Connection problems with Zwift

Android
1

Hi,
I’m at a total loss about my Zwift problems. I have deliberately chosen the Kick Power V6 for its wifi functionality. It keeps dropping out and it sometimes takes me 1 hour of frustration to get connected. Sometimes I give up and sometimes there are no problems at all. I tried Zwift+Wahoo Kickr trainer jan-apr 2024 and this winter.

In jan-apr 2024 I was able to use the trainer with Trainerroad or workouts on my Garmin. I didn’t really used Zwift, partly because of these problems.

My setup:

  • Trainer setup in garage.
  • Wahoo Kickr V6 (dec. 2023)
  • Samsung Tab A8(One UI 6.1, Android 14), or Windows laptop
  • All software updated
  • TP-link Deco X50 PoE access point, 2m distance (from oct 2024)
  • Cat 7A S/FTP cables running from my router to my garage. +/- 15m of cable, not close to cables.
    *Before this winter I used an different AP + cable, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
  • 1 gbps glassfiber connection from a ‘high quality’ provider. No other problems regarding internet connections.
  • Zwift cog and click (new this winter, doesn’t have impact on the existing problems)

What I am experiencing are:

  1. Not being able to connect at all, or only power.
  2. Quick loss of connection after I hold my legs still for a couple of seconds
  3. Different expectations about the usability of Zwift.
  4. Every training effort is a gamble for my girlfriend. Will I come back inside frustrated or elevated?

So how do I connect and what do I experience?
When starting Zwift I start pedaling and try to connect the power meter with the Kickr Power via the UTP connector icon. This should be the wifi on the Kickr right? The other Item is an Bluetooth Icon. The tablet is connected to the same network as the trainer is. Once I connect with the Kickr I’m seeing watts but most of the times it doesn’t ‘expand’ the options to cadence, controls and heart rate. Why not?

Yesterday it shown the cadence, controls and heart rate and I was able to start Zwifting. During the warming up it disconnected every minute or so for 5-10 seconds.

What I am always experiencing is a too rapid disconnection of the Kickr with Zwift. If I hold my legs still for 5-10 seconds it needs a couple of seconds to reconnect. This is too soon right?

What have I done to get it working?
I tried multiple devices like the tablet, two different laptops AND disconnected from the other devices to cancel out multiple connections. And of course removing and reinstalling the Zwift app and other connections. It doesn’t help.

Overall expectations of Zwift
Even when I everything works I am not totally immersed in a ‘Zwift experience’. Because of the ‘connection gamble’ I haven’t tried a race or group ride yet and have used only workouts. These are still boring and I use Zwift as a training platform with workouts. So during boring workouts I want to stream some movies to keep me from falling asleep. But Zwift doesn’t allow running in the background. So I need two devices while Zwifting?

Anybody out there to give some usable tips?
Kind regards, Koen

2

Hi @Koen

This is Haziel, part of the Zwift Support team, I know how this issue with the connectivity is affecting you to enjoy Zwift, and I will be happy to assist you.

After reviewing the information provided, I noticed that there have been some signal interruptions on your account, it’s likely Zwift isn’t receiving all of your data via Bluetooth (BLE), anything transmitting on, or interfering with that frequency can also interfere with BLE signal causing dropouts, please try the following:

  1. Confirm you have the correct option selected for using Built-in Bluetooth, or Zwift Companion from the gear icon in the PAIRED DEVICES screen.
  2. Turn off BLE on your device and then turn it back on again.
  3. Restart Zwift and try pairing again.
  4. If BLE isn’t working, and an ANT+ dongle is installed, try removing the ANT+ dongle to simplify the configuration.
  5. Please disconnect any BLE device like a mouse, headphones, or keyboards that use Bluetooth signals to avoid interference.

I will share this article BLE and ANT+ Interference Troubleshooting Tips​ which covers some of the main reasons that might be causing this interference and their possible solutions.

If after following those steps you still experience the issue please try Using the Zwift Companion App as a Bridge.

If the issue persists please contact us, to provide you with further assistance.

3

Hi Haziel,
Thank you for your reply.
I don’t use the bluetooth functionality to connect as I bought the Kickr v6 for its (supposed) stable wifi connection as I was aware of bluetooth and its problems. Do you still think I should look at the bluetooth functions? Maybe I should explained this better.
I did tried to connect via bluetooth though but it didn’t solve my problems.

4

Try turning BT off on your devices and then connect. Possible that it is trying to HiJack the signal.

5

Hi chris, thank you for the suggestion. I think I tried it. But also I am using bluetooth earphones and think Zwift should be able to cope with this situation right?

6

Not necessarily. If you are not staying connected via WiFi or it is dropping if you stop spinning, I would look at the Wahoo. I do not know the Wahoo app so see if BT can be turned off. Looks to me as if you have signal interference and in conflict.

You can also try changing your wifi channel.

1 Like
7

I agree with Chris, the wifi signal is the same or similar frequency as the bluetooth signal.

8

Hi,
Eventually I got in contact with Wahoo and they send me a new unit. I was able to return the new unit to the shop where I bought it 13 months ago.

I am done with indoor trainers. After how many years of development AND specifically buying a wifi unit connection problems shouldn’t exist any more.
When returning the unit I also took in account my problemless Zwift sessions. It just is too boring.