NNN123 April 7, 2025, 11:55 a.m.

Moved to new apartment - internet sucks and need best vpn for smart tv to stream anything decent!

Hoping someone here can save my sanity... Just moved to new place last month and the ONLY internet provider available is some garbage local company with constant buffering and super slow speeds. Trying to watch anything on my LG smart TV is torture - constant low resolution, buffering every 3 minutes, and half the streaming apps telling me "content not available in your region" even though I'm still in the same damn country! Read online that a VPN might help with both the throttling issues and region blocks, but every review site seems to be paid advertising. Anyone actually using a VPN on their smart TV with success? Is it even possible to install directly or do I need other equipment? Total beginner here so explain like I'm 5 please. About to throw my TV off the balcony at this point...

1983 April 7, 2025, 10 p.m.

step 1: check if tv even supports vpn apps (spoiler: probably doesn't)

step 2: amazon firestick ($25) + vpn app

step 3: profit. saved u hours of frustration trying to configure directly on that nightmare lg interface that freezes opening netflix

LereDoope April 8, 2025, 12:59 a.m.

TV itself likely not the problem - sounds like classic bandwidth throttling. Run speedtest during peak hours (7-10pm) vs 3am, screenshot results. Most "unlimited" plans secretly cap streaming traffic. VPN might help but expect provider to magically discover "terms violation" when they notice

Alex 99 April 8, 2025, 4:12 p.m.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but vpns actually slow connections down... if ur already struggling with speed, adding encryption overhead might make things worse. Maybe check what ur neighbors use? Apartment buildings sometimes have unofficial discord servers discussing solutions

"[ April 8, 2025, 11:27 p.m.

Had identical issue when i moved + discovered my apartment complex had contract with SinglePath Internet (worst provider ever). Saved myself by tethering to phone data plan temporarily while researching options. Sometimes cellular data + unlimited plan cheaper than garbage wifi

Reckless April 9, 2025, 8:04 p.m.

dumb question but... have u tried moving the tv/router closer together? friend complained about same issue for MONTHS before realizing his metal ikea shelf was blocking wifi signal. sometimes simplest explanation = right one lol

hitachis April 10, 2025, 2:21 a.m.

Tore out my hair troubleshooting similar situation last year. Weirdly nordvpn became my savior despite thinking it wouldn't work. Trick was connecting to closest possible server to minimize added latency. Don't believe reviewers claiming "no speed impact" though - always some tradeoff

Mr_Billionstone April 10, 2025, 3:08 p.m.

seriously - location selection is key! Closest server with least users = way better performance than whatever "recommended" option they push. Worth testing different servers at different times

Sandan April 11, 2025, 6:43 p.m.

Smart TVs contain some of the worst networking hardware+software in consumer tech space. Lterally ANY external device (even $30 walmart special) performs better. Abandon built-in apps completely, thank me later

did April 13, 2025, 9:15 p.m.

Controversial but effective fix: cancel streaming services temporarily, grab antenna for local channels + small external hard drive for... ahem... "alternative content acquisition." Return to streaming once internet situation improves. Streaming companies don't care about your problem

Hutton April 17, 2025, 5:06 p.m.

Careful with potential IP address leakage when implementing any VPN solution. Most consumer setups fail to properly secure DNS queries which continue revealing your actual location despite VPN tunnel appearing functional

automag April 22, 2025, 8:39 p.m.

Sounds suspiciously like spectrum internet "up to" 100mbps plan that mysteriously delivers 5mbps during primetime. Fixed mine by setting up scheduled auto-speedtests documenting performance, filing FCC complaint with evidence. Magically fixed itself 48hrs later 🤔

frupendMund April 27, 2025, 7:25 p.m.

imagine my shock discovering surfshark somehow performed miles better than pricier alternatives. kept waiting for catch that never came. buffering went from constant to nonexistent overnight once configured through external device (shield tv in my case)

Lin(99) May 2, 2025, 11:33 p.m.

Paging OP - ur legit responses seem to have vanished. U still need help or nah? Kinda important to know if we're solving right problem. What's the actual measured download speed + what streaming services specifically? Different solutions for different situations

040654 May 8, 2025, 7:37 p.m.

Everyone jumping to vpn solutions while ignoring that LG webOS is absolutely TERRIBLE garbage fire software. I've owned 4 different smart tv brands and LG consistently worst performer despite great panel. Factory reset + never connect to internet + external streaming device only way forward

sollo995 May 14, 2025, 10:08 p.m.

landlord-provided internet? Document issues thoroughly + talk to neighbors about forming unified complaint. Had same issue, discovered 120-unit building sharing single business-class connection. Management installed proper equipment after enough complaints

Speefrorb May 20, 2025, 6:24 p.m.

just bypass the whole headache: raspberry pi ($35) + OpenWrt + vpn subscription. handles everything automatically for all devices. seems technical but literally step-by-step guides all over youtube

g1000 May 22, 2025, 12:49 a.m.

Assuming OP comfortable with command line lmao. Easier suggestion maybe: buy pre-configured vpn router? Plug+play solution for non-tech folks (though admittedly more expensive)

019wan May 28, 2025, 9:20 p.m.

Ever consider powerline ethernet adapters? Wifi through apartment walls = trash performance always. $40 for adapter pair, plugs into regular outlets, creates wired connection to TV. Fixed 90% of my streaming issues without changing internet plan or adding vpn overhead

starphone June 4, 2025, 3:43 p.m.

Check if building has alternative internet options that aren't advertised. Our complex had "official provider" that sucked + secret fiber connection previous tenant discovered. Had to specifically request "installation at unit 403" from different company's website. Worth investigating!