Constant Lag; But, only at night... wtf.

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BearOwlProwl Jun 8, 2013 @ 9:27pm

So I've been asking in the Dota Forum about my constant lag and no one seems to help me.

Okay, so your first thought is get a better net connection. In game my ping constantly low 20-40ms.

Then you think okay, lower the resolution because your computer can't handle the maxed out settings = lower fps. First off my computer has 8gb of ram and an i7 processor (Alienware M14x)

Now, we get to the fun part. It only lags in the evening; circa 2pm - 9pm. The morning are flawless and I have no problems. But, once 2pm rolls around it is constant lag with a low ping. I have tried plugging the ethernet cable into the computer and lowering the settings.

The only remedy that I have came up with is disconnecting the internet. Closing the game, reloading it, and connecting back to the internet. Where it then becomes lag free, but, only for several minutes if im lucky.

Please help, can anyone explain what is happening here?
Here is another note; on my wifes computer I will have hard lag spikes, but, it will be a smooth fps until then. Where as mine will be constantly laggy, but, won't have the "hard" spikes.

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Showing 1-15 of 29 comments

dirrtymartini Jun 8, 2013 @ 9:50pm

ISP type? Fiber, cable, DSL, or something else?

The timeframe fits nicely into when the school kids get home and jump on their home computers.

Legendary old man Jun 8, 2013 @ 9:52pm

If it happens to both of you then have a hard look at the router. See if there is a firmware upgrade for it. If you use wireless make sure it is secured or you could be having piggy backers. The fact that it happens at certain times makes me think maybe your ISP is at fault. I would be tempted to call them and complain but do not tell them anything about games or lag. Instead tell them you use Skype and it works fine until 2:00 PM. After that there is to much delay and you talk on the top of each other.

Besides low ping dropped packets or errors could cause this issue.

BearOwlProwl Jun 9, 2013 @ 3:01pm

It must be my computer because my wife and I played together and she had no lag. I lowered my settings but still was getting that lag with low ping; No packet loss either.

It doesnt explain why it only lags at night either. I am utterly confused by this issue.

Cpt. Kritz Jun 9, 2013 @ 3:44pm

Maybe by night time your computer is just hot/overran?

Tango Jun 9, 2013 @ 4:02pm

Check your internet/virus, etc

BearOwlProwl Jun 9, 2013 @ 4:29pm

Originally posted by Tecknomancer_Justin:
Maybe by night time your computer is just hot/overran?

Is that even possible? I know my computer does get insanely hot, I do have a cooling fan that doesnt work but it does allow the heat to vent. I was thinking earlier that perhaps its too many background applications? Idk I'm by no means a computer expert and I see that Dota takes about 1,000,000 memory or what ever in the start task manager which is much more than everything else. I'll run my virus scanner and see if it picks anything up.

It doesnt lag in the mornings, lags in the evenings, but only on my comp. So overheating seems the only logical explanation at this point unless there is a process that runs in the evening that slows the computer but again this seems like unless I was a computer expert or if someone pinpointed what the real issue is I am unable to do anything.

Legendary old man Jun 9, 2013 @ 4:38pm

Originally posted by MetalMario77:
I know my computer does get insanely hot, I do have a cooling fan that doesnt work but it does allow the heat to vent.

It doesnt lag in the mornings, lags in the evenings, but only on my comp. So overheating seems the only logical explanation at this point unless there is a process that runs in the evening that slows the computer but again this seems like unless I was a computer expert or if someone pinpointed what the real issue is I am unable to do anything.

Why don't you fix the obvious problems first. Those fans are not there for looks. Heat is a computers worse enemy.

BearOwlProwl Jun 21, 2013 @ 2:07pm

So I bought a new fan for my comp to sit on; and that has not solved my issue. I had reinstalled Steam 3 times and it only fixes my problem temporarily.

I will reinstall Steam and the problem will dissapear for 1-3 days and then return (today it returned with a vengence). I used that internet speed checker online and my ping is a 10ms (in game 22ms 0% packet loss) and I have upload and download speeds of about 24.

I had opened up my performance monitor and even when playing the game I am only using 40-60% of my computers resources. I had used the lowest quality settings possible and the game still lags.

*On my wifes computer; the game doesn't lag at all

I ran my Virus Scanner and came up with nothing, and made sure that all my Drivers were up to date. I don't get it, I'm baffled. I feel Steam is the culprit but have no idea where to go from here other than reinstalling steam 2-3 times a week.

76561198127685925 Apr 7, 2014 @ 11:55am

hey. you know. i also have the same problem. damn this. the only difference is that im lagging every morning til evening. so i can only play decent games at dawn. my pings are so low. my internet connections are good. no virus detected. even if i lowered all my setting. there is still lag. i dont get this... btw, my pc is about only 7 months old. it broke one time. and ive brought to the computer shop to fix this. before it broke theres no problem on my dota2 and any other games. but after fixing it, the problem has begun. i just dont get it how is this happened. only the hard disk was replace on my pc, no other specs touched. but then, aaaahh darn this. it made me a vampire on just waking at dawn to play. PLS PLS PLS PLS SOMEONE HELP US!!! :'(

pixel Aug 21, 2015 @ 4:27am

Originally posted by MetalMarioZ:
It must be my computer because my wife and I played together and she had no lag. I lowered my settings but still was getting that lag with low ping; No packet loss either.

It doesnt explain why it only lags at night either. I am utterly confused by this issue.

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The Giving One Aug 21, 2015 @ 4:44am

For some reason this thread keeps getting necro'd.

Try using an ethernet connection if using wirealess, perhaps.Hook directly to the modem.

Also see this...

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1456-EUDN-2493

Reseting your modem/routers are also possible, but do that as a last resort most likely.

Last edited by The Giving One; Aug 21, 2015 @ 4:44am

#11