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PROBLEM · PING · 8 min read · Updated 2026-05-27

High ping in gaming: causes & solutions

Eliminate lag and optimise your gaming connection with proven techniques that actually work.

By the Check.Systems team

TL;DR
High ping in games is usually WiFi, ISP routing, or server distance. Switch to Ethernet first. If ping to 8.8.8.8 is fine but game servers are slow, a gaming VPN routes around congestion.

Understanding gaming ping and why it destroys your performance

Low-ping gaming at 15ms: instant responses, smooth gameplay, competitive advantage. High-ping gaming at 150ms: delayed actions, frustrating lag, getting killed behind cover.

Gaming ping is the time it takes for your actions to reach the game server and the response to come back to you. In fast-paced games, even 50ms of extra delay can mean the difference between winning and losing a gunfight.

The gaming reality
In competitive gaming, every millisecond counts. While 100ms might be fine for browsing, it's often unplayable for competitive shooters or fighting games where split-second timing matters.

Ping requirements by game type

Competitive shooters (CS2, Valorant, Apex Legends, Call of Duty): ideal under 30ms, acceptable 30–50ms, problematic over 50ms.

Fighting games (Street Fighter, Tekken, Mortal Kombat): ideal under 50ms, acceptable 50–80ms, problematic over 80ms.

Racing games (F1, Gran Turismo, Forza): ideal under 60ms, acceptable 60–100ms, problematic over 100ms.

Strategy/MMO games (League of Legends, WoW, Civilization): ideal under 100ms, acceptable 100–150ms, problematic over 200ms.

Gaming ping scale: 0–25ms excellent, 25–50ms good, 50–100ms fair, 100ms+ poor.

What's causing your high ping? The main culprits

Network issues:

  • WiFi interference — other devices, microwaves, walls.
  • Network congestion — too many users sharing bandwidth.
  • Poor ISP routing — traffic taking inefficient paths.
  • Outdated equipment — old routers and modems.

System issues:

  • Background programs — downloads, updates, streaming.
  • Antivirus interference — deep packet inspection.
  • Network drivers — outdated or incorrect drivers.
  • Game settings — wrong region or server selection.
Distance reality check
Physics matters. If you're in New York connecting to a server in Tokyo, you'll have at least 150ms+ ping due to the speed of light. No amount of optimisation can beat geography, so always choose servers closest to you.

Quick fixes that work (try these first)

5-minute ping reduction checklist:

  • Switch to wired Ethernet (can reduce ping by 10–30ms instantly).
  • Close all downloads, streaming, and background programs.
  • Choose the closest game server to your location.
  • Restart your router and modem (unplug for 30 seconds).
  • Enable gaming mode or QoS on your router.

Advanced solutions for persistent high ping

High priority: optimise your network connection

  • Use Ethernet cable — WiFi adds 5–30ms of latency.
  • Get a gaming router — modern routers with QoS and gaming features.
  • Upgrade internet plan — sometimes more bandwidth means better routing.
  • Contact ISP about routing — they can sometimes improve your path.

System-level optimisations

  • Update network drivers — download from manufacturer, not Windows.
  • Disable Windows Game Mode — sometimes causes more problems than it solves.
  • Set static DNS — use 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 for faster resolution.
  • Close bandwidth-heavy programs — Steam updates, cloud sync, etc.

Medium priority: gaming-specific tweaks

  • Gaming VPN services — ExitLag, WTFast (sometimes help with routing).
  • Port forwarding — open specific game ports for better connection.
  • Game launch options — some games have network optimisation flags.
  • Update game to latest version — network optimisations in patches.

Hardware considerations

  • Gaming network card — Killer or Intel gaming NICs.
  • Mesh network positioning — place gaming device closest to main router.
  • Dedicated gaming bandwidth — some ISPs offer gaming packages.

Advanced tweaks (for experts)

  • TCP optimisation — advanced TCP settings for gaming.
  • Interrupt moderation — network card settings adjustments.
  • Process priority — set game to high priority in Task Manager.
  • Background services — disable non-essential Windows services.

Router settings that actually matter

Enable these features:

  • Gaming Mode — prioritises gaming traffic.
  • QoS (Quality of Service) — allocates bandwidth.
  • UPnP — automatic port management.
  • MU-MIMO — better WiFi for multiple devices.
  • 5GHz WiFi — less congested frequency.

Disable these features:

  • Packet inspection — adds processing delay.
  • Guest networks — reduces available bandwidth.
  • Bandwidth monitoring — can introduce latency.
  • VPN on router — unless specifically needed.
  • Old WiFi standards — disable 802.11n if possible.

When to change ISPs or consider moving

The hard truth about geography
Sometimes high ping isn't fixable with settings. If you live in a rural area or far from major internet hubs, you might need to switch to fibre internet if available, try different ISPs (they use different routes), consider Starlink for rural areas, or accept that some games will always have higher ping.

ISP comparison checklist:

  • Fibre > Cable > DSL > Satellite for gaming.
  • Check routing — some ISPs have better game server connections.
  • Ask about gaming packages — some ISPs offer optimised routing.
  • Read local gaming forums — see what other gamers in your area use.

How to test your improvements

Before-and-after testing method:

  1. Baseline test — use our ping tool to test current latency.
  2. In-game testing — check ping display in your games.
  3. Apply one change at a time — don't change everything at once.
  4. Test during peak hours — evening when network is congested.
  5. Test multiple servers — make sure improvement is consistent.
  6. Document results — keep track of what works.
Emergency gaming tonight?
Need better ping right now for a tournament or important match? Switch to Ethernet cable immediately. Close all other devices and programs. Restart your router. Choose closest game server. Try mobile hotspot if WiFi is terrible.

Related reading: What is ping? · Complete ping test guide · Why is my internet slow?