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Packet Choke Issues
posted in Q/A Help
1
#1
0 Frags +

For the last three or so weeks I've been plagued with really awful varying choke in both CS:GO and TF2 and I have no idea how to fix it.

This video basically describes what my net graph looks like exactly whenever I play TF2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4yW8R5hA1k

Edited to include my own video.

My net settings are just comanglia's good settings.

cl_cmdrate 66
cl_interp 0
cl_interp_ratio 1
cl_lagcompensation 1
cl_pred_optimize 2
cl_smooth 0
cl_smoothtime 0.01
cl_updaterate 66
rate 60000

I've contacted my ISP about this problem twice and they've told me everything appears to be fine or to...turn my pc on and off again which is no help whatsoever.

I've also hard and soft reset my router, tested multiple ethernet cords on it and tried different rates and interp values. Nothing seems to fix this.

This is really messing with my ability to play the game because I'll literally have shots not register and feel like I'm getting sucked into projectiles, so can someone please offer some suggestions that I might not have tried? I'd really appreciate it.

For the last three or so weeks I've been plagued with really awful varying choke in both CS:GO and TF2 and I have no idea how to fix it.

This video basically describes what my net graph looks like exactly whenever I play TF2.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4yW8R5hA1k[/youtube]

Edited to include my own video.

My net settings are just comanglia's good settings.

cl_cmdrate 66
cl_interp 0
cl_interp_ratio 1
cl_lagcompensation 1
cl_pred_optimize 2
cl_smooth 0
cl_smoothtime 0.01
cl_updaterate 66
rate 60000

I've contacted my ISP about this problem twice and they've told me everything appears to be fine or to...turn my pc on and off again which is no help whatsoever.

I've also hard and soft reset my router, tested multiple ethernet cords on it and tried different rates and interp values. Nothing seems to fix this.

This is really messing with my ability to play the game because I'll literally have shots not register and feel like I'm getting sucked into projectiles, so can someone please offer some suggestions that I might not have tried? I'd really appreciate it.
2
#2
2 Frags +

isn't your router overheating?

isn't your router overheating?
3
#3
0 Frags +
Rockzisn't your router overheating?

Not to my knowledge. Never seems to get hot enough for me to be concerned whenever I feel the side of it.

[quote=Rockz]isn't your router overheating?[/quote]
Not to my knowledge. Never seems to get hot enough for me to be concerned whenever I feel the side of it.
4
#4
2 Frags +

Take a speedtest, screenshot and post the result.Find what download/upload speeds you're paying for and what speeds you're actually getting.

Show Content
I kinda doubt internet speed is the problem here unless yours is abysmally low, but you should still complain to your ISP if you're not getting a speed at least close to what you you're paying for.

When watching streams, do you get a similar issue where the stream will stop to buffer for seconds at a time? In other words, does your internet time out when you're not playing TF2/CS:GO or only when you're playing those games?

[url=http://beta.speedtest.net/]Take a speedtest[/url], screenshot and post the result.Find what download/upload speeds you're paying for and what speeds you're actually getting.

[spoiler]I kinda doubt internet speed is the problem here unless yours is abysmally low, but you should still complain to your ISP if you're not getting a speed at least close to what you you're paying for.[/spoiler]

When watching streams, do you get a similar issue where the stream will stop to buffer for seconds at a time? In other words, does your internet time out when you're not playing TF2/CS:GO or only when you're playing those games?
5
#5
0 Frags +
SnackTake a speedtest, screenshot and post the result.Find what download/upload speeds you're paying for and what speeds you're actually getting.
Show Content
I kinda doubt internet speed is the problem here unless yours is abysmally low, but you should still complain to your ISP if you're not getting a speed at least close to what you you're paying for.

When watching streams, do you get a similar issue where the stream will stop to buffer for seconds at a time? In other words, does your internet time out when you're not playing TF2/CS:GO or only when you're playing those games?

http://imgur.com/a/oDz9J

The rate my family pays for is the same as the speed I'm getting, so internet speed isn't the culprit here.
Also no, when I watch streams or videos they don't really ever buffer, even when I'm in a server and tabbed out for something. This is literally just a game problem. Internet otherwise is fine.

[quote=Snack][url=http://beta.speedtest.net/]Take a speedtest[/url], screenshot and post the result.Find what download/upload speeds you're paying for and what speeds you're actually getting.

[spoiler]I kinda doubt internet speed is the problem here unless yours is abysmally low, but you should still complain to your ISP if you're not getting a speed at least close to what you you're paying for.[/spoiler]

When watching streams, do you get a similar issue where the stream will stop to buffer for seconds at a time? In other words, does your internet time out when you're not playing TF2/CS:GO or only when you're playing those games?[/quote]
[img]http://imgur.com/a/oDz9J[/img]

The rate my family pays for is the same as the speed I'm getting, so internet speed isn't the culprit here.
Also no, when I watch streams or videos they don't really ever buffer, even when I'm in a server and tabbed out for something. This is literally just a game problem. Internet otherwise is fine.
6
#6
1 Frags +

I assume your ping is fine and you're only worried about choke specifically? If it's *only* choke and not you using wifi and having intermitten lag as a result of radio signals interfering with your internet connection then you may wanna look at this:

http://www.nextlevelgamer.com/counter-strike/reducing-choke-optimize-your-network-settings

I assume your ping is fine and you're only worried about choke specifically? If it's *only* choke and not you using wifi and having intermitten lag as a result of radio signals interfering with your internet connection then you may wanna look at this:

http://www.nextlevelgamer.com/counter-strike/reducing-choke-optimize-your-network-settings
7
#7
2 Frags +

if you're on wifi, use wired. could be a low quality isp router too

do you hear stutters in mumble or any other program during these spikes or is it just tf2?

SnackWhen watching streams, do you get a similar issue where the stream will stop to buffer for seconds at a time? In other words, does your internet time out when you're not playing TF2/CS:GO or only when you're playing those games?

dont use streams to test this, since there's buffers client side which could prevent this, and buffering can happen due to twitch's servers

if you're on wifi, use wired. could be a low quality isp router too

do you hear stutters in mumble or any other program during these spikes or is it just tf2?

[quote=Snack]When watching streams, do you get a similar issue where the stream will stop to buffer for seconds at a time? In other words, does your internet time out when you're not playing TF2/CS:GO or only when you're playing those games?[/quote]

dont use streams to test this, since there's buffers client side which could prevent this, and buffering can happen due to twitch's servers
8
#8
0 Frags +
gemmif you're on wifi, use wired. could be a low quality isp router too

do you hear stutters in mumble or any other program during these spikes or is it just tf2?
SnackWhen watching streams, do you get a similar issue where the stream will stop to buffer for seconds at a time? In other words, does your internet time out when you're not playing TF2/CS:GO or only when you're playing those games?
dont use streams to test this, since there's buffers client side which could prevent this, and buffering can happen due to twitch's servers

I'm on ethernet, not wifi, and it's only tf2/csgo. I can talk in discord and mumble just fine even while playing.

[quote=gemm]if you're on wifi, use wired. could be a low quality isp router too

do you hear stutters in mumble or any other program during these spikes or is it just tf2?

[quote=Snack]When watching streams, do you get a similar issue where the stream will stop to buffer for seconds at a time? In other words, does your internet time out when you're not playing TF2/CS:GO or only when you're playing those games?[/quote]

dont use streams to test this, since there's buffers client side which could prevent this, and buffering can happen due to twitch's servers[/quote]
I'm on ethernet, not wifi, and it's only tf2/csgo. I can talk in discord and mumble just fine even while playing.
9
#9
5 Frags +

put butter on your wifi card and your router antennas, it makes it smoother

put butter on your wifi card and your router antennas, it makes it smoother
10
#10
2 Frags +

have you tried changing dns servers?

have you tried changing dns servers?
11
#11
1 Frags +

Added you on Steam to possibly help.

Added you on Steam to possibly help.
12
#12
0 Frags +
whave you tried changing dns servers?

Ye, changed to googles public ones and saw no improvement.

[quote=w]have you tried changing dns servers?[/quote]
Ye, changed to googles public ones and saw no improvement.
13
#13
0 Frags +

i also have some more suggestions. since the problem is ingame maybe it could be a firewall thing? or possibly windows updates

the OS is known for doing shit in the background while taking up bandwidth. at least for me a clean OS reinstall did the trick when i had choke problems

i also have some more suggestions. since the problem is ingame maybe it could be a firewall thing? or possibly windows updates

the OS is known for doing shit in the background while taking up bandwidth. at least for me a clean OS reinstall did the trick when i had choke problems
14
#14
0 Frags +

Make sure you disable background tasks and check if windows or the store isnt downloading some useless shit in the background

Make sure you disable background tasks and check if windows or the store isnt downloading some useless shit in the background
15
#15
1 Frags +

Not really much of a situation change however, after doing a WinMTR test I've obtained a better idea of what the problem is (I think).

Here's the pastebin.
I let it run for half an hour.

Basically one of my server hops constantly spikes to stupidly high numbers every few seconds.

This is the IP and line in question.

Show Content
24.164.100.177 - 1 | 2591 | 2589 | 10 | 85 | 687 | 248 |

It's an IP related to my service provider from what I can gather, so I assume my best bet would be to contact them again and have them look into changing my routing, possibly (I'm not sure).

I'm not even completely sure if this could be causing my choke problems though, I'd like to at least know if I'm on the right track.

Not really much of a situation change however, after doing a WinMTR test I've obtained a better idea of what the problem is (I think).

[url=https://pastebin.com/DCvXSBAw]Here's the pastebin.[/url]
I let it run for half an hour.

Basically one of my server hops constantly spikes to stupidly high numbers every few seconds.

This is the IP and line in question.
[spoiler] 24.164.100.177 - 1 | 2591 | 2589 | 10 | 85 | 687 | 248 |[/spoiler]

It's an IP related to my service provider from what I can gather, so I assume my best bet would be to contact them again and have them look into changing my routing, possibly (I'm not sure).

I'm not even completely sure if this could be causing my choke problems though, I'd like to at least know if I'm on the right track.
16
#16
2 Frags +

Maybe you could try my config? http://www.teamfortress.tv/42867/mastercomfig-fps-customization-config

It has some fixes for choke.

But if it really is the routing issue, I don't think I can help you there. Good luck with your ISP!

Maybe you could try my config? http://www.teamfortress.tv/42867/mastercomfig-fps-customization-config

It has some fixes for choke.

But if it really is the routing issue, I don't think I can help you there. Good luck with your ISP!
17
#17
3 Frags +

bumping this since i'm still having packet choke issues

I'm no longer getting packet choke in any other source game, just TF2.

CSGO as well as HL2 deathmatch give me absolutely no packet choke in any servers, even with my internet settings being virtually identical between games.

I get spikes whenever I get near other people that are playing on the enemy team; I never get spikes in custom servers or servers with bots.

I've come to the conclusion that this is a tf2 specific problem, as I've literally tried my grandparents connection two cities away with my PC, and I still receive packet choke, but I'm honestly stumped.

I've reinstalled my configs, as well as used every single other public config I could find, including mastercomms, and settings and have even run on default settings, but the choke never disappears. At the very least, the problem doesn't actually appear to be related to my ISP, but I'm still clueless as to what could be causing this issue for literally only TF2 and nothing else.

Are there steam settings that can fuck with tf2's network settings externally?

bumping this since i'm still having packet choke issues

I'm no longer getting packet choke in any other source game, just TF2.

CSGO as well as HL2 deathmatch give me absolutely no packet choke in any servers, even with my internet settings being virtually identical between games.

I get spikes whenever I get near other people that are playing on the enemy team; I never get spikes in custom servers or servers with bots.

I've come to the conclusion that this is a tf2 specific problem, as I've literally tried my grandparents connection two cities away with my PC, and I still receive packet choke, but I'm honestly stumped.

I've reinstalled my configs, as well as used every single other public config I could find, including mastercomms, and settings and have even run on default settings, but the choke never disappears. At the very least, the problem doesn't actually appear to be related to my ISP, but I'm still clueless as to what could be causing this issue for literally only TF2 and nothing else.

Are there steam settings that can fuck with tf2's network settings externally?
18
#18
5 Frags +

bump, please help me im desperate as fuck

bump, please help me im desperate as fuck
19
#19
serveme.tf
2 Frags +

Your WinMTR shows two routers (192.168.1.1 and 192.168.0.1). Not likely to be the cause here, but undesirable. There's at least 1 ping spike to the 192.168.0.1 router, which is odd if it's on the local network.

I've not seen you mention reinstalling TF2 (and starting completely stock first, no fancy configs) and reinstalling Windows, try those, in that order.

I see you've tried using your PC somewhere else and getting the same problem, but still, can you describe your network setup? Is it a true ethernet connection or something like a powerline adapter? Because those are almost as unreliable as wifi for gaming. What router(s) are you using? How are you connected to these routers exactly?
What kind of network adapter do you use in your PC?

Judging from your video, something happens causing you to receive less packets (see "in" packets/sec drop below 66 when it lags), but at the same time you appear to receive more data (see the "in" k/sec). This is counter-intuitive, but could make sense if these packets arrive out of order or are somehow corrupted / unusable.

Your WinMTR shows two routers (192.168.1.1 and 192.168.0.1). Not likely to be the cause here, but undesirable. There's at least 1 ping spike to the 192.168.0.1 router, which is odd if it's on the local network.

I've not seen you mention reinstalling TF2 (and starting completely stock first, no fancy configs) and reinstalling Windows, try those, in that order.

I see you've tried using your PC somewhere else and getting the same problem, but still, can you describe your network setup? Is it a true ethernet connection or something like a powerline adapter? Because those are almost as unreliable as wifi for gaming. What router(s) are you using? How are you connected to these routers exactly?
What kind of network adapter do you use in your PC?

Judging from your video, something happens causing you to receive less packets (see "in" packets/sec drop below 66 when it lags), but at the same time you appear to receive more data (see the "in" k/sec). This is counter-intuitive, but could make sense if these packets arrive out of order or are somehow corrupted / unusable.
20
#20
1 Frags +
ArieYour WinMTR shows two routers (192.168.1.1 and 192.168.0.1). Not likely to be the cause here, but undesirable. There's at least 1 ping spike to the 192.168.0.1 router, which is odd if it's on the local network.

That's been fixed, I had a router and router/modem but I removed the extra router. After doing this I noticed no improvement though.

ArieI've not seen you mention reinstalling TF2 (and starting completely stock first, no fancy configs) and reinstalling Windows, try those, in that order.

I've completely reinstalled both TF2 as well as steam and played on stock settings without a config and I still receive packet choke when I pull up net graph. I haven't completely reinstalled windows yet though, and it's something I'd honestly like to avoid if I can help it. I don't think reinstalling my OS is the solution, because this is an issue that happens on both PCs that I own, one of which I haven't touched in over a year, which was a long time before this problem even started occurring.

ArieI see you've tried using your PC somewhere else and getting the same problem, but still, can you describe your network setup? Is it a true ethernet connection or something like a powerline adapter? Because those are almost as unreliable as wifi for gaming. What router(s) are you using? How are you connected to these routers exactly?
What kind of network adapter do you use in your PC?

It's definitely a true ethernet connection setup. I'm not on wifi and I'm not connected via a powerline adapter either. My current router/modem is the ubee DVW32CB which spectrum provided for us. As for my network adapter, I've got no idea, although I don't really think it matters since two completely different PCs with entirely different motherboards are experiencing the same issue whenever I have tf2 running.

ArieJudging from your video, something happens causing you to receive less packets (see "in" packets/sec drop below 66 when it lags), but at the same time you appear to receive more data (see the "in" k/sec). This is counter-intuitive, but could make sense if these packets arrive out of order or are somehow corrupted / unusable.

I'm sorry that I perhaps wasn't quite clear enough with my original post, but that video not mine, however I do experience the same lag, the only difference being that I have my lerp set to 15.2 instead of 33.0 like the guy in the video does (although if I were to set it to 33 myself I'd still be having the same issue.)

If this is indeed the case and I'm receiving packets that are out of order or corrupted, what can I do?

I still cannot stress enough that this problem only happens with TF2 now. Every other source game is fine. I receive no lag in Gmod/CSGO/HL2deathmatch, and no lag in non source games like quake either.

[quote=Arie]Your WinMTR shows two routers (192.168.1.1 and 192.168.0.1). Not likely to be the cause here, but undesirable. There's at least 1 ping spike to the 192.168.0.1 router, which is odd if it's on the local network.
[/quote]
That's been fixed, I had a router and router/modem but I removed the extra router. After doing this I noticed no improvement though.

[quote=Arie]
I've not seen you mention reinstalling TF2 (and starting completely stock first, no fancy configs) and reinstalling Windows, try those, in that order.[/quote]

I've completely reinstalled both TF2 as well as steam and played on stock settings without a config and I still receive packet choke when I pull up net graph. I haven't completely reinstalled windows yet though, and it's something I'd honestly like to avoid if I can help it. I don't think reinstalling my OS is the solution, because this is an issue that happens on both PCs that I own, one of which I haven't touched in over a year, which was a long time before this problem even started occurring.

[quote=Arie]
I see you've tried using your PC somewhere else and getting the same problem, but still, can you describe your network setup? Is it a true ethernet connection or something like a powerline adapter? Because those are almost as unreliable as wifi for gaming. What router(s) are you using? How are you connected to these routers exactly?
What kind of network adapter do you use in your PC?[/quote]
It's definitely a true ethernet connection setup. I'm not on wifi and I'm not connected via a powerline adapter either. My current router/modem is the ubee DVW32CB which spectrum provided for us. As for my network adapter, I've got no idea, although I don't really think it matters since two completely different PCs with entirely different motherboards are experiencing the same issue whenever I have tf2 running.

[quote=Arie]
Judging from your video, something happens causing you to receive less packets (see "in" packets/sec drop below 66 when it lags), but at the same time you appear to receive more data (see the "in" k/sec). This is counter-intuitive, but could make sense if these packets arrive out of order or are somehow corrupted / unusable.[/quote]
I'm sorry that I perhaps wasn't quite clear enough with my original post, but that video not mine, however I do experience the same lag, the only difference being that I have my lerp set to 15.2 instead of 33.0 like the guy in the video does (although if I were to set it to 33 myself I'd still be having the same issue.)

If this is indeed the case and I'm receiving packets that are out of order or corrupted, what can I do?

I still cannot stress enough that this problem only happens with TF2 now. Every other source game is fine. I receive no lag in Gmod/CSGO/HL2deathmatch, and no lag in non source games like quake either.
21
#21
serveme.tf
2 Frags +
AptI'm sorry that I perhaps wasn't quite clear enough with my original post, but that video not mine, however I do experience the same lag, the only difference being that I have my lerp set to 15.2 instead of 33.0 like the guy in the video does (although if I were to set it to 33 myself I'd still be having the same issue.)

If this is indeed the case and I'm receiving packets that are out of order or corrupted, what can I do?

Crap, missed that. Can you record your own vid with net_graph 5?

[quote=Apt]
I'm sorry that I perhaps wasn't quite clear enough with my original post, but that video not mine, however I do experience the same lag, the only difference being that I have my lerp set to 15.2 instead of 33.0 like the guy in the video does (although if I were to set it to 33 myself I'd still be having the same issue.)

If this is indeed the case and I'm receiving packets that are out of order or corrupted, what can I do?
[/quote]

Crap, missed that. Can you record your own vid with net_graph 5?
22
#22
2 Frags +
ArieCrap, missed that. Can you record your own vid with net_graph 5?

I don't know how useful this will be but here you go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4yW8R5hA1k

I didn't record for very long, but you can definitely see the spikes. They're pretty random in interval though it tends to spike when I get near a lot of people on the opposite team, though I didn't really show much of it in the video.

[quote=Arie]
Crap, missed that. Can you record your own vid with net_graph 5?[/quote]
I don't know how useful this will be but here you go.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4yW8R5hA1k[/youtube]

I didn't record for very long, but you can definitely see the spikes. They're pretty random in interval though it tends to spike when I get near a lot of people on the opposite team, though I didn't really show much of it in the video.
23
#23
2 Frags +

Bump, I don't particularly have any fixes for it but I've been experiencing a very similar issue, only on my end the game decides to skip for 1-3 seconds when i see enemy gamers

Bump, I don't particularly have any fixes for it but I've been experiencing a very similar issue, only on my end the game decides to skip for 1-3 seconds when i see enemy gamers
24
#24
1 Frags +

self bump again

self bump again
25
#25
2 Frags +

bumping with an update, sorta

completely removed all traces of steam on my pc including hidden folders and registry files
created a new account and reinstalled tf2 with absolutely no cloud settings to draw from and the choke is still there

the only thing i can think of now is updating my OS. has anyone else had a problem like this that was solved when they upgraded from windows 7 or 8 to 10?

bumping with an update, sorta

completely removed all traces of steam on my pc including hidden folders and registry files
created a new account and reinstalled tf2 with absolutely no cloud settings to draw from and the choke is still there

the only thing i can think of now is updating my OS. has anyone else had a problem like this that was solved when they upgraded from windows 7 or 8 to 10?
26
#26
2 Frags +

Have you checked you power management settings? Open device manager, go to the properties for your Network Adapter, make sure all power management settings are turned off. Also, check to see if your game(s) is using cloud storage or any of its features.

Have you checked you power management settings? Open device manager, go to the properties for your Network Adapter, make sure all power management settings are turned off. Also, check to see if your game(s) is using cloud storage or any of its features.
27
#27
1 Frags +
SketchyHave you checked you power management settings? Open device manager, go to the properties for your Network Adapter, make sure all power management settings are turned off. Also, check to see if your game(s) is using cloud storage or any of its features.

Just made sure to turn off the power management settings off and I got no change, also I have things set up so that my game doesn't use cloud storage.

[quote=Sketchy]Have you checked you power management settings? Open device manager, go to the properties for your Network Adapter, make sure all power management settings are turned off. Also, check to see if your game(s) is using cloud storage or any of its features.[/quote]
Just made sure to turn off the power management settings off and I got no change, also I have things set up so that my game doesn't use cloud storage.
28
#28
1 Frags +

bump i also have this problem

bump i also have this problem
29
#29
2 Frags +

try putting these commands in your config

net_maxcleartime 0.045
net_splitpacket_maxrate 60000

try putting these commands in your config

net_maxcleartime 0.045
net_splitpacket_maxrate 60000
30
#30
1 Frags +
Sketchytry putting these commands in your config

net_maxcleartime 0.045
net_splitpacket_maxrate 60000

just tried this, no luck unfortunately, seemed to make no difference

[quote=Sketchy]try putting these commands in your config

net_maxcleartime 0.045
net_splitpacket_maxrate 60000[/quote]
just tried this, no luck unfortunately, seemed to make no difference
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