That frustrating moment when you click and nothing happens. Your game shows enemies teleporting across the screen. Video calls freeze mid-sentence. You’re experiencing high latency, and it’s destroying your online experience.
This guide reveals exactly what causes high latency, how to diagnose it like a network engineer, and most importantly, how to fix it at every level.
Understanding Latency: What’s Actually Happening
The time it takes for your data to travel and get a response (measured in milliseconds)
Perfect for gaming
Smooth experience
Fine for browsing
Gaming issues
Connection problems
What Is Latency?
Latency is the time delay between when you perform an action (like clicking a link) and when you see the result. In networking terms, it’s specifically the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back, measured in milliseconds (ms).
Think of it like having a conversation with someone far away. Even if you both speak quickly (high bandwidth), there’s still a delay between when you speak and when they hear you. That delay is latency, and unlike slow speech, it can’t be fixed by talking faster.
Types of Network Delay
Total latency isn’t one single delay. It’s actually the sum of four different types of network delays that occur as your data travels through the network.
The Four Components of Latency
| Delay Type | What Causes It | Typical Range | Can You Fix It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Propagation Delay | Physical distance data must travel (speed of light limit) | 5-150ms | No – Physics limit. Only solution: choose closer servers |
| Transmission Delay | Time to push data onto the network (bandwidth-dependent) | 1-10ms | Partially – Upgrade internet speed helps large files |
| Processing Delay | Routers/servers examining and forwarding your data | 1-10ms per hop | Partially – Better router/modem can help |
| Queuing Delay | Waiting in line when network is congested | 0-1000ms+ | Yes! This is usually the main problem and most fixable |
Latency vs Bandwidth vs Jitter
These terms are often confused, but they measure completely different aspects of your connection. Understanding the difference is crucial for diagnosing problems correctly.
Unit: Milliseconds (ms)
Analogy: How long a letter takes to arrive
Impact: Responsiveness and real-time activities
Unit: Mbps or Gbps
Analogy: Width of a highway
Impact: Download/upload speeds for large files
Unit: Milliseconds (ms)
Analogy: Inconsistent delivery times
Impact: Voice/video quality, game stuttering
How to Diagnose Your Latency Issues
Before you can fix high latency, you need to identify where it’s coming from. Follow this systematic approach to pinpoint the exact cause of your lag.
Systematic Latency Diagnosis Process
Look for: Average time and packet loss percentage
Look for: Sudden jumps in ms between hops
Should be: <1ms on ethernet, <5ms on good WiFi
Look for: Loaded vs unloaded latency difference
Reply from 142.250.80.46: bytes=32 time=31ms TTL=117
Reply from 142.250.80.46: bytes=32 time=27ms TTL=117
2 12 ms 11 ms 13 ms 10.0.0.1
3 28 ms 27 ms 29 ms 72.14.234.20
4 156 ms 155 ms 158 ms 108.170.250.33
TCP vs UDP: Why Protocol Choice Affects Your Latency
The protocol your application uses has a massive impact on perceived latency. Understanding this helps explain why some activities feel laggier than others.
- Guarantees delivery order
- Automatic retransmission
- 3-way handshake adds delay
- Head-of-line blocking
Web browsing, file downloads, email
- No connection setup
- Fire and forget
- No waiting for ACKs
- Packets can be lost
Gaming, VoIP, live streaming, DNS
How to Fix High Latency
Now that you understand what causes latency, here are proven solutions organized by effectiveness and ease of implementation. Start with the quick fixes and work your way to advanced solutions.
Quick Fixes (Do These First)
| Solution | What It Fixes | Expected Improvement | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use Ethernet Instead of WiFi | WiFi interference, packet loss, jitter | 20-50ms reduction | Easy – Just plug in cable |
| Close Bandwidth-Heavy Apps | Local network congestion, queuing delay | 10-100ms reduction | Easy – Close downloads, streams |
| Restart Router/Modem | Memory leaks, connection issues | 5-30ms reduction | Easy – Power cycle for 30 seconds |
| Change DNS Servers | Slow DNS resolution | 1-10ms reduction | Easy – Use 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 |
Intermediate Solutions
| Solution | What It Fixes | Expected Improvement | Implementation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enable QoS on Router | Prioritizes gaming traffic over other devices | 20-50ms during congestion | Router settings > QoS > Gaming priority |
| Update Network Drivers | Processing delays, compatibility issues | 5-20ms reduction | Device Manager > Network adapters > Update |
| Optimize WiFi Settings | Channel interference, poor signal | 10-30ms reduction | Use 5GHz, change channel, move closer |
| Port Forwarding | NAT traversal delays | 2-10ms reduction | Forward game-specific ports in router |
Advanced Solutions for Persistent Latency Issues
If basic fixes haven’t solved your latency problems, these advanced solutions address deeper issues in your network setup.
Solution: Enable SQM/fq_codel on router
Result: Can reduce latency by 50-200ms under load
How: DD-WRT, OpenWRT, or modern gaming routers
When it hurts: Adds extra hop and encryption overhead
Best practice: Test with trial, choose nearby servers
Gaming VPNs: WTFast, ExitLag optimize routes
Cable: Good – 10-30ms typical
DSL: OK – 20-45ms typical
Satellite: Poor – 500-800ms (physics limit)
Game-Specific Latency Optimization
Different games handle latency differently. Understanding how your specific game deals with lag helps you optimize effectively.
Latency Impact by Game Type
| Game Type | Acceptable Latency | Why It Matters | Optimization Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competitive FPS CS:GO, Valorant, Overwatch |
<50ms ideal | Every millisecond affects aim and peeking advantage | Use closest servers, optimize everything, consider 5G home internet |
| MOBAs LoL, Dota 2 |
<80ms playable | Affects skillshot accuracy and reaction time | Stable connection more important than absolute lowest ping |
| Battle Royales Fortnite, Apex, PUBG |
<100ms acceptable | Client-side prediction helps, but building/editing suffers | Prioritize low packet loss over pure latency |
| Fighting Games Street Fighter, Tekken |
<60ms maximum | Frame-perfect timing requires consistent low latency | Wired connection mandatory, avoid WiFi at all costs |
| MMORPGs WoW, FFXIV, ESO |
<150ms fine | Tab-targeting and longer GCD makes latency less critical | Focus on stability, use TCP-based optimizations |
CDNs and Edge Servers
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) are the reason why YouTube loads instantly but your game server might be laggy.
Conclusion
Remember that different applications have different latency requirements. What’s acceptable for streaming Netflix would be unplayable for competitive gaming. Focus your optimization efforts based on what matters most for your use case.
Most importantly, understand that some latency is unavoidable. If you’re connecting to servers on another continent, no amount of optimization will overcome the fundamental physics of distance. Choose servers wisely, optimize what you can control, and accept what you cannot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered high latency?
For gaming, anything above 50ms is noticeable, above 100ms significantly impacts gameplay, and above 150ms makes competitive gaming extremely difficult. For general browsing, up to 100ms is acceptable. Video calls work well under 150ms but become problematic above 300ms.
Can upgrading my internet speed reduce latency?
Not directly. Upgrading from 100Mbps to 1Gbps won’t reduce your ping to game servers. However, if your current connection is saturated (using all available bandwidth), upgrading can reduce congestion-based latency. Think of it as preventing traffic jams rather than increasing the speed limit.
Why is my ping higher on WiFi than ethernet?
WiFi adds several delays: signal processing time, interference from other devices, retransmission of lost packets, and competition for airtime with other WiFi networks. Ethernet provides a dedicated, interference-free connection directly to your router, typically reducing latency by 5-50ms.
What causes latency spikes during gaming?
Common causes include: other devices on your network starting downloads/streams (Netflix, Windows updates), WiFi interference, bufferbloat in your router, ISP network congestion during peak hours, or background programs on your PC consuming bandwidth. Use QoS settings to prioritize gaming traffic.
Does a gaming router reduce latency?
A good gaming router can reduce latency by 5-30ms through better processing power, advanced QoS that prioritizes gaming traffic, and features like WTFast integration. However, the biggest benefit is consistency – reducing latency spikes during network congestion rather than improving base latency.
How do I fix bufferbloat?
Enable SQM (Smart Queue Management) or fq_codel on your router if available. Many gaming routers have this built-in as “Gaming Mode.” Alternative solutions include limiting upload/download speeds to 85% of maximum, using QoS, or upgrading to a router specifically designed to combat bufferbloat.
Why is my latency high even with fiber internet?
Fiber provides low latency to your ISP, but total latency includes the entire path to your destination. Common issues: connecting to distant servers, poor routing by your ISP, congested peering points, or problems with your home network setup. Run traceroute to identify where delays occur.
Can a VPN reduce gaming latency?
Rarely. VPNs typically add 10-50ms due to encryption and extra routing. However, gaming VPNs like WTFast or ExitLag can sometimes reduce latency by 10-30ms if your ISP has poor routing to game servers. They work by providing more direct routes through optimized networks. Test with free trials first.
What’s the difference between ping and latency?
They’re essentially the same thing. “Ping” is the tool used to measure network latency, and the terms are used interchangeably. Technically, ping measures round-trip time (RTT) latency using ICMP packets. When gamers say “I have 50 ping,” they mean 50ms of latency.
How can I reduce latency for streaming?
For game streaming to Twitch/YouTube, use a wired connection, enable low-latency mode in your streaming software, reduce stream delay settings, and ensure 20-30% bandwidth headroom. For cloud gaming (Stadia, GeForce Now), you need <40ms latency to their servers and rock-solid connection stability.
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