I started a new topic after reading many others on “Connection Disconnected” as I believe mine maybe subtly different.
After a summer of IRL I came back to Zwift this week, the game updated to the latest version and I have the latest companion app version. I succesfully completed a ride in Makuri and then went to do another in Watopia. This is when I got the “Connection Disconnected” message.
At this point I checked my WiFi and it had disconneced, so I reconnected and tried to continue but it dropped again. At this point I shut down zwift and the companion app, restarted my WiFi and checked the connection. After restarting zwift and the companion app I rode for a few seconds before I got the “Connection Disconnected” message again. Once again my WiFi had dropped connection.
I gave up and shutdown zwift, restarted my WiFi and loaded another training app. I then completed a 30 minute ride with no WiFi or connection problems. Since then I’ve used my laptop without issue having made no changes at all.
So what is Zwift doing? Remember I rode a c.15 minute ride fine in Zwift before switching worlds, I rode a 30 minute ride in another app no problem, my router and connection to ISP is stable (I work from home). I don’t stream other things whilst riding and no one else was at home using the internet, just me and zwift.
So I tried again last night during The Herd Tuesday Social. All ok until 30 seconds before the start and the connection dropped. Checked WiFi and it was showing OK, waited and then WiFi dropped. Left me scrambling around trying to get back on which I did eventually and spent the next 20 mins playing catchup. All OK until around the 35-40 minute mark and connection dropped again, Wifi was showing still connected but everyone in game disappeared. Eventually WiFi dropped and reconnected but was flaky the rest of the ride.
This is VERY frustrating. I do not have problems at any other time, using the other competitor app either. This is definitely a Zwift problem, I have a full 4 bars on WiFi connection. My ISP and router report no interruptions.
I can’t speak on what is going on in your setup, but are you connecting via BLE? Personally, I’ve never managed to get Zwift working reliably via BLE on Windows. Ant+ / direct connect works like a charm.
I do use BLE to connect my trainer and HRM, however I’ve done that for over 2 years now and not had this problem before. I will, however, give that a try next time and see if it makes a difference.
I’ve never had a problem with BLE on Windows, but I’m using a TP-Link UB400 dongle on a 6 foot extension lead positioned behind the front wheel of the bike. My impression is that BLE issues are most common on systems that use a built-in antenna.
In any case the Connection Disconnected error relates to IP connectivity rather than Bluetooth, so my question is what kind of WiFi (protocol and equipment) is in use and whether there is some source of interference.
The exact cause of issues with Zwift, Windows, and LBE is unclear, but a quick search with these keywords reveals a long history of reported problems. Even ChatGPT’s recommendation for solving the problem is to use Ant+, which I find quite amusing! LOL
Thanks Paul, however my concern/confusion is that I used to use Zwift with the same configuration of equipment for 2 years before this problem occurred. The same laptop, same router, same ISP etc. As mentioned WiFi logo shows 4 bars (the maximum) and remains stable using a different training app with the same hardware (bike trainer, router etc.) for longer rider, over 1 hour and in the same position. The WiFi connection is WiFi 4, 2.4hz channel but as I said this hasn’t changed in the last few years. The only change is software updates inc. Zwift and as mentioned I only have this problem with Zwift.
Understood, however I should have said I also tried this on the 5G connection my router has. I still can’t get around the fact that this only affects Zwift though, nothing else I run on my laptop including another training app has the same problem.
