High ping in League of Legends is one of the most frustrating challenges players face during gameplay.
There’s nothing worse than lining up a perfect skill shot or pulling off a clutch escape, only to have lag disrupt your timing.
Whether it’s a sudden spike or a consistent delay, high ping can ruin your experience and even cost you the match.
In this guide, we’ll explore what ping is, how it impacts your game, and, most importantly, how to reduce it so you can enjoy seamless gameplay.
What Is Ping?
Ping, in the context of online gaming, is the time it takes for your computer to send a request to the game server and receive a response.
Measured in milliseconds (ms), ping reflects the delay in your connection. The lower the ping, the faster the communication between your computer and the server, resulting in smoother gameplay.
Ping is especially critical in real-time multiplayer games like League of Legends. High ping can cause your actions to feel delayed, making it harder to react to opponents or execute precise strategies.
Understanding your ping and how it affects your game is the first step toward addressing lag issues.
How Can I See My Ping in League of Legends?
Knowing your ping in League of Legends is the first step to diagnosing any potential lag issues.
Thankfully, Riot Games makes it easy for players to check this in-game. You can view your ping by enabling the FPS and Ping display in your settings. Press ESC to open the in-game menu.
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Navigate to the Hotkeys section.
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Scroll down to the Display Settings category.
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Look for the option labeled Toggle FPS Display under the expandable menu.
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Assign a custom keyboard shortcut to this option, allowing you to quickly check your ping during gameplay.
Source: Alphr
Alternatively, you can use a shortcut to toggle the ping display on and off. By default, pressing Ctrl + F will show your current ping and FPS metrics. This is useful for quickly checking if your connection is stable without diving into the settings menu mid-game.
If you’re experiencing lag spikes, keep an eye on this number. Consistently high ping values, typically above 100 milliseconds (ms), indicate a problem. The lower the ping, the smoother your gameplay will feel. Ideally, you’ll want your ping to be below 50ms for optimal performance.
How Can I Tell If My Ping Is High?
Sometimes, the effects of high ping are painfully obvious. If your champion seems to "teleport" across the map, commands take longer to execute, or you’re suddenly disconnected from the server, high ping is almost certainly to blame.
But other times, it’s less clear.
Small delays might go unnoticed until they cost you a fight or objective.
Pay attention to specific in-game symptoms of high ping. For example, if your champion’s basic movements feel sluggish or your abilities take an extra beat to cast after you press the button, your connection might be lagging. Similarly, rubberbanding—where your champion moves forward only to snap back to a previous position—is another telltale sign.
In numbers, a ping time below 20ms indicates an exceptionally fast and responsive network. However, if your ping exceeds 100ms, you’re likely experiencing significant lag spikes that can heavily impact your gaming performance.
What’s a Good Ping for League of Legends?
The ideal ping for League of Legends depends on your expectations and the level of play.
For most players, a ping below 50ms is considered excellent and provides a smooth gaming experience.
Between 50ms and 100ms, gameplay may feel slightly delayed, but it’s still manageable for casual matches.
However, if your ping exceeds 100ms, you’ll likely start noticing significant delays that can impact your performance.
Competitive players aim for the lowest ping possible, often in the range of 10ms to 30ms. For context, professional esports players often compete on private servers or optimized connections to achieve these low numbers.
It’s also important to consider consistency. A stable ping is more important than a low ping that fluctuates frequently.
Even if your ping averages 60ms, as long as it remains steady, your gameplay experience will be far better than dealing with constant spikes and drops.
9 Fixes for High Ping in League of Legends
Now that you’ve identified the issue, let’s dive into the solutions. There are several steps you can take to reduce high ping in League of Legends. Here are some of the most effective fixes:
1. Use a Wired Connection
Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s also prone to interference, which can cause lag. If possible, switch to a wired Ethernet connection for a more stable and reliable experience.
A direct connection to your router minimizes packet loss and provides consistent speeds.
2. Close Background Applications
Other programs running on your computer can consume bandwidth and contribute to high ping. Before launching League of Legends, close unnecessary applications like streaming services, file downloads, or other online games. Task Manager can help you identify and terminate resource-hogging apps.
3. Update Your Network Drivers
Outdated network drivers can lead to connectivity issues. Check for updates from your computer’s manufacturer or your network adapter’s website. Keeping drivers up to date ensures your hardware operates at peak performance.
4. Optimize Your Router Settings
Your router’s configuration can make a big difference. Enable Quality of Service (QoS) settings to prioritize gaming traffic over other activities. Also, ensure you’re connected to the closest server region in League’s settings for the best possible ping.
5. Use Ping-Reducing Software
Specialized tools like NoPing can help optimize your connection to the game server by rerouting your traffic through faster and more efficient paths.
These services are especially useful for players who experience frequent lag spikes or play from regions far from Riot’s servers.
6. Restart Your Network Hardware
A simple but effective fix: reboot your modem and router. This can clear up temporary issues with your connection and often resolves high ping problems quickly. After restarting, test your connection to see if the issue persists.
7. Contact Your ISP
If none of the above steps work, the issue might lie with your internet service provider (ISP). Reach out to them to check for outages or ask if they offer gaming-friendly plans. Sometimes, upgrading your internet package can also help reduce lag.
High ping doesn’t have to be a permanent barrier to enjoying League of Legends. By understanding the causes and applying these fixes, you can optimize your connection and get back to dominating the Rift. Good luck, and may your ping be ever low!