Performance & Troubleshooting

What is a “rebuffer”?

Updated June 10, 2025

A rebuffer (also known as a “stall-out”) occurs when a video stops playing mid-way, pauses to reload buffer data, then resumes.

🧪 Industry context

  • Experts often discuss a 1% buffer‑time ratio, which might sound low—but in reality, that means about 25% of 30‑second viewers will experience at least one stall.

  • According to Mux, rebuffering encompasses all stalls during playback, and is measured by frequency, count, and duration.

 

🚀 SmartVideo’s performance

The SmartVideo player works to keep viewers out of that stall window by delivering video from our CDN and adapting the bitrate during playback, so a slow or fluctuating connection downshifts quality instead of stopping the video. 🙌

 

✅ Why this matters

  • Better viewer retention: Fewer stalls mean fewer viewers abandoning your video.

  • Enhanced engagement: Smooth playback keeps viewers watching longer, boosting conversions.

  • Superior user experience: Reliable performance fosters trust and brand credibility.

Ready to see it on your own site?

Every plan starts with a 14-day free trial — card required, no charge until day 15.

14-day free trial · Card required, no charge until day 15