Question / Help Consistent Random Dropped Frames - Log file & more included.

S

speeeztv

New Member
Yes I've read sticky threads and I've had numerous attempts at tweaking things to solve this issue.
This forum thread is my last hope.

The issue:
Has been occurring for the past week, I will randomly drop frames, only for brief moment, and then things will continue to run perfectly fine.
By the time I end my stream, I will only have dropped 2% of total frames or less.
This is consistent regardless of game, games settings, twitch server, & OBS encoding settings.
I tried to post as much information as I can, please let me know if there's any additional information I can provide.

NOTE: I've monitored BOTH my Gaming PC and Stream PC during streaming, all usages are 50% or less (CPUs and GPUs). This doesn't seem like a usage/bottleneck issue at all.

Log file and Example:
OBS Log file
Example of dropped frames occurring

OBS Encoding settings:
Disclaimer: I am a Twitch partner so I am able to stream at a higher bitrate. I've also tweaked these settings over multiple streams and I'm getting the same dropped frames/stutter regardless.

I've always streamed with Output Mode to Simple with:
Bitrate: 6000
Encoder: Software (x264)
Encoder Preset: Faster

My last stream I streamed with Output Mode to Advanced with:
Bitrate: 6000
Encoder: x264
Rate Control: 6000
Keyframe Interval: 2
CPU Usage Preset: Faster
Profile: Main
Tune: Film

Stream PC:
AMD Ryzen 7 2700x CPU
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
16 GB RAM

Gaming PC:
Intel Core i7-6700k CPU
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080
32 GB RAM

Internet speeds:
300 down, 30 up - Cox ISP.

Misc Notes:
Both of my computers are hard wired into my Modem/Router
This Modem/Router box is a two-in-one box from Cox - which I replaced 2 months ago to make sure it was their latest version.

I'm using an El Gato 60 HD PRO capture card - I'm duplicating my gaming monitor to the el gato capture card to display it on my Stream PC.

I'm using 4 monitors total, Monitors 1 & 2 belong to Gaming PC, Monitors 3 & 4 belong to Stream PC.
Monitor 1: Gaming montior, set to 144 hz. Duplicating this display to my el gato capture card at 144hz as well (this is so I can play at 144hz while it captures at 60).
Monitor 2: Set to 60hz, even though capable of 144hz (Can't set it to 144hz, not sure why but my guess is because of what I'm doing with monitor 1).
Monitor 3: Set and only capable of 60hz.
Monitor 4: Set and only capable of 60hz.
 
Last edited:
koala said:
The troubleshooting guide for network connection problems recommends trying to switch servers as first action.
https://obsproject.com/wiki/Dropped-Frames-and-General-Connection-Issues
Try the TwitchTest tool mentionend in that guide to find the server with the best connection for you.
Also do a internet speedtest for several times to verify you actually have the required upstream bandwidth (6 mbit) steadily without drops.
Click to expand...
Yeah I have three servers that are good enough for me and I’ve tried switching once before and the same issue persisted. I’ll try to switch servers again today.

I’ve also done numerous speed tests which everytime show the correct speeds.

Osiris said:
Dropped frames (the ones in the bottom part of OBS) are always some kind of connection issue.
Click to expand...

I’m going to contact ISP and see if they notice anything that is off. I’m completely stumped.
 
I talked to ISP, they ran their tests and everything seems okay on their end. I just had him restart/reboot the modem just to see if it will help.
I’m going to change twitch server and try again today.

Harold said:
speedtest.net doesn't test in a way that is comparable to streaming.
Click to expand...

Thats good to know and I’ll keep that in mind, thanks!

I’ll post back here after todays stream and see if different server & modem reboot helped.
 
So while I'm streaming, I've been monitoring my Ethernet on my Stream PC and noticed that my Ethernet cuts out at the same exact time when I drop frames, meaning it is definitely a network issue.

I just don't know if it is my ethernet cable, or my modem, or something further out than that.
Again, I talked to my ISP and they said everything looks good on their end.
I think I'm going to try and replace ethernet cables and modem today and I'll report back here if that fixes anything.

If anyone has any ideas, please let me know, I'll be more than happy to try anything out!
 
I replaced my ethernet cables (from CAT 5e to CAT 6 even though I've read that CAT 5e is good enough) on both PCs and I replaced my modem (even though I replaced it two months ago) and I just did two 5 minute bandwidth stream tests (by adding '?bandwidthtest=true ' at the end of my stream key in OBS) and no more crazy drops.

Going to actually stream again later tonight or tomorrow. If I don't edit this post any further that mean all is well on my end.
THANK YOU GUYS for helping me narrow down the issue - appreciate all your help!!!

UPDATE

I streamed today and the issue still remains - while live streaming we messed around with bitrate, at 6000 and 4500 we saw dips in ethernet and dropped frames. At 3000 it seemed more stable with no drops. We are guessing that the modem that cox is giving me is being bottlenecked?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top