The expert's advice

Wi-Fi or network cable: why streaming loses quality

Streaming platforms adjust picture quality to your connection, without warning you. Weak Wi-Fi can turn a 4K film into HD, or even lower. Here's how to tell whether your connection is holding back your TV, and how to fix it.

By Clément, TV specialist at Nimestore · 2 min read · Published 26 October 2026
In brief
  • 4K needs about 15 to 25 Mb/s stable
  • A wall or a floor can split the Wi-Fi speed
  • The network cable is the most reliable solution
  • Otherwise: Powerline adapters, repeater or mesh Wi-Fi
What the streaming service doesTest your connectionThe solutionsFrequently asked questions

What the streaming service does

Netflix, Disney+, YouTube or Auvio measure your speed continuously. When it drops, they lower the quality to stop the picture freezing. You won't see any message: just a slightly less sharp picture, flat patches of colour in gradients or blocks in dark scenes.

Test your connection

  1. Open your TV's browser or a speed test app, or use the built-in test in the Netflix app (see the help section).
  2. Run the test in the evening, when you usually watch films.
  3. Compare: below 15 Mb/s, 4K will be unstable; above 25 Mb/s, you're all set.

The solutions

The most reliable

The network cable

An Ethernet cable between the box and the TV. Nothing beats its stability. Allow a few euros for a flat cable that slips under a skirting board.

No building work

Powerline

Two adapters plugged into mains sockets carry the internet through the house's electrical wiring. Very effective in most Belgian homes.

For the whole house

Mesh Wi-Fi

Several units cover the whole house with a single network. More expensive, but ideal for large homes or multi-storey houses.

!
A common pitfall

Some TVs only have a 100 Mb/s network port. That's more than enough for 4K, so don't worry if the figure looks low.

Frequently asked questions

Is my box's Wi-Fi 6 enough?

If the TV is in the same room or right next door, usually yes. Through several walls or across a floor, the speed drops quickly.

Does Powerline work everywhere?

It works well when the sockets are on the same consumer unit. Avoid plugging it into an extension lead.

Why is the picture good in the morning but worse in the evening?

In the evening, everyone is online, both at home and in the neighbourhood. Speeds drop and the service lowers the quality.

Need advice?

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