If you’re experiencing a high ping and it’s affecting your in-game performance, we’ve put together a list of eight techniques to assist you solve the problem.
Your ping is quite important when playing online games. The longer it takes for your screen to update and your button presses to register, the higher your ping.
As you may know, having a high ping while playing an online game may be really frustrating, especially if the game requires quick reaction time. It has the potential to make the game practically unplayable.
To improve your ping, you can always upgrade your internet package. If that isn’t an option, there are a few additional things you may do to try to reduce your ping. We’ll look at eight different techniques to lower your ping in this article.
Not sure if your internet connection is fast enough for gaming? Check out this tutorial to see if your internet package is suitable for gaming.
1. Get a Closer Look at Your Router
If you’re on a Wi-Fi network, moving closer to your router is the simplest and cheapest way to lower your ping. The distance between your computer and your router has a direct impact on the strength of your Wi-Fi connection, which has an impact on your ping.
Your Wi-Fi signal can also be slowed by walls, floors, and other similar obstructions. So, if you want to reduce your ping, try moving into the same room as your router.
This option is unlikely to make a significant difference on your ping. However, depending on how far you walk, it can improve your game experience significantly. Plus, it’s completely free!
2. Select the nearest server to play on.
Always choose the closest server when playing an online game. Most, if not all, online games have many servers located throughout the world. For the best connection and ping, choose the server that is closest to your location. The closer your computer is to the server you choose, the faster it will be able to communicate with it.
Many games make it even easier to find the closest server by displaying the ping next to the server name. Choose the server with the lowest ping if this is the case with the game you’re playing. While the ping of the server may change while you’re playing, choosing the lowest one will give you the ideal starting point.
3. Exit all background programmes and updates.
Even if you don’t have any other windows open, many programmes will run in the background on your computer, sucking up memory and CPU use. To fix this issue, go to your task manager and close these apps manually.
Check to verify if your computer is performing background updates. While you should update your computer on a regular basis, doing so can raise your ping while gaming. You can turn off your computer’s updates while you’re gaming and then turn them back on after you’re done.
4. Reduce the number of devices that are connected to your router.
The majority of routers today are capable of handling multiple devices. This does not, however, imply that they can handle dozens of PCs and smartphones without interfering with your game server connection.
Consider unplugging devices that you aren’t currently utilising if you’re having serious ping issues. Even if no one is currently using a device in your house or on your network, if it is linked to the internet, it can have a detrimental influence on your connection.
Avoid watching Netflix or other videos while playing, as this will slow down your connection.
5. Reset your modem/router
If the above fixes don’t help, try restarting your router. It’s a good idea to reset your router and modem now and then.
Unplug both your router and modem, or press the reset button on your modem (if they have one). Wait a few moments before plugging them back in. Be patient while the system reboots. It may take a few minutes for your internet to come back online.
6. Connect to the Internet via a Hardwired Connection
If at all possible, use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to your network. Because it cancels out any latency from the Wi-Fi signal, a hardwire connection can reduce your ping significantly (particularly if you have a low-end router).
If this does not reduce your ping, the issue is most likely with your router or internet subscription.
7. Get a New Router
If you’ve tried all of the techniques above to lower your ping and the problem still exists, it’s most likely the fault of your router. Your ping can be severely harmed by an insufficient or old router. Of course, replacing your router will cost you some money, but you will almost certainly notice a significant improvement in your internet speed and stability. This price is well worth it for the die-hard gamer.
If you’re thinking about updating your router, do your homework first to make sure you get the greatest deal for your money. For a list of the best routers available, see our router review article.
Last but not least… Organize Your Computer
Your computer’s interior will acquire dust over time. This dust can cause poor ventilation and even electrical shorts, both of which can have a negative impact on the operation of your computer.
Heat can degrade your computer’s performance, including its ability to connect to a gaming server. If you want to get the most out of your machine, clean it on a regular basis.
