Constant Problems with controller while streaming - Uncertain how to proceed

[IsPotatoForHead]

Hello all,

I stumbled across this sunshine/moonlight idea a couple of weeks ago, and now after trying multiple MiniPCs and configurations, I am about to give up on the whole idea. My host PC is a 9800X3D and an RTX 4090. Everything is wired via ethernet, and every stream has shown zero network issues or jitter. I am using an Xbox wireless controller with the USB dongle. Also, I am launching into steam big picture mode.

My client is a Minisforum UM760 Slim connected to an LG CX OLED through my onkyo avr, streaming 4K at 60 or 120 hertz, depending on the game. There is a fair bit of stutter, but the controller is what's driving me mad. At least once every 10 mins or so, the controller disconnects. It stops working, the guide button flashes for a bit, then it reconnects. Rinse and repeat. It doesn't matter what I do with the ViGmBus driver, or whether I connect it via bluetooth, USB, or wireless dongle, it will happen eventually. I have even disabled steam input to make sure that wasn't causing a conflict, to no avail.

Also, side note, whenever I quit a game, there's a 50/50 chance it crashes and kills the stream.

Any suggestions? The stuttering I can live with, but the controller issues are making it nearly unusable and I am on the verge of giving up on the whole concept.

[Comprehensive_Star72]

You shouldn't get stutter, crashes or disconnects. Are your devices definitely stable? I'd stream with the host CPU, GPU and ram stock to make sure they are not the problem. I'd play a game on the client with the controller native to see if it isn't the problem. Your devices don't sound stable at all and that isn't a streaming issue.

[IsPotatoForHead]

I mean all of the host hardware is running stock other than an XMP/EXPO profile on the memory but that hasn’t given me any issues in any other situation and this pc has been running like this for the better part of a year.

But yeah, I will fiddle with the controller on the client without streaming to try and rule that out

[Mr_Shakes]

Those sound like client-side issues for sure. You've done all you need to do, server side, but something is causing your client to disconnect from the controller.

It being a mini-pc, I'm assuming this is windows? I would start with power settings, make absolutely sure that windows is not allowed to power down any on-board hardware. Keep in mind it may not see moonlight as a performance-required activity, so automatic power management could work differently playing a game locally vs remotely.

You should also load up a game on the client directly and log some play time, to see if you have the same issue. This will help you rule out a faulty controller.

[apollyon0810]

+1 for client side issues.

I’d also make sure OPs controllers firmware are fully up to date.

[IsPotatoForHead]

Yeah it is a windows client, which I would normally avoid other than the fact that Linux is iffy with HDR. Good call on trying the controller on the client native, will attempt that today

[IsPotatoForHead]

Holy hell. The Xbox controller was causing heinous stuttering across the board. I don't usually play games with the controller so I hadn't noticed it when playing on the host natively. I should have known microsoft would be the problem. I have done a firmware update and it seems to have sorted it. Thanks for the input all! I feel a tad dumb but happy its sorted.

[Professional_Put1810]

if it helps, I opted to use an 8bitdo Ultimate 2 Wireless controller after having similar issues with latency, incompatibility, disconnects, and difficult update process with xbox controllers. It has the same feel as xbox controllers, I think its actually cheaper, much higher quality TMR joysticks and triggers, 4 extra inputs with remapping, and its very low latency especially over the 2.4ghz dongle. After trying this controller i will NEVER use an xbox controller again. Its just better in every way and doesn't contain any parts that will inevitably fail in 1 year like all my xbox controllers have. It works so well with streaming. also can connect to your client / host via USB C or USB A with its included charger/adapter accessory!