Before you start
- Access to your router settings
- An Ethernet cable (recommended)
Method 1 Fix the connection to your device
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Step 1: Use Ethernet
A cable gives lower, steadier ping than Wi-Fi. If you can’t run a cable, try a powerline adapter or a mesh node with an Ethernet port near your console.
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Step 2: If you must use Wi-Fi
Use 5 GHz (or 6 GHz), sit close to the router with no walls in between, and keep other devices off 5 GHz if possible.
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Step 3: Restart
Restart your router and console/PC to clear temporary issues.
Method 2 Reduce other traffic
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Step 1: Pause heavy users
Big downloads, cloud backups, video uploads and multiple streams on other devices cause lag spikes.
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Step 2: Close background apps
On PC, close launchers downloading updates (Steam, Epic, Battle.net), cloud sync apps and browser tabs streaming video.
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Step 3: Turn on QoS
In your router settings, enable QoS and prioritise your gaming device or “gaming” traffic. Some routers call it Game Accelerator or Adaptive QoS.
Method 3 Check for bufferbloat
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Step 1: Run a loaded latency test
Use the Waveform Bufferbloat Test or speed.cloudflare.com. If ping jumps by more than 30–50 ms while downloading, that’s bufferbloat.
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Step 2: Enable SQM
Routers with Smart Queue Management (SQM), Cake or fq_codel keep ping low under load. Set the limits to about 90% of your measured speed.
Method 4 In the game
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Step 1: Choose the right region
Select the server region nearest to you in matchmaking settings. Playing across continents adds 100+ ms.
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Step 2: Check NAT type
A Strict/Type 3 NAT can cause connection problems; enable UPnP on your router to get Open/Moderate NAT.
Troubleshooting
Ping is fine, but I rubber-band
That’s often packet loss. Run a packet loss test, check cables and Wi-Fi interference, and report persistent loss to your provider.
Lag only at night
Your provider’s network may be congested at peak times. Document it with speed and ping tests and contact them.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good ping for gaming?
Under 30 ms is excellent, 30–60 ms is good, above 100 ms is noticeable in fast games.
Do gaming VPNs lower ping?
Only in rare cases where your provider’s routing is poor. Usually a VPN adds latency.
Summary
Use Ethernet, choose the nearest server, pause other heavy traffic and turn on QoS/SQM to stop bufferbloat. If lag persists on a cable, test for packet loss and contact your provider.
