Fix for random ingame stuttering/lag when using Logitech Wheel/Pedals

[Soss]

So I've been playing Dirt Rally for a little while now, and have enjoyed it plenty when playing with my Xbox 360 controller. Though I wanted to take it a step futher. So naturally, I went out and bought a Logitech G920 Wheel/Pedal combo. Aside from a few issues tinkering around with the best configuration for my playstyle, everything worked great!

It wasnt until my 3rd or 4th race that I began to run into random stuttering making the game unplayable. I never had this issue with my controller, so naturally, I searched the net for a fix and could only see that people with other logitech wheels were having this issue. Nobody else could find a fix. If you're here reading this, you'll likely be having the same issue. Heres how to fix it.

So when you want to fix this, first you'll have to play a few races until you notice this stutter. Play as you normally would, and after a few lag spikes, Ctrl+Alt+Del and open up your task manager.

Once there, you'll want to go to processes, and click the "CPU" bar so that you can identify whats using most of your CPU at the time. You probably wont see anything out of the ordinary, likely just Dirt.exe and taskmgr.exe and whatever else you have active.

After you do that, you'll want to look at the bottom of the window and click "Show processes from all users". Here you'll probably notice a process called "svchost.exe" up near the top under the User: "SYSTEM". There are a few of these throughout the processes tab, but if you're experiencing this issue, it will be up top above the rest making it easier to identify. If the description wasnt obvious enough, its a host process for Windows. Basically something that windows relies on to keep everything running on your OS.

Once you identify this, you'll want to right click it, and click "Go to service(s)"

This will take you over to the services tab in task manager, highlighting "WinDefend".

(Alternatively, you could just click WinDefend right from the start, but if you didnt see svchost.exe eating up CPU usage in the last few steps, this likely will not solve your issue)

Once highlighted, you'll have to now open the start menu and search for "Windows defender". Open this up and you'll see some new harmful software!

In my case, it was a browser modifier under the name "suptab". This might be different for everyone. I can't confirm for sure. Naturally, you would think to open up malwarebytes and scan for it that way, however it appears to be hidden really well to the point malwarebytes cant pick it up or deems it safe. So your only other option is to use windows defender. Windows defender will give you a few options to get rid of it. Such as disinfect, quarantine, remove and allow. Disinfect and quarantine dont seem to do anything, as the software will come right back in a matter of seconds, and being potentially malicious software, you wouldnt want to allow it either. So your only other option would be to remove it.

Once you go back to dirt rally you will notice the change take place instantly as the stuttering and lag is gone.

So far, I havent had any problems after removing this piece of software. It might come back after a few more races, or a restart. I haven't really bothered to look futher into it. I can only assume based on the similarities in builds and issues that other people have had is that Logitech is pushing some kind of malware into their drivers. Due to the fact that this problem only seems to affect those of us using logitech software, this is the only logical conclusion I can come too.

I hope this helped anyone else experiencing this issue! Don't be angry at codemasters, as this seems to be out of their reach for fixes.

[EsP1]

Thanks HotSauce! I will try this.
I have major problems with this gliches and freezing. It started a couple of weeks ago, after smooth and perfect working for a year. This is a G29. And it only happens in Dirt Rally. works fine in Asetto f.ex.

[Jonny Sparta]

dam this fixed me, thanks man. that fps drop was driving me craazy! TYVM

now.. wtf was that browser modifier/SUPTAB crap and where could that have come from!?

[EsP1]

Sorry this was not the fix for me...
The Svhost was not high up there... and win defender was off.

I dont know if this is because of overload on the CPU. Cause I can se the stutterind in advanced steering options. The indicatorbar that goes from 0-100% lags and stutter when im turning the wheel, and when im in the options there is not much stressing the CPU is it?

Il keep looking for a solution. But it seems like several ppl has had problems after the windows 10 aniversery update....

Best from Esp1

[Soss]

Sorry to hear it didnt work for you. I'm still running Windows 7 until support is dropped. I wouldnt be suprised if it was something else in Windows 10 causing the problem. As far as I'm concerned, Windows 10 is still a beta version with lots of bugs. Should be fixed in time then.

[MISTER WU]

Instead of all this (Which is helpfull to some) i would suggest downloading a Sysinternal (From microsoft) application called ProjectExplorer. This will expand the Wininit/Services process which contains the svhost (Remember svhost also runs updates etc so be carefull what you cancel) info plus all other hidden services and running process's.

Run the command cleanmgr.exe from an elevtaed command prompt and tick every box, then run the command "sfc /scannow" and also chkdsk /f /r C: (C: would eb the C drive, change to what ever drive the game is on) Then reboot.
Also note that with the G2* wheels, i believe they run better on USB2 ports (Ones with out the blue tounge).

One more thing, what version of logitech are you using, im still on the old version 5.8 because windows 10 installed a crap version months ago so i blocked that from ever installing again.