Hi all,
Since it was recommend to me I’ve exclusively used my pixel android phone as a bridge and it’s been rock solid for over 6 months. Now all of a sudden I’m getting constant drops and I’m forced to go back to direct Bluetooth connection. I believe my network is ok as the hub behind a closed door 2 meters away. Although not sure huw I’d know if it’s dropping.
Very grateful for any suggestions.
Thanks.
Hi, @Sean_GPG , welcome to Forums! I’m Francisco from Zwift Support.
I totally get how weird it is to go from everything working fine a few months ago to now having issues between your devices and the ZC app.
Let’s try to figure this out. I saw that you’ve got several sessions going on in the backend. There’s a login from a PC with the game updated to 1.79.0 and another from an iPad that’s still on version 1.78.0. Plus, you’re rolling out the ZC app on a Google Pixel 7a.
Just a heads-up, it’s not a great idea to log into multiple devices with the same account at the same time because it can cause all sorts of issues, even leaving the app in the background without using it.
Can you try to force close the game on your PC and iPad then reset the game preferences in-game on your PC by following this article?
After that clear up the Bluetooth from your Android force close the ZC app, turn on airplane mode for 15 seconds, and then turn it off, afterward turn off mobile data and just keep the wireless Wifi connection for both PC and Android including the same 2.4 GHz/5 GHz band, pair them up and let’s see how it goes, it would be ideal to turn off any other devices that broadcasted Bluetooth to avoid grab of signal.
For more steps check this article:
(Issues with Zwift Companion App)
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HI Francisco,
Thanks for getting back to me.
The set up I use is Zwift is loaded on a windows 10 PC and I use an internet and Bluetooth enabled television (maybe I need to shut this?). Although Zwift is also loaded to my iPad and laptop these are usually not in the same room and were turned off. I also use my current pixel 7a phone as the bridge and host the companion app. I also have my phone throughout the session switched to airplane mode, but don not spherically also turn the data off – I can try that.
I use another old pixel (4a) to play music from Spotify to a speaker – so not sure if that is causing interference?
Many thanks
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I would certainly test it with the Spotify equipment powered off.
If I had your PC I would also want to fix the Bluetooth performance to avoid using the Companion app for pairing. Companion naturally depends on both Bluetooth and WiFi in the device functioning properly. Any interference with either one could be the cause of a disconnection, and that can be affected by anything in your home or nearby neighbors.
If the PC has built-in Bluetooth that doesn’t work reliably, disable it and use a dongle on an extension cable. Pick from these recommendations:
Other advice about Bluetooth performance issues:
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Thanks for that.
Reading around the subject I think one of my issues is I have a BLE dongle (TP-Link Nano USB Bluetooth 5.3) and also my phone. I’ll try and use the phone only then the only the dongle.
I also used Zwift Analyser to review the log file that seems to show I had UDP Network Timeouts, UDP Network Errors (6) and Latency Test Failures which are quite frequent - not sure what I can do about the latter as I have fibre BB over 180 mbps but I have no control over network dropouts. Nothing else ow have been using the network at the time at any appreciable level (i.e. TV).
Network dropouts can also be related to your home networking equipment or WiFi signal strength. A good place to start would be rebooting all of that equipment. If anything is wrong with the home network, Companion pairing may drop out or experience greater latency. When not using Companion for pairing, UDP or latency failures will have no effect on pairing (unless it’s a trainer that uses WiFi or Ethernet).
I use the TP-Link UB400 (Bluetooth v4) which has been very stable in my Windows system. It’s on a 2m extension cable positioned under the bike.
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