Once you beat lag and latency in any online games, you can beat your opponents.
Playing video games online is awesome. It can also be a pain, something that is almost always down to lag. Over 90% of gamers experience lag when playing online, a problem that, in many cases, is avoidable with the right configuration
So, what can you do to fix lag when online gaming? Most fixes concern your router and internet connection. Let’s take a closer look!
What is lag and jitter?
To fix lag, it’s important to know what it is. You should also know the difference between lag and jitter.
Lag is easier to define. It’s the time between hitting a button (for example, to attack an enemy) and the action occurring on screen. Naturally, this can be frustrating – a lag of more than half a second is going to make a game impossible to play.
Latency has a similar meaning, but is more precisely concerned with data packets and the time they take to travel from point A to point B (that is, your console to the game server) and back again.
Jitter, meanwhile, is the variance of latency, where the route from point A to B is faster or slower. Lower jitter is better for gaming.
Lag is almost always caused by a problem with your local network or internet connection. If you game on a PC, running other software in the background can cause lag, which is why it is a good idea to use Windows’ Game Mode.
You can test lag using the ping command on your computer’s command prompt, or with a ping app on your mobile device. You can also check the router’s admin screen for ping information.
How to reduce lag
The main way to reduce lag is to improve performance from your router. Where possible, use a direct connection from your console or PC to the router with a good quality CAT6 Ethernet cable. This is an easy fix that delivers the best speed and reliability.
If you need to use Wi-Fi, however, you have some options for improving speed.
The first thing you should do is switch to a 5 GHz band on your Wi-Fi router. This should be enabled by default if the router is compatible with 5 GHz. Note that 5 GHz is more effective over shorter distances, so you may need to move your console closer to the router. Alternatively, employ a signal booster, such as a wireless repeater or extender. You might also invest in a mesh kit to provide the best Wi-Fi coverage around your house.
Devices connected to the network that you aren’t using should be shut down or disconnected. This includes phones, tablets, other consoles (if possible), computers, and even TVs.
If your game permits it, select a game server on the same continent (or even city, if possible) rather than one on the other side of the world.
Another option is to change your console’s or computer’s DNS settings. You’ll find the option to do this in the network settings screen. A DNS (Domain Name System) server indexes URLs and IP addresses, enabling fast internet. Some DNS servers are faster than others and can offer speedier and lag-free internet than your broadband provider’s default DNS.
Google and Cloudflare are the most popular, but others are available. A search for your console plus “fast DNS settings” will help you find the best DNS server.
Does internet speed affect lag?
The speed of your broadband internet will impact lag, but it isn’t as influential as you might think.
Online gaming doesn’t rely too much on bandwidth (unlike cloud gaming, where you’re streaming games from a remote server). Everything you can see moving about is already created and rendered on your computer, with the data relaying commands, animation routines, map position of characters, etc. While all of this is synced across the devices of all players, it is comparatively simple. Consequently, even DSL broadband can give you a low-latency connection.
But getting the fastest broadband package available will give you a vital edge. Fast internet reduces the likelihood of the internet connection impacting latency. This is important as it puts troubleshooting lag issues firmly in your hands, relying almost entirely on how your router is configured. Fast internet will also ensure that games and updates download quickly.
Need to upgrade your internet speed? Speak to your current provider to find out if they offer an affordable improvement on your current speeds.
If you’re not able to get the internet speed you need for effective online gaming from your current provider, you should consider switching. Using a comparison service can help you find a fast broadband contract with unlimited data.
Conclusion
Once you beat lag and latency, you can beat your opponents. At the very least, your online gaming performance should improve as you overcome jitter, screen tearing, and other lag-related issues.
Simple fixes can reduce lag to barely noticeable levels, but the fastest and easiest fix is to switch from wireless networking to using an Ethernet cable.
