This thread is to attempt to put together a comprehensive list of test results for issues with connections such as lag, disconnects, rubberbanding, stalls, drops, whatever that seems network related.
Updates are listed below the tools!
First off the reasons:
I seem to be seeing a fairly repeated pattern of many of you getting connection blocks/dropped packets as they pass through ISPs. Why is this happening? That is part of the question here. But I need more result data.
I will also be linking every connection issue thread to this one. They will be posted at the bottom of this post as a link and I will link those threads to this one as I can.
To the mods of the forum, if need be, pinning this thread would be helpful.
Now first off. The tools:
WinMTR
You can find this tool here: (this was updated to a new location as Blizzard no longer has it available)
https://sourceforge.net/projects/winmtr/files/latest/download
This tool works best if it can be ran while you are having problems during the game play.
Essentially, download the tool, run your game. Once you have an issue start happening, alt tab to the tool and start it. Then resume playing for at least 5-10 minutes if you can. Then use Export to HTML. This will properly format it for the forum. Then simply paste it into your reply.
Please also post the following info:
- ISP you use.
- Any VPN service. You can also run two tests, one with and one without a VPN if need be.
PathPing
How to use this tool here:
- Open the Start Menu or hit the Windows key on your keyboard.
- Type the letters CMD.
- Right-click on CMD (Command Prompt) and select Run as Administrator.
- Type: pathping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx > c:\pathping.txt
- Replace the Xs with the appropriate server address you want to test against, or a website address. Please note, Blizzard has removed references to the server IP addresses. The following list may not be accurate:
- |US Central|34.170.230.40|
- |US West|34.105.4.61|
- |Europe|35.240.124.178|
- |Asia|34.64.174.8|
- Once you have chosen an address or website, Press Enter after entering it above.
- Allow several minutes for the pathping to complete.
- A file will be created in your C: drive called pathping.txt.Type exit and press Enter to close the command window.
You can use this as a basic tool to look for any issues in the traffic in case you are unable to play Diablo IV on your PC or you play from a console. While it won't have as detailed info about the game's connection, it will at least show us any direct issues on the path to the server.
Next you can try this tool as well, it does require installation to use and run as its a 3rd party program:
https://www.pingplotter.com/
More info can be found about this tool here from this thread:
-[Main Thread] Charter/Spectrum ISP Latency Spikes since 1.0.3 - #27 by Zuvykree
**Lastly, there is this thread with some tips and stuff on these tools and other info. Feel free to check it as well!**
Closing thoughts:
Update 8-7-23
Here is a suggestion on changing the DNS server option to see if that will provide a work around to fix latency and connection issues. This can be done on PCs and Consoles. Below are steps for Windows PC users:
For PCs, you need to open the adapter properties and there are a couple ways to do this:
Windows 11/10:
- Go to Settings->Network and Internet.
- Under here choose the type of connection you are using, WiFi, or Ethernet.
- Once chosen, then go to Hardware Properties (for WiFi). If you click on Ethernet, it should take you to the same page. Look for DNS Server Assignment.
- Click “Edit” change Automatic to Manual, turn on IP4, then enter 8.8.8.8 for Preferred DNS. Click Save.
Alternate method:
- Hit Windows key and R. Type in Control and run it.
- Go to Network and Internet.
- Go to Network and Sharing Center.
- Click Change Adapter Settings.
- Find the connection you are using. Double Click it.
- Go to Properties at the bottom left.
- Look for Internet Protocol Version 4. Double click that.
- Where it says Obtain DNS automatically, change that to “Use the following DNS server address”.
- Enter 8.8.8.8 into the location. You may add 8.8.4.4 to the second box if you wish.
A third option if you are techy enough, you can use your router to assign that IP4 DNS address via the DHCP, you just have to remember to re-acquire the IP address after making the change.
Cautions:
Some networks may need to have the local router as a DNS option for some situations. IN those cases, you may want to set the IP address of your router as your primary DNS, and the 8.8.8.8 as your secondary.
Update 8-4-23
There are some settings you can adjust for your network adapter (wired or wireless) on your PC that might help your latency issues while playing Diablo IV. This revolves around power settings. What you need to do is to make sure your network adapter that you use to connect to your internet is not set for power savings. You want it set to maximum performance. You can do this under the power settings in Windows. There are also settings for performance found in the adapter properties page as well. But by default, most Windows installations use power saving features over performance with network adapters, especially on laptops. This has been causing some of you problems, so its something to check for.
UPDATE 7-6-23
I have added another tool to the list of tools to try above. This was provided as an other option to test your connection for certain cases, but I see no reason to not use it for testing your connection in general:
-https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/000339127
I also wanted to put out an update of something to try that might help. It has been noted that disabling hardware acceleration in the Bnet app can affect this for some of you, but I wanted to expand on this by suggesting the following:
- Open the Bnet App.
- Go to settings. (the gear cog at the top left under the Battlenet logo)
- You should be under “App”.
- Look for “On Game Launch”.
- Change this to “Exit Battle.net completely”.
- Click “Done”.
Then see if the game plays any better here.
UPDATE 6-21-23
Try to run a standard ping test to battle.net or any other common website. To do this:
Try adjusting settings regarding DDOS attacks in your router/modem if possible:
Big thank you to Tarball for this suggestion!
UPDATE 6-19-23
Two things I need to update here:
- With regards to these tests. They are not absolute, nor are they very accurate. They will give us an idea of what might be going on, but may not be correct or believable either good or bad. So while they may shed some light on an issue, we have to accept them as what they are. Tools that sometimes can make mistakes. With that in mind, accept any interpretations of the results as best attempts by those responding.
- Second. Those using WiFi connections. Please refer to this except from a post in this thread today:
Remember to thank Node for sharing this fix that might help some of you with issues and using WiFi.
I have a theory that its possible some ISPs are having issues with Diablo IV’s traffic and causing connection disruption. Of course that’s a bold theory and I need more of these tests done to help see if we can find some correlation to that end or another reason.
So please take the time to do these. If you have already done them for the forum elsewhere, you don’t need to do them again, unless you want to see if the results have changed. But for now, just try to post one time with your results.
I will be periodically reviewing the posts and helping explain them if you have any questions.
Thank you everyone!
Links to existing threads: (from the past 12 hours, and I will add more as they pop up)
-Cant teleport,ride horse, or leave town after joining friends - #5 by DTMAce-1687
-Constantly Rubberbanding and Disconnecting on PC - #125 by DTMAce-1687
-Latency spikes game is unplayable - #3 by DTMAce-1687
-Major Lags and Rubber Banding on PC - #4 by DTMAce-1687
-https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d4/t/diablo-4-ps5-lagging/39800
-Severe lag & rubber banding - #15 by DTMAce-1687
-Please either fix your servers or enable offline play
-Game causes home network to crash - #90 by DTMAce-1687
-Massive lag spikes going on in game right now
-PC Latency issues ONLY DIABLO NO OTHER GAME
-What's the deal with latency? 1 gig ISP DL speeds, yet, quiet often 200+ latency to D4 servers