If all of your listeners are experiencing skipping or buffering, it is usually caused by a lack of bandwidth at the source (the connection that you stream from using the Shoutcast DSP/Oddcast/SAM broadcaster)
Before you do anything else, the following will resolve problems 9/10 times:
- Disable any other software that uses bandwidth, especially file uploads/downloads/transfers
- Reboot your modem or router, this can often refresh your connection
- Reduce your bitrate to a level that can be supported by your connection
There are several other common causes:
- Viruses, spyware or adware on the source machine
- Other users on the same internet connection using bandwidth
- High CPU or memory usage on the source computer
- ISP issues or routing issues
There is a chance that there is a bandwidth routing issue between your ISP and the stream server, if you think this is the case then please open a support ticket with a traceroute.
On very rare occasions, there are issues with the streaming servers or datacentres where they are located. If you think this may be the case then please check the status site or open a support ticket if there's nothing on there.
There is more info on this subject in our forums at what-to-do-if-your-audio-stream-is-skipping-buffering
