How to fix game lag using a VPN
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A laggy connection can make or break a gaming session, and the stakes are even higher in competitive online spaces. No one wants to see a screen that keeps freezing while they’re trying to win a match or are in the middle of an important story point. The culprits, however, are often simpler than you’d think.
Game lag is usually caused by ISP throttling or overcrowded servers, but thankfully, it can be fixed. Connecting to a fast VPN server near your location can help you circumvent these issues. You’ll lower your ping, eliminate lag, and have a smoother gaming experience.
In this article, I’ll detail how to fix game lag with a VPN, highlight the best VPN services, and provide everything you need to get started.
How to fix game lag with a VPN – quick steps
- Pick a VPN that’s great for gaming – NordVPN is my top pick, now 75% off
- Download and launch the VPN on your device
- Connect to a VPN server close to your game server
- You’re ready to start gaming with reduced lag
How a VPN can help you fix game lag
If your internet service provider (ISP) notices your bandwidth-intensive activities like gaming, it can slow down your connection. This can cause heavy game lag and buffering.
Luckily, you can stop bandwidth throttling by connecting to a VPN. Because a VPN encrypts all your online activity, your ISP can no longer tell which activities are high-bandwidth and which aren’t. This is usually enough to lift throttling and get back to high-speed gaming.
A VPN can also route you to a better server to improve your ping and connection speeds. Popular games usually tend to have too many players on a single server, leading to overcrowding and lag.
Finally, once you’re connected to a VPN, your real IP address and location will be hidden. This is ideal for enhancing online privacy and keeping you safe from DDoS attacks and other online threats.
Why is my game so laggy?
Not sure what might be causing a laggy game connection? Let’s get into some of the most common reasons:
- Graphics lag. If your game has especially cool graphics, you’ll need to make sure your graphics card drivers are completely up-to-date. Outdated drivers can be a major cause of game lag.
- System lag. The game you’re playing likely has minimum requirements for your device in order to run smoothly. If your system is outdated, it might not meet the game’s requirements, which can cause lag and other performance problems.
- Network lag. If your system and drivers are good to go, your network connection might be the problem. If there are too many people on your network or your connection speeds aren’t high enough, it’s common to experience game lag.
- Server lag. The default server you’re connecting to might be overcrowded, causing slow connection speeds, high ping, and game lag.
- ISP throttling. If you do a lot of high-bandwidth activities, your ISP might be tempted to throttle your connection and slow down your internet speeds.
Now that you know why your game might be lagging, let’s look at a few fixes to solve your lag problem:
- Update your drivers, including your graphics card driver
- Perform any available system updates and security patches
- Upgrade your Internet connection or allow fewer users on your network
- Plug directly into your router instead of using Wi-Fi
- Contact your ISP and check its bandwidth policy
- Reach out to your game’s support team
If you’re still running into trouble, consider giving a top gaming VPN a try. NordVPN is a good choice for helping resolve gaming issues, but you don’t have to take my word for it – you can try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Best VPNs to fix game lag – shortlist
- NordVPN – best and most reliable VPN to fix game lag
- Surfshark – fast VPN for lag-free gaming
- IPVanish – affordable VPN for gaming on unlimited devices
Why is your game lagging on your different devices?
Lag can affect any device, from PCs to mobiles to consoles, but it shouldn’t be a repeating issue. Below, I list some of the most common causes.
Why is the game laggy on Windows or Mac?
Here’s what you can do about lag on your Windows or Mac devices:
- Upgrade your hardware. Your device might not meet the minimum game requirements.
- Check in-game settings. Your graphics and performance settings might be too high and cause speed issues.
- Check your connection. You might be experiencing high ping.
- Close all background programs. Your frames per second (FPS) may drop if you have a lot of apps running in the background or if you’re torrenting.
- Connect to a VPN. If you’re only experiencing slow speeds during data-heavy activities like gaming, your ISP may be throttling your connection – a VPN can conceal your activity and prevent this.
Why is the game laggy on Xbox or PS4/PS5?
If you’re gaming on a console and experience lag, these are some common ways to fix the issue on Xbox or PS4/PS5:
- Restart your router. You might be experiencing a weak connection.
- Check for game updates. You could be playing an old version of the game.
- Use a VPN. If nothing is out of the ordinary, then it could be your ISP throttling your connection, and using a VPN can help bypass that. Keep in mind that you can’t download a VPN straight onto your console, so you’ll have to install your VPN on a router instead.
Why is the game laggy on my Android or iOS smartphone or tablet?
Mobile gamers aren’t immune to lag either – here are a few possible solutions if your Android or iOS device is slowing down:
- Use a stable internet connection. Try restarting your home router and avoid using mobile data.
- Check for game updates. The game you’re playing might be outdated or no longer available in the Google Store/App Store.
- Close all background apps. Loads of other programs might be running in the background and causing the game to lag.
- Use a VPN. ISP throttling could be the cause, which can be resolved by switching between VPN servers.
Other methods of fixing game lag
There are still a few things left to try if nothing else seems to work.
1. Select your server wisely
Using a game server that’s close to your current physical location is ideal for reducing ping and optimizing performance. Many games allow you to pick the server yourself or manually set a matchmaking region to connect with other players. Make sure your server or region is set as close as possible to where you actually are playing from.
2. Run a security scan on your system
When was the last time you scanned for viruses or malware? If your system has been infected, the virus could consume major resources that could go to your game. Plus, it’s a good idea to isolate and remove viruses regularly to keep your system as secure as possible.
Using a VPN and still experiencing game lag?
You might need to make a few tweaks and adjustments before your VPN is optimized to reduce lag in games. Here are a few things you can do:
- Try out other servers. Most premium VPNs offer thousands of servers, giving you plenty of options if one seems overcrowded and slow.
- Stay close to home. Picking a VPN server that’s close to your physical location will often provide the best performance.
- Update your device. Your VPN will likely perform best on an up-to-date operating system. If you’ve been ignoring system updates or new security patches on your device, try installing all updates and reconnecting to your VPN.
- Upgrade to a premium service. Not all VPNs are designed to be great for gamers, so choose one that is built for low ping, fast connections, and reliable performance during online play.
NordVPN is one of the leading VPN services for tackling game lag. Boasting an extensive server fleet, high-speed performance, and top-class security features, NordVPN ensures a seamless gaming experience from any location worldwide.
How do I improve my game performance?
If you’re still not happy with your network connection, it might be time to contact your ISP to find out about possible upgrades or bandwidth throttling policies. You can also take time to improve your connection at home by optimizing your router or its location.
Final thoughts
If you’re getting frustrated with game lag, a VPN is an excellent option to solve this problem. It can reverse the effects of ISP throttling, route you to a new server, lower your ping, and so much more. Plus, there’s the added bonus of keeping you safe from DDoS attacks.
My top recommendation for a VPN for reducing game lag is NordVPN. With high speeds, thousands of servers worldwide, and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee, gamers struggling with lag should give this VPN a try.
FAQ
Why is my game lagging with good Internet?
If your internet is good and your ISP isn’t throttling your connection, you might be experiencing system lag. Make sure your system and drivers are fully up-to-date, and you’ve run a virus scan recently.
Why am I lagging but my ping is fine?
You can still experience a system lag if your ping is fine. Check for available updates for operating systems and graphics card drivers. You can also lower resolution and image quality settings within the game.
Why does my game lag when I stream?
Gaming and streaming at the same time demand a high level of bandwidth. If your game is lagging while you stream, you might need to upgrade your Internet connection or ensure your ISP isn’t throttling your bandwidth.
What causes game lag on PC?
Game lag on a PC is usually caused by something in your system or network. Make sure you install any available updates and close background programs. You can check if your ISP has throttled your connection if speeds start to slow consistently.
