If you're watching Smithsonian Channel on a web browser on your computer:
  1. Check your bandwidth. For the best experience, we recommend a downstream bandwidth of 3 Megabits per second (Mbps) or higher. (25 Mbps for 4K UHD)
  2. Check that no other bandwidth or memory-intensive applications are running. If you have other browsers or browser tabs open, try closing them and see if that improves performance.
  3. Check that any antivirus software or firewalls are not blocking content playback.
  4. Try restarting the browser, and if that doesn't help try restarting the computer.

If you're watching on an iPhone or iPad:
  1. Check the type and speed of your internet connection. The Smithsonian Channel app requires a Wi-Fi, 3G, or higher connection. We recommend downstream bandwidth of 400 Kbps or higher for iPhone and iPod touch and a downstream bandwidth of 700 Kbps or higher for iPad®. We adjust our stream based on your bandwidth. We strongly recommend using the Smithsonian Channel streaming service app with a Wi-Fi connection.
  2. Closing and reopening the app: On Your iPhone, iPad: Tap the 'Home' button to background the Smithsonian Channel app. Double tap the home button; the screen will zoom out to a view of backgrounded apps. Locate the Smithsonian Channel app and swipe it upwards to force quit the app. Tap the home button once more and reopen the app.

If you're watching on a Roku Streaming Player:
  1. Check that your device has an active high-speed internet connection. We strongly recommend a downstream bandwidth of 3 Mbps or higher.
  2. Remove the Smithsonian Channel channel by selecting it in 'My Channels,' pressing the * button and 'Remove Channel.’
  3. Go to Roku Setting > System > System Restart.
  4. Re-add the channel from the channel store and re-open the channel.

If you're watching on an Apple TV:
  1. Check that your device has an active high-speed internet connection. We strongly recommend a downstream bandwidth of 3 Mbps or higher.
  2. Close and restart the Smithsonian Channel app.
  3. Restart your Apple TV.

If you're watching on an Android mobile phone or tablet or Fire Tablet/Kindle Fire:
  1. Check that your device is connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network
  2. Test your internet speed with an app such as Speedtest.net Mobile Speed Test. Smithsonian Channel recommends a download speed of at least 1.5 Mbps.
  3. If you are near the recommended download speed, make sure that other devices are not connected to the same network that you are using.
  4. If you are well above the recommended download speed, then force quit the Smithsonian Channel app from the device Settings and then reopen the app.
  5. If the video is skipping, try stopping and restarting the video.
  6. If you continue to experience playback issues, please contact customer service up above.

If you're watching on an Android TV, Fire TV or FireTV Stick:
  1. Check that your device is connected to Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable
  2. Test your internet speed with an app such as Speedtest.net Mobile Speed Test. Smithsonian Channel recommends a download speed of at least 1.5 Mbps.
  3. If you are near the recommended download speed, make sure that other devices are not connected to the same network that you are using. Additionally, if your device is connected via Wi-Fi, try connecting via Ethernet cable.
  4. If you are well above the recommended download speed, then force quit the Smithsonian Channel app from the device Settings and then reopen the app.
  5. If the video is skipping, try stopping and restarting the video.
  6. If you continue to experience playback issues, please contact customer service up above.