ESO has been growing rather unstable for me

GhostOfAnEra

I noticed the past several days, my ESO game has been declining. Literally every day, my game lags more and more. I thought it was my router or my wifi, so I got a new adapter, but, besides more speed, it didn't help much. My speed, network connection, ping, drivers, they're all normal. Everything seems to be updated, and no one else has problems with the internet. I suspect now it's my game, or a latency issue? No idea.

Anyway, like I said, my game has been lagging more and more, but today, I can't even play it. It's gotten so bad, that after I boot up my character, my game logs me out, with no error message. When I do run ESO, my wifi too lags, but speed and everything is normal.

Until some time last week, I never had this problem before. I've been having so many problems ever since Wolfhunter was released. I experienced 4 crashes, which were resolved by repairing; but after repairing and everything, my game has gotten unstable. It wasn't like that hitherto, but it's now a new problem after I repaired my game after experiencing frequent crashes.

I'll try reinstalling the darn thing. Other than that, does anyone else have other options?

Elsterchen

Is everything else on your computer up to date? (Drivers (graphic card !), software (java!) etc. )

Sounds like something needs an update.

GhostOfAnEra

Yes. I checked everything I could, and nothing needs to be updated, as far as I know.

Elsterchen

Ok, if you use a nvidia graphic card, I will still stick to -> check card setting, drivers etc (they tend to make problems with eso... all of them, some more some less, but they have a habit of creating havoc with eso)

Else it may help if you add your system specifics, I am not aware of any system-requirement-changes with update 19, but one never knows (and according to the agrees given to your initial post already, you don't seem to be the only one with trouble).

One last thing you could try beforehand is removing the user.settings.txt (don't delete it, just store it somewhere else (and safe)) when offline and restart launcher and game.

DarcyMardin

GhostOfAnEra wrote: »

I noticed the past several days, my ESO game has been declining. Literally every day, my game lags more and more. I thought it was my router or my wifi, so I got a new adapter, but, besides more speed, it didn't help much. My speed, network connection, ping, drivers, they're all normal. Everything seems to be updated, and no one else has problems with the internet. I suspect now it's my game, or a latency issue? No idea.

Anyway, like I said, my game has been lagging more and more, but today, I can't even play it. It's gotten so bad, that after I boot up my character, my game logs me out, with no error message. When I do run ESO, my wifi too lags, but speed and everything is normal.

Until some time last week, I never had this problem before. I've been having so many problems ever since Wolfhunter was released. I experienced 4 crashes, which were resolved by repairing; but after repairing and everything, my game has gotten unstable. It wasn't like that hitherto, but it's now a new problem after I repaired my game after experiencing frequent crashes.

I'll try reinstalling the darn thing. Other than that, does anyone else have other options?

I’ve been having the exact same problem ever since the recent update. I’ve never had lag problems before, but now the game is pretty much unplayable. Everything that I can think to test checks out on my network and my computer, but I am about to acquire a brand new computer. I should know in a few days whether the problem persists in the new system...in which case I’ll probably be convinced that it’s ESO related.

EDIT: update — ESO is running fine on the new computer. There are still long load screens, but I’m not seeing any lag or other instability, so I guess it was my five-year-old system.

GhostOfAnEra

DarcyMardin wrote: »

GhostOfAnEra wrote: »

I noticed the past several days, my ESO game has been declining. Literally every day, my game lags more and more. I thought it was my router or my wifi, so I got a new adapter, but, besides more speed, it didn't help much. My speed, network connection, ping, drivers, they're all normal. Everything seems to be updated, and no one else has problems with the internet. I suspect now it's my game, or a latency issue? No idea.

Anyway, like I said, my game has been lagging more and more, but today, I can't even play it. It's gotten so bad, that after I boot up my character, my game logs me out, with no error message. When I do run ESO, my wifi too lags, but speed and everything is normal.

Until some time last week, I never had this problem before. I've been having so many problems ever since Wolfhunter was released. I experienced 4 crashes, which were resolved by repairing; but after repairing and everything, my game has gotten unstable. It wasn't like that hitherto, but it's now a new problem after I repaired my game after experiencing frequent crashes.

I'll try reinstalling the darn thing. Other than that, does anyone else have other options?

I’ve been having the exact same problem ever since the recent update. I’ve never had lag problems before, but now the game is pretty much unplayable. Everything that I can think to test checks out on my network and my computer, but I am about to acquire a brand new computer. I should know in a few days whether the problem persists in the new system...in which case I’ll probably be convinced that it’s ESO related.

Let me know how that goes.

@Elsterchen: My Nvidia control panel won't open for some reason, so I'll check it out after ESO is being reinstalled. EDIT: Like I said, everything is up to date. Also, here's my system specifics:

Manufacturer: ASUSTek Computer Inc.

Model: G751JT

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4720HQ CPU @ 2.60 GHz 2.59 GHz

RAM: 16.0 GB

System type: 64-bit Operating System, x64-based processor

FuseMav

Are you randomly disconnecting? I've been having this same issue since the big patch. See the link below:

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/430697/an-error-has-occurred-please-wait-a-few-minutes-to-log-in-again#latest

GhostOfAnEra

I'm not disconnecting, per se. I get no error message. The game just logs me off whenever I start it.

Update: I reinstalled the game, which didn't do anything. I'm at a loss. I have no idea how to fix the darn game I couldn't submit a ticket through PC, so I did it on my phone.

Elsterchen

GhostOfAnEra wrote: »

I'm not disconnecting, per se. I get no error message. The game just logs me off whenever I start it.

Update: I reinstalled the game, which didn't do anything. I'm at a loss. I have no idea how to fix the darn game I can't submit a ticket through PC, so I did it on my phone.

Good morning!
Try to go back to the previous nvidia driver, first. Would not be the first time a new driver doesn't work properly with ESO (which will be fixed ina few weeks, but till then its safer to use the previous graphic card driver) .

If that fails contact nvidia support laying down your issue, it might take days but support is really helpfull. Don't forget to mention you can't enter nvidia control panel, tho.

edit:Don't repair/reinstall eso for now. I'll eat my hat, if the problem is not linked to your graphic card in any way.

GhostOfAnEra

The driver date goes back to 2017, so... again, there's nothing wrong with my driver.

HidesFromSun

Just so you know, ive been having lag/latency problems too. Glad you're not the only one

GhostOfAnEra

Update: I logged in my game briefly, and it strangely seems normal now. I experienced no problems with one of my characters; however, my first character is a bit laggy, but the game hasn't logged me off after selection.

Tandor

Glad things have improved, however, I'd strongly recommend using a cabled connection rather than wifi.

Kooky_Koala

I am having crashes, or more of a freeze that I have to force the game to close with Windows Task Manager. I have clocked the game down to medium settings but it still keeps happening. It has mostly happened when I move at speed or am in combat, though it has happened while stood around or picking up in-game mail.

The official AMD page does not have any further updates for my HD Radeon 5800 graphics card. I'm wondering if the game has just become a little too taxing on my graphics card, or if it is a combination of a Windows update then game update without updated drivers that are creating this. I did not have this problem before the Wolfhunter update.

GamingLass

Kooky_Koala wrote: »

I am having crashes, or more of a freeze that I have to force the game to close with Windows Task Manager. I have clocked the game down to medium settings but it still keeps happening. It has mostly happened when I move at speed or am in combat, though it has happened while stood around or picking up in-game mail.

The official AMD page does not have any further updates for my HD Radeon 5800 graphics card. I'm wondering if the game has just become a little too taxing on my graphics card, or if it is a combination of a Windows update then game update without updated drivers that are creating this. I did not have this problem before the Wolfhunter update.

Two weeks ago, my game was pretty good, with the exception of the usual lag in places and occasional boot. Now, after 4.1.5, not only do I get booted IF I manage to actually log in, but when I've tried to log back in sometimes ESO hangs at the loading screen before Character selection, freezes, and either logs me out, or forces me to do a hard shutdown using the power button as ctrl/alt/delete won't work. I've tried so many things and finally got into the game but it's nearly unplayable due to the ridiculous lag and being ousted every five minutes. I've tried:

Rolling back Nvidia GeForce 840m driver to previous version. Didn't fix anything.
Reinstalled driver and then updated Nvidia back to newest version. Didn't fix anything.
Disabled all my add-ons. Sort of worked. Allowed me in but the lag and getting booted and game crash....still happened.
Ran graphics in low. Ran them on Medium. Ran them on high. Nope.
Ran windowed. Nope.
Ran launcher as Administrator.
Ran game in Compatibility mode Win 7 (I have Win 10)
Turned off antivirus
Ran with Intel i7 as I can change my default processor or change per program.


There were NO changes made to my system that caused the game not to work prior to 4.1.5 I was playing without much lag, had a few glitches where the background was blue and wouldn't load, and the occasional booting. Once the 4.1.5 update happened, using all my same add-ons that I'd used prior to 4.1.5, using same graphic processor Nvidia, using same antivirus software, using same way of accessing launcher, using same no admin way of opening program, using same win 10...suddenly, ESO doesn't work. My other games work. My other programs and apps all work. Only ESO doesn't work properly. So, if I didn't make any change and ESO did, how is it MY system that I have to jump through hoops to "fix"??

[BTW my son has Win 7/ AMD processor sitting right in front of me now, and is playing fine. Different operating system and processor.] He also hasn't changed anything.

Unstable.Pixel

ZoS: "It's not you, it's me" Why would you think any of this is on your end?

GamingLass

Unstable.Pixel wrote: »

ZoS: "It's not you, it's me" Why would you think any of this is on your end?

That seems to be their assumption most of the time....It's always "us", even though our computers work playing other games, apps, programs...and worked prior to their most recent updates. They'll change something and somehow.....our computers need to suddenly run launcher as admin, or run in compatibility mode. Really? I didn't have to do any of that 2 weeks, 3 weeks, five months, a year ago! But now, now I have to do this stuff to get ESO to run. IDK Sounds to me like a change they made inadvertently screwed with certain systems.

BigM

I always ask, when was the last time you cleaned and deleted all your add-ons and saved variables? First time I did that (did a complete delete of both directories) I was amazed how great the game ran. Then I slowly started reinstalling (not doing a copy of both directories back) but a clean reinstall of the add-ons. Unfortunately now every two to three months I do a completely clean install of them and crashes other issues have gone away. The only add-on I found I could copy saved variables back was Master Merchant.

If you decide to try my way, let me know how it goes.

Elsterchen

GamingLass wrote: »

Kooky_Koala wrote: »

I am having crashes, or more of a freeze that I have to force the game to close with Windows Task Manager. I have clocked the game down to medium settings but it still keeps happening. It has mostly happened when I move at speed or am in combat, though it has happened while stood around or picking up in-game mail.

The official AMD page does not have any further updates for my HD Radeon 5800 graphics card. I'm wondering if the game has just become a little too taxing on my graphics card, or if it is a combination of a Windows update then game update without updated drivers that are creating this. I did not have this problem before the Wolfhunter update.

Two weeks ago, my game was pretty good, with the exception of the usual lag in places and occasional boot. Now, after 4.1.5, not only do I get booted IF I manage to actually log in, but when I've tried to log back in sometimes ESO hangs at the loading screen before Character selection, freezes, and either logs me out, or forces me to do a hard shutdown using the power button as ctrl/alt/delete won't work. I've tried so many things and finally got into the game but it's nearly unplayable due to the ridiculous lag and being ousted every five minutes. I've tried:

Rolling back Nvidia GeForce 840m driver to previous version. Didn't fix anything.
Reinstalled driver and then updated Nvidia back to newest version. Didn't fix anything.
Disabled all my add-ons. Sort of worked. Allowed me in but the lag and getting booted and game crash....still happened.
Ran graphics in low. Ran them on Medium. Ran them on high. Nope.
Ran windowed. Nope.
Ran launcher as Administrator.
Ran game in Compatibility mode Win 7 (I have Win 10)
Turned off antivirus
Ran with Intel i7 as I can change my default processor or change per program.


There were NO changes made to my system that caused the game not to work prior to 4.1.5 I was playing without much lag, had a few glitches where the background was blue and wouldn't load, and the occasional booting. Once the 4.1.5 update happened, using all my same add-ons that I'd used prior to 4.1.5, using same graphic processor Nvidia, using same antivirus software, using same way of accessing launcher, using same no admin way of opening program, using same win 10...suddenly, ESO doesn't work. My other games work. My other programs and apps all work. Only ESO doesn't work properly. So, if I didn't make any change and ESO did, how is it MY system that I have to jump through hoops to "fix"??

[BTW my son has Win 7/ AMD processor sitting right in front of me now, and is playing fine. Different operating system and processor.] He also hasn't changed anything.

I had this last year, beginning of December. (and it i was able to play again mid-January)

1) Always start eso as admin (just make this the always-to-go setting)
2) Use nvidia control panel to adress eso using nvidia card only, in my case I had to add the boosted performance, too.
3) My problems steemed from using HD3000 graphic chip (not supported by eso anymore) in combination with a Q1000M (very old nvidia graphic card (like yours), that barely meets minimum requirements) -> if you use a HD graphic next to your nvidia, try to disable it (hardware manager) and check if eso is starting ( for me it worked but at a non-playable state, so nvm the state, just check if its starting at all). Enable HD graphics after test.
4) If test was successfull you may try the following (i don't know why it worked, but for me it worked. If you need to know why ask @MysticShadon )
a). open : C:\Program Files (x86)\Zenimax Online\The Elder Scrolls Online\game\client , or wherever you stored eso on your computer
b) rightclick: eso.exe
c) choose settings and open the compatebility tab
d) enable resolution: 640x480 (just add tick) and deactivate fullscreen optimization
e) Next do the same for eso64.exe, i.e. rightclick on file and deactivate fullscreen optimization
f) Start eso using eso64.exe (just note, it will start windowed ... a small one, too, nvm that)
g) Use ingame settings to set "windowed fullscreen", leave game and start via launcher.

As far as i understand some windows update from april 2017 (creators update) introduced a feature that somehow influences games performance when played at full screen (not only eso, but other games have been affected too, according to forum buzz), disabling fullscreen optimization solves this issue.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

GamingLass

"2) Use nvidia control panel to adress eso using nvidia card only, in my case I had to add the boosted performance, too."

Thank you and will try some of those but I am also hoping for a patch that will remedy things....because it is exhausting to constantly hunt for what's wrong when for over 2 years I've had relatively few problems, minor ones usually. And any larger ones were fixed by game patches. This is the worst one for me.

Part of the issue is that Nvidia doesn't recognize ESO anymore since the two most recent updates. You can't find it or add it to the control panel. Nvidia responded to another player and offered a few suggestions, which I tried already, but mainly they said, it was game specific and to wait for a patch from the game company. There is a win 10 connection too and I have always played in a windowed but full screen mode - it's an option. It's just very frustrating when you play for years and there might be minor issues but never game ending issues and then....this. It's just unplayable right now. Just very frustrated.

Elsterchen

GamingLass wrote: »

"2) Use nvidia control panel to adress eso using nvidia card only, in my case I had to add the boosted performance, too."

Thank you and will try some of those but I am also hoping for a patch that will remedy things....because it is exhausting to constantly hunt for what's wrong when for over 2 years I've had relatively few problems, minor ones usually. And any larger ones were fixed by game patches. This is the worst one for me.

Part of the issue is that Nvidia doesn't recognize ESO anymore since the two most recent updates. You can't find it or add it to the control panel. Nvidia responded to another player and offered a few suggestions, which I tried already, but mainly they said, it was game specific and to wait for a patch from the game company. There is a win 10 connection too and I have always played in a windowed but full screen mode - it's an option. It's just very frustrating when you play for years and there might be minor issues but never game ending issues and then....this. It's just unplayable right now. Just very frustrated.

I feel ya, I know the problems. On the other hand... pick any 100 forum user and you will probably end up with 100 differents systems ... and now imagine you have to build a game to suit them all.

I did play in windowed fullscreen before I had the troubles, too. It was really the disabling in the named files that did the trick for me.

Good luck and get in touch with nvidia support, they are not fast but always helpfull.

GamingLass

BigM wrote: »

I always ask, when was the last time you cleaned and deleted all your add-ons and saved variables? First time I did that (did a complete delete of both directories) I was amazed how great the game ran. Then I slowly started reinstalling (not doing a copy of both directories back) but a clean reinstall of the add-ons. Unfortunately now every two to three months I do a completely clean install of them and crashes other issues have gone away. The only add-on I found I could copy saved variables back was Master Merchant.

If you decide to try my way, let me know how it goes.

I disabled and even uninstalled those add-ons that were outdated. But I do not know how to delete the variables. I'll have to check the interwebs. Really want to keep Skyshards, Lore Books, Lost Treasure (which I think is out of date; I currently disabled it). I deleted/uninstalled Master Merchant, Harvest Map , and Combat Metrics/Cloud.

GamingLass

"d) enable resolution: 640x480 (just add tick) and deactivate fullscreen optimization
e) Next do the same for eso64.exe, i.e. rightclick on file and deactivate fullscreen optimization"

LOL...tried that. Hard no go. Will go back to what I had....onto next thing to try.

Elsterchen

GamingLass wrote: »

"d) enable resolution: 640x480 (just add tick) and deactivate fullscreen optimization
e) Next do the same for eso64.exe, i.e. rightclick on file and deactivate fullscreen optimization"

LOL...tried that. Hard no go. Will go back to what I had....onto next thing to try.

You will not stay in windowed mode, silly. Ingame settings will get you back to windowed fullscreen, bypassing the petsy fullscreen optimization. That's why its sequenced 4)a to 4)g

GamingLass

Heres Bethesdas answer:

"Greetings!

Thank you for getting back to us. My name is Tamara, and I'd be happy to continue assisting you today. I know the frustration of no longer being able to play a game with the settings on high and being constantly booted from the server. My laptop used to be able to run ESO like a champion until the recent changes to the game's minimum requirements.

Please keep in mind that mobile graphics cards do not meet ESO's system requirements.

Reviewing the report provided, it appears that neither the Intel HD Graphics 5000 or the Nvidia 840 M meets the minimum requirements to run The Elder Scrolls Online and we are unable to provide further troubleshooting as this issue may be the result of the hardware not being able to handle the game.

Players that barely met the minimum requirements may have been able to play the game prior to the recent change in system requirements but since the update these players may no longer be able to play as the game makes full use of the minimum requirements.

I understand that this is a less than ideal response and apologize for the inconvenience. If you are able to upgrade the graphics card being used to one that meets the requirements and you are still unable to run The Elder Scrolls Online, please let us know and we would be more than happy to assist.

If you ever have any other questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us again! We'll be happy to assist you.
Thank you for your continued interest and support!

Warm Regards,
Tamara
The Elder Scrolls Online Team

Keep an eye on our official Facebook, Twitter, and website for upcoming news about The Elder Scrolls Online, including release-date info:
https://www.facebook.com/ElderScrollsOnline
http://twitter.com/TESOnline "

So, basically, sorry, we updated the game and you can no longer play. Even though you bought the game....paid for crap and your requirements did meet the minimum, now they don't....so, oops. And goodbye.

Elsterchen

@GamingLass you can run the requirement checker (found at: C:\Program Files (x86)\Zenimax Online\The Elder Scrolls Online\game\client ... or wherever you store your game files), to find out wether or not the information of the support is accurate (feg my craphic card has been "said" to not be able running eso -> while the requirement checker supports my individual finding, that this card is indeed able to run eso (since launch I may add)).

Secondly, i provided a list of things to do, when using a graphic card that barely meets requirements. Reading instructions properly and actually trying them out the way its written down, may help you.

Good luck

GamingLass

Elsterchen wrote: »

@GamingLass you can run the requirement checker (found at: C:\Program Files (x86)\Zenimax Online\The Elder Scrolls Online\game\client ... or wherever you store your game files), to find out wether or not the information of the support is accurate (feg my craphic card has been "said" to not be able running eso -> while the requirement checker supports my individual finding, that this card is indeed able to run eso (since launch I may add)).

Secondly, i provided a list of things to do, when using a graphic card that barely meets requirements. Reading instructions properly and actually trying them out the way its written down, may help you.

Good luck

I ran it. And their checker says I can run the game. All green lighted. Your system meets the min req to play ESO.
Someone suggested tweaking the user settings.txt file ad it has to do with the quad core processors.

GamingLass

Elsterchen wrote: »

GamingLass wrote: »

Kooky_Koala wrote: »

I am having crashes, or more of a freeze that I have to force the game to close with Windows Task Manager. I have clocked the game down to medium settings but it still keeps happening. It has mostly happened when I move at speed or am in combat, though it has happened while stood around or picking up in-game mail.

The official AMD page does not have any further updates for my HD Radeon 5800 graphics card. I'm wondering if the game has just become a little too taxing on my graphics card, or if it is a combination of a Windows update then game update without updated drivers that are creating this. I did not have this problem before the Wolfhunter update.

Two weeks ago, my game was pretty good, with the exception of the usual lag in places and occasional boot. Now, after 4.1.5, not only do I get booted IF I manage to actually log in, but when I've tried to log back in sometimes ESO hangs at the loading screen before Character selection, freezes, and either logs me out, or forces me to do a hard shutdown using the power button as ctrl/alt/delete won't work. I've tried so many things and finally got into the game but it's nearly unplayable due to the ridiculous lag and being ousted every five minutes. I've tried:

Rolling back Nvidia GeForce 840m driver to previous version. Didn't fix anything.
Reinstalled driver and then updated Nvidia back to newest version. Didn't fix anything.
Disabled all my add-ons. Sort of worked. Allowed me in but the lag and getting booted and game crash....still happened.
Ran graphics in low. Ran them on Medium. Ran them on high. Nope.
Ran windowed. Nope.
Ran launcher as Administrator.
Ran game in Compatibility mode Win 7 (I have Win 10)
Turned off antivirus
Ran with Intel i7 as I can change my default processor or change per program.


There were NO changes made to my system that caused the game not to work prior to 4.1.5 I was playing without much lag, had a few glitches where the background was blue and wouldn't load, and the occasional booting. Once the 4.1.5 update happened, using all my same add-ons that I'd used prior to 4.1.5, using same graphic processor Nvidia, using same antivirus software, using same way of accessing launcher, using same no admin way of opening program, using same win 10...suddenly, ESO doesn't work. My other games work. My other programs and apps all work. Only ESO doesn't work properly. So, if I didn't make any change and ESO did, how is it MY system that I have to jump through hoops to "fix"??

[BTW my son has Win 7/ AMD processor sitting right in front of me now, and is playing fine. Different operating system and processor.] He also hasn't changed anything.

I had this last year, beginning of December. (and it i was able to play again mid-January)

1) Always start eso as admin (just make this the always-to-go setting)
2) Use nvidia control panel to adress eso using nvidia card only, in my case I had to add the boosted performance, too.
3) My problems steemed from using HD3000 graphic chip (not supported by eso anymore) in combination with a Q1000M (very old nvidia graphic card (like yours), that barely meets minimum requirements) -> if you use a HD graphic next to your nvidia, try to disable it (hardware manager) and check if eso is starting ( for me it worked but at a non-playable state, so nvm the state, just check if its starting at all). Enable HD graphics after test.
4) If test was successfull you may try the following (i don't know why it worked, but for me it worked. If you need to know why ask @MysticShadon )
a). open : C:\Program Files (x86)\Zenimax Online\The Elder Scrolls Online\game\client , or wherever you stored eso on your computer
b) rightclick: eso.exe
c) choose settings and open the compatebility tab
d) enable resolution: 640x480 (just add tick) and deactivate fullscreen optimization
e) Next do the same for eso64.exe, i.e. rightclick on file and deactivate fullscreen optimization
f) Start eso using eso64.exe (just note, it will start windowed ... a small one, too, nvm that)
g) Use ingame settings to set "windowed fullscreen", leave game and start via launcher.

As far as i understand some windows update from april 2017 (creators update) introduced a feature that somehow influences games performance when played at full screen (not only eso, but other games have been affected too, according to forum buzz), disabling fullscreen optimization solves this issue.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

I will try again. But when I did it the last time it opened way too big so that I couldn't see the login box. I may not have checked the deactivate fullscreen.

GamingLass

I cannot choose 640x480.

GamingLass

Never mind. I see you meant to only check disable fullscreen optimization for eso64.exe not to actually "do the same" andchoose 640x480 in both.

GamingLass

When I did all of what you suggested, left game, and used launcher, I get this and cannot see the play box .


If I just use ESo64.exe I get in fine.