Listeners hear buffering or broken stream audio

Help listeners hear a stable SHOUTcast stream without repeated pauses.

Reviewed 9 October 2026 · Follow the instructions supplied with your own rental.

Before you start

Ask two listeners to compare the same supplied URL at the same time. Watch the encoder status and note whether the problem also occurs outside Second Life.

Steps

Ask another listener whether they hear the same interruptions at the same time.
Test the listening URL supplied with your rental in a player outside Second Life. Compare it with parcel playback.
If only one listener is affected, try another device or connection and reduce competing network activity while testing.
If the broadcaster also disconnects, use the broadcast-disconnection guide. If audio is steady outside Second Life, recheck the parcel Music URL and viewer’s music playback settings.
Send TJ Lusch the times, affected listeners, and your test results in a private Second Life message.

Check it worked

Playback is steady for the compared listeners and the encoder stays connected. Keep a note of the device, player and connection used for the successful comparison.

If it does not work

One listener only: compare their device, player and connection.
Encoder disconnects: use the broadcast-disconnection guide.
Only parcel playback breaks: compare the parcel URL and viewer controls.
Several external players break: send the matching times and encoder observations to TJ.

Notes and references

Good to know: Leave the encoder’s plan settings unchanged while comparing tests. Ask TJ Lusch before changing settings you are unsure about.

Further reading: Second Life: Streaming music troubleshooting