Regular freezes

[GAMING_Alligator]

My Steam link seems to randomly freeze on a frequent basis, after playing for a while, requiring a full restart of the box.

It's running on a 1Gbps Ethernet connection that's good enough to stream 1080p video, so network quality is unlikely to be the problem.

After restarting, it will try to continue the game, but the controller then doesn't work anymore. It freezes much quicker again after the restart as well, leading me to suspect it could be a heat issue?

Has anybody got any idea on what to look for or am I best off getting in touch with Valve and asking them to replace the unit?

[_I_]

what does the host pc do?

the link only has a 10/100mb lan port, not gigabit
but only about 30-50mb is needed for streaming 1080p

heat shouldnt be an issue, as long as it is in an open area
not covered by anything

if you are using the link for only video or audio not controller, it may be going to sleep
link main menu -> settings -> sleep -> never

[GAMING_Alligator]

Originally posted by _I_:

what does the host pc do?

the link only has a 10/100mb lan port, not gigabit
but only about 30-50mb is needed for streaming 1080p

heat shouldnt be an issue, as long as it is in an open area
not covered by anything

if you are using the link for only video or audio not controller, it may be going to sleep
link main menu -> settings -> sleep -> never

The host PC keeps on working as if nothing happened. I can walk up to it and keep playing the game on it!

I have a wired XBox 360 controller plugged into the link and am using that. If it went to sleep wouldn't the screen turn black? It literally freezes on the last frame it processed and won't accept any controller input, unless I "hard reset" the link by unplugging disconnecting and reconnecting the power supply.

[_I_]

does steam still show 'stop streaming' from the tray icon?

[steelersfan01]

Fired up my Link for the first time in awhile and I got the same issue. Everything is up to date, software-wise. I'm hoping someone figures this out because I'm clueless

[Onaka]

I've found that everything works fine, until I start Mumble. At which point it will stop accepting input, it will still receive the video/audio feed just fine... But starting Mumble is Steam Link kryptonite.

[_I_]

Originally posted by Onaka:

I've found that everything works fine, until I start Mumble. At which point it will stop accepting input, it will still receive the video/audio feed just fine... But starting Mumble is Steam Link kryptonite.

make sure steam overlay is enabled for the game

[Wygos]

Its network issue. trust me. Had exact same thing.
I dont know why it gets worse the longer you play but it was same for me.

Spend 3 days looking for problem. changes cable, changed RJ45 conectors ... bough cable tester, tried difrent conections.....nothing.

While running pingploter i noticed couple insignificant spikes. Bought BEST QUALITY rj45 and rented PRO quality pliers for changing RJ45 with presure sensor and limiters and ♥♥♥♥. Changed RJ45 for 4th time on both ends. VOLIA.....no more problems.

i had been using that cable for my internet for years for multiple devices and never had issues but it laged on steamlink . Seems like STEAMLINK is SUPER sensetive about RJ45 conector quality. Steam hardware is as poor quality as steam itself.

[_I_]

many devices dont need speeds over 10mb/s which is what many cheap cables are for
the link uses about 30-50mb/s when streaming

look at the connector ends, if they only have 4 pins/wires connecting its not a 100/1000mb/s cable

most cheapo routers and modems only ship with a 10mb/s cable

[j4nSolo]

Actually, the problem I experience every once in a while is that the streaming starts like lagging for a couple of seconds and then completely stops. Then, even if I power cycle the Steam Link, it will still happen over and over.
But then I reboot my router and everything goes back to normal. I guess, as @Purple Chapter already said, the hardware is very sensitive to some sort of network problems.

[GAMING_Alligator]

I'm not worried about my network cables, as I (a) cropped them myself before wiring the house up with them and (b) can see from both ends that the connections are all rated as 1gbps, which wouldn't be the case with the slightlest flaw in the cables in my experience. Certainly not about to buy fancy cables without definite proof that that would help.

I've now taken to shutting down any running apps other than steam before I use the link though and that seems to have eliminated the freezes. Specifically I'm very suspicious of any instant messenger apps that are in continuous conversation with their servers as interferring with the link and anything that tries to pop up a notification on the screen.

It's a brute force measure though and I'd feel a lot more comfortable if I knew exactly what caused the freezes.

[Agoknee]

Did any of you find an actual solution to this? I'm running into it a bunch. I assume because I'm using wireless (I know.. I know..), the network connection is even worse and this happens more often. A poor network connection shouldn't be locking up the Steam, though. That's a bug.

I'm glad some of you can work around the bug by improving your network connection. Eventually I'll be able to run a cable to that room, but I sure would love another fix.

[Jesus Борат :)]

Originally posted by Agoknee:

Did any of you find an actual solution to this? I'm running into it a bunch. I assume because I'm using wireless (I know.. I know..), the network connection is even worse and this happens more often. A poor network connection shouldn't be locking up the Steam, though. That's a bug.

I'm glad some of you can work around the bug by improving your network connection. Eventually I'll be able to run a cable to that room, but I sure would love another fix.

Did you figure it out yet? I would prefer being wireless as I believe there is no way for me to run additional cables. Well I could but it would need to go thru roof and I'm not willing to buy 100m of cables when people also report issues with wired connection. I get no stutters or lags, just get freezes once in a while. Can't do anything but hard restart steam link.

[Pico]

I had the same issue described as OP and I've run both wireless over 5G and wired over cat 5e. I've experienced the gradual slowdown/image quality loss and then a freeze on a specific frame all the while my PC continues as if nothing of issue occurred (as in, I can keep playing the game).

The Steam Link froze and is unresponsive to any input.

[GAMING_Alligator]

I never did find a fix for it, and stopped using it eventually.

[[ΖмBя.™] Gemini ♊ Saga]

Valve simply abandoned the hardware... My problems with freezes and disconnections have all been resolved when using the AppleTV app. And more games appear on the app than on the hardware to play.

Even after 18 firmware updates the problems persisted.