Title: Rider/Avatar Not Moving in Zwift Despite Power and Cadence Showing (Wahoo KICKR v5 + Lenovo PC on Windows 11)
Hi everyone,
I’m having a strange issue with Zwift on a new PC setup, and I hope someone here can help.
For more than a year I’ve been successfully using Zwift and TrainingPeaks Virtual (TPV) on my custom-built gaming PC (MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi DDR4 motherboard, Intel 13th-gen CPU) running Windows 10 Pro 22H2. Everything worked perfectly there for the last couple of years. I have used Zwift before for few months paying subscription. Then switched for a year of paid (by my Cycling Club) membership to TrainingPeaks Virtual, which also worked flawlessly, but it ended a month or so ago.
Recently, I decided to move my indoor training setup to a different PC — a Lenovo ThinkCentre M920q Tiny, running Windows 11 25H2. It uses the built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth adapter Intel Wireless-AC 9560 with the rear external antenna. Zwift and TPV are installed and running on this machine.
My trainer is a Wahoo KICKR v5, connected via Bluetooth. I’m also wearing Polar H10 heart rate monitor (chest strap/ belt) transmitting HR readings to the PC/Zwift app. I do not have any Zwift-specific sensors, Zwift Cog, or “virtual braking” devices. This is the same setup apart from the different PC that used to work flawlessly on my gaming PC.
The issue:
Zwift successfully detects my Kickr trainer and its sensors. While pedaling, I can clearly see power, cadence, and heart rate updating in real time. The problem is that my avatar does not move at all.
Here’s what happens:
· When I start pedaling, the avatar places both feet on the pedals, as if ready to ride.
· Power and cadence numbers appear correctly.
· However, the avatar does not begin pedaling or moving forward.
· When I stop pedaling, my power/cadence drop to zero (normal), and after a few seconds the avatar puts one foot on the ground—also normal behaviour.
· If I start pedaling again, he lifts his left foot back onto the pedal, but still never starts riding.
· As first troubleshooting steps, I removed my Polar H10 HR sensor, turned it off completely, powered off and then on my Kickr trainer. I still see power and cadence readings when I cycle but my Zwift avatar is still not starting ride.
· Rebooted my PC – no change.
· I checked - my Wahoo Kickr v5 is running on latest available firmware, which was updated few months ago and worked OK since until now.
So, the trainer and sensors are clearly communicating, but Zwift acts as if the bike is “braked” or locked in place.
I have tried using Zwift with and without its mobile phone Companion app — no difference.
I’ve also seen suggestions on this forum about doing a spindown calibration, but according to Wahoo’s own documentation on their website, the KICKR v5 and newer models do not support manual spindown, as they perform automatic calibration during use. So, this should not be a calibration issue as I can see some realistic power readings while pedalling.
For now, I cannot confirm whether TrainingPeaks Virtual works fully, because TPV requires paid membership to start a full workout — although sensors seem to be detected there as well.
I haven’t paid for Zwift yet either, as I want to make sure the setup actually works before subscribing.
Given that everything worked flawlessly on my custom built gaming PC, I’m trying to understand what could be wrong on the Lenovo PC that is only replaced component in the equation here. Or is it due to change to Windows 11 from 10? Has anyone seen this issue before and was able to find solution?
Any advice from other riders or the Zwift Support team would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!