Online gaming is the best refuge for many people to relax. The gaming lovers must know what is the game lag or high ping?
High Ping is the biggest bane to gameplay. When you are playing on your Xbox, latency is your biggest enemy. Imagine enjoying your game, and suddenly your system can’t keep up. How frustrating it could be, and you can understand better as a gamer.
Here in this guide, we will tell you how to lower ping and fix latency on your Xbox.
Let’s get started.
What Is Xbox Latency?
The term “latency” is used to define the total duration the data packets take in traveling from one server to another.
In online gaming, when you take any action, it is sent by a game server to another server, and the server responds with a reaction.
Latency is the interval between the server’s communication.
High latency means you’ll find more lag during gaming. Especially when you are playing shooting games, any sports game, racing game, or FPS, timing matters the most. Latency counted in milliseconds, where every second counts.
Anything higher than 100ms will be the apparent reason behind your losing game constantly.
You can enjoy gaming without any destruction. Here are the solutions that can minimize latency on your Xbox.
1. Turn Off Background Apps
When we use any device such as Xbox or cell phone, many apps are running in the background can cause problems.
While gaming, many apps are running in the background. It can take lots of your gadget’s resources. Xbox is like any other computer. If you don’t ignore tiny details, it can bog down your game.
You will direct all the attention to a critical program by closing unnecessary apps running in the background. It also helps you reduce your internet bandwidth by taking care of its connection.
The programs like Twitch, Zoom, Netflix, etc., consume more internet than others. It will help if you close them until you’re not streaming live.
2. Make Sure Your Network Is Working
The biggest reason that can cause high latency and high data packet loss is your network speed.
If your Wi-Fi connection is not advanced or you’re using an older network system the chances are high that you have to face high latency issues. It will help if you upgrade your network speed.
You can check your network download speed by simply typing “internet speed test” into Google. Select the option “run speed test,” and it will tell you the current downloading upload speed.
Anything below 100Mbps will be considered low speed. Keep in mind that the internet speed varies to the number of users on your network. For accurate speed knowledge, you have to check a few tests to determine the exact speed throughout the day.
Using a VPN for Faster Gaming Guaranteed
A VPN always slows your connection down to some degree, so you might be surprised to hear that using one can actually cut game latency on your Xbox and improve overall performance.
If you connect to a VPN server that is close to a gaming server, you can improve speed relative to your standard internet connection, which may take a less direct route to the server.
You can often find out where gaming servers are located by Googling for them. Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), for example, has servers in Virginia (US), London (UK), and Sydney (Australia), among other places. Fortnight has servers in Ohio (US), Osaka (Japan), and Frankfurt (Germany), plus 13 other places.
Some ISPs will throttle high-bandwidth activity – such as gaming, streaming, and torrenting – causing slower speeds and longer latency. If you travel with your Xbox Console, hotels or other public Wi-Fi providers might also throttle your connection in an attempt to reduce bandwidth consumption.
Throttle is Defined as the intentional slowing or speeding of an internet service by an Internet service provider (ISP)
With a VPN, your internet traffic is encrypted, meaning your service provider cannot see what it is you’re doing. If they can’t determine your activity, they can’t throttle your connection.
A VPN is therefore a great way to avoid ISP throttling and enjoy unrestricted speeds on Xbox Console. Smart DNS doesn’t encrypt your traffic, so it won’t protect you.
You’ll need to use a full VPN service with strong encryption, like NordVPN, to hide your traffic from service providers.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is the best provider for fast server connection speeds and low ping for Xbox. With NordVPN, you get access to server locations worldwide and excellent additional features.
- Over 5,300 servers in 59 countries around the world
- High speeds and low ping
- 30-day refund policy
- Unblocks streaming services such as Netflix
- Strict no-logs policy
If you are looking for a VPN solution for your Xbox that will offer the fastest possible speeds and low ping, NordVPN is a good choice. The provider’s unrivaled speeds are thanks to its proprietary NordLynx protocol, providing excellent security and privacy protection.
Not only does NordVPN offer lightning-fast connection speeds, but it will also protect from DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks. This type of attack occurs when a rival gamer attempts to lock you out of a game by overwhelming your server with data.
See our speedtest with NordVPN
NordVPN will prevent such threats as it will mask your real IP address with that of the VPN server. Therefore, DDoS attacks are sent to the VPN server rather than your home server, which is much more capable of resisting floods of data.
NordVPN is also one of the best services when it comes to overcoming geo-blocks. Its extensive server count in almost 60 countries means that you will have no issue accessing new games before they reach your region, as you’ll have plenty of IP address options.
The provider also boasts a stringent no-logs policy and military-grade AES-256 encryption meaning that none of your private internet activity will be stored or sold to third parties. Even though privacy and security is often not usually the main reason to use a VPN on a gaming console, it is worth knowing that your anonymity will be protected when using this Xbox VPN.
If you want a VPN for your Xbox gaming console that will provide low ping, high-speed connections, and access to next-gen video games as soon as they release, Nord is the obvious choice; it’s a stellar VPN provider.
Still unsure? The provider also offers a 30-day refund policy on all of its subscription plans, allowing you to cancel the plan if you aren’t fully satisfied.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is another popular VPN service for gaming on Xbox and is easy to set up thanks to its router app. ExpressVPN offers fast speeds and first-class privacy and security features for an optimal gaming experience.
- 3,000 servers in 94 countries
- Router applet
- DNS Media Streamer service
- 30-day refund policy
- Lightning-fast and reliable speeds
If you are looking for reliably fast speeds for gaming and streaming on your Xbox console, ExpressVPN is a great choice. Its Light way protocol is optimized for a quick yet safe VPN connection that won’t affect your gameplay and will only enhance the overall experience. ExpressVPN ensures fast connection speeds, low ping, and reduced latency.
Another reason to use ExpressVPN is that it offers a decent-sized VPN server network with excellent coverage. This means that you can access games from all over the world and choose from many IP addresses.
ExpressVPN offers a MediaStreamer service that enables users to watch streaming content on their Xbox Console with minimal setup required. ExpressVPN can also be easily set up on your router, ensuring security for all internet users while acting as an XBOX VPN. There is even a router applet, which allows easy management of the VPN connection without having to go into your router settings each time you want to switch servers.
Express is a great VPN for Xbox Console since it can effectively prevent DDoS attacks on your console. ExpressVPN also utilizes RAM-only servers. This means data will be wiped after every gaming session, ensuring users’ gaming activity remains completely private.
No matter how many features a VPN service may have, it must fit your budget; although ExpressVPN is one of the pricier VPN services on our list, it does offer a 30-day refund policy to give you time to try it out without risk.
3. Turn Off Automatic Updates
Sometimes you don’t realize many apps are automatically downloaded to your device in the background. Manual downloading can eat up lots of your Internet bandwidth.
Make sure to turn off any automatic update running in the background. It might cause high ping, which leads to a lag in video games. Disable them temporarily so you can enjoy your gaming to the full extent.
Don’t forget to enable them once you are done with gaming.
Also Check: How to Lower Ping and Fix Lag on Your PS5?
4. Change Your Router
If you use many gadgets on a single internet connection, experts recommend changing your router every 5 years. It would help you to avoid many problems like high ping and latency.
Several electronic devices may damage a WiFi router, which results in WiFi routers causing problems like high ping. Due to high ping, you have to face lag in video games. The latest model router provides you with stronger internet signals and low ping for your gaming device.
Gaming WiFi routers are also available in the market, fully optimized for gaming. They can also boost your internet traffic for gaming.’
Please check out the best routers for Gaming Click Here
5. Remove Other Devices From Your Internet Connection
Many devices on a single internet connection might cause high ping issues. It is similar to the apps running in the background.
Try disconnecting each device such as smart TV, smartwatches, cell phones, computers, and wireless gaming headsets.
It takes lots of your bandwidth. You can avoid lags in a video game by detaching unnecessary gadgets.
6. Use A Ethernet Cable Connection
Wired connections were the only option for PCs in the past. They have been replaced by a wireless internet connection that provides you with the fastest loading speed.
A significant issue with a wireless connection is that signals have to pass through physical obstacles. The wired connections are much faster because you don’t have to face such problems.
So you can use an ethernet wired connection easily because all motherboards are provided with such ethernet ports. The benefit of using this is it provides direct nourishment to your connection that helps you lower ping.
7. Restart Your Router
It will help if you power cycle your modem or router occasionally. Unclogging and power backing it again enables you to avoid a slight malfunction if the switch isn’t correctly plugged into the socket.
A minor gap between the socket and switch can affect your internet speed resulting in a lag in your video game.
Also Check: Ways To Stop Mac from Lagging
8. Contact Your Internet Provider
If nothing works, then you have the option to contact your internet service provider. He might help you avoid high ping, advanced troubleshooting tips, and how to reduce lag in video games caused due to gaming router settings or internet speeds.
Make sure you also watch this video:
Summing Up
Some people play online games for passing time, and some for relaxing after a long exhausting day at the office or school. But for a professional gamer, it isn’t easy to cope with the high ping or latency problems in their Xbox.
High ping is the biggest enemy for a pro gamer. If you’re a competitive gamer and can’t tolerate high ping or latency problems on your Xbox, you should know the causes, such as your internet speed, unnecessary apps running in the background, etc.
We have compiled all possible solutions to avoid high ping and latency. Get started now and fix your issue. Also, let us know your thoughts in the comment section!
Frequently Asked Questions About Xbox Lag
Q: What is Xbox lag?
A: Xbox lag refers to the delay or slow response time that occurs when playing games on an Xbox console. This can be caused by a number of factors, including poor internet connection, outdated hardware, or software issues.
Q: How can I tell if I’m experiencing lag on my Xbox?
A: Symptoms of lag may include delayed or unresponsive button inputs, stuttering or freezing graphics, or a general slowdown in gameplay. You may also notice that other players in multiplayer games seem to be moving faster than you, or that you’re consistently losing matches despite your best efforts.
Q: What can cause lag on my Xbox?
A: There are several factors that can contribute to lag on an Xbox, including:
- Poor internet connection: If your internet connection is slow or unstable, it can cause lag when playing games online.
- Outdated hardware: If your Xbox console or controller is old or worn out, it may not be able to keep up with the demands of modern games.
- Software issues: Bugs, glitches, and other software issues can also cause lag on an Xbox.
Q: How can I fix the lag on my Xbox?
A: There are several steps you can take to reduce or eliminate lag on your Xbox, including:
- Check your internet connection: Run a speed test to see if your internet connection is fast enough for online gaming. If it’s not, consider upgrading your plan or switching to a different provider.
- Upgrade your hardware: If your Xbox console or controller is outdated, consider upgrading to a newer model that can handle modern games more efficiently.
- Close other applications: Make sure to close any other applications or programs running on your Xbox that could be using up system resources and causing lag.
- Clear the cache: Clearing your Xbox’s cache can sometimes help improve performance and reduce lag.
- Reset your Xbox: If all else fails, try resetting your Xbox to its default settings. This can help fix any software issues that might be causing lag.
Q: Can lag be caused by the game itself?
A: Yes, lag can sometimes be caused by the game you’re playing rather than your Xbox. In this case, there may not be much you can do to fix the issue other than waiting for the game developer to release a patch or update.
Q: Can a wired connection help reduce lag?
A: Yes, connecting your Xbox to your router or modem with an Ethernet cable can help reduce lag by providing a more stable and consistent internet connection. This can be especially helpful for online multiplayer games.
Q: Is there a way to test for lag on my Xbox?
A: Yes, there are several online tools and services that can help you test your Xbox for lag. These include ping tests, speed tests, and latency tests.
Q: Can I use a VPN to reduce lag on my Xbox?
A: In some cases, using a VPN can help reduce lag on your Xbox by improving your internet connection and reducing latency. However, it’s important to choose a high-quality VPN service that’s optimized for gaming, as some VPNs can actually make lag worse.
Q: What should I do if I continue to experience lag on my Xbox after trying these solutions?
A: If you continue to experience lag on your Xbox despite trying these solutions, it may be time to contact Xbox support or seek the help of a professional technician. They can help diagnose and fix any underlying hardware or software issues that may be causing the problem.
Maryam has been teaching IT as a school teacher for over a decade, and her main subject of choice is Internet safety, especially helping parents keep their families safe and secure online. When Maryam is not teaching or writing she is a big fan of the outdoors, the complete opposite of staring at a computer screen for hours.
