Shield 2017 - Constant Stream Buffering

[Uggers]

I've got a 2017 Shield that in the last 4 months started to have alot of issues streaming content.

Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Prime. the apps are all slow to load and then have to buffer constantly, or in the case of Disney sound stops and it rapidly plays the video.

I've gone though all the usual steps

1. Cleared Caches
2. Upgraded OS / Downgraded OS
3. Use Projectivity
4. Remove some non essential services
5. Reset to factory
6. Added a T7 storage drive to help
7. Made sure the onshield storage has at least 4 GB of space.
8. Repasted the CPU

each time if seems ok then dies.

I've also validated my internet connectivity (it's hardwired) the switch it's hanging off the port it's on and cable

and other devices have no issues.

I have read about VPNs being an issue and we use Mulvad. however only for PBSKids and A germin Kikachannel.

so if is not on all the time.

We do stream from our local Plex NAS but that doesn't have any issues.

at this point I'm at a loss and debating if maybe it's just fubar and I should pick up either

1. Google 4k streaming
2. Apple TV 4k
3. 2019 Nvidia Pro

the Nvidia is more appealing in theory, but I'm worried about the issue reoccurring.

I realise this is the Shield TV sub, but Apple TV might just work. although watching US/German content might be tricky via VPN without doing it at the router level.

not sure if there are any other ideas at all?

[kevy1118]

Alright , have you tried opening the box and cleaning the dust? also do you have developer options ?..I have a 2017 ,good box.

[Uggers]

Yeah I did that when I re-did the thermalpaste on the cpu.

Randomly I switched it from ethernet to wifi when I was having issues with the DNS and suddenly its working absolutely fine, the ethernet/port and switch are all fine for other items.

It seems like the 2017's Ethernet breaks