How to deal with packet loss on TF2?

[soap god]

I can run TF2 comfortably at ~200 frames per second with relatively good ping, but still get frequent packet loss whenever I play online. Games like Fortnite, Apex, Warzone, Valorant, and Payday run smoothly with little to no lag on my PC, but for some reason TF2 is the only game that I'm having this issue with. I'm convinced the janitor ♥♥♥♥♥♥ with the code some how because this only started happening in the last 3 or so months, and in that time it's only gotten worse. I'm posting here to find out if anyone else is also experiencing packet loss and how they resolved it, if they did.

me playing tf2 (excuse the ♥♥♥♥♥♥ sniper footage, he's not my main class)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsnslFoRKYw

No signs of spikes (taken in the same game)
https://i.gyazo.com/420e72a131632c7ab5fae102bf669439.png

[YNBD solar]

to see what he’s talking about, go to the time stamp 2:10

[soap god]

Originally posted by featherless biped:

to see what he’s talking about, go to the time stamp 2:10

it also happens at 0:13, 0:48, 1:13, 3:05, 4:14, 4:42, 5:04, and 5:14

[soap god]

bumping

[Smidge <3]

Can you get some new footage, but do "net_graph 4" in console first.

Also, what is "rate" set to? (in console)

[soap god]

Originally posted by Smidge <3:

Can you get some new footage, but do "net_graph 4" in console first.

Also, what is "rate" set to? (in console)

rate 131072

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHrDdOdL2-w

[Smidge <3]

First, if you're on WiFi try switching to ethernet, or at least move your computer closer to the router.

Also, I'd recommend setting up class configs so that the hitscan classes are using a much higher interp.

[soap god]

Originally posted by Smidge <3:

First, if you're on WiFi try switching to ethernet, or at least move your computer closer to the router.

Also, I'd recommend setting up class configs so that the hitscan classes are using a much higher interp.

Thank you for responding.

First of all, how do I set up the class config? Is there a video of it online or somewhere I can download? Second, I don't think the problem has anything to do with my WiFi, and that's because I've been able to run a variety of games, including TF2 up until now, without issue for years. I don't think ethernet should be a requirement for a 16 year old video game either. Also, this problem is only exclusive to TF2 and I can still play all of my other games just fine.

At the very least, I'll consider getting in ethernet, but I feel like it would only push the problem to the side instead of actually fixing it.

[Smidge <3]

Originally posted by slobberin like a ♥♥♥♥♥♥:

First of all, how do I set up the class config? Is there a video of it online or somewhere I can download?

Yeah there's some guides out there. You can follow this one if you want:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=284573258
You can ignore the fps config part though. It's outdated af.
But basically you want to add these to each of them, depending on the class:

Hitscan classes:
cl_interp 0.03
cl_interp_ratio 2

Projectile classes:
cl_interp 0.015
cl_interp_ratio 1

Originally posted by slobberin like a ♥♥♥♥♥♥:

Second, I don't think the problem has anything to do with my WiFi, and that's because I've been able to run a variety of games, including TF2 up until now, without issue for years. I don't think ethernet should be a requirement for a 16 year old video game either. Also, this problem is only exclusive to TF2 and I can still play all of my other games just fine.

TF2 is a bit different, mainly because it allows you to set higher networking rates, and lower interp than other games. Some games will even dynamically alter their network settings depending on the quality of your internet (e.g. Overwatch), and so you won't notice it as much.

Originally posted by slobberin like a ♥♥♥♥♥♥:

At the very least, I'll consider getting in ethernet, but I feel like it would only push the problem to the side instead of actually fixing it.

This was more to rule out Wi-Fi as being the problem, as it very often is with a lot of laptop users.

I had another look at your video and had an idea you could try.
Put these in console:

cl_updaterate 33
cl_cmdrate 33
rate 80000

They'll lessen the amount of data coming in. If it's a problem with congestion on your home network, this might fix it. Otherwise you might want to call up your ISP and ask them what's going on.

[soap god]

Originally posted by Smidge <3:

Originally posted by slobberin like a ♥♥♥♥♥♥:

First of all, how do I set up the class config? Is there a video of it online or somewhere I can download?

Yeah there's some guides out there. You can follow this one if you want:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=284573258
You can ignore the fps config part though. It's outdated af.
But basically you want to add these to each of them, depending on the class:

Hitscan classes:
cl_interp 0.03
cl_interp_ratio 2

Projectile classes:
cl_interp 0.015
cl_interp_ratio 1

Originally posted by slobberin like a ♥♥♥♥♥♥:

Second, I don't think the problem has anything to do with my WiFi, and that's because I've been able to run a variety of games, including TF2 up until now, without issue for years. I don't think ethernet should be a requirement for a 16 year old video game either. Also, this problem is only exclusive to TF2 and I can still play all of my other games just fine.

TF2 is a bit different, mainly because it allows you to set higher networking rates, and lower interp than other games. Some games will even dynamically alter their network settings depending on the quality of your internet (e.g. Overwatch), and so you won't notice it as much.

Originally posted by slobberin like a ♥♥♥♥♥♥:

At the very least, I'll consider getting in ethernet, but I feel like it would only push the problem to the side instead of actually fixing it.

This was more to rule out Wi-Fi as being the problem, as it very often is with a lot of laptop users.

I had another look at your video and had an idea you could try.
Put these in console:

cl_updaterate 33
cl_cmdrate 33
rate 80000

They'll lessen the amount of data coming in. If it's a problem with congestion on your home network, this might fix it. Otherwise you might want to call up your ISP and ask them what's going on.

thank you for your help, this seems to have fixed the issue. i'll bump this thread if the problem ever returns.

[For Whom The Bee Trolls]

The be all end all is an ethernet cable. There will always be packet loss with wifi.

[soap god]

Originally posted by 2 Amps:

The be all end all is an ethernet cable. There will always be packet loss with wifi.

There's no reason to switch to Ethernet if my WiFi is doing just fine.
https://gyazo.com/085db0b9af4a5d9338db5dd1cd11143e

[For Whom The Bee Trolls]

Originally posted by ringo starr:

Originally posted by 2 Amps:

The be all end all is an ethernet cable. There will always be packet loss with wifi.

There's no reason to switch to Ethernet if my WiFi is doing just fine.
https://gyazo.com/085db0b9af4a5d9338db5dd1cd11143e

Lmao. Keep lying to yourself. bud.

[soap god]

Originally posted by 2 Amps:

Originally posted by ringo starr:

There's no reason to switch to Ethernet if my WiFi is doing just fine.
https://gyazo.com/085db0b9af4a5d9338db5dd1cd11143e

Lmao. Keep lying to yourself. bud.

did you even read my thread?

[Smidge <3]

Originally posted by 2 Amps:

The be all end all is an ethernet cable. There will always be packet loss with Wi-Fi.

An Ethernet cable won't fix bad internet. And with Wi-Fi, it depends on what else is using the Wi-Fi, and what's in between you and the router.