You settle in to watch your favorite show, and just as the plot thickens, your screen freezes. The spinning circle of doom appears. Or perhaps Pluto TV just kicks you back to the main menu without warning. This frustrating experience, which we call “cutting out,” is a common complaint among Pluto TV users.
It is important to understand right away that this single symptom has many possible causes. The issue might be a simple glitch in your living room, a quirk of your specific TV, or even a temporary problem on Pluto’s end. The good news is that most causes have a straightforward fix.
This guide is designed to be your definitive manual. We will start with the quickest solutions that solve the majority of problems. Then, we will systematically explore the deeper reasons, helping you diagnose your unique situation so you can get back to smooth, uninterrupted streaming.
Immediate Fixes
Before diving into complex diagnostics, always try these three simple actions first. They resolve over half of all streaming issues by clearing temporary software errors and refreshing connections.
Force Close the Pluto TV App
Just like a computer, streaming apps can develop small memory glitches after running for a long time. Force closing the app shuts it down completely and clears this temporary data from your device’s working memory.
Do not just press the home button. You must navigate to your device’s settings or app management screen to force stop the Pluto TV application. This gives the app a truly fresh start the next time you open it.
Restart Your Streaming Device
If force closing the app does not work, the next step is to restart the entire device—be it your Roku, Fire Stick, Smart TV, or game console. This process clears the memory of not just Pluto TV, but every app and background process.
A restart flushes out any conflicts that may have built up over days or weeks of use. It also re-establishes a clean connection to your Wi-Fi network. Simply unplug the device from power for thirty seconds, then plug it back in.
Power Cycle Your Modem and Router
Your internet hardware can also develop minor errors. Power cycling your modem and router resets your entire home network. It clears the pathway that your Pluto TV stream must travel from the internet to your screen.
Unplug both your modem and router from their power sources. Wait for a full minute. This ensures all components fully discharge. Then, plug the modem back in first, wait for all its lights to stabilize, and then plug the router back in.
Your Home Network and Pluto TV
If the quick fixes did not solve your problem, your home network is the most likely culprit. Understanding how Pluto TV uses your internet differently than other services is key.
Stability Over Speed
Many people think a fast internet speed is all that matters. For streaming, stability is actually more critical. Pluto TV, especially its live channels, is like a constant, flowing river of data to your TV.
If your Wi-Fi signal has a brief hiccup—even for a second—that river gets interrupted. Services like Netflix download large chunks of video ahead of time into a “buffer,” which acts as a reservoir to cover small Wi-Fi dips. Pluto’s live streams have a much smaller buffer, so any instability causes immediate freezing or cutting out.
How to Test Your Network Stability
You can check for this instability. Run a speed test on your phone or computer while standing near your streaming device. Look not just at the download speed, but for a metric called “packet loss.” Any packet loss above 0% is problematic for live streaming.
Also, note if other devices are using the internet heavily during your Pluto TV sessions. Large downloads, video calls, or online gaming on other devices can consume the bandwidth and stability your stream needs.
The Wired Connection Solution
The single most effective way to improve network stability for any streaming device is to use a wired Ethernet connection. Wi-Fi is prone to interference from walls, microwaves, and other electronics.
A direct cable connection from your router to your streaming device provides a stable, dedicated data highway. If your TV or stick does not have an Ethernet port, you can often purchase a compatible adapter. This one change can eliminate virtually all network-related cutting out.
Device Specific Checks
Different devices have different software, capabilities, and known issues. Tailoring your troubleshooting to your specific hardware is essential for a permanent fix.
Amazon Fire TV Sticks
Older Fire Stick models, like the 2nd Generation, have less processing power and memory. They can struggle with the modern Pluto TV app, especially during ad inserts. First, ensure your Fire Stick’s system software is up to date in the settings menu.
Then, manage the Pluto TV app specifically. Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > Pluto TV. From here, you can “Force Stop” the app, “Clear Cache” (which removes temporary files), and “Clear Data” (which will reset the app, requiring you to log in again). Clearing the cache is a safe and effective first step.
Roku Devices
Roku TVs and players are generally reliable, but they too need maintenance. Check for system updates under Settings > System > System update. An outdated Roku OS can cause app performance issues.
For the Pluto TV app on Roku, you can try removing the channel and then adding it back from the Roku Channel Store. This performs a clean reinstall. Also, pressing the Asterisk (*) button on your Roku remote while the Pluto app is highlighted gives you options to check for updates specifically for that channel.
LG and Samsung Smart TVs
Smart TVs run their own operating systems, which can become slow over time. The internal storage can fill up, affecting app performance. Regularly check for firmware updates for your TV model in its settings menu.
On many smart TVs, you cannot directly clear an app’s cache. Instead, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the Pluto TV app from your TV’s app store. As a last resort for persistent issues, a “soft reset” of the TV (power cycling it by unplugging it) can help.
NVIDIA Shield and Android TV
These powerful devices are less likely to struggle, but app corruption can still happen. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Pluto TV. Here you will find options to force stop, clear cache, and clear data.
Because these devices allow more background processes, also ensure you are not running too many other apps simultaneously, which could consume the RAM needed for smooth Pluto TV playback.
Advanced Diagnostics
When basic steps are not enough, you need to become a detective. This process involves isolating the problem to one part of the chain: your device, your network, or Pluto TV’s service itself.
The Comparative App Test
This is your most powerful diagnostic tool. When Pluto TV starts cutting out, immediately open another streaming app like Netflix, Disney+, or YouTube. Play a video for a few minutes.
If the other apps also buffer or fail, the problem is almost certainly with your home network or your streaming device itself. Your investigation should focus there. If every other app works perfectly, the issue is specific to Pluto TV, pointing to the app or Pluto’s servers.
Specific Channel or Show Issues
Take note of *what* you are watching when the cutouts happen. Is it always on a particular live channel, like “Forensic Files” on the Mystery Channel or a 24/7 news feed?
If the problem is isolated to one channel or show, this strongly suggests an issue with that specific video feed coming from Pluto TV’s servers or with the ad-insertion process for that feed. In this case, the problem is on Pluto’s end, and your local fixes will likely not help.
Phone Versus TV Test
Install the Pluto TV app on your smartphone or tablet. Connect it to the same Wi-Fi network. Try watching the same channel that was cutting out on your TV.
If the stream is perfect on your phone but not on your TV, you have successfully isolated the problem to your television or its streaming device. This rules out both your general internet and Pluto’s servers, pointing to a weak Wi-Fi receiver in your TV, an underpowered device, or a buggy TV app version.
Myths About Pluto TV Problems
Misinformation can lead you down the wrong troubleshooting path. Let us clear up some common and persistent myths.
Myth: My Internet Speed is Fast, So It Cannot Be My Connection
Reality: As explained, stability is different from speed. You can have a 100 Mbps connection that drops out for 200 milliseconds every few minutes. You might not notice this on a web page, but it will crash a live Pluto TV stream. A slower but rock-solid 10 Mbps connection will often provide a better experience.
Myth: Clearing the Cache is a Useless Fix
Reality: On devices with limited storage, like older streaming sticks, the app cache can become bloated or corrupted over weeks of use. This filled cache can cause the app to slow down, freeze, or crash. Clearing it gives the app a clean slate to work from and is a vital step for older hardware.
Myth: Pluto TV is Just a Bad App
Reality: While no software is perfect, Pluto TV works flawlessly for millions of users. Most persistent “cutting out” issues stem from a combination of factors unique to a user’s setup: an older device straining to run the app, a Wi-Fi network with interference, or an internet plan with low upload stability from the provider. The app’s free, ad-supported model simply makes it more sensitive to these environmental factors than premium, subscription-based services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Pluto TV keep kicking me out to the main menu?
This is typically an app crash. The software encounters an error and closes itself, returning you to the device’s home screen or Pluto’s main menu. Start with the immediate fixes: force close the Pluto TV app and restart your streaming device. If the crashes continue, uninstall and reinstall the Pluto TV app on your device, which will install a fresh, clean version of the software.
Why does it only buffer on my Smart TV but works on my phone?
This result perfectly isolates the problem. Your home internet and Pluto’s servers are working, as proven by your phone. The issue lies with your Smart TV. The most common reason is a weak Wi-Fi antenna inside the TV, which is often less powerful than the one in your phone. Try moving your router closer to the TV or, ideally, connect the TV to your router using an Ethernet cable. The problem could also be that the TV’s internal processor is too slow or that the TV’s version of the Pluto app is outdated.
Is there an official way to report an outage or channel issue?
Yes. The most responsive official channel is Pluto TV’s support team on social media, particularly Twitter at @PlutoTVHelp. You can also visit the Pluto TV Help Center on their website. When reporting, be specific: mention the exact channel name (e.g., “The Slow TV Channel”), your device (e.g., “Roku Ultra”), and the time the problem occurred. This information helps them identify widespread issues versus isolated ones.
What are the official internet speed requirements for Pluto TV?
Pluto TV recommends a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps for a stable stream. However, this is an absolute minimum. For consistent high-definition (HD) streaming without cutouts, a sustained speed of 10-15 Mbps is advisable. Remember, this speed must be dedicated and stable to your streaming device, which is why checking for other network activity is so important.
Could my VPN cause Pluto TV to cut out?
Absolutely. Using a VPN can significantly increase the distance your data must travel, adding latency and potential points of failure. It can also trigger Pluto TV’s security systems if the VPN IP address is being used by many other users. If you are using a VPN, try disabling it completely to see if your streaming stability improves. Some VPNs also offer dedicated streaming servers which may perform better.
Conclusion
Finding out why does Pluto TV keep cutting out is a process of elimination, but it is a solvable problem. The journey usually begins in your own home with a simple restart of your device and router, solutions that cure a majority of ills. When those are not enough, the key is to understand the unique demands Pluto TV’s live, ad-supported service places on your network’s stability and your device’s health.
By methodically testing other apps, checking specific devices, and ruling out myths, you can pinpoint the true cause. More often than not, the solution involves strengthening your Wi-Fi signal, managing your device’s storage, or simply keeping your software up to date. With this comprehensive guide, you have the knowledge to not only fix the current interruption but to create a home streaming setup where constant cutouts become a thing of the past.