Question / Help Stream Keeps Freezing Every 4 Seconds

[uLawL]

Hello! I recently started streaming on Twitch and just earned the level of Affiliation. However, ever since I started streaming, I've been encountering an issue where I will have an incredibly stable connection for multiple hours, and then out of no where, my connection to Twitch becomes super unstable and my video will start buffering/freezing for a few seconds every 4 or so seconds. My bitrate will show HUGE spikes of being set at 2000-3000 bitrate, and then dropping to 0, and this will go on for the next several hours until it suddenly will start working again. It feels like I've been researching for years on why this is happening + following a ton of different guides and haven't been able to find any permanent fixes. I've tried lowering the bitrate, I've downloaded TwitchTest to see what server has the healthiest bandwidth to prevent it from dipping the way it has and have tried connecting to multiple healthy servers with no success, I've tried updating my drivers and making sure OBS is allowed through firewall/antivirus software (and even enabled made sure that my outbound TCP port number 1935 (the port used for RTMP) is allowed), I've updated my network adapter driver, and have tweaked with so many different video settings to see if they'll make a difference. I am connected through an ethernet cable, not wifi. I have 5mb upload. The part that is confusing to me is the fact that my stream will work half of the time. It streams buttery smooth and life is dandy. But then randomly in the middle of the stream for the next several hours, these constant bitrate dips will continue to happen and it's honestly tilting me out of my mind. I just have to apologize to my chat and say that I'll be back when my stream decides to be healthy again. And then 5 hours later I'll try again, and the stream is still constantly freezing. I just need someone to help walk me through any possible reasoning for as to why this is happening, as well as any tips to fix this issue.

Here are my logs for my last stream: https://obsproject.com/logs/y_aVxs9fyzr_ym4y

 

[Narcogen]

20:38:02.450: [rtmp stream: 'adv_stream'] Interface: This Killer Ethernet Controller connects you to the network. (ethernet, 1000 mbps)

20:56:45.086: Output 'adv_stream': Number of dropped frames due to insufficient bandwidth/connection stalls: 31547 (46.9%)

Killer ethernet cards are known to be problematic with OBS.

https://obsproject.com/wiki/Dropped-Frames-and-General-Connection-Issues

"Certain network cards come with custom configuration utilities (most notably Killer Networks) that can cause issues and need to be removed for a drivers only install."

If it's not that then likely you need to address this issue to your ISP.

 

[uLawL]

20:38:02.450: [rtmp stream: 'adv_stream'] Interface: This Killer Ethernet Controller connects you to the network. (ethernet, 1000 mbps)

20:56:45.086: Output 'adv_stream': Number of dropped frames due to insufficient bandwidth/connection stalls: 31547 (46.9%)

Killer ethernet cards are known to be problematic with OBS.

https://obsproject.com/wiki/Dropped-Frames-and-General-Connection-Issues

"Certain network cards come with custom configuration utilities (most notably Killer Networks) that can cause issues and need to be removed for a drivers only install."

If it's not that then likely you need to address this issue to your ISP.

So you're saying I'd either need to replace my network card or contact my ISP? I've tried contacting my ISP before and they weren't very helpful. Is there anything specific I should ask them in regards to my situation to help get them on track quicker? On the other hand, what network card would you recommend getting that is compatible with OBS?

 

[Narcogen]

Replacement is one option. Removal of any custom software they provide and installation of the driver ONLY is an option.

Complaining to an ISP is always an option. Regardless of whether they are helpful or not, some problems cannot be solved without them, because the problem could be on their side.

I don't have any particular NIC suggestions, I just know that Killer has a reputation for being problematic for OBS users, so much so that it's mentioned in a support wiki article.