How To Set Up Your Network For Lag-Free Gaming

Photo by RODNAE Productions

Whether you’re into fast-paced online shooters or turn-based tactical titles, your network connection can have a major impact on your chances of dominating the opposition.

Lag is a problem that all gamers face in this context, so what can you do to minimize it in your own networking setup?

Working with Wires Wherever Possible

The biggest bugbear for gamers is an inconsistent connection caused by relying on a Wi-Fi signal, rather than a wired hookup to their router.

There’s really no substitute for this hardline link via Ethernet cable, so consider running a high-quality wired connection to your PC or games console if at all possible.

Powerline adapters are a good solution for sidestepping the inconsistencies of Wi-Fi, especially if you’re not overly excited about the idea of having to run cables all over your home. There are lots of products out there in this space, offering high speeds and low latencies using nothing more than the electric wiring in your walls.

If you still want to stick to Wi-Fi, use range extenders to bridge gaps in the coverage offered by your standard router. And make sure that you’ve got a modern gaming laptop, preferably one that uses the latest Wi-Fi 6 standards, so that speeds will be superfast so long as there’s sufficient signal strength.

Configure Quality of Service Settings

Another important step to ensure you get the best performance in online games, be sure to configure your router’s Quality of Service (QoS) settings. If this already sounds too complex for you, then consider contacting a local specialist to implement the tweaks you need. For example, reliable IT services in San Jose can ride to the rescue of gamers who are struggling with a sub-par networking setup.

If you do want to delve into the settings menu yourself, QoS should be your first port of call. In essence, it helps organize network traffic so that applications like online games are given priority over other activities, such as streaming movies or music downloads. This is a good idea if you’re sharing your connection with other people, and you don’t want their Netflix session to disrupt your frag-fest.

To enable QoS on most routers, open up a browser window and type in the IP address from the modem into the address bar. This should bring up an interface page that covers options related to network configuration, including setting priority levels for different types of data traffic. Adjust these to prioritize gaming ahead of anything else.

Additionally, make sure firewall protection is enabled to protect against malicious attacks while playing games online too!

Lastly, don’t forget to save all changes after making updates before exiting the web page. It’s important to do this step each time you change any settings.

Upgrade Your Internet Connection for Faster Speeds

Having the right network setup is only half the battle when it comes to getting lag-free gaming. You also need a good internet connection with enough bandwidth and speed to support your interactive entertainment obsession.

If you’ve been playing online games on a slow or unreliable connection, then it’s time to upgrade. Your best bet is to look into fiber broadband packages from local ISPs, as they offer much faster speeds than old-school ADSL services.

You’ll need to compare the pricing on bundles from providers that supply your area and also read user reviews to ensure that their customer service is up to scratch.

It’s also worth getting in touch with your current provider to let them know that you’re thinking of leaving. They might upgrade you free of charge, or provide a replacement router that’s newer than your current one, which could fix networking issues in an instant.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line is that you don’t have to settle for laggy gaming experiences in the modern age. It just takes a bit of tinkering, and you should be set to jump into the action without disruption.