If you've ever played an online game and felt like your controls weren't as responsive as they should be, you've probably encountered input lag.
It’s that split-second delay between pressing a button and seeing the action happen on your screen. For casual gamers, it’s a minor annoyance. For competitive players, it’s a game-ruining experience.
So, what exactly is input lag, why does it happen, and how can you fix it? Let’s break it down.
What is Input Lag?
Input lag, at its core, is the time it takes for your input—like pressing a key on your keyboard, clicking your mouse, or tapping a button on your controller—to result in an action on your screen.
Ideally, this process should be instantaneous, but various factors can cause delays, creating that dreaded lag.
For example, in a fast-paced shooter, you might click to fire your weapon, but there’s a noticeable delay before the gun actually shoots on-screen.
That’s input lag in action. It’s especially problematic in online gaming, where every millisecond counts. A slight delay can mean the difference between landing a critical shot and missing entirely.
A comparison of input lag with several different controllers in Rocket League. Source: Reddit
What's the Difference Between Input Lag, Display Lag, and Network Lag?
Here’s where things get a little technical.
Input lag often gets confused with display lag and network lag. While they’re all types of latency, they’re caused by different factors.
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Input Lag: This is the delay caused by your gaming device or peripherals. It happens before the signal even reaches your display or the game server. Your keyboard, mouse, or controller, and even your PC’s processing power, play a role here.
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Display Lag: This refers to delays caused by your monitor or TV. Even if your input is processed lightning-fast, your display might take extra time to render the image, especially if you’re using a screen with a low refresh rate or high response time.
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Network Lag: Also known as ping, this is the delay between your game sending data to the server and the server sending data back to you. This is why you might shoot an enemy on your screen, but the server doesn’t register the hit because of high latency.
Understanding the differences can help you troubleshoot the right issue. If your display is fine and your ping is low, input lag might be the culprit.
How Important is Input Lag for Games?
The importance of input lag depends on the type of game you’re playing.
For fast-paced, competitive genres like first-person shooters (FPS), fighting games, or real-time strategy (RTS) games, low input lag is absolutely crucial. Even a 10-millisecond delay can feel like an eternity when you’re trying to outmaneuver an opponent or land a precise attack.
For slower-paced games like turn-based RPGs or single-player narrative adventures, input lag is less noticeable and less impactful.
However, even in these cases, an excessive delay can take you out of the experience, making controls feel sluggish and unresponsive.
Ultimately, the lower the input lag, the more natural and immersive your gaming experience will be—no matter the genre.
What Causes Input Lag?
Several factors can contribute to input lag, and they often stack on top of each other, making it tricky to pinpoint the exact cause. Here are the main culprits:
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Peripheral Hardware: Low-quality or poorly optimized keyboards, mice, or controllers can introduce latency.
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Software and Drivers: Outdated drivers, bloated background processes, or poorly coded games can all add delay.
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System Performance: If your CPU or GPU is struggling to keep up with the game, input lag is often one of the first symptoms you’ll notice.
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Display Settings: High resolutions, low refresh rates, and high response times can all increase lag.
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V-Sync and Other Graphics Settings: While V-Sync eliminates screen tearing, it can also add a noticeable amount of input delay.
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Wireless Connections: Wireless keyboards, mice, or controllers tend to have higher latency than their wired counterparts.
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Background Processes: Things like antivirus scans, downloads, or streaming services running in the background can sap system resources and increase lag.
A test done in CS 2 showing the impact of each graphics setting on input lag. Check the impact caused by V-sync. Source: Reddit
How Can I Fix Input Lag?
Fixing input lag is all about identifying the bottleneck in your setup and addressing it. Here are some tried-and-true tips:
Optimize Your Hardware
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Use Wired Peripherals: If you’re using a wireless mouse, keyboard, or controller, consider switching to a wired version. It’s a simple way to reduce latency.
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Upgrade Your Gear: High-quality gaming peripherals often come with lower input latency. Look for mice with high polling rates or keyboards with fast-actuation switches.
Adjust Your Display Settings
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Enable Game Mode: Most modern monitors and TVs have a “Game Mode” setting that prioritizes low latency over image quality.
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Lower Your Resolution: Playing at a lower resolution can ease the load on your system, reducing input lag.
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Check Your Refresh Rate: Make sure your monitor is set to its highest available refresh rate (e.g., 144Hz instead of 60Hz).
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Turn Off V-Sync: While it can improve visual quality, V-Sync often adds significant input lag. Consider disabling it or using G-Sync/FreeSync as alternatives.
Tweak Your System
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Close Background Processes: Make sure your PC isn’t running unnecessary apps or updates while gaming.
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Update Drivers: Ensure your GPU, motherboard, and peripheral drivers are up to date.
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Overclock Your Components: If you’re comfortable with overclocking, speeding up your CPU or GPU can improve responsiveness.
Optimize Your Game Settings
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Lower Graphics Settings: Reducing visual effects can free up resources and improve responsiveness.
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Reduce Input Buffering: Some games have options to minimize input delay. Check your game’s settings for this feature.
Test Your Connections
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Use High-Quality Cables: If you’re using HDMI or DisplayPort, make sure the cable supports high refresh rates and resolutions.
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Place Your Wireless Receiver Nearby: If you’re stuck with wireless peripherals, ensure the receiver is close to avoid interference.
How Input Lag is Measured
If you want to measure input lag, there are a few ways to do it. While most gamers rely on subjective feel, measuring input lag accurately requires specific tools.
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High-Speed Cameras: The most precise method involves recording your setup with a high-speed camera. You’ll press a button and then count the frames it takes for the action to appear on screen. This is how professionals and tech reviewers measure input lag.
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Specialized Tools: Devices like the NVIDIA LDAT (Latency Display Analysis Tool) are designed specifically to measure input lag. These tools are more accessible than high-speed cameras but still cater mostly to enthusiasts.
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Software Tests: Some games and benchmarking tools include input lag testing features. While less accurate than hardware tools, they can still provide a good estimate.
For most gamers, you don’t need to measure input lag down to the millisecond. If your setup feels responsive and snappy, you’re good to go.
Input lag might not be as flashy a topic as 4K graphics or cutting-edge ray tracing, but it’s just as important for a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
By understanding what causes input lag and how to fix it, you can take control of your setup and ensure every button press counts.
So, next time your controls feel sluggish, don’t just blame the game. Check your peripherals, optimize your settings, and give input lag the boot. Your future self—and your leaderboard rankings—will thank you.
And if you want to correct another type of lag, in this case network lag, you can try NoPing for free. It’s a software that optimizes your connection to the game, greatly reducing ping.