Troubleshooting Stream Quality Issues
If your live stream is experiencing buffering, lag, choppy playback, or frequent disconnections, this guide will help you identify and fix the most common causes.
1. Check Your Source Stream
Most quality issues originate from the source — your encoder or streaming software — rather than from Castr itself.
Recommended encoder settings:
Video codec: H.264 (AVC)
Audio codec: AAC
Bitrate mode: CBR (Constant Bitrate) — this is critical. Variable bitrate (VBR) can cause instability
Keyframe interval: 2 seconds
Resolution: 1920x1080 or 1280x720
Frame rate: 30 FPS (or 60 FPS if your internet can support the higher bitrate)
Video bitrate: 3,500–6,500 Kbps for 1080p; 2,500–4,000 Kbps for 720p
Audio bitrate: 128 Kbps (stereo)
For detailed encoder-specific settings, see Connecting OBS to Castr and Recommended Settings.
2. Check Your Internet Connection
A stable internet connection is essential for smooth streaming.
Upload speed: Your upload speed should be at least 1.5x your stream bitrate. For example, if you stream at 5,000 Kbps, you need at least 7,500 Kbps (7.5 Mbps) upload
Use a wired connection: Ethernet is significantly more reliable than Wi-Fi for streaming. Wi-Fi can introduce packet loss and latency spikes
Close other bandwidth-heavy applications: Downloads, video calls, or cloud syncing on the same network can compete for bandwidth
Run a speed test: Use a tool like speedtest.net to verify your upload speed is stable
3. Use Castr's Stream Health Charts
Castr provides real-time health monitoring for your stream. Check the Health Charts in your stream dashboard to see:
Video bitrate: Sudden drops indicate connection issues
Audio bitrate: Should remain flat for stable audio streaming
Frame rate: Dropped frames suggest your encoder or connection is struggling
Learn more: Understanding Health Charts of Your Stream
4. Choose the Right Ingest Server
Castr has multiple ingest server locations worldwide. For the best performance, select the server closest to your physical location. A distant server adds latency and increases the chance of packet loss.
5. Consider Switching to SRT
If you're using RTMP and experiencing instability, try switching to SRT (Secure Reliable Transport). SRT is designed to handle unreliable networks and can recover from packet loss automatically. It's especially helpful if you're streaming over long distances or on less reliable internet.
6. Viewer-Side Buffering
If viewers report buffering but your source stream is stable:
Enable ABR (Adaptive Bitrate): This creates multiple quality levels so viewers with slower internet automatically get a lower-quality stream instead of buffering. See How to Enable Adaptive Bitrate (ABR)
Lower your source bitrate: A 1080p stream at 6,000 Kbps requires viewers to have strong internet. Consider streaming at 720p / 3,000 Kbps for broader reach
Common Issues and Fixes
Stream keeps disconnecting: Check for CBR mode, verify upload speed, and try a different ingest server or SRT protocol
Black screen with audio: This usually means your encoder is sending an incompatible video format. Switch to H.264 and ensure your keyframe interval is set to 2
Audio but no video on destination: Some platforms reject streams without both audio and video tracks. Ensure your encoder sends both
Pixelated or blurry stream: Increase your bitrate or lower your resolution. A common sweet spot is 1080p at 4,500–6,000 Kbps