Poor connectivity. Sigh.

[Dic Tator]

Me and my girlfriend have made a habit of playing some AoWIII during the weekends, but for the past three weeks I've been stuck with poor connectivty. I didn't play much online prior to that, but the first few times we played we didn't have any problems.

Until three weeks ago. Poor connectivty. That's strange, I thought, since I have a good connection everywhere else. I turned off my VPN and then it worked fine, after which I've never even activated the VPN prior to playing. But that turned out to be a temporary fix. Two weeks ago we both had poor connectivty and couldn't play at all, but her error has fixed itself since then.

Now, I've googled the problem many times but never found a solution. I have a 100/100 Mbit connection, a good router (though it doesn't work even if I connect directly to the modem), UPnP is enabled and ports are manually forwarded, and I haven't made any changes to the computer that should've caused this kind of problem. The game is allowed through the firewall so... I'm at a loss.

Any suggestions on what I might've missed?

[Dic Tator]

Originally posted by Arnout:

Best to choose one just of these options. I would recommend disabling UPnP and manually forward your ports (using this guide[aow.triumph.net]) on your Router.

I tried both, one disabled, both disabled, none disabled, and it's always the same result.

Originally posted by Arnout:

Please also note that playing Age of Wonders III multiplayer requires that all people that join one session have an open connection. One player with a poor connection is allowed. However if you join a Multiplayer session after this player has joined, you’ll have poor connection as well. This could explain your poor connection as well.

It's not so much a problem with joining - I can as long as the other has a good connection. I just end up with a poor connection as soon as I click "Internet" in the multiplayer tab.

Ah, I do appreciate you trying to help me though! I've just done everything I can think of. But since I don't play a whole lot of online games I haven't run into many problems such as these, so I'll admit I need help when I run into snags. I've tried putting it in the DMZ, disabling my anti-virus and putting it into Gaming Mode, tried disabling the firewall, tried connecting directly to the modem instead of through the router, opening ports, looked through the list of programs that can cause problems with steam... I'm not sure where to go from here. I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but my router is an ASUS RT-N56U.

I'm going to call my ISP and ask again, just in case.

[Dic Tator]

Update; Called my ISP again and they swear they haven't done anything that should case this type of problem.

[Pizlenut]

Originally posted by Ursus:

Update; Called my ISP again and they swear they haven't done anything that should case this type of problem.

usually ISPs have no idea what is going on enough to answer a question like that, but I also kind of doubt they are messing with ports.

If you put the computer in the DMZ, and you're sure the IP's match the right computer, and you are sure the router is working correctly, then its not your router or any setting you can put in it. Keep in mind, however, that if you have assigned ports to another computer, they are not included in the DMZ blanket.
Its most likely being blocked by your computer. Either the OS or some security program.
You only need complicated router configurations if you arent using a dmz which passes straight through your router and to the designated host. Its commonly used for troubleshooting and/or public servers/hosts (for anything, not specifically this game)

If you're using windows 10 (I think you said you were), and that is when your problem started, id assume windows 10 is being over protective. I don't use 10 myself, so I don't know, but from what ive seen of it (and 8) is that they are very over protective, to the point of being a complete pain in the ass.

This all also assumes you cant connect at all, and its not just slow. If its slow and the netcode is peer to peer then its either you or your peer, or the route between you, that is slow.
peer to peer is a direct connection. There is no AoW server in the middle, just you and the other players.

assuming you're getting blocked, your best bet is to look up game hosting problems with windows 10, and stop trying to solve it for AoW specifically because while you're having the problem occur in AoW, its not a AoW problem because the netcode works "normally" (or lots of people would have a problem like yours)

Troubleshooting is about isolation or elimination of possible problems, starting with the easiest most likely things first.
DMZ router = you eliminate router as possible problem UNLESS router is damaged
"Game works normally" for most people = you have the problem (isolated to you and your equipment)
Connection = works normally, has no issues, and is currently owrking when you try to connect but your connection is blocked? Not likely your ISP. If its slow? Likely them or your route. Not much you can do about this problem on your end.
Security software = properly configured, NOT disabled. Only uninstalled security software if you think its causing a problem, simply disabling it may not work. Windows firewall = disabled (troubleshooting).
If that is all good... then

Updated to Windows 10, then problem starts = good place to start
Second is I would try a new network interface card. If it works, you had a bad card (can happen).
Third, if it bothers you enough, and you can't find the answer, the nuclear option is wiping windows out and starting over with defaults and no extra security installed. Granted... if defaults for windows 10 is what is stopping you, then wiping windows 10 to defaults won't do you any good, but if you can be sure the network card is working correctly, then if windows 10 doesn't work with defaults... there is your problem.

Annnnyway... troubleshooting is also best guesses, so... good luck :)

[Dic Tator]

It was Mollari who had win 10 actually, I'm running win 8. But I did a nuke yesterday just to remove any doubts, and I'm still having the troubles. Now, if it weren't for the fact that I had the same problems hooked up directly to the modem, I'd assume it was a router problem... I just don't understand why it happened so suddenly. Destiny on the PS4 complained about NAT3, but I could play just fine anyway, same with Helldivers. Still, at least I've reduced it to a problem on my end. I'll post an update if I find a solution in case it helps anyone else.

[Cappo]

Originally posted by Mollari:

Thanks for the response Sikbok :) But i was playing this game with friends easily since i bought it, (275hrs on record, nearly all mp) and hosting too. Then all of a sudden i was unable to host a mp game and i was the one that always hosted. I just figured that something happened in the fall/late summer that changed in the game? My net plan and everything. Have you heard of windows 10 problems with hosting mp games? that is the only thing that has changed on my side.

I have the exact same problem.
used win 8 before and everything worked.
now with win 10, i stil havent found a good solution for my hosting problem.
makes it hard to like a game, so much and good (wich it really deserves), to play more.
Im afrtaid for the new game planetfall because of this very reason. Otherwise I'd already pre ordered it.

Leef trauwens in nederland. Is er een oplossing voor iemand die geen super digitale nerd is. Was met windows 8 uiteindelijk met veel moeite enkel een bepaalde optie aan en uit zetten maar dat werkt nu niet meer. de upnp

[Arnout]

@cappo

Win8 or 10 it shouldn't matter as far as I know. You can open Windows Security to make sure the game is allowed in the firewall and in advanced firewall setting allow port 14800 for incoming connections. Also make sure your Anti-Virus program doesn't interfere the game.

Do you have any recent router or network changes?

Planetfall will use a different and better system then AoW3 (which uses Peer to Peer networking only).

[NITROwick]

Originally posted by Arnout:

@Sgt. Steiner Sounds like a different problem then the opening post. If you can't register (e.g. create a Triumph Account) please send an email to [e-mail] describing how this exactly goes wrong.

reinstall game bro for fix all problem . GG