Getting Started with Shadow PC Gaming

Requirements and FAQs

Introduction with Shadow PC Gaming

General

Technical Assistance - General

Technical Assistance - Apps, Ghost, and Box

Getting Started with Shadow PC Enterprise

Getting Started with Shadow Drive

Account Management

Contact Support

How to Improve Your Experience on Shadow

Updated 

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.

To set up your Shadow according to your internet connection and run a Speedtest, please refer to this article:How to troubleshoot your internet connection

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.

    Important: More bandwidth-heavy devices like webcams, microphones, racing wheels, and gamepads require an upload speed of up to 100Mb/s.

    Important: 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.

  • Only 30ms of latency or less.

If your keep facing issues, we advise you to do the following:

Make sure your Allocated Bandwidth is always using 10Mb/s less than your current internet speeds. You can set it up from your launcher and/or Quick Menu. 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..

If you have other devices connected to the internet, try disconnecting these devices to reserve bandwidth for Shadow.

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 & 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

If your keep facing issues, we advise you to do the following:

You can change Shadow's resolution at any time using the Quick Menu

Shadow supports the following resolutions and refresh rates:

  • 1080p resolutions up to 144Hz

  • 4k resolutions up to 60Hz

If your resolution is higher than 1080p, choose a refresh rate of 60Hz.

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.For help connecting a USB device, see how to connect a USB device to Shadow.

More bandwidth-heavy devices like webcams, microphones, racing wheels, and gamepads require an upload speed of up to 100Mb/s.

To use a Bluetooth device, make sure the device is paired to your local computer, phone, or tablet.

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 the "Use my USB devices on my Shadow" option in the settings from your Shadow app on Windows/Mac/Linux.

  • Test your upload speed to confirm it's sufficient to use the device.

  • Check if the drivers for your device are installed on Shadow and your local device.

  • 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.