Latency, or lag, is the term1 for that frustrating delay between a player’s input and movement in the game. A slow connection can cause noticeable lag in game play. It can even cause something called packet loss, where input simply disappears.
But what, exactly, causes latency in gaming? Here is everything you need to know to identify why games appear slow, along with some solutions for ensuring games are instantly responsive to your moves.
What is latency in gaming?
When we talk about "lag" or latency in gaming, we’re talking about the entire time it takes information to make the round trip from device to server and back again. For gamers, a noticeable lag—such as imputing a command and having to wait seconds before the corresponding action occurs on screen—happens when latency is high. In gaming, the time that elapses between a player's input and the server’s response to that input is called "ping." High latency means there are noticeable delays in the transmission of information, or even the dreaded "packet loss," in which data gets lost along the way. Low latency in gaming means that the information transfer seems to occur in real time, with no noticeable slowdown.
What is considered high latency in gaming?
There’s no universal definition for how long is too long when it comes to games. But avid gamers will tell you that any delay at all is unacceptable since a fraction of a second can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Latency can also affect other areas of your internet experience, from slow download speeds, to the annoying buffering that happens when trying to stream your favorite content. In addition to terms like ping, latency, and packet loss, there are a couple of other terms1 that are important to understanding why your game isn’t responding as quickly as you’d like it to:
- Bandwidth. Bandwidth is basically the amount of space you have to support devices within your network. For example, you may have noticed that it’s a bit more difficult to game when one housemate is on a Zoom call and a movie is streaming in the living room. That’s because bandwidth is limited. Higher bandwidth means more devices can connect at the same time without interruption. Bandwidth is affected both by how much bandwidth your internet service plan includes and by how many people are attempting to access that bandwidth at the same time.
- Throughput. This term refers to the amount of data that can pass through a network at the same time. Think about the information passing into your connected devices like a crowd pushing to get through a single door. Widening that entrance by thinning the crowd of devices demanding access means data can pass through more quickly. Both of these factors can affect latency.
What else causes latency in gaming?
- Your location. Your geographic location can impact how seamless your gaming experience is. The farther your server is from where you’re using your devices, the higher your odds of experiencing lags. Distance can especially pose a problem for multiplayer games. If you’re located in North America, make sure you’re not connected to a European server.
- Your hardware. Equipment can also be a factor in high-speed gaming woes. An older router, for example, could be causing slowdowns. Taking steps to check and improve your equipment and connection might make a big difference.
How can you reduce latency in gaming?
There are a few different reasons games may have a noticeable lag. Here are a few solutions for identifying potential problems to improve speed and reduce latency.
Test your speed
Ping, as we mentioned, is the time it takes for information to travel between devices, servers, and back again. Ping, or speed, is measured in milliseconds (ms). There are many free programs online that will test your ping rate.
Reduce interference
If you have a lot of apps running in the background of games, make sure to close them to avoid interruptions. Likewise, if at all possible, cut down on how many people are attempting to use the Wi-Fi at the same time. If you’re trying to game while someone is watching YouTube videos right beside you and someone else is watching Netflix in another room, you may experience interference.
Power down
Sometimes classic advice is classic for a reason. If you’ve recently begun experiencing abnormally high latency, you may need to simply restart your modem and router. This can eliminate bugs and fix the problem quickly.
Upgrade equipment
An older router can cause connectivity problems, especially when multiple people or devices are connected at once. If you’ve noticed that lag times have increased significantly, your Wi-Fi signal keeps dropping, or your router cannot connect to newer devices, you may need to invest in a newer router.
Move it around
While many of us want to shove routers into the most remote corner of our homes for aesthetic reasons, it may be messing with your Wi-Fi connection. Experiment with different locations until you get a better signal.
If you’re having trouble keeping all the devices in your home consistently connected to Wi-Fi, you can also purchase a Wi-Fi extender. Extenders pick up your Wi-Fi signal and give it a bit of a boost, making it easier to stay connected in larger homes or when there are physical barriers.
Cut the cord
Still not getting the internet connection you need? It may be time to think about getting a new internet service provider.
T-Mobile is America’s fastest growing Home Internet provider. Check to see if T-Mobile Home Internet is available in your area yet and try it out free for 15 days to see if it works for you.
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