Whether you’re playing solo or hanging out with friends, nothing ruins your gaming vibe like lag. In an ideal world, you’d be upgrading your hardware every year, but unless you’re a pro gamer with a sponsorship, chances are that’s not going to happen. Fortunately, there’s plenty more you can do to reduce lag and get the best gaming experience. 

1. Check your internet speed 

Your internet connection will have a big effect on your gaming experience. The faster your internet, the more you reduce lag. You don’t need to download an app, just type “internet speed test” into google. If your internet speed is low, that will definitely be contributing to lag. 

2. Clean up your Wi-Fi    

If you’re on Wi-Fi, you can try a few things. Moving closer to the router takes you closer to the connection and also bypasses obstructions like Thick walls, which can block or weaken your Wi-Fi signal, causing lag.  You should also check how many devices are connected at one time. It’s not just about connection speed, it's about bandwidth too. (Reminder: internet speed =  how fast data is transferred; bandwidth = how many connections your plan can handle at once.) The more devices using Wi-Fi simultaneously, the weaker your signal will be. If you often have to compete with other family members streaming series or hopping onto Teams calls, consider upgrading your internet plan. Another thing to do is to update your router. Make sure the firmware is up to date and clear the cache. If your router is old, it may need an upgrade. 

3. Use a cable 

If you’re using a PC or console, consider going old-school and plugging in with a cable. There was a time when gaming with your friends meant lugging your full boxy desktop set-up to someone’s house and connecting your PCs with a LAN cable. (We called them LAN parties. Not joking.) Plugging into the router with an ethernet cable may feel very twentieth century, but it’s still a smart, simple way to reduce lag caused by poor internet connection. 

4. Reduce data usage 

If you’re gaming on your PC or phone, be sure to reduce data usage while gaming. Closing background apps should help to reduce lag – especially apps that compete for bandwidth, like social media apps, YouTube and and Spotify. While you’re at it, disable automatic updates while you’re gaming. If your device starts downloading an update as you’re about to shoot for goal, it’s going to mess with your gaming experience.  

5. Tweak your game settings 

The sharper and more vivid the graphics, the higher your chances of encountering lag. To reduce lag, go to settings in the game and try lowering the frame rate. You can also try lowering the resolution. You may not have as real-looking visuals, but you’ll have a smoother gaming experience. 

A final note: Antivirus software can sometimes slow down your gaming experience. But whatever you do to reduce lag, do not disable your antivirus. Games are a popular gateway for malware. It’s not worth it.  

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