Lag during gaming can be frustrating, right? You are in the middle of an intense battle or match, and you lose the game because of a few seconds delay due to your unstable Internet connection. Nobody wants that!
Thankfully, there are ways to optimize the speed of your Internet connection so you can enjoy a lag-free gaming experience.
One way to make sure the games you are playing do not consume too much data and put pressure on your Internet connection is to play games with no ads. But this isn’t a foolproof method to ensure a lag-free gaming experience. Take a look at this step-by-step roadmap to optimize your Internet connection.
- Check the Internet speed
It is necessary to find out your Internet speed before making any changes.
Tools like Speedtest.net or Fast.com will measure upload, download speeds, and ping. A download speed of at least 15 Mbps, an upload speed of 5 Mbps, and a ping below 50 ms is recommended for most online games.
If your speeds fall short, consider upgrading your plan with your Internet Service Provider. ISP Reports has a great address search tool for you to see what’s available in your area.
- Upgrade the Internet plan
Playing requires a stable Internet. For those on the very low or old plan, updating to a fast speed of at least 100 Mbps might make a lot of difference. Gamers who stream their gameplay or are gaming at very high definition require a far higher speed.
- Choose the right router
Your router is the backbone of Internet performance. Spend on a gaming-optimized router that’s low-latency and high-bandwidth optimized. Some features to look for include:
- Dual-band or tri-band: Multiple devices can connect without congestion.
- Quality of Service (QoS): Gaming traffic is prioritized over other devices.
- MU-MIMO Technology: Ensures that multiple devices get consistent speeds at the same time.
- Optimize router placement
The placement of your router greatly affects the quality of your wireless connection. To achieve maximum performance, position the router in a central location and ensure it is unobstructed. You can also elevate the router above ground level for better signal distribution. Plus, positioning the router away from electronic devices and metal objects can prevent interference.
- Switch to a wired connection
A wired Ethernet connection offers a more stable, faster Internet connection than Wi-Fi. Connect your gaming device directly to the router via an Ethernet cable, if possible. It prevents signal interference and makes speeds consistent.
- Use a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network
If a wired connection isn’t possible, and your gaming area suffers from weak Wi-Fi signals, consider getting a Wi-Fi extender. This device increases the existing signal to get the signal into dead zones.
You can also think of a mesh network. These systems offer seamless coverage as they use several nodes to spread the connection evenly.
- Enable Quality of Service (QoS)
Many modern routers allow for the configuration of quality of service settings. Having Quality of Service enabled lets you prioritize gaming traffic above other activities, such as streaming or downloads, thus ensuring gameplay doesn’t experience any hindrances when the network is heavy in use.
- Minimize network interference
Multiple devices connected to the same network can result in bandwidth competition, increasing lag. To reduce interference, think of disconnecting unnecessary devices during gaming sessions. Also, close background apps and downloads that consume bandwidth.
- Change DNS settings
Switching to a faster Domain Name System (DNS) server can improve your connection speed. Popular DNS options include Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) and OpenDNS (208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220). To change your DNS, access your network settings and replace the default DNS with your preferred server addresses.
- Consider a VPN for gaming
Lag will often decrease if your ISP is throttling gaming traffic; hence, a VPN is necessary. Choose a VPN that offers servers optimized for games. Make sure to pick a server close to where the game server resides so you can have an even better performance.
- Schedule automatic router reboots
Routers can accumulate data or experience memory leaks over time, which slows down performance. Schedule regular reboots (e.g., once a week) to keep your router running smoothly.
- Avoid latency peaks
Peak times are usually evening hours. These are usually the times when networks are congested. Try playing during off-peak hours or invest in a higher-tier package.
- Invest in a low-latency ISP
Find ISPs that focus specifically on gamers or provide low-latency connections. Compare customer reviews, latency statistics, and service reliability before changing your provider.
- Test your connection regularly
Test your speed and latency periodically to ensure it is optimal. If there is a sudden drop, you should refer to these troubleshooting steps above to track and correct problems. You can also talk to your ISP to understand whether it is a server issue from their side.
- Follow cloud gaming best practices
If you access cloud gaming, make sure that your connection is fit for their use. If you are using Google Stadia, ensure your Internet connection speed is at least 10 Mbps. This is the minimum download required for 720p gameplay.
If you are using Xbox Cloud Gaming, the minimum requirement is 20 Mbps for 1080p streaming.
Final thoughts
With the right optimizations and tools, a lag-free gaming experience is very possible. You can minimize latency to its lowest point by performing these steps, improving performance, and enhancing your gaming experience. Constant monitoring and adjustments will make sure your internet connection remains your good gaming buddy in every gaming adventure.
Caroline is doing her graduation in IT from the University of South California but keens to work as a freelance blogger. She loves to write on the latest information about IoT, technology, and business. She has innovative ideas and shares her experience with her readers.
