PC, console, or mobile gamer? High ping can ruin your online gaming
Whether you’re a casual gamer or an e-sport professional, you have already experienced the nightmare of high ping, latency, and lag! Here, we’re going to talk about how to get a low ping, latency, and lag for better online gaming sessions but first what’s Ping, Latency, and Lag?
What are Ping, Latency, and Lag?
Ping is the way the network measures latency, a ping message is sent to measure the time it takes from your computer, console, or phone to the game server and back again to you. So, if your ping is 100ms this means it takes 100 milliseconds for your computer, console, or phone to respond to the game server, which is a bit high but within the acceptable range.
When you’re playing an online game, you’re connected to the game server, every action you make such as moving around, lotting stuff, or running for your in-game precious life is data sent to the game server and back to you. So, low ping means smoother gameplay because the data travels fast between you and the game server and this is called low latency.
Lag is another term for the delay and there are different kinds of Lag, such as Network Lag or Input Lag but that’s another subject for another time.
Network Lag is a delay in data exchanged between you and the game server. You have seen it before, it’s when you pull the trigger but the bullet takes a little bit of time before it’s shot and now you missed the shot and revealed your position! I can feel your frustration!
What Causes High Ping, Latency, and Lag?
Many factors can contribute to high ping and cause latency which will make your game laggy and ruin your online gaming session. It could be your home network, your ISP network, the game server location, or the network hardware between your computer, console, or phone, and the game server.
How to Reduce Latency and Get Rid of Lag?
Get wired “Ethernet” Connection
If you’re on a wireless connection “WiFi”, maybe it’s a good time to get wired “Ethernet”.
Close Background Application and Programs
Also, make sure that no other apps are running in the background, these apps could be eating your bandwidth. In some cases, your Antivirus or firewall can cause latency.
Select A Server Near Your Location
If all is good on your end, it could be the game server location. Servers located far from your actual location will definitely cause high latency, so choose a server near your region for lower ping. Usually, online games offer multiple servers located around the world for that reason.
Use A VPN
If all the above didn’t help lower your ping, then you may need to use a VPN.
Online gamers use VPN for many reasons, some online games are banned in certain countries and a VPN can help you reach the game server and also to lower your ping.
In simple terms, VPN creates a tunnel between you and the VPN server, so you’re accessing the internet through the VPN server. This can help you avoid any routing issues that probably exist in your ISP network.
We have tested lots of VPNs and found that bVPN is a very decent solution with unlimited bandwidth, zero-logging policy, and servers strategically located in more than 40 locations around the world, I’m sure you will find a server near your location. You can even get 30 Days Free Trial if you subscribe through Apple App Store.
