How to lower ping and reduce lag for seamless gaming

Most gamers experience the frustration of high ping at some point and know how maddening it can be. Ping issues are especially bothersome when you play multiplayer games that require you to have any competitive advantage. 

In this article, we explain ping and how it impacts gaming and share a complete guide on how to lower ping for a smoother experience. Before we get into how to fix high ping, let’s look at what causes it and how ExpressVPN can help. 

What is ping?

Ping measures how fast your device talks to the game server, and it’s counted in milliseconds (ms). Low ping is better while high ping can ruin your gaming experience. That’s why serious gamers care so much about it—playing with high ping (over 200ms) causes lag and puts you at a disadvantage. On the other hand, low ping (50ms or less) lets you react quickly and show off your skills.

If the signal from your gaming device to the game servers connecting you to other gamers is slow, it will have a noticeable impact on your gaming experience. Having lower latency is especially important in competitive gaming. When you have high ping, your fellow gamers can see what’s happening before you do and have more time to react. When your ping is extremely high, you can seem frozen in place while they seamlessly move around the map.

How ping affects multiplayer gaming performance

Ping plays a big role in how smooth your online gaming feels. When your ping is low, your actions happen almost instantly on the server. This means you can react faster than your opponents.

But with high ping, you’ll experience a delay between what you do and what the game shows. You might fire your weapon, but the hit registers a second or two late. In fast-paced games, lag can mean the difference between winning and losing.

How to test your ping using free tools

Testing your ping is easy and takes just a few seconds. You can find plenty of free online speed test tools and apps. Once you find one you believe is reliable (always check reviews), simply open the website or app and start. Your ping result is usually shown as a number in milliseconds—the lower the number, the better.

What is lag and how is it different from ping?

Lag and ping are related, but they’re not the same thing. Ping measures how long it takes your device to communicate with the game server. Lag is the delay you feel while playing, which can be caused by high ping and slow internet.

Think of ping as the number behind the scenes, while lag is the annoying delay you actually notice on your screen. Keeping your ping low helps avoid lag and makes your game run smoothly.

What is a good ping for gaming?

A good ping for gaming is usually 50ms or lower. This range ensures smooth, lag-free gameplay, where your actions—shooting, moving, or casting spells—register almost instantly on the game server. For competitive genres like racing games, battle royales, and fighting games, low ping is crucial. This is because these games rely on split-second reactions.

That said, some games are more forgiving. For example, multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) like League of Legends play well with ping up to 60ms, and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) can handle ping up to 150ms without significant issues. Casual and turn-based games, which don’t depend on real-time input, can even work fine with ping up to 200ms.

If your ping consistently exceeds 200ms, lag and unresponsiveness will interfere with your gaming. Don’t worry—this guide will show you how to lower ping and improve your connection for smoother gameplay.

Optimal ping ranges by game genre

Ping requirements can vary based on the type of game you play. Here’s a closer look at what works best for each genre:

• First-person shooters (FPS) and battle royales: Require 0–50ms for fast reactions. Anything above 100ms can feel frustrating and slow.
• Fighting games: Thrive on ultra-low ping, ideally 0–30ms. Even slight delays can ruin combos.
• MOBA games (e.g., League of Legends): Play well with 0–60ms, but anything over 100ms can hurt precision.
• MMORPGs: More forgiving, 0–150ms is usually fine, though lower is always better.
• Casual and turn-based games: Can handle higher ping (up to 200ms) without much impact.

What causes lag in gaming?

Lag in gaming occurs for several common reasons. One big reason is high ping, which means your device takes too long to communicate with the game server. A slow or weak internet connection, like unstable Wi-Fi, can also cause issues. Sometimes, the game server itself might be overloaded or too far away, causing delays.

If too many people share your internet, it can slow everything down—this is called network congestion. Old devices or routers might not work fast enough for gaming. Other things, like background apps or downloads using your internet, can also cause lag. Understanding these issues is key to learning how to lower ping and prevent lag from ruining your gaming experience.

How to interpret ping results

You’ve checked your ping, but now you’re wondering, “How do I know if my ping is good for gaming?” Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s considered good, medium, and bad ping for gaming:

• Good ping (0–50ms): Excellent for gaming. Your actions happen almost instantly, with no noticeable delays.
  
• Medium ping (51–100ms): Playable, but you might notice slight delays, especially in fast-paced games.
  
• Bad ping (101–200ms): The noticeable lag makes competitive gaming frustrating.
  
• Very bad ping (200ms or higher): The game feels unresponsive, with major delays. Playing at this level is extremely difficult if not impossible.

Why is my ping so high? Common causes

When it comes to fixing ping issues, it’s key to understand what’s causing them. Otherwise, you could become ultra-frustrated and not understand why your fixes won’t work. To help you avoid that, we’ve compiled a list of the most common causes of high latency.

1. Network congestion (Too many devices connected) 

Whether it’s your home network or any other network, too many people using the internet at once can cause an information traffic jam. When multiple devices are streaming Netflix, downloading, or gaming, it can slow your connection speed and increase ping.

2. Poor router placement and weak Wi-Fi signals

If your router is too far away from your gaming device or blocked by thick walls, the signal weakens, leading to higher ping. Weak Wi-Fi signals can also cause delays and make your connection less stable. Placing the router in a central, open area can improve performance. However, if you live in a rural area that doesn’t get a great signal, moving your Wi-Fi router may not help.

3. Distance to game servers

Good old physics—the further the signal needs to travel, the longer it takes to reach its destination. The distance between your device and the game server directly affects your gaming latency. Until communication advances to the level of quantum networks (which isn’t happening soon), this is a limitation we can’t fully avoid.

4. Background applications consuming bandwidth

If you have multiple heavy-duty programs running in the background, they can take up a chunk of your bandwidth. This can reduce the speed available for gaming and lead to higher ping. To help free up bandwidth, try closing unnecessary background apps.

5. ISP throttling and inefficient routing 

Sometimes, internet service providers (ISPs) intentionally slow down certain types of traffic, like gaming data. This is called ISP throttling, and it can cause higher ping. In other cases, your signal may take an inefficient route to the game server, causing delays. While throttling is often deliberate, inefficient routing can happen due to errors or bugs within the ISP’s system.

You can use a VPN to stop your ISP from throttling your connection. If your ISP sees you engaged in data-heavy activities, it might slow your connection to preserve bandwidth. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic so even your ISP can’t see what you’re up to online. If it can’t see what you’re doing, it has no reason to throttle you.

6. Outdated hardware or firmware

If your device is outdated, it may struggle to process data quickly. The same goes for your router or even the game server itself. Outdated software or firmware on your device can also cause bugs or incompatibility issues. This can lead to performance delays and high ping. Keeping everything updated can ensure smoother gameplay.

How to lower ping: 11 proven steps for lag-free gaming

Lag doesn’t have to ruin your game. These steps will not only show you how to lower ping but also help you enjoy smoother, more responsive gameplay.

1. Close background apps and processes

Close any apps you’re not using, especially those that consume data, to ensure your gaming device gets all the available bandwidth. Running lots of apps in the background can steal valuable bandwidth and cause slower speeds and higher ping. Even things like streaming music and downloading files can affect your connection.

2. Disconnect unused devices from your network

Every device connected to your Wi-Fi takes up a piece of your internet speed. Phones, laptops, smart TVs, and even smart home devices like speakers can slow things down. Disconnect any devices you’re not actively using. The fewer devices connected, the more bandwidth your gaming device can access, leading to a faster, more stable connection.

3. Switch to a wired connection (Ethernet)

Wi-Fi can be unstable, especially if you have thick walls or other electronics interfering with the signal. Using an Ethernet connection can be a more reliable and faster way to connect to your internet. If you’re having persistent ping problems, try connecting your gaming device directly to your router with an Ethernet cable. This will lower your ping and promote smoother gaming.

4. Relocate your router and minimize physical obstructions

Router placement affects the strength of your Wi-Fi signal. If your router is tucked away in a corner or blocked by walls and furniture, your signal may not reach your gaming device effectively. Try placing your router in a central location, away from obstructions. The better the signal, the lower your ping, especially for Wi-Fi connections.

5. Choose the nearest game server

Game servers are located all over the world, and the farther you are from the server, the longer it takes for your data to travel, which raises your ping. Most games let you choose a server region. Always select the server closest to your location to reduce travel time and lower your ping for a smoother gaming experience.

6. Run an internet speed and ping test

Checking your internet speed and ping rate gives you a clear picture of your connection’s performance. Many online tools can measure these parameters. If your results are poor, it might be time to troubleshoot or make adjustments to improve your connection. 

7. Lower in-game graphics and network settings

High-quality graphics can cause lag if your device struggles to render them, especially if you have lower specs. Reducing your in-game graphics settings can help ease the load on your system and lower your ping. Some games also have network settings, such as tick rate or latency optimization, which you can adjust to help improve connection stability.

8. Update your router’s firmware

Like other devices, routers need software updates. Manufacturers regularly release firmware updates and bug fixes to improve router performance. Check your router settings or the manufacturer’s website for any available updates.

9. Restart or factory reset your router

Routers can sometimes become overloaded or experience issues that cause higher ping. A quick restart can help reset your connection and eliminate minor glitches. If restarting doesn’t work, you might want to perform a factory reset. This will restore the router to its default settings. Just remember, a factory reset will erase any custom settings, so you’ll need to set it up again.

10. Play during off-peak hours

Evenings and weekends tend to be peak times for gaming and heavy internet use. This can cause congestion and slower speeds which leads to higher ping for gaming. Try to play during off-peak hours, such as early mornings or weekdays, when fewer people are online. With less internet traffic, your connection will be faster, and your ping will be lower.

11. Contact your ISP for routing improvements or upgrades

If you’ve tried everything and still experience high ping, it might be time to contact your ISP and upgrade your internet plan. Sometimes, ISPs can help improve routing, which refers to how your data travels to the game server. They might offer a better route or upgrade your plan to boost your internet speed. If they can’t improve your connection, you may need to look into a new ISP or plan.

Advanced tips to lower ping like a pro

Once you’ve mastered the basics, these advanced strategies will show you how to lower ping further and tackle even the toughest latency problems:

1. Change DNS settings

DNS is like an address book for the internet, helping your device find websites and servers. Some DNS providers are faster than others, so changing to a faster one can lower your ping. Free options like Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS can give you quicker connections and smoother gameplay than your default DNS provider.

2. Use network analysis tools 

Network analysis tools help you find out what’s causing high ping or lag. These tools show you where delays are happening in your internet connection. Programs like PingPlotter or Wireshark let you see if your connection is slow because of your network or the route your data takes. Once you know the problem, you can fix it and lower your ping.

3. Create a private LAN server for local gaming

A Local Area Network (LAN) server lets you play games without using the internet. By connecting directly to your friends’ devices through Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi, you cut out long-distance communication with game servers. This results in super-low ping and a faster, smoother experience when playing locally with others.

4. Use a VPN

VPNs can help you achieve a lower ping rate if your ISP is throttling you. Generally, your ISP can see everything you do online and may throttle you if they see you doing data-heavy activities (like gaming). When you use a VPN, the encryption stops them from seeing what you do, so they won’t have reason to throttle you.

How a VPN can reduce ping and bypass ISP throttling

A gaming VPN can solve some of the issues mentioned above: network congestion, poor routing, and ISP throttling. 

Here’s how it works:

When you connect to a VPN, it routes all your traffic through the server of your choice. When you connect to a VPN server, ExpressVPN automatically looks for the fastest route possible between you and the server you chose.

If you choose a VPN server that’s close to the game server you want to play on, the VPN will bypass any bad signal routing and any congested networks along the way. Then it’s just a short hop to the game server, and you will often see lower ping.

Mind you, not all VPNs will reduce your ping this way. You need one with servers all over the world, and those servers need to be optimized for speed. ExpressVPN fits that bill perfectly.

A VPN also encrypts all traffic between you and the VPN server. This has several benefits, the most relevant one being that your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online. If they don’t know which traffic is the game traffic, and if they don’t know it’s going to a game server, they can’t selectively throttle that specific stream of data.

It also helps protect your data from being intercepted and stolen by third parties, which is very cool.

Benefits of using ExpressVPN for gaming

• Global server network: With server locations in 105 countries, you’ll always be able to find a VPN server that’s close to the game servers you want to play on.
• Optimized routing: ExpressVPN finds the fastest route between you and the VPN server you chose.
• Fast speeds: ExpressVPN servers are tuned to handle huge amounts of information in milliseconds and can easily keep up with the speed of your gameplay. Our proprietary Lightway protocol balances great security with great speed when encrypting your data.
• Bypass throttling: Some ISPs may intentionally slow down game traffic. By routing your traffic through a VPN server and encrypting it, your ISP can no longer selectively throttle your online activity because they can’t see what you’re doing online.
• Avoid DDoS attacks: ExpressVPN hides your IP address, so any DDoS attacks will hit ExpressVPN’s servers, not your home network. With built-in DDoS mitigation, our servers can handle it and keep you in the game.

The final word on lowering ping and reducing lag 

Lowering your ping and reducing lag can transform your gaming experience. It’s about finding the right combination of fixes—whether adjusting your setup, upgrading equipment, or using tools like ExpressVPN to bypass ISP throttling. With these steps, you can enjoy smoother, faster, and more reliable gameplay every time you log in. Game on!