Troubleshooting connection and stream quality issues

If you experience slow game responses or degraded visual quality in your game streams, you may have a weak internet connection or another issue with one of your devices. These issues might also affect your ability to use Stadia Pro features like 4K, HDR, or 5.1 surround sound.

Before you try any of the troubleshooting tips below, make sure your internet has a connection speed of 10 megabits per second (Mbps) or greater. Even if you've signed up for an internet plan of 10 Mbps or greater, we recommend testing your connection on the device you'll use in the location where you want to play.

Learn more about data usage, bandwidth controls, and ISPs.

Common network error messages

These are some common error messages you might encounter in Stadia related to your network connectivity. If any of these messages appear, try the troubleshooting tips below.

"Please check your connection"

What it means:

  • If you get this message before you start your game: While your game was loading, Stadia tested your connection and determined that it wasn't strong enough to play a game.
  • If you get this message because your game stopped: Your connection wasn't strong enough to continue playing. For the next 10 minutes, you'll be able to return to where you left off in the game if you improve your internet connection.

"The game may stop because your connection isn't stable"

What it means:

Your internet connection might not be strong enough, or there could be an issue with your device. This might cause your game to stop while you are playing.

For more information about the error message, open your connection panel while you're playing a game:

  1. On your Stadia Controller, press the Stadia button Stadia button.
    • On your computer keyboard, press Shift + Tab.
  2. Select Connection.

"No internet connection"

What it means:

Your device lost its internet connection.

Troubleshoot network and connectivity issues

Try these tips if you experience problems with your network connectivity.

On a TV with Chromecast Ultra

  • Plug your Chromecast Ultra into a wired Ethernet connection, if possible. Your Chromecast Ultra has an Ethernet port on the power adapter.
  • Change your Performance settings to Up to 1080p or Up to 720p.
  • If you're using Wi-Fi, move your Chromecast Ultra closer to your Wi-Fi router. This will increase signal strength. Keep them at least 2 feet apart to prevent interference.
  • If you have a dual-band router, use the 5GHz Wi-Fi band instead of the 2.4GHz band. To learn how to switch, check with your Wi-Fi router's manufacturer for instructions.
  • To free up bandwidth that's being used for streaming or downloading, stop streaming music or video on the same Wi-Fi network, even if it's happening somewhere else in your home. Also, stop or pause any downloads or backups.

On your computer at stadia.com (Google Chrome)

  • Plug your computer into a wired Ethernet connection, if possible.
  • Change your Performance settings on stadia.com to Up to 1080p or Up to 720p.
  • If you're using Wi-Fi, move your computer closer to your Wi-Fi router. This will increase signal strength. Keep them at least 2 feet apart to prevent interference.
  • Use the 5GHz Wi-Fi band instead of the 2.4GHz band. Check with your Wi-Fi router's manufacturer for instructions on how to switch.
  • Stop streaming music or video on the same Wi-Fi network, even if it's happening somewhere else in your home. Stop or pause any downloads or online backups. This can free up bandwidth that's being used for streaming or downloading.
  • Make sure you don't have a Chrome extension that blocks the WebRTC protocol, as this will prevent Stadia from working properly. Some VPN Chrome extensions may do this. Check the information for your extension in the Chrome Web Store.
  • Make sure your firewall or VPN rules do not restrict traffic on ports in the range 44700 - 44899 (TCP and UDP). These are required ports for playing games on Stadia. Please note that this range might change in the future.
    • If you're using a work or school network, check with your network administrator. Your network administrator might block ports in this range.

In the Stadia app (mobile device)

  • Connect your mobile device to Wi-Fi.
    • If you've enabled mobile data usage on your mobile device, your cellular internet connection might not be strong enough. Enable Wi-Fi in your device’s settings and connect it to your Wi-Fi network.
  • Change your mobile device's Performance settings to Up to 720p.
  • Move your device closer to your Wi-Fi router. This will increase signal strength. Keep them at least 2 feet apart to prevent interference.
  • Use the 5GHz Wi-Fi band instead of the 2.4GHz band. Check with your Wi-Fi router's manufacturer for instructions on how to switch.
  • Stop streaming music or video on the same Wi-Fi network, even if it's happening somewhere else in your home. Stop or pause any downloads or backups. This can free up bandwidth that's being used for streaming or downloading.

Tips for improving Stadia Controller connectivity

If your Stadia Controller is slow or unresponsive, it might be having trouble connecting to Stadia. To resolve issues like missing or delayed button presses, try these tips.

  • Move your Stadia Controller closer to your Wi-Fi router. This will increase signal strength.
  • Stop streaming music or video on the same Wi-Fi network, even if it's happening somewhere else in your home. Stop or pause any downloads. This can free up bandwidth that's being used for streaming or downloading.
  • Limit the number of other devices using a lot of bandwidth on the same Wi-Fi network.

Troubleshoot issues with your device

If you experience degraded stream quality when you play Stadia on your device, try the tips below.

On a TV with Chromecast Ultra

  • Change your Performance settings to Up to 1080p or Up to 720p.
  • Install your Chromecast Ultra in a well-ventilated area.
  • Plug your Chromecast Ultra into your TV using an HDMI 2.0 (or greater) port.
  • Turn on Game Mode in your TV's settings, if available. Check with your TV's manufacturer for instructions.
  • Turn off 50Hz HDMI mode:
    1. On your mobile device, open the Google Home app Google Home app.
    2. Tap the display your Chromecast is connected to.
    3. Tap Settings Settings icon.
    4. Under "Display", turn off 50Hz HDMI mode.

Tip for improving screen distortion

If your screen seems stretched or out of bounds, or Stadia notifications appear cut off, set your picture size to "screen fit" and disable overscan in your TV's settings. On certain TVs, the "16:9" picture size implies overscan. Check with your TV's manufacturer for instructions.

On your computer at stadia.com (Google Chrome)

  • Change your Performance settings on stadia.com to Up to 1080p or Up to 720p.
  • Make sure JavaScript is enabled in Chrome for stadia.com.
  • Open a new Incognito window for Stadia. If this resolves the issue, you might have a browser extension, such as an ad blocker, that's incompatible with Stadia. Try to disable some of your browser extensions, then try again.
  • Before you launch a game, make sure your Google Chrome zoom settings are set to 100%.
  • If you use an HDMI cable to connect your computer to your display, make sure the cable supports HDMI 2.0 or greater, and is plugged into an HDMI 2.0 or greater port on both ends.
  • If you use multiple displays in extended mode, disabling this configuration (so that your computer is only connected to one display) may improve performance while playing Stadia.
  • If you're playing on a Mac and experiencing video stuttering or audio issues, try disabling Location Services or Wireless Direct Link (AWDL). You can turn them back on after you're done playing.
    • Turn off Location Services: Go to System Preferences and then Security & Privacy and then Privacy and then uncheck "Enable Location Services". You can turn this back on after you're finished playing in the same location.
    • Turn off Wireless Direct Link (AWDL):
      1. In your Applications and then Utilities folder, open the Terminal program.
      2. Type the following text into the Terminal: sudo ifconfig awdl0 down
      3. Press Enter.
      4. Note that this will affect related Continuity features such as Airdrop and Airprint.
      5. After you’re finished playing, turn AWDL back on. Type the following text into the Terminal: sudo ifconfig awdl0 up
      6. Press Enter.

In the Stadia app (mobile device)

  • Change your mobile device's Performance settings to Up to 720p.
  • Close any open apps that you aren't using.
  • Restart your mobile device.
More mobile devices will be made compatible with Stadia over time, even if they don't appear in the above list.
 
To try playing Stadia on an Android device that is not currently supported, sign into the Stadia app Stadia icon on the device you want to try, open your Stadia settings, tap Experiments, then turn on Play on this device. This setting will only affect the device you set it on, and you can turn it off at any time. Note that your play experience may vary depending on your mobile device and network speed.

Troubleshoot 4K, 5.1 Surround Sound, or HDR

Before you troubleshoot features like 4K, HDR, or 5.1 surround sound, make sure you have an active Stadia Pro subscription, and that your device meets the hardware requirements for each feature you want to use.

4K

Troubleshoot common issues with 4K

  • Enable 4K in your TV's and receiver's settings. This is sometimes referred to as "4K HDMI pass-through mode."
  • Set your resolution to Up to 4K in your device's Performance settings.
  • If you resume a game session on your Chromecast Ultra or computer from another device that does not support 4K, you will need to restart the session to get 4K. To do this, first exit the game on your Chromecast Ultra or computer, then launch it again.

Confirm you're playing in 4K

When playing a Stadia game on a computer or a 4K TV with Chromecast Ultra:

  1. On your Stadia Controller, press the Stadia button Stadia button.
    • If you're using a computer keyboard, press Shift + Tab.
  2. Select Connection.

If the "4K" icon appears on the screen, you're playing in 4K.

5.1 Surround Sound

Troubleshoot issues with 5.1 surround sound

First, make sure your Chromecast Ultra, TV, or computer is plugged into a sound system that supports 5.1 surround sound.

Confirm you're playing with 5.1 Surround Sound

While playing a game on your TV with Chromecast Ultra or on a computer on stadia.com:

  1. On your Stadia Controller, press the Stadia button Stadia button.
    • If you’re using a computer keyboard, press Shift + Tab.
  2. Select Connection.

If the "5.1" icon appears on the screen, you’re playing with 5.1 surround sound.

HDR

Note: HDR is currently only supported on Chromecast Ultra. We are working to enable support for HDR on stadia.com and on other supported devices. Stay tuned!

Troubleshoot common issues with HDR

  • If your TV supports HDR, you may have to enable it in your TV's and receiver's settings, either for the TV as a whole, or for the specific HDMI port that the Chromecast is plugged into.
    • Options to enable HDR go by different names depending on the TV manufacturer, model, and firmware. These names include, but are not limited to: "HDR", "HDR 10", “HDR 10+”, "Dolby Vision", "Deep Color", "Ultra HD Color", "UHD Color", "Ultra HD Premium", "UHD Premium", "Enhanced Format", "BT 2020", "ST 2084", and "PQ".
  • Check that your Chromecast Ultra is plugged into a supported HDMI port. Even on TVs that support HDR, some of the ports might not support it.
  • Try connecting your Chromecast directly to your TV. Devices that are plugged in between the Chromecast and the TV (such as audio/video receivers) may interfere with HDR, depending on the device.
  • If you still have problems with HDR, update your TV's firmware. This can usually be done from the TV's menu.

Learn more about how to stream and troubleshoot HDR on Chromecast Ultra.

Confirm you're playing in HDR

While you're playing a game on your TV with Chromecast Ultra:

  1. On your Stadia Controller, press the Stadia button Stadia button.
  2. Select Connection.

If the "HDR" icon appears on the screen, you're playing in HDR.

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