Steam Link Disconnects mid-game

[Jensen]

Hi all,
I've had the Steam Link for a while now and I have to say that my experience has been pretty mediocre with the product. Every new update something new has went wrong. This is has been the worst issue I've had.

While playing a game, doesn't matter which one, after some time the steam link will glitch out and show me the "Start Playing" Screen in front of the game I'm current playing. I am still able to control the game with all buttons but the confirm (a), cancel (b), and joystick. This allows me to pause the game if I need to.

The screen shows my computer as "Game in progress". As soon as I try to reconnect to my PC it gets into this state where it says "Connecting" and just disconnects. and drops me back to the screen. If I do it enough times it will either crash Steam on my computer, show half the remote view and the Steam Link Dashboard, or in some rare cases make the Steam Link restart itself.

I would love to be able to keep using this system to play games like Rocket League on my television, I will do what I can to help the Steam team resolve this issue.

Thanks!

[Remlish]

System Specs, network configuration, status of graphics drivers? Is your steam link up to date? Does the issue persist when playing other games?

Asking technical help without providing technical information rairly works out.

[dleeb]

It is happening to me also. I just bought a brand new Steam Link and it disconnects mid game. Same as OP.

[Jensen]

Hi Remlish,
No reason to be patronizing and unprofessional. I'm a software developer by trade so I understand needing information. When submitting an issue you give a description of the issue and information believed to be relevant then provide information as needed so that the original intent of the problem stays clear.

As stated in my post. I'll be happy to provide any information needed to help solve this problem:


Steam link is up to date, on build 513.

Network:
Realtek PCIe GBE FFamily Controller - Ethernet
Wired Gigabit connection between the steam link and the computer.

Graphics:
GPU: GeForce GTX 560 Ti
Driver Version: 364.72
Driver Release Date: 3/28/2016

The issue does persist across playing multiple games. I've seen the behavior on:
Rocket League
Woah Dave
Brawhalla
Knights of Pen and Paper

Originally posted by Remlish:

System Specs, network configuration, status of graphics drivers? Is your steam link up to date? Does the issue persist when playing other games?

Asking technical help without providing technical information rairly works out.

[Jensen]

Did more digging and found the actual ticketing system for support. Provided the information I put here plus logs. If I get a resolution I'll post a reply to this post for prosperity.

[dleeb]

Originally posted by John:

Did more digging and found the actual ticketing system for support. Provided the information I put here plus logs. If I get a resolution I'll post a reply to this post for prosperity.

Hi John. I also submitted a support ticket a week ago with the same problem, but was referred to a FAQ. Steam Link streams great for 15-30 min, then randomly disconnects, but I can still hear the game in the background. Power cycling the Steam Link "fixes" it temporarily, but still randomly disconnects. I hope this isn't isolated to Nvidia GPUs, because everyone with this problem so far has one. I have a GTX 970.

[Remlish]

Its hard not to be patronizing when every other post is a "help me" thread with zero information supplied. Steam Link is hardware not software, and when your having an issue with hardware you need to explain your configuration in full.

What are your system specs and what is the full network configuration- IE Is your steam link plugged into the PC directly, connected to the same router as the PC , connected with switches in between, wifi internet? and CPU ,RAM ect...

Also, do you have hardware encoding enabled in the steam In-home streaming settings? if so turn it off, support for hardware encoding doesnt start until the 650 model line. You can also try enabling prioritize network traffic if that is not enabled.

If you have a properly wired connection - Steam Link to router + PC to the same router + internet supplied to that same router , and your hardware encoding is disabled you can always try a factory reset on the link via the settings menu.

[Tim.]

I also have this issue and mave provided some information in the 513 build release thread.

http://steamcommunity.com/app/353380/discussions/0/385429254951022351/#c357284131801586724

[Jensen]

Hi Remlish,

I wouldn't say I have zero information. I gave a good paragraph on the symptoms of the problem. This was in hope to describe something that may be a well know issue. You would do the same at the doctor before the doctor asked more detailed questions to help narrow down the issue. Granted I know you're not getting paid a doctors salary and donating your time so I suppose I should not expect that same level of professionalism.

Nevertheless, I will try to provide as much detail as I can to answer the remainder of your questions:

For detailed information, the CPU-Z report on computer can be found at https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11448960/JOHNS-PC.txt

There is a non-managed switch between my computer an the router. It is a TP-LINK TL-SG105. My router is a Actiontec MI424WR for Verizon. It shouldn't matter but I do have a 50/50 Verizon Fios package which I normally get 53/24.

Hardware encoding,
I've tried it both ways. I see very similar if not the exact same results.

Factory Reset
This works if I don't let the Steam Link update, when it updates then I start seeing problems.

One of the states that the steam link gets into can be found in this photo. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11448960/IMG_1710.JPG

Originally posted by Remlish:

Its hard not to be patronizing when every other post is a "help me" thread with zero information supplied. Steam Link is hardware not software, and when your having an issue with hardware you need to explain your configuration in full.

What are your system specs and what is the full network configuration- IE Is your steam link plugged into the PC directly, connected to the same router as the PC , connected with switches in between, wifi internet? and CPU ,RAM ect...

Also, do you have hardware encoding enabled in the steam In-home streaming settings? if so turn it off, support for hardware encoding doesnt start until the 650 model line. You can also try enabling prioritize network traffic if that is not enabled.

If you have a properly wired connection - Steam Link to router + PC to the same router + internet supplied to that same router , and your hardware encoding is disabled you can always try a factory reset on the link via the settings menu.

[messyjesse80]

Since you got the logs anyway, can you post them here as well?

When you get into the state pictured with the Link menu apparently overlaying the big picture mode (that is really weird) can you still navigate in one of those menus or do you get locked up? Then the Steam Link reboots on it's own?

Do you know how to revert to an earlier build? Many people are reporting that issues like this go away when they try to revert to build 499 on the Link. Here is how to do it:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/353380/discussions/0/405692758700652859/

[Remlish]

Steam Link is notorious for having issues with switches , especially unmanaged switches.
Assuming your switch is configured correctly utilizing port #4 on the router to port #1 on the switch , you may need to follow messyjesse's advice and revert to the last working build for you.

If you have the means of removing the switch from your loop i would suggest attemting that first as the steam link can only utilize about 30mbps and gains no benifits from a gigabit connection.

If the link is close enough to the router you can also try using a wifi connection. I personally have on of my links on wifi and have no issues at all.

[Jensen]

messyjesse80
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11448960/steamlink_debug.txt
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11448960/streaming_log.txt

I'll look at reverting to that build.

Remlish
Cool. I'll try that before reverting. I'm sure I put port #1 of switch to port #1 of router and not port #1 to port #4 because I didn't realize it made a difference.

I can't remove the switch as it is the nerve center of the house wiring.

The router isn't close enough to use it's wifi connection reliably. I have a wifi access point next to the steam link but it goes through the switch like everything else.

[Jensen]

Just now got a response back from Steam. They want my Steam Link for testing and are sending me a replacement.

I'll update if I continue to have issues with the new Steam Link.

[Remlish]

It can cause issues with DHCP assignment. Typically the last port in line on the router is the port you want to use to avoid IP conflicts. Think about it like holding someones place in line, you are the first of four people in line but you let someone in behind you - now 2-4 are 3-5 but noone want to give up their place. By utilizing port #4 you are insuring anyone else who needs a dynamic port address assigned will always be 5-?.

[Lastrightz]

Is there any update on this? i am having the same issue.

[_I_]

Originally posted by Lastrightz:

Is there any update on this? i am having the same issue.

make a new thread

and specs?
and how are the pc/link connected?