Online gaming is all about speed, timing, and precision. Whether you’re in the middle of a heated FPS match or managing a raid in an MMORPG, nothing ruins the experience like lag or high ping. You press a button, but your character reacts a second later. That delay can be the difference between winning and losing.
If you’re tired of rubber-banding, teleporting enemies, and delayed actions, this guide is for you. Here’s how to get low ping and reduce lag so your gameplay feels smooth and responsive.
What Is Ping and Why It Matters
Ping is the time it takes for your device to send a signal to a game server and get a response, measured in milliseconds (ms). The lower the number, the faster your communication with the server.
- Low ping (0–50 ms): Excellent, smooth gameplay.
- Medium ping (50–100 ms): Still good, minimal lag.
- High ping (100–200 ms): Noticeable delay, affects competitive play.
- Very high ping (200+ ms): Severe lag, gameplay becomes frustrating or unplayable.
High ping doesn’t just annoy—it can destroy your performance. So let’s look at ways to keep it low.
Optimize Your Internet Connection
Use a Wired Connection
Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s also unstable. Signals can drop, get interrupted by walls or other electronics, and spike unexpectedly. A wired Ethernet connection is more stable and offers consistently lower ping.
If you’re serious about gaming, plug your PC or console directly into your router. You’ll eliminate a major source of lag.
Limit Other Devices on the Network
If someone’s streaming 4K videos or downloading massive files while you’re gaming, your ping will spike. Bandwidth is shared, and heavy usage by others can choke your connection.
To fix this:
- Ask others to limit bandwidth use while you’re gaming.
- Set up Quality of Service (QoS) on your router to prioritize gaming traffic.
- Disconnect idle devices from Wi-Fi if possible.
Restart Your Router Regularly
Routers can get bogged down over time. Rebooting your router once a week can help clear out memory leaks, refresh connections, and keep your speeds optimal.
Choose the Right Server Location
Most online games let you select your server region. Always choose the one geographically closest to you. Connecting to distant servers increases the travel time of your data, raising your ping.
If you’re playing with friends overseas, someone will always have a disadvantage—pick a middle ground if you can.
Optimize Your System for Gaming
Close Background Applications
Your PC or console might be doing things in the background that hog bandwidth—like automatic updates, cloud syncs, or open browser tabs.
Before you start gaming:
- Close unnecessary apps and background processes.
- Pause any ongoing downloads or uploads.
- Disable automatic updates during gaming sessions.
Keep Drivers and Firmware Updated
Outdated network drivers can cause poor performance. Keep your system drivers—especially your network adapter and motherboard firmware—up to date. Manufacturers often release optimizations and fixes that improve connectivity.
Reduce In-Game Network Load
Some games offer settings that can reduce lag without sacrificing visual quality. Try the following:
- Lower the tick rate or data send rate in game settings if available.
- Reduce visual clutter like shadows or post-processing to lighten the system load.
- Enable options like “Lag Compensation” or “Reduce Buffering” if the game offers them.
Improve Your Router Settings
Enable QoS (Quality of Service)
QoS is a router feature that prioritizes certain types of traffic—like gaming—over others. When enabled, your router will make sure your gaming data gets handled first, reducing ping spikes when multiple devices are online.
Check your router settings and assign high priority to your gaming device or the ports used by your game.
Switch to a Less Crowded Channel
Wi-Fi routers use channels to send signals. If too many routers nearby are on the same channel, it causes interference and slows everything down.
Use your router settings to scan for the least congested channel and switch to it. This is especially important in apartment buildings or crowded neighborhoods.
Use the Right Frequency Band
Modern routers offer two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
- 2.4 GHz: Longer range but slower speed and more interference.
- 5 GHz: Faster and less interference but shorter range.
If you’re using Wi-Fi and you’re close to your router, switch to 5 GHz for better performance.
Reduce Lag with Game-Specific Strategies
Use In-Game Ping Tools
Most online games have a network or gaming ping. Use it to monitor your latency in real time. Some even let you select which data center to connect to or provide ping stats for each.
Pay attention to ping trends. If it always spikes at a certain time, it may be tied to your local network usage or ISP traffic.
Choose the Right Times to Play
Your internet can slow down during peak hours when many users in your area are online. If possible, play during off-peak hours to avoid network congestion.
Use a Gaming VPN (Only If Necessary)
In rare cases, your ISP may route your data inefficiently or throttle your gaming traffic. A VPN can sometimes help by routing your traffic through a faster path.
However, VPNs can also increase ping if not properly configured. Only use one if you’ve tested and confirmed it improves your connection.
Upgrade Your Hardware If Needed
Use a Better Router
Older routers may not handle modern internet speeds or multiple devices efficiently. If your router is more than five years old, consider upgrading. Look for models designed with gaming or low-latency performance in mind.
Upgrade Your Internet Plan
Sometimes, you’re simply capped by the limits of your internet plan. If you consistently experience poor performance and have tried everything else, upgrading to a faster plan with lower latency and higher upload speeds may be the fix.
Pay attention not just to download speed, but also upload speed and latency. These matter just as much for online gaming.
Get a Gaming Network Card
For PC gamers, a high-quality network card can make a difference. Some offer traffic prioritization, better throughput, and improved signal handling compared to generic onboard chips.
Final Thoughts
Reducing lag and improving ping in online games isn’t just about raw internet speed. It’s about stability, smart setup, and managing everything from your router to your game settings.
Take a systematic approach:
- Secure a wired connection.
- Manage your network traffic.
- Fine-tune system and game settings.
- Optimize your hardware and router.
You don’t need to spend a fortune—often the biggest improvements come from simple tweaks and good habits. Every millisecond counts in competitive gaming, and with the right setup, you can make sure lag never stands in your way again.
