My husband and I (in the same household on different PC systems) have been having a lot of network issues with Battlenet and Overwatch since Thursday (09/30) evening. We’re getting random disconnects, high pings, and server quality problems. Also we’re having trouble logging into Battlenet and the main page has difficulty rendering content. Our Internet provider is Spectrum.
I’ve tried everything I can think of -
Modem and router reboots
Verify router firmware is current
Changing power source for both
Bypass router directly to modem
DNS cache clear and changing DNS providers
Rebooting and checking drivers (this issue happens on two separate computers, both of which are wired Internet)
I had a Spectrum tech out today and they replaced the modem and checked all wiring. Everything checks out. Speed is fine, other services I use on the Internet (including other games) are fine. He left at a loss after seeing the issue.
I’m admittedly at a loss as to what could be wrong. Only Battlenet/Overwatch are having issues, and this is very recent. Below is my WinMTR from when I was playing today, right up until I was dropped due to a “Disconnected from Server” error right at the end of a match.
Any help is appreciated, as my husband and I are pretty much unable to play Overwatch now.
There is lag that appears on the first Spectrum node in the test, and continues to build to a larger delay over the route to the server. Before connecting to Blizzard, the latency is already hitting spikes of 328ms in Spectrum’s network. Unfortunately, since the node is so close to you, a VPN is unlikely to help and you will probably need service from the company to come out.
As for why you don’t notice this elsewhere: other games or services may not require the same level of connection as Overwatch, which has a tick rate of about 60 per second. The WinMTR only tests 1 packet per second, so there may be some data loss on those other 59 packets causing the disconnect.
I am having the same issue and would love any help possible. I also use charter and all of my issues began on Sept 30th as well. I get disconnected, cant join, or have terrible stuttering in game. I have reset the modem and router multiple times, reset to factory specs, restarted the ps5, set the ps5 back to factory specs, tried wired connection, tried wifi connection, and updated all software. I have also had a tech come to check everything and they have said that everything is working correctly. This is happening on my PS5 and PS4. My looking glass is below. I would love some advice because this does not appear to be getting any better and at this point Overwatch is unplayable.
Connection troubleshooting on consoles is very limited since the looking glass only sends out 10 packets. If you’re able to access a PC, you’d want to run a WinMTR. However, if you run the WinMTR, please make a new thread instead of adding it here. Each new reply alerts the OP, and we’ve already answered their question.
I still have an open case with Spectrum, and I’m going to use this. I really appreciate finding someone with the same issue start date, and the fact that its getting worse. We can’t play Overwatch at all any more. In fact I can barely log in and typically get kicked at the main menu.
EDIT because I can’t reply:
Spectrum finally came back and indicated they can’t find anything wrong so I’m back to square one. I’m going to open a ticket with Blizzard.
My husband has been playing the Battlefield 2042 open beta with no issues - this problem is specific to Blizzard/Battlenet.
I still have my issue as well and Spectrum is no help. It has also been getting worse for me and i can barely log on anymore because i get so many errors. I am having Charter send me a new modem and router to see if this helps but this process is very frustrating. I have been playing other games as well without problems so i agree it seems like a Blizzard/Battlenet issue.
The test results you provided very clearly demonstrate this is an ISP issue. Blizzard doesn’t contact ISPs for individual cases, as they aren’t the customer of those companies. They only do this during extreme outages across the web.
I am also a Spectrum customer and find that level 1 technicians rarely have the training to read a WinMTR. Your best bet is to send them a DM on Twitter with the test results. Also, add a note that they told you nothing is wrong, yet it’s literally right there, in the test. Getting bounced around customer support with Spectrum is annoying, but unless the issue suddenly resolves on its own (could happen), it’s your only option.
Every game you play will use a different route between you and the game server. It seems like they will need to look into this further from their end to find why this route is not working as expected.
I complete agree and I managed to box them (Spectrum) in - I am still working at it but have ruled out any account issues, hardware or software issues.
I installed ProtonVPN and was able to finally play for the first time in a week - it proves that it is something I am being routed through in the Spectrum (or an affiliate/3rd party) network when playing the game.
I appreciate all of your help and hopefully I can get movement soon. At least I have a workaround for now.
CharNobyl - I’d like to add you to my case as they are interested in anyone else that has the issue. I sent a friend request so we can discuss it if you’d like. I’m on my third modem since this started so I doubt the hardware will help.
Howdy, I have this same thing and opened a ticket yesterday with Blizzard. The Spectrum reps genuinely wanted to help, but were no help. I honestly couldn’t confidently interpret my MTR results to make a case to them. So, please let them know another person (Fitchburg, WI, USA) is having terrible lag/booting from games/teammates failing to group up, etc.
Fitchburg, WI? That’s exactly where I live! CharNobyl and Eric, I sent friend requests to both of you via Battle.net, if you don’t get them you can add me (Darklight#12140). I also have Discord available if that works better.
Thats crazy cause i live in Verona WI and used to live in Fitchburg. I am planning on switching to TDS to see if that clears up the issue. I need to play Overwatch!
I’m in an apartment so I have little choice. Spectrum is the fastest and cheapest (relative to speed) - my only option otherwise is nearly 90% slower DSL.
So I have to work with Spectrum to get this fixed. But knowing locations - this helps a lot and I’m going to call my higher than Tier 1 contact and start pushing hard.
EDIT: I called my contact and left him a message about getting this escalated as I have two other customers in the area with the same issue.
Sounds good, thanks! Below is a recent MTR I did.
Any idea why Looking Glass runs this twice?
Strange, roundabout trip: Ft. Worth, San Jose, Denver.
By contrast, though, the 2nd MTR starts in Chicago, the home of ORD, and has good latency.
I am not sure just what this means, but it does look like the persistent latency is coming from the Charter peers’ Denver-Eau Claire hop.
Just came across this thread and wanted to throw in my two cents that I’ve been having the same problem lately: higher ping and packet loss only in Overwatch, and I also live in Fitchburg WI with Spectrum as my ISP
Thank you all for your continued feedback and others that have reported this problem. I’m going to contact Customer Care again tonight as I’m not getting any responses from my contact.
EDIT - as soon as I post this he calls me back. He is escalating this as there (through this post) are a number of people experiencing this problem in a very local area.