Disappointed with Zwift!

[Henley 1]

I am subscribed to Zwift for about 2 years, using a Wahoo Kickr Snap.

At first I complained gently about the fluctuations in power readings several times per second (despite being smoothed out to 3 seconds), making it look “accurate” but in fact meaningless info. I also felt that it does not make sense when going uphill my power readings are always substantially lower than going downhill – regardless of technique, cadence etc. (Higher heart rate should roughly relate to higher power output) I was forced to live with these shortcomings.

However, as of late, I experience sporadic power drops of a few seconds, and sometimes complete drops. My “rider” would stop dead, power and speed readings go to zero, while I actually still cycle hard. Start session from scratch.

Asking Zwift for help is useless. They bombard you with automated responses and typical Q&A stuff but no specific support. I have removed the fan, the CD player, cell phone, Garmin, even the dog. Upgraded my ADSL and ISP services, bought new wifi router, wifi extender, …. you name it …. been tried

 

Shall I change soft wear or are they all this useless? And if “yes” which one?

Thanks

 

ps. please understand and forgive this request: I need not be told how stooopid I am and how smart you are – those are known facts. Sincere help will however be hugely appreciated! 

 

[Dubber]

Hey there

 

I'm not convinced this is a zwift specific problem.  But then again it may be.

 

What I would do is download one of the other virtual training software platforms and test.  Try Rouvy, they are well established and give you a free trial.

 

Check and see if you get the same/similar problems regarding power smoothing, connections issues etc.

 

If you don't have any issues then it may be Zwift.  If you still have hassles then probably a PC/laptop/phone/trainer setup issue.

[Madone69]

Im not a IT guy but Seems to me a hardware problem....connection,ant stick,distance from laptop,etc...

Not a software problem. Software only displays what is provided to display.

Just my 2c...i could be completely wrong

[sucramuk]

Hi.

Haven't got a zwift setup but helped out a friend with his frustrations.

Firstly hardwired his zwift device {apple TV} direct to modem. Latency was an issue. Hardwiring solved this. Also he had issue with too many connections running on Bluetooth. Purchased a device called cable from amazon. Seems a happy bunny now.

[cadenceblur]

Had similar in issues with Zwift, related to constant loss of signal but zero issues with Trainer road.

[bertusras]

What device are you using Zwift on and how are you connecting your trainer to said device?

[Patchelicious]

You need to remember that any softaware system is only as good as the data it gets. Rubbish in, rubbish out.

 

Zwift doesn’t actually look at the power device that you use, but rather the data that device sends. If you power meter, cadence sensor, HR etc sends weird data, it will reflect that on Zwift.

 

Zwift, Strava etc use APIs to access this data and are read only Apps.

 

Your best bet is to check your PM. What is it? The drop outs sound like a common problem with some power meters.

[madbradd]

AntStick can also be an issue. Have you tried a different ant stick, different port in your laptop, tried the Bluetooth link via your phone, ant stick extender cable, checked if you get corresponding drop outs on your Garmin device as well?

 

What worked for me was moving from a Garmin ant stick to a wahoo one in an extender cable. I didn't do further debugging as I may have angrily thrown the Garmin ant stick one into the garden by mistake...... I also find the signal provided my my wahoo (kickr, not the snap) to generally be crap. I think it has to to with a poor transmitter placement, but I figure that I should get more than one or 2 bars signal on the wahoo app when I'm sitting on the trainer.

 

So while I have noticed that Zwift does have its issues, alot of it can be from the setup and not the software.

[Meezo]

You need to remember that any softaware system is only as good as the data it gets. Rubbish in, rubbish out.

 

Zwift doesn’t actually look at the power device that you use, but rather the data that device sends. If you power meter, cadence sensor, HR etc sends weird data, it will reflect that on Zwift.

 

Zwift, Strava etc use APIs to access this data and are read only Apps.

 

Your best bet is to check your PM. What is it? The drop outs sound like a common problem with some power meters.

Doesn't a wahoo device have a pm built in?

 

Asking in ignorance

[Mongoose!]

Use a usb extension cord to move your usb dongle closer to the trainer.

Sounds like either your trainer or internet connection to me ....

[Patchelicious]

Doesn't a wahoo device have a pm built in?

 

Asking in ignorance

You are right, the Snap does, sorry I missed that.

 

But the issue will still be because of the data that Wahoo sends. In the same way that Strava reads data from Garmin Connect, Strava doesn’t have direct access to your Garmin file, if that makes sense?

[Thornman]

Had the same problems from last week.

 

I stopped using my Ant+ device. Downloaded the app for my phone and now connect my trainer to my phone. My phone is paired to the computer.

 

That sorted my problems. Just use the ant+ for my HR monitor.

[Firozfx]

I had the exact same problem after a firmware update on my kickr 3. At least 1 power drop per minute

 

After much troubleshooting and been in contact with both zwift and wahoo, I cut my wifi in the room and all readings to my garmin. My desktop is hard wired to my router and only link my garmin to hr (for discovery points) . Havent had 1 power drop in my last 5 hours of zwift.

[Henley 1]

Thanx a lot guys for some great advice  - of sorts!

 

Fair is fair. I would like to compliment Zwift for this specific answer that I got yesterday after complaining bitterly again. Thanx Zwift.

But now this is quite a mouthful hey?:

 

Unfortunately, your GPU does not meet our minimum requirements; Zwift requires an Intel HD 4000 or better, while your computer only has the Intel HD 3000. As Zwift isn't supported on that computer, if you have a more powerful computer you can use, I'd recommend trying that instead.

 

Although your computer is below min spec, you may still be able to run Zwift, albeit at reduced performance. I noticed your graphics drivers are out of date, and updating them may solve the problem. If you want to try this, visit Intel's website to download the latest version for your graphics chipset. I have to reiterate that your computer would still not be officially supported, however, and will only become increasingly outdated as we continue developing Zwift. If you haven't already, I would also recommend lowering your resolution from the in-game settings menu to the lowest possible setting. (576p)

 

The next method is a bit more complex, so please feel free to ask for clarification.

 

I'm going to have you manually revert the lighting to the previous settings by following the instructions below:

 

1) Locate your "prefs.xml" file which can be found in your Documents/Zwift folder.

 

2) Right-click this file and open with a text modifying program such as notepad.

 

3) Find the "<CONFIG>" section of the file and right underneath copy/paste "<PERF>67108864</PERF>".

 

4) Save/close the file.

 

5) Open Zwift.

 

A more forward-facing solution is to run Zwift on another, supported device. Zwift supports newer PCs and Macs, and most iOS and Apple TV devices. See our website for more information on hardware requirements.

 

Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help.

 

[Sybok]

I had the same power dopping problem. The solution was to unpair the trainer in zwift, and instead of using the ant+ protocol, use the ant+ FE-C to connect and control the trainer. All problems solved and no mre power drops.

[bertusras]

Have you tried a different ANT+ stick, have you tried putting the ANT+ stick on a USB Extender, is your computer plugged in to mains power, or are you running off the battery?