How to fix COD: Warzone lag using a VPN
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Call of Duty: Warzone had over 125 million gamers worldwide at its peak. Although its popularity has decreased since, many players still experience frustrating issues, none more annoying than lag.
A laggy connection can seriously mess up your game – you don’t want the screen to stutter as you’re about to hit a big win. Various factors can cause Warzone lag, including ISP throttling and congested servers.
Luckily, a reliable VPN can significantly improve your gaming experience. It can hide your activity from your ISP and connect you to faster servers. If you’ve been asking questions like “Why is my Warzone lagging?” or “How to stop Warzone lag on my PS/PC/Xbox?” you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to discover solutions that really work.
How to reduce Warzone lag with a VPN
- Find a reliable VPN for gaming – I recommend NordVPN, now 75% OFF
- Download the VPN to your device and launch the app
- Go to the VPN server list and connect to a location near your game server
- Load up Warzone and enjoy lag-free gaming
How can a VPN help you fix Warzone lag?
COD: Warzone is a massive hit with gamers, with thousands of players competing online daily. However, huge player counts can also cause overcrowded servers and lead to congestion, which then causes the dreaded lag.
That is where a top VPN can help. With a global network of gamer-ready servers at your disposal, you can switch to a faster, less crowded server, lower your ping, and do away with lag.
ISPs can also cause lag. If you’re a heavy gamer, your ISP might decide you’re using too much bandwidth and throttle your internet connection. That may sound harsh, but it's a common issue. Get around this by using a VPN to hide your online activity from your ISP. Then, they’ll have no idea how much bandwidth you’re using.
And since switching VPN servers gives you a new IP address, you also get protection from DDoS attacks.
Best VPNs to fix Warzone lag
- NordVPN – most capable VPN for Warzone
- Surfshark – value-for-money VPN for Warzone
- IPVanish – top VPN for overall gaming
Why is Warzone lagging: troubleshooting guide
Throttling ISPs, overcrowded servers, and slow routers – numerous offenders can be the culprits for a game of Warzone getting laggy.
Luckily, VPNs are all-in-one solutions that can fix most lag-inducing problems. If you’re struggling with lag in Warzone, you can try these additional troubleshooting tips:
- Check if you’ve exceeded your ISP’s bandwidth limit
- Make sure your frames per second (FPS) are on the highest setting
- Connect to a different server
- Optimize your router
- Restart Warzone
- Reinstall Warzone
- Speak to the Warzone support team
Choosing the right VPN can be tricky, as countless providers promise top-tier performance. In reality, only a handful offer the speed, stability, and security you need – the kind of qualities you’d expect from the best VPN for Warzone or any other demanding online activity.
Before I go through the best VPNs for the job, let’s take a look at some of the main reasons why your Warzone game might be lagging.
1. Outdated game version
Warzone often releases game updates and new drivers to improve performance and fix bugs. You’ll likely have a poorer gaming experience if you're on an outdated Warzone version.
Although Warzone has automatic updates, they may not download if your device is running low on storage. Go into Warzone’s settings and check whether it's on the latest version. If you see an update waiting, try to clear some space on your device.
2. ISP throttling
If you play a lot of Warzone, your ISP may throttle your internet for using too much bandwidth. That is when your ISP heavily restricts your connection speeds, and it often happens to people who use up bandwidth by gaming or downloading files.
The best way to bypass ISP throttling is by using a VPN. VPNs can shield your online activity from ISPs, malicious hackers, and other digital snoops. With a VPN keeping you anonymous, you’ll never have to worry about throttling again.
3. Poor internet connection
A slow internet connection is a sure-fire way to a laggy Warzone session. If you think your internet speeds are slower than your ISP's promises, check your connection with an internet speed test. If it’s less than what you expected, make a complaint with your ISP.
4. Congested server
Many Warzone gamers may be active at the same time. That can lead to server congestion. If you’re on a particularly overcrowded server, your game could lag. VPNs solve this issue by offering you a fleet of servers worldwide, so not only can you switch to a less crowded server, but you can also choose a location as close to your game servers as possible, which will lower your ping rate.
5. Low-spec hardware
To play Warzone at its best on your PC, you need to meet the game’s system requirements. If your computer doesn’t have the specs, your game will lag. Here are the minimum Warzone requirements for Windows computers:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- CPU: Intel Core i3-6100, Intel Core i5-2500K, or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 125GB free space
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon RX 470
- Sound: DirectX 12.0 compatible
6. DNS server settings
You might be experiencing a laggy Warzone game because of your PC's DNS server settings. Switching to a popular DNS server, like Google's, can improve your connection because the server might be geographically closer to your location. Here’s how to change your DNS server:
- Open the Control Panel, go to Network and Internet, and select the Network and Sharing Center
- Click Change adapter settings on the left side
- Select the active network connection and click Properties
- Scroll through the list till you see Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), select that, then go back to Properties
- Enter 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4 into the DNS server field
- Click OK to exit and save
That’s it. You’ve updated your DNS server settings, which should improve your Warzone lag.
Why is Warzone lagging on your different devices?
Whether you prefer consoles, love mobile gaming, or are a die-hard PC gamer, you can play Warzone on a selection of your favorite devices.
Sadly, lag is a problem on all platforms, so whatever device you’re on, sometimes your game may slow down. Let’s examine why it happens and what you can do about it:
- Warzone lagging on your PC
- Warzone lagging on your gaming console (PS4/PS5 and Xbox)
- Warzone lagging on your smartphone or tablet
Why is Warzone laggy on my Windows desktop or laptop PC?
Warzone might lag if you’re on a desktop or laptop PC for several reasons. Check out these common issues and their possible fixes:
- Your computer’s specs don’t meet Warzone’s minimum requirements – upgrade your PC’s hardware
- Your ping is high – try to improve your internet speed
- You’re on a congested server – use a VPN to switch servers
- You’re on a congested server that’s far away from the game location – use a VPN to switch to a closer server
- Your ISP is throttling your connection – mask your online activity with a VPN
Why is Warzone laggy on my PS4/PS5 or Xbox game consoles?
Warzone is a big hit with console gamers, but even PlayStation or Xbox can suffer from lag. Here’s what can cause Warzone lag on consoles and how you can fix it:
- Poor internet – try restarting your router
- Your Warzone is outdated – make sure you’re playing the latest version
- ISP or server issues – get a VPN to hide your activity or change to a closer server
Consoles don’t support direct VPN installation, but if you connect a VPN to your router, you can connect every device on your Wi-Fi network.
Why is Warzone laggy on my iOS/Android smartphone or tablet?
Apple and Android devices are a great way of getting into a game of Warzone when you're on the move. If you ever experience lag, here’s what could be causing it and some potential solutions:
- You haven’t updated your version of Warzone – check if there are updates available
- You’re using an unstable internet connection – switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi
- You’re running too many apps – shut down all apps except for Warzone
Most of your lag problems come from server issues and ISPs. A capable VPN can help you get around most of these obstacles.
How can you bypass faulty Warzone servers?
If you’re happily playing Warzone but suddenly get hit by lag, you might be on a faulty server. Perhaps there’s been a surge in users joining or a wave of messages being sent. Either way, this overcrowding can cause lag and ruin your game fast.
Get a VPN, and you’ll never have to be stuck on a faulty server again. If you’re using a top-tier VPN, you should have access to many servers all over the world. So you can find plenty of VPN servers that are close to your game server, ensuring smoother performance.
Using a VPN and still lagging on Warzone?
If your Warzone game is still laggy despite being connected to a VPN, you might be experiencing one of the following common issues:
- Your server is overcrowded
- You’re playing on a slow connection
- You’re not using a reputable VPN
- You’re using a free VPN
Try these fixes to get rid of lag:
- Try a different VPN server
- Connect the VPN to a new location
- Restart the VPN
- Upgrade your VPN to a recommended provider
As long as you use a reliable VPN, fixing lag issues should not be a problem. Just make sure to download a VPN that can connect you to reliable servers.
Fixing lag on Warzone – final word
If you’re one of the millions of gamers who experience lag during a Warzone session, you must be eager to find a solution.
You’ll be happy to know that a VPN is the fix you’ve been waiting for. Whether your ISP is throttling you or you’re struggling with an overcrowded server, a VPN can fix most of the problems that cause Warzone games to get laggy.
The best VPNs – including my top pick NordVPN – give you access to a network of servers. Not only can you hide your activity from your ISP, but you can also switch to a new server with less congestion that’s closer to your game. With a VPN, you can get rid of lag and improve your ping, too.
VPNs also do a good job of keeping you secure. You’ll get protection from DDoS attacks, and your data will be encrypted. You can also use a VPN to unblock location-restricted streaming content. So download a VPN and enjoy Warzone gaming without any lag.
FAQ
How can you fix Warzone lag on a PC?
A VPN could be the ideal solution if your Warzone game is laggy on a PC. Use the VPN to switch servers, and you can avoid congestion, lower your ping, and hide your activity from your ISP. Try a top VPN, like NordVPN, and laggy gaming will be a thing of the past.
Can you fix Warzone lag with a VPN?
Yes, you can use a VPN to fix Warzone lag. If you’re on a congested server or your ISP is throttling your service, a VPN can hide your online activity and connect you to a server near your game. That can fix lag and reduce your ping.
What is the best VPN to fix Warzone lag?
NordVPN is the best VPN for fixing Warzone lag. With a fleet of servers, fast speeds, and unhackable security – NordVPN has everything you need to ensure your Warzone game is as smooth and lag-free as possible.
