Is High Ping Slowing You Down? Here’s How To Fix It.

A high ping, or latency, means your computer is lagging significantly, hindering your functionality. If you’re gaming or doing something else that requires a lot of bandwidth, this could slow you down or even make it impossible to finish your task.

You can take several actions to lower your ping latency; we’ll show you what could affect it and how to set yourself up for success. Tech support, who? You can troubleshoot this all on your own.

What factors affect ping?

Your ping is a measurement unit (in milliseconds) that shows how quickly your data requests reach the intended location. The higher the ping, the slower your data moves between the two points.

A great internet connection would have 0 ping because the data transfer would be so fast it seems instantaneous.

Anything 50ms or under is completely playable for gaming, although professional gamers need 10ms or below to stay competitive. 50-100ms isn’t the best, but if you have ping speeds over 100ms, you’ll likely not be able to play.

Factors that affect ping

• Slow internet speeds: Your shared Wi-Fi connection can’t handle all the traffic.
• Internet service provider (ISP) throttling: Your ISP throttles your speeds during high traffic times or if you hit an invisible data cap (even if your plan says you have no cap).
• Proximity to the router in your home: The further you are from your router, the slower your connection.
• Network congestion: You have too many devices on the same network at one time.
• Bandwidth congestion: Too many devices are transferring large amounts of data simultaneously.
• Distance from server: The physical distance of the server you’re attempting to access is from where you are located affects ping.
• Device background processes: Other apps or programs are running on your computer in the background.
• Game settings: You’re streaming 4K video or high-definition graphics.
• Firewall settings: A robust firewall may be slowing down your connection.
• Router congestion: Too many devices are accessing the router simultaneously, or the router can’t handle multiple devices.
• Router configuration: Your router settings may hinder your connection (i.e., a router optimized for streaming and not gaming).
• Outdated hardware: Your computer, router, modem, or other device may be too old to handle the processing you’re attempting.
• Using Wi-Fi instead of a wired connection: Internet speeds are only guaranteed on hard-wired connections with Ethernet cables, while Wi-Fi speeds vary.
• Your cache needs to be emptied: There are too many items in your cache, and they’re clogging up your processing speeds.

How to lower your ping

Since so many factors determine your latency, you’ll want to start with the easiest possible fixes and save the more time-consuming possibilities for last. You may find luck in some of the quick fixes, or you may need to call your ISP or upgrade your hardware.

Easy fixes

These options should take no more than three minutes of troubleshooting.

• Change servers: If you’re using a virtual private network (VPN), try changing servers to one located physically closer to you.
• Move closer to the router: Get as close as possible if you’re on a Wi-Fi connection.
• Move the router/modem: Move your router/modem to a place where it can better receive the signal. Routers and modems on the floor pick up considerably less than a setup located higher up or as far from obstructions as possible.
• Congestion issues: Turn off other internet-connected devices in your home and stop all other processes running on your computer.
• Game settings: Try lowering the video and image resolutions within the game.
• Speed test: Run Ookla’s speed test to see how fast your connection is and to get your ping rate after trying the other easy fixes.

Medium fixes

Depending on the configuration level or your tech-savviness, these may take five minutes or more to complete.

• Firewall: Disable your firewall or use a device without one if possible.
• Router configuration: See if your router prioritizes other connections, like streaming or a designated device, over yours. Set the configuration to optimize your gaming or device.
• Clear cache: Go ahead and clear your cache on your computer and your router.
• Use an Ethernet cable: If you have one, try hard-wiring your computer for a stable and fast connection.
• Get a new VPN: You might consider a VPN for gaming to increase your speeds. Top gaming VPNs have modes that help filter out network congestion and reduce the pull on your resources so you can game without lagging.

Advanced fixes

Depending on your resources, these fixes may take several hours to days to complete.

• Adjust your internet speeds: You may not have enough speed to support your needs. Call your ISP and see how much an upgraded plan costs and if it’s feasible for you to upgrade.
• ISP throttling: This one is harder to detect because ISPs will swear they don’t throttle even though they absolutely do. Try using a premium VPN connected to a gaming-optimized server in a physical location close to you. If your speeds change, it could indicate ISP throttling. You could also see if your speeds pick up outside the high traffic times of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Use an Ethernet cable: If you don’t have one, you may need to purchase one or find one to borrow. Once you acquire it, you can hardwire your computer to your router for optimal speeds.
• Upgrade your hardware: If your computer, modem, or router is too old, you may need to upgrade. You’ll want to look for hardware optimized for gaming, including a modem and router, that lets you prioritize bandwidth and speeds. Researching the best hardware for gaming and finding deals to upgrade your system for less may take a while.

FAQs

Bottom line

Your ping determines how fast data moves from your device to the device you’re trying to access, and a higher ping means longer latency. You can reduce that time by troubleshooting some things hindering your connection.

Some fixes are quick, like changing VPN servers or getting a gaming VPN, while some may require more time and money, like upgrading your hardware.

It’s frustrating to be immersed in gameplay and have your game slow, buffer, or freeze completely. By troubleshooting your high ping, you can get back to it, whether you’re black ops on a covert mission or building your dream space. Happy (speedy) gaming.

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Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.