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Anyone who’s been caught up in the thrill of an intense online game and suddenly experienced lagging knows how frustrating high ping can be. Just the smallest delay between what is happening on the screen and your actions can mean the difference between ultimate victory and dismal failure.
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All gamers want as low a ping rate as possible in order to have smooth gameplay. Ping is basically how long it takes data to travel from your device to the game server and back.
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Luckily, you don’t need to be a tech expert to bring those numbers down. Here are five simple ways to reduce ping that will help to level up your online gaming experience.
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1. Choose the Right Server
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The further the data has to travel, the longer it takes to get there, a quick way to lower ping would be to connect to a geographically closer server. Since many online games allow you to choose from regional servers, it’s always smart to pick one that’s near your physical location.
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For example, if you’re in America, don’t connect to a European server unless you absolutely have no other choice. Heavy traffic can slow down response time, so stay away from crowded servers.
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Whether you’re playing payline slots on mobile or desktop or MOBA games on a console, these games rely on quick responses, the speed and strength of your connection affects how smoothly the games run. Just like in gaming, the closer your server is, the better your overall experience will be.
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2. Use a Wired Connection
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Having the most reliable connection is absolutely vital for gamers; while wireless internet is convenient, it can be problematic when gaming. The strength of wi-fi signals can fluctuate due to distance from the router, obstructions like walls and interference from other devices.
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Your neighbor’s network can also compete for bandwidth. Having a wired Ethernet connection gives you a direct link to your router; this will reduce interference as well as keep the connection steady. If your gaming setup isn’t near your router, you can simply use an extension cable. The difference in stability and speed will be noticed immediately.
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3. Close Background Apps and Updates
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Closing unnecessary apps and pausing downloads will help avoid data being sent more slowly. You may not realize it, but lots of programs can eat up your bandwidth in the background while you play. Things like cloud back-ups, streaming services and other downloads use a significant portion of your bandwidth.
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Software updates, or even streaming services can cause ping spikes. If your connection is shared with others, ask them to pause streaming or downloads during your game-playing time. Another way to ensure that your game data gets sent first is to set your operating system up to prioritize your game’s network traffic.
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4. Optimize Your Router Settings
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Your router makes a significant difference in the speed of your connection. A smart optimization tool is to enable a feature called Quality of Service (QoS).
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This prioritizes certain types of traffic, like your game’s data, over other traffic. This will help to keep your ping at a consistent low level, even when other devices are connected to the network. If you’re still using an older router, it might be time to get it upgraded.
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Modern routers are designed with gaming in mind and come loaded with built-in optimization tools. Keeping your router’s firmware updated to the latest version often improves performance and provides more stability.
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The simple task of rebooting your router from time to time to prevent ping spikes can be really helpful, as that can clear up temporary issues that might be slowing things down.
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5. Choose the Right Internet Plan
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It’s important to compare the upload and download speeds when looking at different internet plans. Also, choose an ISP (Internet Service Provider) that has a good reputation for providing stability of connectivity and low latency.
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Sometimes, the problem is the internet plan and not actually the setup. If your current connection doesn’t provide enough bandwidth for your needs, even trying all the best tweaks won’t fix your ping.
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Knowing what your favourite games recommend in terms of upload and download speeds can help guide you to choose a plan that fits well with your needs.
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Many online multiplayer games list ideal minimum and optimal connection requirements. If you share your connection with other people who work online, stream or game at the same time as you, perhaps consider upgrading to a faster plan. While speed isn’t everything, it is an important factor, as well as having a reliable connection.
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