposed to understand what you just said about the uploads and downloads speeds?? All Chinese, english is my preferred language lol. I DID test my speed and came out with 22.4 download and 5.4 upload. You lost me after that
Hi Barbara, these videos aren’t that difficult to understand. Watch the video again if you didn’t understand it the first time. 22.4 download speed is plenty to stream 1080p.
Hi again, Troy, I think I’ve discovered the answer to my question in my previous post. I was using Fast.com to check the download speed of my Skystream 3. On my Samsung Galaxy S7 phone, I was using the link to the internet speed test you posted in your latest newsletter, which tested at 37 Mbps. I just tested my phone’s download speed from from Fast.com, and, in 3 separate tests, the speed varied from 12 to 18 to 30 Mbps. So it would seem that your test server link is obviously much faster than Fast.com, and, since I get… Read more »
Thanks Les! Yes, you are correct. I previously used Fast.com and had the same problems. Thanks for sharing this!
Hi Troy, I have a Skystream 3 box. My cable internet connection is only 30 Mbps, but the box works great. Tested the box’s download speed using the box’s Fast app. Connected via 2.4 Ghz wifi (Skystream 3 doesn’t have 5 Ghz, only the Plus model does), no VPN for the test. Download speed was 12 Mbps. Tested my Samsung S7 phone at the same location as the box, again without VPN being activated – download speed on both 2.4 and 5 Ghz was 37 Mbps! As I say, no buffering issues at all with the Skystream 3, but I’m… Read more »
Hi Les, yes, that is exactly the difference. The WiFi chip has a lot to do with the speed. Some of the generic Android TV Boxes that we get receive terrible speeds and I don’t even review them. The ones with quality chips get better speeds.
Les, one more thing. Try unplugging your router from power for a few minutes and then plug back in to see if that helps your Skystream box. Has helped some of my devices in the past.
When i have my vpn i get slower speeds on my speedtest than when it is off
Hi Jeffrey, running a VPN is always slower due to your traffic being encrypted. But, it should’t be so slow that you can’t stream 1080p content.
I have streaming plan with 600 gigabite plan with 200 mbps. With vpn on Im getting speeds sometime at 25 to 30 mbps. Most of time 60 to 70 mbps. One more thing I have a modem router combo is it better to go with wired or wireless? I have them both hooked up. Thanks for responding.Jeff Montgomery
Hi Jeffrey, that is normal speeds with VPN on. Keep in mind you only need 7 to 10 to stream 1080p content. Also, the more powerful processor in your device, the faster downloads you will see with VPN on – https://troypoint.com/fastest-streaming-device-vpn/
Wired will always be faster
Me too. We probably do it wrong lol
Looking to get apps from unknown sources with my new at&t tv android box any clues please?
how do I get my remote courser to move around?
Hi Richard,
Try Mouse Toggle: https://troypoint.com/install-mouse-toggle-fire-tv/