20 Messages
Newsmax Channel Freezing
I use both a Roku 4K Express and a Roku stick to watch TV programs through the Xfinity Stream App. On 02/19/25 the Newsmax Channel started freezing for no reason. On 02/19/2025 the Newsmax channel started freezing for no reason while watching. It occurs on both devices. There is no such issue like this on other channels in my package. I have been using these devices for over two years now and have never had an issue like this with a particular channel.
I have wasted so much time in trying to resolve this issue. Unplugging my modem and restarting along with the router. Restarting the devices over and over again to no avail. Deleteing the XFinity stream all and reinstalling numerous times. Calling XFinity internet support with them finding no issues with my signal and finally saying that a technician has to come out. Well, the technician came and he said that there is nothing he could do. Absolutely ridiculous.
I also have an Apple TV device and watching Newsmax through the XF Streaming App results in buffering. Watching Newsmax through the XFinity Stream app on my Apple IPhone results in minor buffering but no freezing. Watching Newsmax thru the XF Stream app on my desktop there are no problems. I have called Newsmax directly and was informed that they were not experiencing any issues with their streaming broadcast.
This is a very frustrating issue and Newsmax is one of the channels that we spend much time watching. I have been a Comcast customer for over 40 years, and a so called "Diamond" customer and have never seen such a complete lack of competance in getting this problem resolved. I feel like I am on a hamster wheel getting nowhere.
This seems to be a problem between XFinity and Roku and the engineers have to figure it out. If XFinity is really serious about not losing a customer such as myself, this problem better be investigated and resolved quickly. I am at my wits end.
Official Response
XfinityJK
Administrator
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100 Messages
1 month ago
Hello everyone,
There was a problem on the Stream app for Newmax channel.
Error has now been cleared, and the app should work properly.
Please try the app again to view the channel.
Thank you, for your patience.
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user_leeik2
7 Messages
1 month ago
I've been having the same problem since last week! Freezing for a good number of minutes and then restarting. Happening on all my roku sticks using xfinity streaming app. Working better on my lap top. And no freezing on my tv when accessing Newsmax with the cable box. Roku stick software is up to date, Modem restarted. Xfinity Streaming app deleted and reinstalled. Problem continues. I only watch Newsmax and Fox News on my kitchen roku and Fox News has not experienced this problem. I also turned off the number of wireless devices in the home (tablets/phones) thinking it was too much demand on my internet speed. NO change after trying that.
(edited)
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Brocktoon
Contributor
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142 Messages
1 month ago
It may also be affecting a few other channels. On 2/19, besides Newsmax, I also started encountering buffering and freezing issues with FXX on my Roku devices. So far I have not found any other channels having problems, but I haven't checked every channel. At least on my Rokus, I found that if I exit back to the Roku home screen what watching the problem channel, re select the Xfinity Stream App, then select to watch the channel again, the buffering issue is usually fixed until the next time I open the stream app. Sometimes I have to close and reopen a few times for it to work, but it usually sticks until I close out the app.
This was not an issue until around 2/19, there were no app updates, and it only appears to affect a few channels.
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user_baf500
Visitor
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3 Messages
1 month ago
I am having the same issue. All other channels work fine except Newsmax.
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user_leeik2
7 Messages
1 month ago
someone on the Roku community forum where this is being discussed got thru to a human at Xfinity and posted the following a little while ago: "
Hi, Well I finally got through to a real person / tech at Xfinity. He opened a ticket with the group that handles the inbound data streams with all the data previously discussed on this site. Will keep you posted."
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user_tzm407
1 Message
1 month ago
We are experiencing the same problem with Newsmax on Xfinity. Same app on Samsung phones work just fine but on Roku TCL 55" TV it will freeze and since Newsmax app does not allow you to register Xfinity I can't use Newsmax app on TV.
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user_carx0z
1 Message
1 month ago
We are having the exact same issue. We find it puzzling that it only happens with this one station.
3
0
user_4nrcm1
1 Message
1 month ago
I have experienced exact issues described, same timeframe. Please, Xfinity and Roku, resolve this problem. It's maddening.
I've done all the shutdown steps, then called technical support. Definitely an issue affecting Newsmax viewers that must get a fix. Started 5 days ago and is ongoing.
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Nicole0f3
New Poster
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1 Message
1 month ago
So we're at least a week in and still no resolve? This is frustrating.
3
user_yya0za
2 Messages
1 month ago
This is very frustrating. My husband with Parkinson’s watches Newsmax most of the day. Thank you for your comments. I now know it’s not just us. Turned Newsmax on this morning, hoping it was fixed. Nope!
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XfinityAirelle
Official Employee
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2.5K Messages
1 month ago
user_fas4d8
We totally get how frustrating this has been, especially since you've already done everything possible on your end to troubleshoot. With the issue only happening on Newsmax and only on your Roku devices, while working fine on your desktop and iPhone, it does seem like something specific to how the Xfinity Stream app is interacting with Roku.
Since other channels in your package are working fine, and your internet signal has been checked, here are a few things to try that might help:
- Check for Roku Software Updates – Go to Settings > System > Software update and make sure your Roku devices are running the latest version.
- Adjust Video Quality Settings – If available in the Xfinity Stream app, lowering the resolution may help reduce freezing.
- Switch WiFi Bands – If your Roku devices are on the 2.4GHz band, try connecting them to the 5GHz network instead for a more stable stream.
- Use a Direct Ethernet Connection (if possible) – If your Roku Stick isn’t an option for this, testing with an Ethernet adapter on the Roku 4K Express could help rule out any network inconsistencies.
- Try a Different Streaming Device (Fire Stick, Smart TV, etc.) – Since Apple TV is buffering but not freezing, testing another device could confirm if this is a Roku-specific issue.
We know how important this channel is to you, and we appreciate you sticking with us while we work through this. Let us know if any of these steps make a difference!
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dmtrashman
Regular Visitor
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3 Messages
1 month ago
I have been experiencing the identical issues with Newsmax freezing. We have three (3) Roku devices connected in various rooms, one (1) Roku Smart TV connected, and one (1) X1 Wireless TV Box connected on our main TV. The freezing used to occur occasionally, but not bad on all of the Roku devices, including the Roku Smart TV. For the past one (1) week or so, Newsmax is freezing on ALL Roku Streaming TV's. They are freezing on a regular basis to the degree I switch to another station. NO OTHER channels, only Newsmax is freezing through the Xfinity Streaming app on Roku. The irony of this is that Newsmax does not freeze at all through our X1 Wireless TV Box. Newsmax is one of my favorite channels, and this is becoming very frustrating with this problem continuing this length of time. This issue needs to be corrected! I wonder how many Xfinity customers are doing homework on other Providers?
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rdm15636
Visitor
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4 Messages
1 month ago
I have been experiencing the Newsmax freezing issue using Xfinity streaming app for about a week now. I have an ethernet cable connecting the modem to a Roku Ultra streaming device. It is the only channel that freezes, all other channels on the Xfinity app function fine and all other apps on the Roku device function fine. I have tried restarting the modem and Roku, removed the Xfinity app and reloaded it, tried Wifi in lieu of ethernet, etc.etc. Nothing works!!!
However there is something of note that may be a clue to someone.....I have an ONN tv, which has the built-in Roku operating system. When using the Xfinity app to stream Newsmax it works perfectly FINE. Does this help for troubleshooting or does it add to the confusion?
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Crazeebird
Regular Visitor
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4 Messages
1 month ago
It has nothing to do with Roku... it's happening on Fire TV as well. It's also happening on the X1 platform.
The difference is... on the X1 platform you simply hear a blip in the sound... with the Xfinity Stream App if buffers and then doesn't let you continue watching if you're watching the recorded version.
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Crazeebird
Regular Visitor
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4 Messages
1 month ago
It has nothing to do with Roku... it's happening on the X1 Platform.
The difference is, if you're watching on the X1 Platform, live or DVR, the audio just blips and keeps on going.
If you're watching using the Xfinity Streaming App, it buffers and crashes. For a recording, if you have the patience, you can keep restarting the recording and quickly fast forward until it blips again... that gets really old
It's the X1 Platform though... NOT Roku... NOT Fire TV... and not even the streaming app (other than it crashes on the app)
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