The rapidly changing realm of technology has seen the rise of the Android box. Gaining them a position of popularity in the world of streaming, these compact devices bring with them a huge accessory to the world of apps, games, and online content. However, like any gadget, sometimes the Android boxes lag or have performance issues. Of course, the natural first course of action is to find out why. But here, we take a different route and examine some ways to optimize performance problems you might encounter with the Android box.
Keeping your Android box’s software up to date is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to boost its performance. Firmware updates not only introduce features but also fix bugs and improve system stability. To check for updates, go to your box’s settings and select ‘About.’ From there, look for the option to update your system. Your device’s performance, and its security, can benefit greatly from regular checks and application of updates.
A multitude of applications come loaded onto Android boxes, with users frequently adding more to this already sizable number. But having so many apps can cause the device to slow down, particularly if they’re allowed to run perpetually in the background. So take a moment, if you will, to interrogate the installed apps on your Android box. If any of them strike you as no longer being useful, go ahead and uninstall them. You can also uninstall some of the apps that come pre-installed with the box if you don’t mind a bit of enabled/disabled pathos. Either way, you restore some system resources to the box and improve its performance.
Over time, applications collect cached information, which can sap storage capacity and bog down the performance of your Android box. To eliminate accumulated junk, go to the Settings app, select Apps (or Application Manager), choose the app you want to service, and tap on the button labeled Clear Cache. If you use the app a lot, you might also consider serving it with a Clear Data entrée, but it might reset the app to its default/starting state.
A lack of storage can greatly affect an Android box’s performance. If there isn’t enough space, it can cause the system to lag or even lead to app crashes. You can work around some of these issues by using an external USB drive or SD card—the same kinds of external storage you’d use with a computer—that let you effectively expand your box’s storage space. Media files and less frequently accessed apps can be stored on that external space. Meanwhile, both of you should help out your box’s storage situation by removing app and file clutter.
Although Wi-Fi is handy, a wired Ethernet connection can supply a more stable and speedier internet connection, which is essential for watching high-definition content and internet gaming. If you can, connect your Android box directly to your router with an Ethernet cable. This will cut down on buffering and increase streaming quality.
If you have an Android TV box and watch mostly streaming content, you can enhance your viewing experience through some simple adjustments to your video settings. Start within your streaming app (like Netflix or Hulu) and select a video quality that matches your internet speed. If you have a slow connection, don’t be shy about dropping down to 480p or something comparable — that should work with fewer hiccups. Another thing you can do to lighten the load on your internet and your box is to turn off HDR if your TV doesn’t support it.
If your Android television box often performs slowly, one possible solution is to use a task-killing app to manage background processes. These apps help you close unnecessary applications running in the background and free up RAM for the use of applications that you prefer. However, be very cautious when using these apps, for if you close the wrong process, it can make your box perform even worse.
Similar to a computer, your Android box can gain from a consistent reboot. Restarting the device can clear temporary files, refresh system resources, and improve overall performance. Make it a habit to restart your Android box every few weeks to keep it running smoothly.
You can drastically improve your performance of your Android TV box and thus the experience you get from your streaming and gaming by sweating the minor details of keeping the TV box in tip-top shape. Perform regular updates; manage your apps with an eye to what’s necessary; and optimize your storage. A few tweaks and changes here—they’re not all in the Settings menu—will enhance what you get from the box. This ensures that the hardware and software of the box work as close to their potential as they can.