Question / Help Great upload speed yet large amount of dropped frames

Edge419

New Member
For the past 3 days I've had issues with my stream dropping frames and freezing every few seconds. I assumed my internet was being crappy so I decided to run some speed tests. Every test I ran verified my 300 download with 20-22 upload speed. I stream at 4500 bitrate so this should be fine (and has been for about 5 months now). I thought maybe it was my internet being unstable so I contacted Charter (my isp) and had them look into. They said everything looked great on their end and they didnt see any packet loss, they wanted to send a tech out the next day to come take a look. The tech arrived and went over everything with him including live streaming with him so he could see my kb/s going from 4600 to 300....to 1500...to 0....to 4600 literally all over the place. I explained that it happened all day from 6pm-12:30am. At 12:30am though everything eventually smoothed out and I streamed for another 4 hrs with no issues (again my mind jumps to my isp throttling my internet) but whenever I do a speed test it shows 20-22 upload....which should be sufficient. Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

https://gist.github.com/091a64ed521f41daffcb8160b235fa29
 
To start off with, you have a number of other issues present in your logfile upload. Will assist in further troubleshooting (If needed) as well once have got your bandwidth related frame drops under control.

Standard internet speed tests are not indicative of actual throughput for streaming performance/potential. Can you go to the below link and download r1ch's TwitchTest utility, it will assist you in finding the best Twitch ingest server for your location to stream via:
https://r1ch.net/projects/twitchtest
It is best to do a medium length test duration.
Once it has completed choose the server that as first priority, has the highest Quality and second priority, the lowest RTT (Round Trip Time)
TwitchTest utility will also provide the estimated potential (Will only display up to 10,000 kb/s) bitrate you can stream to for each particular server as well, which may or may not assist you in regards to your upload speed.

For the other issues present in your logfile:
In your logfile I noticed you have Windows GameDVR enabled. This may be a cause of the performance issue as even when you are not using it, just having it enabled in Windows settings it will always hook into the game process and commit resources (Similar to what OBS does when OBS is open, though more aggressively as it also buffers for replay recording)

For your scene 'PUBG':
Using Monitor Capture in the same scene as Game/Window Capture can have a detrimental effect on performance as Monitor Capture is essentially 'always on':
Game capture grabs the frame directly from the graphics card for OBS to encode before sending it back to the graphics card for final rendering of the frame.
Monitor capture has the graphics card write the frame to system RAM (Which is really slow to write/read from) before OBS grabs it to encode, then sends it back to the graphics card to render for final output.

If you want to use Monitor Capture, you should create a scene for it by itself without any other capture methods included in that scene.

You have a number of files that have failed to load, you should check the directory structure you have set in OBS to make sure it correlates to where the files are located on your HDD/SSD.

Your Elgato Capture Card is set to a resolution of 640x480, is this intentional or by error?

You have a number of memory leaks present in your logfile, not sure how many of them are attributed to the failure to load file errors. Will have to wait and see on that one.

For better quality output:
You could use Lanczos downscale filter, found in Video Settings options of OBS.
Once your bandwidth issues are sorted, you could increase the bitrate towards ~5.5k (Twitch has a limit of 6k bitrate, which you have to allow for audio bitrate as well when setting bitrate) as that will look far better. The drawback is some of your viewers may have issues with potential buffering/hitching, just be mindful of feedback and adjust accordingly if it is warranted.

I hope this helps you out!
 

Edge419

New Member
BornDownUnder,
Thank you for this lengthy response, I appreciate all the information listed above. I ran the speed that you linked and here my results.
https://i.imgur.com/fnXBwvF.png

You stated I should prioritize Quality first and RTT second but I only had one server show any quality at all (Ashburn VA with quality of 5, I live in the middle of Michigan by the way). I went through and disabled Windows GameDVR as well. Also the scaling on Elgato was a default setting so nothing intentional on my end. I will also remove monitor capture from my PUBG source (thanks for this info!). I'm confused by your statement "You have a number of memory leaks present in your logfile, not sure how many of them are attributed to the failure to load file errors. Will have to wait and see on that one." Could you help me understand? I'm not the most tech savy but what are "failure to load file errors" and what could cause this?

For me I'm not as concerned with the quality of the stream, for the past 5 months its been excellent and I've been very happy with how it looks/sounds. The problem I'm running into now is the the kbps tanking even though speedtests that I run show significant upload.

Thanks for all your help and a timely response, I appreciate it.
 

TexRagoon

New Member
I've been having the same issue with bitrate tanking as well. It's been great for the past 3 months and then a week ago it started. ISP has done a lot of tests on their end and pinging servers but they say their end is good. I have 20mb/s upload speed and most Twitch servers show 0 quality but 10000+ bandwidth.

Forgot to mention I have 20mb/s upload and speedtest shows everything is good. No packet loss between during ping-t and no issues with tracert
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot (21).png
    Screenshot (21).png
    61.4 KB · Views: 522
  • 2018-02-27 20-47-43.txt
    187.9 KB · Views: 182

Edge419

New Member
Harold,
I guess my question is, why has this changed? It worked flawlessly on this server for 5 months and now all of a sudden it doesn't.
 

Edge419

New Member
Also, If I open my task manager and go to performance and Ethernet I can watch the charts rise and drop like a heart attack victim on an ekg machine. Based on this would you assume this is in fact an issue with my ISP or is something in OBS/Twitch causing these Ethernet huge drops?
 

TexRagoon

New Member
I understand that in regards to the server quality being 0. However, this started occurring for an unknown reason after 3 months of flawless streaming. Also, I can stream using Xsplit currently without the bitrate dropping like it's doing in the picture. I just would not like to use Xsplit if able...
 
@Edge419, as Harold stated none of those servers are usable for streaming for you.
The best server for your location being in Michigan should be Chicago (not one that is closer to Washington) As long as it is not overloaded/down.
As for why you have 0 quality for all servers bar one I have no idea, other than something is very wrong and needs further investigating.

Potential causes can be:
The route your ISP chooses to the Twitch ingest server
Software you have installed that alter settings of your network (TCP Optimizer, motherboard bundled software, etc)
Out-dated network drivers

Below is a link to Intel driver page, your NiC drivers are out of date:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/82186/Intel-Ethernet-Connection-I219-V

@TexRagoon,
The above driver download link is not for you.
Installing mismatched network drivers can be disastrous.
Can you create a new thread and link to your first post in this thread, along with uploading an image of TwitchTest results over medium test duration please, for further troubleshooting assistance.
The cause of your issues that need troubleshooting may be different though yield similar outcome as every system configuration is different, even ones with exactly the same hardware.
 
Last edited:
@Edge419,
As I said, the load file failure errors present in your logfile are quite often caused by OBS not finding the file where you typed in the location of the file.
Below in the spoiler is the list of file loading errors from your logfile:
00:36:47.404: Failed to open file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Reloaded_overlay_static_blank.png': No such file or directory
00:36:47.404: gs_image_file_init: Failed to load file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Reloaded_overlay_static_blank.png'
00:36:47.404: [image_source: 'Overlay 2'] failed to load texture 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Reloaded_overlay_static_blank.png'
00:36:47.404: Failed to open file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Webcam+SupporterInfo/Webcam 4-3.png': No such file or directory
00:36:47.404: gs_image_file_init: Failed to load file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Webcam+SupporterInfo/Webcam 4-3.png'
00:36:47.404: [image_source: 'Camoverlay 2'] failed to load texture 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Webcam+SupporterInfo/Webcam 4-3.png'
00:36:47.404: Failed to open file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Text Elements/Last Tip.png': No such file or directory
00:36:47.404: gs_image_file_init: Failed to load file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Text Elements/Last Tip.png'
00:36:47.404: [image_source: 'Last tip 2'] failed to load texture 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Text Elements/Last Tip.png'
00:36:47.405: Failed to open file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Text Elements/New Follower.png': No such file or directory
00:36:47.405: gs_image_file_init: Failed to load file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Text Elements/New Follower.png'
00:36:47.405: [image_source: 'New Follower 2'] failed to load texture 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Text Elements/New Follower.png'
00:36:47.405: Failed to open file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Text Elements/New Subscriber.png': No such file or directory
00:36:47.405: gs_image_file_init: Failed to load file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Text Elements/New Subscriber.png'
00:36:47.405: [image_source: 'New Subscriber 2'] failed to load texture 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Text Elements/New Subscriber.png'
00:36:47.405: Failed to open file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Text Elements/Top Tipper.png': No such file or directory
00:36:47.405: gs_image_file_init: Failed to load file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Text Elements/Top Tipper.png'
00:36:47.405: [image_source: 'Top Tip 2'] failed to load texture 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/TwitchTemple.com_Reloaded/Overlay/Text Elements/Top Tipper.png'
00:36:47.406: Failed to open file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/overlay_name.png': No such file or directory
00:36:47.406: gs_image_file_init: Failed to load file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/overlay_name.png'
00:36:47.406: [image_source: 'edge419text 2'] failed to load texture 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/overlay_name.png'
00:36:47.407: Failed to open file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/mascot.png': No such file or directory
00:36:47.407: gs_image_file_init: Failed to load file 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/mascot.png'
00:36:47.407: [image_source: 'Mascot 2'] failed to load texture 'C:/Users/Ericm/Desktop/mascot.png'
You just need to check that the file location is correct (The file that OBS is attempting to locate is in the directory it is looking in)
You may have moved the file?
If the file is there and the directory that OBS is looking for the file in is correct, then maybe re-do the link to the file you want OBS to load in your sources for each of the files that are failing to load.

As for the memory leaks, generally they are from browser/image/animated gif/tipping jar, etc sources.
I am not sure if they would be produced as a result of OBS failing to load files, hopefully someone else can enlighten us on that one.

Also, your Elgato Capture Card is configured to what? Webcam?
 
Last edited:

TexRagoon

New Member
@BornDownUnder
Sorry, I'm getting ready for work so can't type up a new thread right now. However, attached is the Twitch bandwidth test.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot (25).png
    Screenshot (25).png
    575.8 KB · Views: 518

Edge419

New Member
@BornDownUnder
So I tried this from my Mac and am seeing the same issue...I gotta believe this is ISP related. I have another service tech coming out tomorrow. Will keep you posted.
 

TexRagoon

New Member
@Edge419

Don't breathe a sigh of relief just yet. I had it fix itself a few days ago that was long enough for me to get a 4 hour stream in. Stream went great and ended it. Restarted it a few hours later and same problem was back...
 
Can you do a Medium Duration (30 seconds) test, it is more indicative of a stream performance.

I have uploaded two test results of my own so you can see a comparison to what you should be seeing based upon distance (Unfortunately there is only one Australian server, not withstanding you should be seeing 90+ for all servers in Central & East Coast locations for your results)

You may have some program installed that is interfering with your TCP (Something like LAN Optimizer, Network software that claims to boost throughput, motherboard bundled software for your NiC) metrics, which is having the unintended side effect of screwing with your streaming capability.

If you definitely do not have any such software installed on your system, then I say you do have an ISP issue.

The problem would lie somewhere between the exchange that you connect to and the route they push the data through to the Twitch ingest servers. They may also be having to deal with 'congested peering'.

Essentially ISP peering is when your ISP has a deal with another ISP to offload data when they get overwhelmed by the amount of traffic on their network (And vice versa in most cases) to allow customers to have continued throughput at quality speeds.
It may be a case that the other ISP is suffering for congestion on their network as well due to the increased load, alternatively they may not be holding up to their end of the deal (Not opening up more ports on their servers for the increased traffic flow, essentially shaping the data being sent to them from your ISP)
 

Attachments

  • TwitchTest Asia + Sydney.PNG
    TwitchTest Asia + Sydney.PNG
    27.7 KB · Views: 304
  • TwitchTest USA.PNG
    TwitchTest USA.PNG
    28.2 KB · Views: 303

Meiklz

New Member
Hey Guys... maybe someone can take a look at my LogFile, because i'm freeking out!! ;)
last 3 streams so creepy with frame drops and i don't know why.
never changed anything and a week ago everything was fine.
please help!! ... HERE IS MY LOG
 

Edge419

New Member
I bought a prebuilt PC called the Corsair One Pro. Everything is stovk out of the box and I have not added any additional software. The only thing that I have changed recently is in the bios they have an option to turn on Game Boost Mode essential this takes me from 4.2ghz to 4.6ghz. I also changed my windows 10 power option from "balanced" to "high performance". As a test I converted these back to the standard settings and still saw the same issue. Before I went to sleep last night I turned the stream on for 33 mins and didn't have a single dropped frame....I shut it off and went to sleep scrathing my head.
 
@Edge419,
Very nice pre-built machine you have there.
The Game Boost Mode in the bios is definitely not the cause of the issue. All that does is bump up the clocks a bit to push for better performance.
Changing Windows power mode wouldn't have any effect on causing the issue you are having either.
Do you know what the manufacturer and model of your motherboard is? Quite often they can bundle software along.

@Meiklz,
Unfortunately the logfile you uploaded does not contain any recording/streaming attempt output...

Can you do a few minutes' worth of recording/streaming (Doing what you would normally do in-game) then stop the recording/streaming session, then upload a current logfile please so I or someone else can further assist in troubleshooting:
https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/please-post-a-log-with-your-issue-heres-how.23074/

Also, this thread was created by Edge419, can you please create a new thread with the upload of a complete logfile and a link to this thread and I will try to assist in troubleshooting in your new thread.
 
Top