GeForce NOW games are cloud-based, which means they operate on a server in a data center rather than on your Mac, PC, or Shield.
Our most recent software includes a network test that instantly evaluates your network and assists you in optimizing it for cloud gaming. When you play a game for the first time, the network test will perform automatically. You can also access the network test by selecting it from the drop-down menu when you click on your username in the upper right.
You may see a red or yellow warning message after the test is completed. If the notification is red, you don’t meet one of GeForce NOW’s minimal requirements for Mac or PC. If the notification is in yellow, you meet the basic standards but not the suggested ones.
Based on the error notice you received, please take the following measures to strengthen your home network:
You’re on a 2.4GHz wireless network. It is suggested that you use 5GHz.
- Upgrade your router to a 5GHz Wi-Fi channel or buy a new 5GHz router.
- Please read this Google Wi-Fi help post if you’re using a Google Wi-Fi 5GHz router.
- If your router or home network does not support 5GHz, be mindful that other consumer electronics, such as baby monitors or microwaves, may interfere with the 2.4GHz channel.
Limited Bandwidth
- Upgrade the download speed of your internet service provider. We require 15 megabits per second and propose 50 megabits per second.
- While utilizing GeForce NOW, you should limit other network traffic in your house, such as video streaming, downloading large files, Twitch broadcasting, or uploading files or images. These can reduce the amount of bandwidth you have available.
- Bring your Wi-Fi router closer to you, especially if you’re using the 5GHz channel.
Stutter or Delay
- Restart your router to see if that helps. Like other electronic components, Routers need to be reset from time to time.
- Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of a wireless one. Use one of our recommended Ethernet dongles if your PC or Mac lacks an Ethernet port.
- Upgrade your router to a 5GHz Wi-Fi channel or buy a new 5GHz router.
- Bring your Wi-Fi router closer to you, especially if you’re using the 5GHz channel. Network packets may need to be resent numerous times if you’re far away, causing stuttering.
- To find a clean channel, use a Wi-Fi analyzer. There are some that are free to download from the Android or iTunes app stores, as well as for PC and Mac.
- If your router chooses a Wi-Fi channel for you, you should use the Wi-Fi analyzer to see if that channel is free and clear of interference.
- Turn off QoS on your router if it is available. With some routers, such as the Netgear Nighthawk X6, we discovered that QoS negatively influences gaming performance on GeForce NOW.
- Restart your router to see if that helps. Like other electronic components, Routers need to be reset from time to time.
- While utilizing GeForce NOW, limit other network traffic in your house, such as video streaming, downloading huge files, or uploading files. Stuttering might be caused by increased network traffic in your home.
- Disconnect from any Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) you’re utilizing. VPNs can cause a variety of issues, including increased latency, stuttering, and connecting to the incorrect GeForce NOW data center.
- Use a gaming mouse that is USB wired or wireless, such as one from Razer or Logitech. Reduced latency, increased sensitivity, and a tactile scroll wheel is all features of these products.
- Turn off any firewalls on your network. Some firewalls can slow down your connection to our data centers or perhaps prohibit you from connecting at all.
- We discovered that macOS location services can degrade the quality of your network. For the time being, we recommend that you utilize GeForce NOW without location services enabled. For additional information about location services, please see this page. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204690
Ports for GeForce NOW
The GeForce NOW (GFN) PC and Mac apps use fixed ports for streaming games starting with version 1.13.2.5 or later. We recommend using GFN optimized routers or engaging your existing router QoS by adding GFN app ports to the active router’s QoS profile to significantly improve streaming quality when using GFN. Here are the ports that need to be added.
- 49003 – UDP Inbound AUDIO
- 49004 – UDP Outbound AUDIO
- 49005 – UDP Inbound VIDEO
- 49006 – TCP/UDP Outbound/Inbound Remote Input
If your router is not GFN approved, see the technical support page for instructions on how to set the router QoS engine to optimize your gaming experience.
If your router’s QoS enables port-based priority, you might want to create custom router QoS rules based on the above-mentioned port information.
GeForce NOW Certified Router
- Amplifi HD Gamer’s Edition from Ubiquiti – https://amplifi.com/gamers-edition/
- To correctly configure this router, please refer to this guide: https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a id/4750
