Apart from a high-performance gaming rig, a great gaming experience is only possible with a good internet connection. As an avid gamer, we bet the last thing you want is your computer to freeze up just when you're about to win.
It doesn’t matter the type of video game you're playing, optimizing internet speed makes the game more fun and enjoyable.
Of course, we could just tell you to upgrade to a faster internet connection or switch internet providers. But first, try these tips to optimize your internet speed for gaming.
What’s the Best Internet Connection Speed for Gaming?
Most video game console manufacturers recommend at least 3Mbps of download speed and 1Mbps of upload speed. However, the higher the internet speed, the better the gaming experience.
Basically, you want anything from 20Mbps to play video games without any lag issues. Unfortunately, even the fastest internet package may not give you the best possible experience, hence the need to optimize your internet speed.
How to Speed Up Your Internet for Better Gaming
Before you start, it’s a good idea to test your internet speed, especially when the machine is lagging. Doing so gives you a benchmark to work with when optimizing your connection speeds.
A free internet speed testing app like Ookla Speed Test quickly checks your download and upload speeds. Remember to close all active apps running in the background that could affect the speed test and test the speed several times to get an accurate reading.
Once you’ve recorded the readings, implement the tips below, repeating the test after each optimization to check for improvements.
Ready? Let’s get started.
Restart Your Router and Modem
When was the last time you restarted your router or modem? Giving it a break once every month can help reset it and refresh your internet connection.
If the speed issues started out of the blue, consider restarting your router and/or modem. Likewise, reboot your machine to fix any issues that may be lurking in the background.
Move Your Router Closer
Wi-Fi can be unstable, particularly, if positioned in an area full of obstacles. For instance, if you live in a big house and there’s a wall or floors between you and your router, it may explain the lagging when gaming.
Your best option is to eliminate the physical barriers between your machine and router/modem. Try moving your setup closer to the router. If that’s not possible, move your router closer.
Consider repositioning it in a central location accessible without blockage from any obstacles, like walls.
Avoid Running Multiple Programs and Devices Simultaneously
If you want to get rid of lagging when gaming, it's advisable to dedicate the entire bandwidth to your video game. Applications like YouTube, Facebook, and Netflix can adversely affect your ping rate, as well as latency.
Closing all unnecessary background programs and reducing the number of devices sharing the Wi-Fi will boost your internet speed and improve your gaming experience.
Switch from Wi-Fi to an Ethernet Cable
If you share your internet with several family members or friends, you'll hardly get enough speeds to support flawless gaming. You may want to connect to your router via an ethernet cable. Doing so helps lower your ping, resulting in an uninterrupted gaming experience.
Update Your Firmware and Software
You may not know this, but your router/modem has its own software. And like any other software, it needs regular updating to keep functioning as expected. That said, if your router’s/modem’s software is outdated, its performance will deteriorate.
To know if it's up to date, check the manual for instructions on how to update the modem software. Basically, you’ll need to log in to your router to access the settings to install updates.
Use a VPN
Your ISP may deliberately throttle your internet speed, particularly at peak hours. That’s why using a VPN is highly recommended. It helps mask your internet activity from your ISP, so they won't see what you're doing.
What's more, VPN services offer their own servers, and you can connect to the fastest server for higher speeds. A VPN also protects your privacy from trolls who are all over the gaming world.
Install an Ad Blocker
Don't you just hate those pesky ads that keep bombarding your screen when streaming content? They are to blame for slowing down your internet connection.
The good news is that you can block them using ad blockers or VPN services. Most ad-blockers provide a plugin that you install in your browser or system to shut down those data-sucking auto-play ad videos.
Optimize Your Internet Speeds Automatically
Every time you install and uninstall programs you leave residue files behind. Over time, the accumulated files clog your system, affecting its performance. Your PC may even start to crash or freeze when handling heavy programs like games.
Luckily, there’s a simple solution – running a reliable PC optimization software like Auslogics BoostSpeed. This application detects all the junk files residing in your system, gathers them, and then sweeps them out, saving you gigabytes of space.
Auslogics BoostSpeed comes with numerous tools, like Internet Optimizer, to help speed up your computer. It detects non-optimal internet connection settings and makes the necessary tweaks to ensure faster downloads and uploads.
Conclusion
Remember, you need a powerful gaming rig that can handle video games with ease. Even if you optimize your internet speed for gaming, and your machine can't support the game, you may still run into issues, like lagging or crashing.
Media Details:
Auslogics Labs Pty Ltd
Source: Story.KISSPR.com
Release ID: 104613