Your Shadow's settings, your connection, and your device all play a key role in your experience on Shadow. With just a few settings, you can improve your experience on Shadow until it's configured to your satisfaction.
For help improving your experience, see our most popular categories below to get started.
Internet Requirements
Download speeds, upload speeds, and latency can affect your Shadow's stream, including resolution, sound, and input lag. Run a speed test to see if your connection meets our requirements.
To get the best out of your Shadow, your connection must have:
- a stable download speed of at least 15Mb/s.
- an upload speed of 5Mb/s for basic devices, such as a mouse and keyboard.
- only 30ms of latency or less.
💡 Tip: Resolutions higher than 1080p require even faster download speeds, up to 40Mb/s for 4k. Try lowering your resolution if your download speeds are not able to stream a stable 4K resolution.
Change Shadow's Allocated Bandwidth
Make sure your Allocated Bandwidth is always using 10Mb/s less than your current internet speeds. If you've already tried this, set the Allocated Bandwidth to 5Mb/s and increase it until you find the perfect balance for your connection.
Disconnect Devices on Your Connection
If you have other devices connected to the internet, try disconnecting these devices to reserve bandwidth for Shadow.
Try a Different Connection
If you're using a mobile hotspot, 4G data, or 2.4GHz WiFi connection, try using an Ethernet or 5GHz WiFi connection for a faster and more stable experience.
Resolution or Framerate
If Shadow's resolution settings are not configured correctly, this can cause several issues, including:
- Lag or low framerate
- Poor image quality
- Error messages from the Shadow launcher
- Resolution issues while playing games
Change Shadow's Resolution
You can change Shadow's resolution at any time using the Quick Menu or the NVIDIA Control Panel.
See which settings we recommend for your configuration below.
| Boost | Ultra | Infinite | |
| Resolution | 1080p | up to 4k | up to 4k |
| Refresh rate | up to 144Hz | 60Hz | 60Hz |
Update the Graphics Drivers
Shadow uses NVIDIA graphics cards, which require drivers. Having the latest drivers installed may add features, security, and overall improvements to your Shadow's stream. See how to install NVIDIA graphics drivers for Shadow.
USB or Bluetooth Devices
Shadow is compatible with most keyboards and mice. More bandwidth-heavy devices like webcams, microphones, racing wheels, and gamepads require an upload speed of up to 50Mb/s.
For help connecting a USB device, see how to connect a USB device to Shadow. To use a Bluetooth device, make sure the device is paired to your local computer, phone, tablet, or Shadow Ghost.
Troubleshooting
Try each of the suggestions provided below if you've recently experienced issues connecting your devices to Shadow.
- Use USB 3.0 ports when connecting your devices.
- Enable USB Peripherals in the Settings on Shadow.
- Test your upload speed to confirm it's sufficient to use the device.
- Check to see if the drivers for your device are installed.
- Unplug and reconnect your device when your Shadow is on. If you're using Bluetooth to connect a device, disconnect and re-pair the device.
- If you're connecting a controller, see how to connect a controller on Shadow.
Contact Support if you still need assistance with your Shadow!