Hulu's data-saving feature may be downgrading your video quality; here's how to stop it
Hulu subscribers experiencing poor picture quality might have the Data Saver setting enabled by default, which can be turned off for better resolution.
Many Hulu users are unaware that their streaming quality might be lower than possible because the platform automatically downgrades video to save data. This feature, called "Data Saver," is enabled by default on mobile apps, meaning even with a good internet connection, viewers may not see the highest available resolution.
Hulu offers several video quality options: standard definition, 720p, 1080p, 4K Ultra HD, and 60fps. However, actual quality depends on the device, content, and available bandwidth. For example, Hulu's website only supports SD or 720p, while TVs and gaming consoles can achieve higher resolutions. For live broadcasts, 1080p is only available on select devices like Apple TV 4, Chromecast, and some Samsung TV models.
To improve picture quality, Hulu recommends using the app instead of a browser, watching on a TV, and choosing higher-resolution content. Internet speed should be at least 3 Mbps, and 16 Mbps for 4K streaming. Additionally, users can change settings: in the mobile app, go to Settings > Cellular Data Usage and select "Best Available." In a web browser, click the gear icon during playback and choose the desired quality under the Quality tab. On TVs, no such adjustment is possible as the system automatically picks the best available quality.
It's worth noting that bandwidth throttling is common among streaming services, but it has also led to lawsuits – in 2020, Hulu was sued for artificially slowing web streams to promote app usage.
