7 Ways to Improve Latency in Gaming

Outside of unexpected game crashes or power outages that knock your computer or console offline, lag is one of the worst things that can happen to an online gamer. Lag—or latency, as it’s more technically known—impacts the performance of online games. 

While many people focus on measuring upload and download speeds when talking about the quality of an internet connection, latency (and its measurement, ping) is just as important. Let’s talk about what latency is and why improving it can make a significant difference in your gaming experience.  

What is latency in gaming?

Latency in gaming refers to the delay between your action(s) and the game’s response.  

Most of the time, we measure latency by ping. High latency (or ping rate) can severely disrupt gameplay, usually with delays and unresponsive controls.  

What is good latency in gaming?

A good ping for gaming can vary based on the type of game you’re playing, but good latency for most games is usually under 50 milliseconds (ms). This usually ensures smooth and responsive gameplay.  

For more fast-paced or competitive games, a latency of 20 ms or lower is ideal. Some genres, like racing games, benefit from even lower latencies. Casual games or turn-based games, like Clash of Clans, may not require as low of latency for players to be successful

7 Ways to Improve Latency

If you’re ready to say goodbye to game-ruining latency, you’re not alone. The following tips vary in complexity but can take your gaming experience from laggy to lightning-fast.

1. Use a Wired Ethernet Connection

One of the best ways to reduce latency (and improve your download and upload speeds) is to directly connect your gaming device to your router with an ethernet cable.

While whole-home Wi-Fi is great and allows you to enjoy internet access anywhere in your home, a wired connection can offer better bandwidth. This provides the most stable, low-latency connection and eliminates wireless interference, reducing packet loss and ensuring you get the maximum speeds from your router.

Combined with a fiber internet plan, a wired connection is one of the best ways to experience less lag in your games.

2. Upgrade Your Gateway (Router / Modem)

Speaking of routers, investing in a high-quality router that has Quality of Service (QoS) features allows you to prioritize gaming traffic and reduce latency. When your game data has priority over other network traffic, you’ll see better ping results. In some cases, a gaming-specific router will further optimize your settings for low latency.

3. Close Background Programs

Before you load your game, close unnecessary applications and background processes that consume system resources or bandwidth before you load your game. For example, if you’re playing games on Steam, you probably don’t need other game launchers or programs running. 

4. Choose Nearby Servers

Some games—especially massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) like Final Fantasy XIV Online—allow you to choose a preferred game server. Choose one close to your location to reduce the physical distance data needs to travel. This can significantly lower ping times. 

5. Use a Gaming VPN

VPNs are an excellent way to protect your computer or other devices from threats, but they also benefit gamers. A good gaming VPN can help reduce ping, packet loss, and unexpected disconnects.

6. Turn on Game Mode

A computer’s game mode can reduce system latency by prioritizing gaming activities over other processes. It runs smoother when your computer allocates more CPU and GPU resources to the game over other tasks.

For those who don’t want to get too deep into the Task Manager weeds, enabling game modes like Windows Game Mode or NVIDIA Reflex (for supported games and graphics cards) can reduce latency while gaming.

7. Invest in a Low Latency Monitor

A low-latency monitor has a high refresh rate and low input lag. Gaming monitors often have 1 ms response times and high refresh rates (144Hz or higher).  

In addition, many gaming monitors support NVIDIA’s G-Sync or AMD’s FreeSync technologies, which optimize your frame rate and cut down on screen tearing, stuttering, and juddering.

Stay in the Game with Kinetic

Competitive gaming requires you to be at your best, and part of that means having access to the best equipment and internet connection possible. Kinetic knows a little bit about being competitive, too.

When you sign up for a Fiber Internet plan from Kinetic, you can trust that your connection will be fast and reliable.

But don’t take our word for it.

We asked 241 gamers how switching to fiber has affected them, and an overwhelming majority (73%) said it improved their gaming experience. Half of those gamers also say they notice less lag on a fiber internet connection (2024 – Kinetic Raw data report*).

Plus, we boast 99.9% reliability for all our users, meaning you won’t get disconnected and be responsible for a raid wipe.

Explore the benefits of fast and reliable Kinetic Fiber Internet 1 and 2-Gig internet plans and check availability for your area today.

Ways to Improve Latency for Gaming FAQs

How can I improve my game latency?

You can take several steps to improve game latency, including:  

• Closing unnecessary applications 

• Adjusting in-game settings to reduce the demand on your system 

• Upgrading hardware, such as your graphics card, monitor, and RAM 

• Using a hardwired internet connection 

• Using a gaming VPN 

• Ensure you have the most up-to-date gateway (modem / router) 

• Switching to a better internet plan 

How do I fix high latency while gaming?

One of the best ways to fix high latency when gaming is to upgrade your internet connection to the fastest possible option, usually a fiber connection with at least 1000 Mbps (1 Gig). You should also limit the number of bandwidth-consuming devices on your network.

What is good latency for gaming?

The best latency for gaming means having the lowest possible ping. Your experience will largely depend on the type of game you’re playing, but anything between 20 to 50 ms is an exceptional ping speed. Between 50 ms and 100 ms range count as very good to average. Anything over 150 ms is high ping and, thus, bad.

About this data: This study includes data from one survey conducted on Aug. 19, 2024, of respondents aged 18 and up across all 50 states. Participants were recruited using Random Device Engagement (RDE) and do not have a relationship with Kinetic or the survey research company used. The sample was balanced across age, gender, and market. Methodology here.