Gaming: How to reduce lag and increase internet speed

Imagine yourself in the middle of an intense game. Maybe you're fighting and shooting or slashing your sword. Maybe you're playing a sport. Imagine you're just a few points away from winning. Your game freezes when you take the winning shot, so your shot occurs a few seconds later instead of instantly. You discover your opponent took the shot first, and you've lost...all because your game dragged.

Lags occur when there is a delay between the action of the players and the reaction of the game server. One of the most frustrating things a gamer can experience is the internet connection cutting out along with it. Because you don't have to press the button first, it's annoying. If your game lags, the server won't react immediately, so if your opponent's game is faster, they will have a much better chance of winning.

Fortunately, you can do several things to minimize lags and maintain a consistent gaming experience.

1. Test your Internet speed and bandwidth

You don't need business-speed internet to play games seamlessly, but you will need at least 15-20Mbps if you want to do so. You should also consider your bandwidth.

If you or other members of your household are using the internet simultaneously for other activities (such as streaming movies, video chatting, and browsing the web), it can strain the bandwidth. Video streaming and downloading consume a lot of data - a lot more than gaming, in fact. If you don't have enough bandwidth, this can drastically slow down your internet and game. Check out these myths about broadband connections for gaming.

2. Aim for Low Latency

The network latency is the time it takes for data to travel from its source to its destination. The smaller the latency, the better. In games with high latency, you might tell your character to walk forward, but they won't actually move until a few seconds later. Lag is caused by this. The best combination is high-speed internet and low latency.

Ideally, a ping rate should be below 150 milliseconds. A great ping rate is 20 milliseconds.

But what causes latency?

Latency is affected by many factors, including your broadband connection. It is affected by your network hardware, the remote server's location, and the router.

The path taken by data packets from their source to their destination is usually not a direct one - they pass through different points on the way. Longer routes and more stops result in more delays. Delays can also be caused by the distance between your router and your computer/console.

3. Move Closer to Your Router

Walls, floors, furniture and other physical objects can interfere with your wireless signal. By moving your computer or console closer to your router, you can improve your WiFi signal.

If you find that you are still experiencing lag, it has deteriorated, or moving the router is not an option, try changing your gaming position. For example, place your console at a different angle. Signal interference can also be reduced by reducing other household appliances such as wireless speakers, microwaves, and mobile chargers. Using this method can help the wireless signal travel more directly to your device.

4. Turn off any background websites and programs.

Ping rates and latency are significantly affected by bandwidth-heavy sites like Netflix, YouTube, and downloads. Close any you have running, as this will negatively affect your gaming experience.

Reduce the number of devices you have connected to the WiFi. The more devices connected to and using the WiFi, the more bandwidth is needed. It is even possible to play games in Airplane Mode.

5. Connect Your Device to Your Router via an Ethernet Cable

It might be difficult to ask your family or housemates to stop using the internet when you're gaming if you share your WiFi connection. You can try to play a game whenever they're out of the house, or you can connect your device to the router using an Ethernet cable.

As long as your router isn't to blame, this should drastically reduce your ping.

6. Play on a Local Server

You can reduce your ping by playing on a server in your country or on the other side. The closer to you the server, the better.

7. Restart Your Router

When a router has been on and in use for a while, it can become stressed. Restarting your router can improve your latency and refresh your internet connection. You can learn how to restart your Linksys router if you are a Gigaclear customer.

8. Replace Your Router

Old routers can affect the strength, speed, and reliability of your internet connection. You may benefit from a gaming-optimized router. A gaming router has special features designed to enhance all the conditions for gaming (such as internet speed, ping rates, and latency). The Quality of Service (QoS) feature allows you to prioritize the internet traffic on your console so you can get the best gaming experience.

9. Upgrade Your Broadband Package

In order to reduce game lag and increase internet speed, better broadband can be the most straightforward solution. Upgrade to a package that offers better conditions for gaming. You could also try another provider who offers a better, more reliable internet connection if the WiFi signal in your area is patchy.

As a broadband provider, Gigaclear specializes exclusively in providing ultrafast full fibre broadband to rural communities. We understand the frustrations that rural communities face when it comes to poor and unreliable internet connections.

Whether you're gaming, shopping online or watching your favorite TV show, your location shouldn't matter. We provide ultrafast broadband to keep you and your household connected so you can do all your normal online activities.

Find out how Gigaclear can improve your gaming experience with ultrafast speeds.