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    Please do not post a support request without first reading and following the advice in https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

    RetroPie video freezing during gameplay

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    video freezefreezing
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    • W
      wpascarelli
      last edited by

      Hello,
      I am running RetroPie (i believe version 4.1 and I believe i got it as a premade image originally on the Retropie website) on a Pi 3. I think the image name is "retropie-4.1-rpi2_rpi3". Using a 5v 1A usb power supply.
      Only thing I have connected is an unknown-name SNES-clone usb gamepad, power, and HD TV via HDMI.
      After only several minutes of gameplay, I am experiencing freezing of the system, primarily just the video. Initially I found that it was getting warm inside the case (official Raspberry Pi case) so I took off the top of the case for some ventilation. Tried playing and again after a little while it freezes. Tried a few other times and it always eventually freezes, usually after just a short while of gameplay.
      What is freezing typically is ONLY the video. In most of these cases, the audio continues to play just fine. I dont know if that helps diagnose the problem or not. I can typically even press (start+select) to exit the game and, even though the video is frozen, the audio will stop at that point due to exiting the game.
      Any ideas, except for fresh install?
      Thanks!

      mituM jonnykeshJ 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • mituM
        mitu Global Moderator @wpascarelli
        last edited by

        @wpascarelli said in RetroPie video freezing during gameplay:

        5v 1A

        That's not a recommended power supply, try with a 2.5 A rated supply. You might run into power shortage during gameplay - do you see a yellow lightning bolt at the top right corner of the screen ?

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • jonnykeshJ
          jonnykesh @wpascarelli
          last edited by

          @wpascarelli

          Do you see a lot of these in the top right corner by any chance?

          0_1511736510466_under_volt.png

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • W
            wpascarelli
            last edited by

            Interesting. I rummaged around my house and found my 1 available power supply that seemed to have the recommended amps. I have played for a bit now with this new power supply and no problems. I will have to keep playing and I will let you know if I have any more problems.
            Thanks!

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • W
              wpascarelli
              last edited by

              Hmm still not working, but now i see the one that i thought would work is actually 2.4 and not 2.5. I am not seeing the lightning bolt however. I do see the bolt with some lower chargers but not with this one. I am going to buy a 2.5A and hopefully that will solve my problem. Thank you.

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              • W
                wpascarelli
                last edited by

                I purchased the top rated Raspberry Pi 3 power supply on Amazon, rated 5v 2.5amp, and I have been using that. The games definately play better. There is much less freezing than there was before, and I noticed that some games that ran slowly or not smooth previously now run more smoothly as well.
                However, there is still some freezing. And as before, its mainly with the video, while the audio continues to work fine. The freezing is much less than it was with the lower-rated power supplies that I was using, but it is still happening more than I would like.
                Any other ideas?

                pjftP 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • pjftP
                  pjft @wpascarelli
                  last edited by

                  @wpascarelli maybe I missed it, but some details on the games and emulators being used can help. It might be a settings thing as well.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • W
                    wpascarelli
                    last edited by

                    I am using Retropie and I am using mostly the default emulators. Maybe I changed a couple of them. I have only been playing for a few hours to test so I have not been able to test every single system and emulator yet but so far its basically ones like
                    SNES 9x2010
                    Fceumm
                    Picodrive
                    Mupen64plus-GlideN64
                    PCSX-Rearmed
                    As far as the games, its not any game in particular. Many of them are freezing at some point. Super Street Fighter II (SNES), Twisted Metal 2 (psx), NBA Jam TE (psx), Goldeneye (N64), Super Mario All Stars (SNES), pretty much any random game that I try for a period of time seems like it might freeze.

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                    • W
                      wpascarelli
                      last edited by

                      Anyone think it might help if I copy the image to a new SD card and try it again?
                      The video is still freezing alot.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • B
                        beahrdog
                        last edited by

                        Very new to the pi.
                        Downloaded the RetroPie image from the RetroPie site About Christmas... So I’m running whatever that gives you.
                        Have a pi 3 B+, powered off the 5volt, 2.5 amp, and am running all my ROMs on default emulators. power supply that came from CanaKit.

                        Last week, everything seemed fine... then I got the Retroflag nespi case +, installed the script for the safe shutdown (the one that actually works) and now, on every system and in every game I’ve tried, I’m getting freezing in the video.
                        The audio and game itself carry on, just a freeze frame that lasts about 2-5 seconds.
                        Also not seeing any lightning bolts or temp warnings...

                        Issues sounds the same as the original post... ever find a solution?

                        mituM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • mituM
                          mitu Global Moderator @beahrdog
                          last edited by

                          @beahrdog Please don't revive year long posts, open a new topic instead. The Nespi cases are notorious for power problems, even if your power source is ok. If you have problems with the PI in the case, but the problems don't occur with the PI outside the case, then you know where the issue is.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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