protonscr

[Feature-Request] Add optional environment variable to disable IPv6 in Proton

protonclosed
ValveSoftware/Proton#9396 · opened 2026-01-12 by Lineax17 · updated 2026-01-12 · 2 comments · github
LLineax17 2026-01-12 github

Feature Request

I confirm:

  • [x] that I haven't found another request for this feature.
  • [x] that I have checked whether there are updates for my system available that
    contain this feature already.

Description

Issue Description

Some games running under Proton encounter high or unstable ping when IPv6 is available but routing is suboptimal (e.g., Overwatch 2). Currently, there is no way to disable IPv6 within Proton or Wine without changing system-wide settings. This can negatively affect gameplay, especially on Linux systems where global IPv6 deactivation is undesirable. Other applications may use or depend on IPv6. The most elegant way to handle this would be following:

Proposed Solution

Introduce an optional environment variable, for example:

PROTON_DISABLE_IPV6=1

Benefits:

  • Allows users to fix IPv6-related latency issues in games without modifying system-wide IPv6 settings
  • Improves Linux gaming experience for games that prefer IPv4 in poorly routed IPv6 environments

Justification

The issue is to my knowledge only game related.

References

Reddit discussion about Overwatch 2 high ping when IPv6 is enabled: https://www.reddit.com/r/overwatch2/comments/1n4a4ko

Blizzard forums: users report IPv6 routing causing high ping:
https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/overwatch/t/my-ping-keep-spiking-and-rubberbanding-only-on-ow2/756352/2

Kkisak-valve maintainer 2026-01-12 github

Hello @Lineax17, this reads like something that should be evaluated and implemented in upstream wine first, after that's been achieved, then we could ponder backporting the functionality to Proton.

In general, Proton/wine doesn't sound like the right part of the network stack to be controlling this.

LLineax17 2026-01-12 github

I created this Request in Wines Bugzilla:

https://bugs.winehq.org/show_bug.cgi?id=59241

Launch options

Upstream links