Known Issues for Shadow

📝 Last updated: November 29, 2022

This article is used to inform our users of issues impacting Shadow. In this article, you'll find a list of issues with specific apps, games, and operating systems, if any are known at the time. For any issues impacting our data centers, visit our status page.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive, should only be used as a reference, and is intended to address high-impact issues we're currently addressing.

Status key

	Fixed
	Known issue
	Incompatible

Sound delay when recording via microphone

Description	When recording, a slight delay occurs between voice input and output to your speakers or headset.
Status	A fix was deployed in Beta and Alpha versions.

No sound on all devices

Description

Some of our users no longer have any sound on their Shadow because
drivers are missing or the audio quality needs to be updated. Therefore, it's important to verify NVIDIA driver version 512 or later has been installed.

Workaround

Please follow these steps, in order, until the audio starts working properly:

Start Shadow. After Windows has logged in, press Windows + P, then select PC Screen Only. If you have dual-screen enabled and want to continue using it, you can skip this step.
Check your Sound settings on Shadow and your local device and make sure the audio output quality is set to 16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality).

See the following steps for Windows 10:
1. 1. Go to Settings → click System → select Sound.
  2. Under Output, click Device properties.
  3. Select Additional device properties.
  4. Go to the Advanced tab.
  5. Choose 16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality).
  6. Click Apply.
Update the NVIDIA graphics drivers to version 512 or later.

One or more games won't start when a firewall is installed on Shadow

Description	Games installed in Shadow won't start while a firewall is started in Shadow. Some antivirus software, like Bitdefender, also have a firewall embedded that starts with Windows.
Workaround	We're working on a permanent fix. In the meantime, please deactivate any firewalls installed on Shadow.

Netflix does not work on Shadow

Description	When launching Netflix on Shadow, an error message appears and the Netflix screen is black.
Workaround	We're working on a permanent fix. In the meantime, please refer to the following article I have a black screen and an error message when using Netflix. You will need to disable your browser's "Hardware acceleration".

Freeze latency problem on Nvidia 3000+ series local graphics cards

Description	Several users are reporting freeze/lag problems on local Nvidia 3000+ series graphics cards. If you are facing this problem, we invite you to manually change the decoding method to FFmpeg from the Shadow Launcher by clicking on the following items: “ (Settings)” > “Video & Display” > “Advanced Settings” > “Decoder” > “FFmpeg”
Status	A function to automatically detect the decoder to use will have to be developed on our side.

Action! - Game Recorder and Gameplay Capture Software

Description	When using "Action!", the stream crashes.
Reason	This software is incompatible with our service. We will continue to look for a permanent fix.

No high-impact issues reported for Shadow Box / Ghost at this time.

No high-impact issues reported for Windows at this time.

Norton Firewall causes latency issues on macOS Big Sur

Description	Norton Firewall causes latency and performance issues on macOS Big Sur.
Workaround	We recommend adding an exception or whitelisting the Shadow app on Norton Firewall. Alternatively, you can temporarily disable Norton Firewall while using Shadow.

Cursor issues when iOS Assistive Touch is enabled

Description	We are currently aware that when the iOS Assistive Touch option is enabled, there may be cursor conflicts in the Shadow. Unfortunately, we cannot resolve this at this time and invite you to disable the Assistive Touch option.
Status	We are working on a permanent fix and will keep you updated when the issue is resolved.

No additional screen on iOS 16

Description	Since the last update to iOS 16, it turns out that our additional screen feature is no longer functional.
Status	We are working to fix this issue in future updates.

No input from external keyboards on iPadOS 15

Description	External keyboards do not work in Shadow on iPadOS 15. The issue occurs whether they are connected through USB, Bluetooth, or while using a Magic Keyboard.
Status	We are working on a permanent fix.
Workaround	The "Full Keyboard Access" feature must be disabled for an external keyboard to work in Shadow. You can find this option in Settings → Accessibility → Keyboards → Full Keyboard Access.

Before you continue, see how to Install Shadow on Ubuntu if you have not done so already. Some issues may be resolved by following these instructions first.

Shadow crashes on Ubuntu 20.04

Description

Shadow will suddenly stop working and crash when running on Ubuntu 20.04

Solution

This issue should no longer happen. If Shadow continues to crash when running on Ubuntu 20.04, make sure your video drivers are up to date.

For users with an iHD driver, execute the following command:

echo "export LIBVA_DRIVER_NAME=i965" >> ~/.profile

Restart Shadow after executing the command above.

Red screen

Description

Due to a bug with the libva-glx library, the stream will not render correctly.

Workaround

Create the file /etc/drirc or $HOME/.drirc with the following:

<driconf>
  <device driver="radeonsi">
    <application name="Shadow" executable="Shadow">
      <option name="allow_rgb10_configs" value="false" />
      <option name="radeonsi_clear_db_cache_before_clear" value="true" /> 
    </application>
  </device>
  <device driver="radeon">
    <application name="Shadow" executable="Shadow">
      <option name="allow_rgb10_configs" value="false" />
    </application>
  </device>
  <device driver="iris">
    <application name="Shadow" executable="Shadow">
      <option name="allow_rgb10_configs" value="false" />
    </application>
  </device>  
</driconf>

Execute the script with ~/.drirc. Restart your computer after executing the script.

Sandboxing issue with Debian

Description

You may experience sandboxing issues with Debian due to this bug.

Workaround

You'll need to run the application with the following parameters:

./Shadow.AppImage --no-sandbox

Alternatively, you can add an attribute into your system kernel:

sysctl -w kernel.unprivileged_userns_clone=1

Or, add the following line in the file /etc/sysctl.d/99-shadow.conf:

kernel.unprivileged_userns_clone=1

Sources:

Should you encounter issues with a game in Shadow, see if updates are available for your local computer as well as Shadow. Here are a couple of articles that might help:

Dual Universe

Description	Following an update for the game, the game could previously not start on Shadow.
Status	The team has contacted Novaquark's developers about this issue. It is now fixed.

Halo Infinite

Description	This game could previously not be played on virtual machines similar to Shadow.
Status	The issue has been fixed as of December 6, 2021. To fix this issue on your Shadow, install the latest NVIDIA graphics drivers. Our QA teams have been able to successfully play Halo Infinite on Shadow as of driver version 496.

Gameforge Tera

Description	The game is not starting on Shadow.
Solution	We are aware of this concern. The team has contacted Gameforge's developers about this issue. For now, it is considered incompatible.

Genshin Impact

Description	The game is not starting on Shadow.
Solution	We are aware of this concern. The team has contacted Genshin Impact's developers about this issue. For now, it is considered incompatible.

Starlink

Description	The game is not starting on Shadow.
Solution	We are aware of this concern. The team has contacted Starlink's developers about this issue. For now, it is considered incompatible.

Valorant

Description	The game is not starting on Shadow.
Solution	Due to Riot Games' anti-cheat system, it is currently not possible to play Valorant on virtual machines, like Shadow. We are currently looking into potential solutions and the team is in contact with the Valorant's developers so those of you at #TeamShadow can get in some sweet competitive MP action.

Monster Hunter Rise Demo

Description

The demo cannot be played on virtual machines like Shadow. However, the official game is not impacted.

Reason

We received an official answer from Capcom about
this topic:

"Our [Research and Development Team] has investigated the issue
and we can confirm that, for technical reasons unrelated to Shadow, the
demo is not compatible with your platform. While this is not something
that can be changed for the demo, the full game should not be affected
and we expect that it will run on your platform without any issues.”

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Description	The game cannot be played on virtual machines like Shadow.
Reason	We are aware of this concern. The team has contacted Capcom's developers about this issue. For now, it is considered incompatible.

How can we help?

Menu

Sound delay when recording via microphone

No sound on all devices

One or more games won't start when a firewall is installed on Shadow

Netflix does not work on Shadow

Freeze latency problem on Nvidia 3000+ series local graphics cards

Action! - Game Recorder and Gameplay Capture Software

Norton Firewall causes latency issues on macOS Big Sur

Cursor issues when iOS Assistive Touch is enabled

No additional screen on iOS 16

No input from external keyboards on iPadOS 15

Shadow crashes on Ubuntu 20.04

Red screen

Sandboxing issue with Debian

Dual Universe

Halo Infinite

Gameforge Tera

Genshin Impact

Starlink

Valorant

Monster Hunter Rise Demo

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin