6 Tips to Reduce Internet Lag When Gaming

If you enjoy gaming, internet speed is a big deal. There’s nothing more irritating than being in the middle of a great game when all of sudden your internet connection starts to lag. A slow internet connection is annoying in general, but it’s even more frustrating when you’re gaming. Internet lag can completely ruin your game. If you’ve ever yelled at the internet during a game, we have some tips on how to reduce internet lag when gaming.

Internet lag is when there is a delay between when you do something with your controller and when it actually happens on the game server. This can be extremely frustrating because even if you press a button first or move your player first, it doesn’t matter. What you do doesn’t happen on the game server immediately because there is a lag. This can cause you to lose even if you’re faster than other players.

What causes internet lag?

You might think internet lag is caused by a slow internet connection, but your internet speed is not always the cause of the lag. When it comes to gaming, you need both a high-speed internet connection and low network latency. Latency is the amount of time it takes for your game system to send data to the game server and receive it back.

If your WIFI network is configured incorrectly, your router is out-of-date, or your game system is too far away from the router, you could experience internet lag.

Tips to Reduce Internet Lag When Gaming

If you are frustrated, yelling at the game won’t fix it. But, there are a few things you can do to reduce lag and latency when you’re gaming.

Check your internet speed and bandwidth

One of the first things you should check is your internet speed. Look at Fast.com or Speedtest.net. These will tell you how fast your internet is. You need at least 10 Mbps to have a good gaming experience. However, if other people are using the internet while you are gaming, this can significantly affect your gameplay.

Make sure you have a fast enough internet plan to support the number of users in the home. If several people are streaming movies or surfing the web, you might need a high-tier plan that offers faster download speeds and more bandwidth.

Reduce the number of connected devices

If several people are using the internet in your home, you may experience some lag. Not only does it affect your gaming, but the other devices connected to the network may also slow down. Try to choose a time when no one else is using the internet to play a game. This will allow your game to have all of the bandwidth it needs.
Move closer to the router

Moving your game console closer to the router, or moving the router to a more central area of your home may reduce game lag. This can be an issue if you have a larger home. Wifi signals can be blocked by walls and furniture, and cause a laggy game experience. If you can’t move the router or the console, you can try adding a wifi extender to help improve the range of your router.

Replace your router

If you’ve tried moving your game system closer to the router, you may need a better router. A good router can make a big difference when it comes to network connectivity. This is especially important for gaming. An outdated router may be what’s causing your internet lag.

If you are looking for a better gaming experience, it may be time to upgrade your router. A new router will provide better speed and lower latency. If you want to have a lag-free gaming experience, upgrading your router may be the best option.

Use an ethernet cord

The purpose of wireless internet is to not have to hook up your devices to wires. However, a wired connection may be better for gaming. If you experience lag frequently, connecting your game system to the internet with an ethernet cord may solve the problem. A wired connection is faster, more consistent, and less prone to interruptions and internet lag.

Check your TV settings

If you’re having lag issues with a game, it may not be the internet. Many newer smart TVs come with display settings that can cause delays. The issue is not with your internet connection, but with the television. Basically, it’s taking too long to show you the picture. You may have a high refresh rate that is causing your lag. Change your refresh settings to a standard 60 Hz.

If you want to make sure you have the best wifi for gaming, consider consulting with a professional. Intuitive AV offers wifi networking services. We can troubleshoot any networking issues so that you can enjoy your gaming without lag.

Common Causes of Slow Internet and How to Fix It

If you’ve ever tried to watch a streaming video or get work done with slow internet, you know how frustrating it can be. Trying to troubleshoot the problem can be a headache. If you’re wondering why your internet is so slow, there are a few common causes of slow internet. Some of the reasons for slow internet are easy to fix. These are the most common causes of slow internet.

Slow Internet Caused by Your Computer

When someone has slow internet, the first reaction is often to look into the router or internet service provider. However, a slow computer may be the root of the problem, especially if you are only noticing slow internet on only one computer or device. One way to find out if the problem is slow internet or your computer is to check the internet using another device. If you discover, the internet is loading fast on your other devices, the culprit might be the particular device that you are using.
Ways to fix slow internet on one computer

Run a malware scan
If your computer is loading slow, the first thing you should do is run a malware scan. Use an anti-malware or computer health program to scan your computer. Make sure your computer doesn’t have adware, trojans, worms, or spyware on it. If your computer is malware-free, try defragmenting your hard drive using your computer’s defragmenting tool. You can also try using a PC cleaner. This should remove stored cached files that could be slowing down your computer.

Use an ethernet cord
If it’s still connecting to the internet slowly, run an ethernet cord from your router to your computer. Because an ethernet cord connects directly to your router, the internet will load faster. If your computer’s internet loads faster with ethernet, the issue could be your computer’s wireless adaptor or your wifi network configuration.

Use a USB wifi adaptor
When a computer runs slow over wifi the issue may be with your computer’s built-in wireless network adaptor not having enough reach. An easy and affordable solution is to purchase a USB wifi adaptor. This should extend the wifi reach on your computer.

Slow Internet Caused by Internet Service Provider

Sometimes the issue is simple, your ISP does not provide fast enough service for your needs. You may need to upgrade your internet plan to one that provides a faster connection. If you experience any of the following issues, your slow internet may be caused by your ISP or internet plan.

-Netflix or Amazon Prime buffering during shows
-Zoom meetings not connecting or out of sync
-Slow internet when several devices are used at the same time
-Slow internet at night
-Slow internet at the end of the month

To determine if your internet speed is the problem, check your internet speed by visiting a website like fast.com or speedtest.net This will tell you how fast your internet speed is. We recommend using these 3rd party speed testing sites and not the one provided by your ISP. Sometimes the issue with internet speed has to do with how many users are connecting to your ISP at the same time. Problems at night or at the end of the month are mainly due to data caps or ISP network congestion. If your connection is slow, try running an ethernet cord to your computer and checking your speed over ethernet. This will help you narrow down where the problem is.

Ways to fix slow internet due to Internet Service Provider issues

-Upgrade your plan
-Contact your internet service provider
-Reset your router
-Switch internet service providers
-Slow internet caused by Wifi Networking Issues

If you are on a great high-speed internet plan, your wifi connection should be fast. After all, that’s why you are paying for the upgraded speed. If you discover your internet is running slow in spite of having an adequate plan, there may be an issue with your wireless networking. Common reasons for wifi networking issues include having a large house, an improperly configured network, high latency (or the amount of time it takes for your wifi signal to travel back and forth), an outdated or inadequate router.

Ways to fix slow internet caused by Wifi Networking Issues

-Reset your router
-Replace your router
-Secure your router
-Move your router to a more central location
-Use a wifi extender
-Use Ethernet cables
-Contact a professional

When it comes to wifi networking issues, the best solution is not always a DIY solution. There are a couple of fixes you can try. If you find that after trying these, your internet connection is still slow, you should consider consulting with a professional. Intuitive AV offers wifi networking services. We can troubleshoot any networking issues, install a wifi networking system that’s ideal for your home or office. The right router and wifi networking can significantly improve your internet speed.

Why hire a professional to install your wifi network?

If you are trying to get the best internet speed, you may mistakenly believe that it’s easier and cheaper to do it yourself. For some people, fast internet service is a luxury, but if you work from home or depend on fast download and upload speeds, having fast, reliable internet is important. A professional can actually save you money, time, and headaches. This way you aren’t purchasing unnecessary equipment, spending hours of time trying to figure out the best way to configure it, and once it’s set up, you don’t have to worry about it again.

A professional knows wifi technology best
Because this is what they do, they will have the most up-to-date information. Trying to Google the answers to your problems may result in outdated solutions or fixes you’ve already tried. A professional has experienced it all and knows what works best.

A professional can fix something quickly
You might be surprised by how fast a professional wifi networking service can fix your issues. Have you ever spent hours trying to set up a new router? An installer can do this in minutes.

A fast wifi network involves wiring
If you’ve ever had an internet service provider come out and rewire your internet cables, you know that not all of them are great at this. Have you ever had someone walk through your home trying to determine which wires were left behind by a previous cable company? Hiring a professional ensures that your wiring is set up correctly with the best access points. They can hide cables and make sure that your internet not only runs fast but that your home is not left with an unsightly mess of wiring.

A professional can boost your internet speed inside and outside your home
If you are looking for the fastest connection, a professional not only knows how to speed up the internet inside your home, they can boost your wifi signal outside the home too. From setting up wifi extenders or repeaters to choosing the best access points, they have the experience to provide you with the best all-around wifi networking.