Rocket League is a fast-paced game where every millisecond counts. High ping can ruin your experience, causing lag and making it harder to hit those aerial shots or save goals. If you’re tired of dealing with high ping, this guide will help you improve your connection. We’ll focus on practical tips, especially how being closer to the server location can help, and why using a VPN like NordVPN can make a huge difference.
Why Ping Matters in Rocket League
Ping is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the game server and back. A lower ping means a smoother, more responsive gameplay experience. High ping, on the other hand, can cause delays, making it feel like your car is driving through molasses.
Tips to Lower Your Ping in Rocket League
1. Choose the Right Server Region*
Rocket League lets you select which server region you want to play on. Always pick the one closest to your physical location. For example, if you’re in Europe, choose the European servers. This reduces the distance data has to travel, lowering your ping.
2. Use a Wired Connection
Wi-Fi can be unstable, especially during intense gaming sessions. Switch to a wired Ethernet connection for a more stable and faster connection. This is true for PC, Xbox, and PS5 players.
3. Close Background Applications
Apps or programs running in the background (like downloads or streaming services) can hog your bandwidth. Close them to free up resources for Rocket League.
4. Upgrade Your Internet Plan
If your internet speed is slow, consider upgrading to a faster plan. A minimum of 10 Mbps is recommended for online gaming but faster is always better.
5. Optimize Your Console or PC Setting
- On PC, make sure your network drivers are up to date.
- On Xbox and PS5, enable “Game Mode” in your console settings to prioritize gaming traffic.
Why Being Closer to the Server Location Helps
The physical distance between you and the Rocket League server plays a huge role in your ping. The farther you are from the server, the longer it takes for data to travel, resulting in higher ping. For example, if you’re in New York but connected to a server in California, your ping will be much higher than if you were connected to a server in New Jersey.
How a VPN Can Lower Your Ping
You might think a VPN would slow down your connection, but it can help lower your ping in some cases.
Here’s how:
- Better Routing A VPN can provide a more direct route between your device and the game server, reducing the distance data has to travel.
Avoiding Network Congestion: ISPs sometimes throttle gaming traffic. A VPN can bypass this, giving you a smoother connection.
After testing several VPNs, **NordVPN** stood out as the best option for Rocket League. It consistently provided faster speeds and lower ping compared to other services. NordVPN also has a large network of servers, so you can easily connect to one close to the Rocket League server location.
How to Use NordVPN on PC, Xbox, and PS5
- PC: Download and install the NordVPN app, connect to a server near the Rocket League server location, and launch the game.
- Xbox and PS5: Since consoles don’t natively support VPNs, you’ll need to set up NordVPN on your router or share a VPN connection from your PC. NordVPN provides easy-to-follow guides for both methods.
Lowering your ping in Rocket League can make a huge difference in your gameplay. By choosing the right server region, using a wired connection, and optimizing your settings, you can significantly improve your experience. And if you’re still struggling with high ping, give NordVPN a try. It’s a game-changer for reducing ping and boosting your connection speed.
Sources
- Rocket League Support: [Official Server Regions] https://www.rocketleague.com/support
- NordVPN: [Gaming with NordVPN] https://nordvpn.com/features/fastest-vpn/
- Xbox Support: [Optimize Network for Gaming] https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/hardware-network/connect-network/optimize-network-for-gaming
- PlayStation Support: [Improve PS5 Network Performance https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps5-improve-network-performance/
By following these tips and using NordVPN, you’ll be ready to hit the field with a faster, smoother connection. Happy gaming!
Lorenzo has been using the internet for as long as he can remember. He was there for the early days of message boards, he watched social media take over, and he’s excited to see what comes next.
