22. IPv6 Routing Protocol Conflicts
What it does:
Internet Protocol version 6 is the modern standard for routing data across the web. Most internet service providers now use it by default. However, the incredibly cheap network interface cards built into smart televisions are usually only optimized for the older IPv4 standard.
Why it kills performance:
When your television tries to connect to a streaming server using IPv6, it often drops data packets because the cheap network card cannot handle the translation efficiently. The television will literally sit there waiting for a response until it finally times out. After the long timeout, it will fall back to IPv4 and try again. That entire background process is exactly why you stare at a spinning loading wheel for ten seconds before a movie finally starts playing.
How to kill it:
Go to Settings, then Network, then Expert Settings. Find the toggle for IPv6 and turn it completely OFF. Forcing the television to stick exclusively to IPv4 will eliminate those massive network timeout delays and make your streaming apps snap open instantly.