You’re with your friends in the midst of an intense gaming session. You’ve reached the most critical part of the game. You’re this close to winning, and then you witness that your game has momentarily frozen, so the moment where you beat the shot happens a few seconds later. But it’s too late because now someone else has won. It happened because your game started lagging.
We can understand how frustrating it must be. As a gamer, it’s a nightmare. Game lags occur when there’s a delay between the player’s actions and the reaction of the game server.
Lags can be of two types. Sometimes they occur because the network is overly congested with traffic. The other way this happens is when there is not sufficient processing power. The good thing is that there are ways to counter this issue. The first step is identifying the signs your game is lagging and what causes it. So without any further ado, let’s get into it.
Why is my Game Lagging?
Various factors cause your game to start lagging. Here are some of the major ones:
Network Issues
One of the most common reasons games start to lag is due to poor internet connection. Online gaming requires a minimum download speed of 3Mbps and at least 1Mbps of upload speed. This requirement also depends on the type of game the player is playing.
Other than that, Internet speed is also affected by the number of devices connected to the Internet simultaneously. The more connected devices, the more chances of it being slow.
Video games that have high-quality graphics will require a faster internet speed as opposed to games that don’t have the best interface and graphics.
Insufficient Hardware
If the computer or gaming device lacks the hardware specifications the game requires, then this can cause lagging issues. Your hardware might not meet all the requirements because it may have a slow processor or an outdated graphics card that cannot perform how it should.
Overheating
If your CPU or graphics card gets overheated, it can lead to lags. Ensure that your system is appropriately cooling; there’s no dust buildup in your system, and if there is, clean it up immediately. Add any other fans so that your system doesn’t heat up.
Server-side Issues
If you experience lagging while playing games online, it could be due to server issues or inadequate game optimization. If such a situation occurs, it’s something you cannot control. It’s the game developers who will have to look into it and get it resolved.
Common Signs Your Game Is Lagging
Low Frame Rate
A low frame rate is when the game appears to be running in slow motion or stuttering. The movements of the characters and anything else on the screen look twitchy.
Input Delay
When you press the button of the game console to do a specific action, there’s a delay before that action is shown on the screen. That is a massive sign that the game is lagging.
Audio Glitches
When your game is lagging, it can lead to audio glitches. You will notice it when a sound is skipped, or there is no synchronization between the game’s visuals, the characters’ words, and the audio.
Freezing
The game might freeze for a few seconds and then return to normal. The movements in the game become inconsistent. It happens when the system’s processing or loading times are insufficient.
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High Latency
Latency occurs when you’re experiencing response delays during online gaming. High latency makes the gaming experience far less enjoyable. It leads to a delay in the player’s actions, and it results in the other players in the game world.
Slow Responses
Because of lagging, the game would respond slower to the player’s interactions. There would be a delay in specific actions, like when the player is firing a weapon or trying to navigate the menu, looking for a particular feature.
How To Prevent Lagging For the Best Gaming Experience
Now that we know the causes and signs of game lags, it’s time to delve into all the tips and tricks to help you prevent this issue and have an enjoyable gaming experience without any hassle or delays.
Use a VPN
Using a VPN can help lower your ping so that your network connection performs better and works faster. To achieve this, you need to invest in the fastest VPN that has high speed and low latency. Another thing that can prove to be effective is choosing a VPN server that is the closest to your location. When you’re using a server that’s the nearest to you, it will help lower your ping and prevent your game from lagging.
Low Latency
As we had mentioned earlier, high latency causes games to start lagging. To avoid this issue, it’s crucial to aim for low latency. Low latency and increased internet speed are the best combinations for a seamless gaming experience. A good latency (or ping) is 40-60 milliseconds or less.
Reduce Background Processes
Before starting the game, make sure you’ve closed any websites and pages in the background, like Netflix or YouTube. These sites take up a lot of bandwidth, so make sure you’ve closed them before starting.
Also, shut down any software if you’re not using it at the time. Removing unnecessary pages improves the game’s speed and prevents lagging since the system’s resources are only utilized a little.
Have Proper Cooling
Overheating can cause issues in the system and affect the game’s performance. Ensure your system or gaming console has proper cooling so it doesn’t heat up. It means investing in fans and cooling pads and cleaning out dust built-up.
Optimize Game Settings
Depending on which game you’re playing, it’s a good idea to optimize the game settings of the audio and visuals to fit your internet connection. Adjust the game’s graphics to strike the right balance between visual quality and performance.
If you have a slow internet connection, try to lower the resolution so that it doesn’t take up a lot of data and strain your hardware.
Software Updates
Keep all of your relevant software up to date. Ensure you’re equipped with the latest versions. Your drivers’ and graphics software should also be up to date, as the latest versions can pick up performance issues and bugs and resolve them on time.
Use an Ethernet Connection
If you’re online gaming, you should optimize your internet connection to reduce lag. Have a high-speed internet connection in place and close applications that use a lot of bandwidth. Better yet, consider using an Ethernet connection instead of WiFi. It will enable you to have the fastest internet connection.
Check your Internet speed
You don’t need to have an enterprise-level internet speed to be able to play video games seamlessly. Still, you do need to ensure your internet speed is at least 15-20Mbps, especially for video games with stellar graphics. You also need to check your bandwidth.
If multiple people in your house use the same internet connection and stream videos and download files, it takes up a lot of data and can cause a strain on your bandwidth capacity. It slows down Internet speed and causes lags in your games. If you want to prevent it, you must ensure you have enough capacity to support all of these activities.
Conclusion
Every gamer’s worst nightmare is experiencing lagging in the middle of an important game. But by implementing these preventative measures, it will be a thing of the past. An important thing to note is that its effectiveness depends on the game you’re playing and the hardware specifications.
A fast internet connection is vital for a smooth gaming experience, and by using the Fastest VPN, you will see a significant improvement in gaming speed without interruptions.
Mustafa Al Mahmud is the founder and owner of Gizmo Concept, a leading technology news and review site. With over 10 years of experience in the tech industry, Mustafa started Gizmo Concept in 2017 to provide honest, in-depth analysis and insights on the latest gadgets, apps, and tech trends. A self-proclaimed “tech geek,” Mustafa first developed a passion for technology as a computer science student at the Hi-Tech Institute of Engineering & Technology. After graduation, he worked at several top tech firms leading product development teams and honing his skills as both an engineer and innovator. However, he always dreamed of having his own platform to share his perspectives on the tech world. With the launch of Gizmo Concept, Mustafa has built an engaged community of tech enthusiasts who look to the site for trusted, informed takes on everything from smartphones to smart homes. Under his leadership, Gizmo Concept has become a top destination for tech reviews, news, and expert commentary. Outside of running Gizmo Concept, Mustafa is an avid traveler who enjoys experiencing new cultures and tech scenes worldwide. He also serves as a tech advisor and angel investor for several startups. Mustafa holds a B.S. in Computer Science from HIET.