How to Stop Lag on Video Games? 16 Tips to Make your PC Lag Less

Trying to stop lag on video games can feel like a never-ending battle.

One moment you’re lining up the perfect shot, and the next, your screen stutters, your ping spikes, and you’re left staring at a kill cam wondering what just happened.

Lag is the ultimate enemy of smooth gameplay, and whether it’s caused by network issues, hardware limitations, or settings that need tweaking, it’s a problem every gamer wants to solve.

The good news is that lag isn’t unbeatable. With a few adjustments and the right strategies, you can cut down on lag significantly and keep your games running seamlessly.

In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of lag, how to identify them, and 16 tips to help you make your PC lag less—so you can focus on winning, not waiting.

How Can You Identify Lag?

Before we get into fixing lag, let’s make sure you can spot it correctly. Lag isn’t just one thing—it comes in different forms, and identifying which one you’re dealing with is the first step to solving it.

Here are a few common signs:

1. High Ping: Your actions take forever to register in the game. You shoot, but your opponent doesn’t take damage until a second later.

Source: Reddit

2. FPS Drops: Your game feels choppy or stutters, especially during intense scenes.

3. Rubberbanding: Your character suddenly snaps back to a previous spot.
4. Stuttering Audio: Sound cuts in and out or gets delayed.

Knowing what kind of lag you’re facing helps you pick the right fix. For example, if it’s high ping, you might need to check your internet connection. If it’s FPS drops, it could be time to tweak your graphics settings.

16 Ways to Stop Lag on Video Games

Ready to tackle lag head-on? Here are some detailed methods—complete with step-by-step instructions where needed—to help you make your PC lag less and level up your gaming experience:

1. Upgrade Your Internet Plan

A slow internet connection is a top cause of lag in online games. Most multiplayer games require a download speed of at least 25 Mbps, but if you’re sharing the network with others, aim higher.

Step-by-Step:

• Check Your Speed: Visit speedtest.net to see your current download and upload speeds.
• Compare Plans: If your speed is low, check with your ISP for higher-tier plans that fit your budget.
• Prioritize Gaming Traffic: Some routers offer Quality of Service (QoS) settings to prioritize gaming traffic—enable this if available.

2. Use an Ethernet Cable Instead of Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is convenient but can cause packet loss and higher ping due to interference and signal fluctuations. An Ethernet connection provides a stable and faster link to your router.

Step-by-Step:

• Get an Ethernet Cable: Look for CAT6 or CAT7 cables for better speed and less interference.
• Connect Directly: Plug one end into your PC and the other into your router.
• Disable Wi-Fi: On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and turn off Wi-Fi to ensure you’re only using the wired connection.

3. Close Background Applications

Programs running in the background can hog bandwidth and CPU resources, causing lag. This includes browsers, streaming apps, and even automatic updates.

Step-by-Step:

• Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
• Sort by Network and CPU Usage: End tasks using a lot of resources that you don’t need while gaming.
• Disable Startup Apps: Go to the Startup tab in Task Manager and disable unnecessary programs that start with Windows.

Source: RevoUninstaller

4. Optimize In-Game Settings

Your PC might struggle with high settings, causing FPS drops. Lowering certain graphics options can stop lag on video games.

Step-by-Step:

• Access Settings: Open your game’s settings menu.
• Adjust Graphics: Lower textures, shadows, and anti-aliasing first—these usually have the biggest impact.
• Cap Your FPS: Setting an FPS cap just below your monitor’s refresh rate can prevent screen tearing and keep performance consistent.

5. Update Your GPU Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues and performance drops. Make sure to update them regularly.

Step-by-Step:

• For NVIDIA: Use GeForce Experience or visit the NVIDIA website.
• For AMD: Use the AMD Adrenalin software or visit the AMD website.
• Install and Restart: Follow the installation steps and restart your PC to apply changes.

6. Reduce Network Traffic

Heavy network usage by others in your household can cause lag spikes.

Tips:

• Pause Downloads: Ask others to pause downloads or streaming.
• Schedule Updates: Make sure Windows and game updates are set to download outside of your gaming hours.
• Use QoS: If your router supports it, enable QoS to prioritize gaming traffic.

7. Clear Temporary Files

Temporary files can pile up and slow down your system. Clearing them regularly frees up space and improves performance.

Step-by-Step:

• Run Disk Cleanup: Type Disk Cleanup in the Windows search bar and select your C: drive.
• Check Boxes: Check Temporary Files, System Cache, and Recycle Bin.
• Clean Up: Click OK to delete the files.

Source: Winaero

8. Adjust Power Settings to High Performance

The default Balanced power plan can throttle your CPU and GPU to save energy, causing lag.

Step-by-Step:

• Open Power Options: Go to Control Panel > Power Options.
• Select High Performance: Choose or create a plan that prioritizes performance over energy saving.

9. Use NoPing

Ping reducers like NoPing can help by optimizing the route your data takes to the game server, reducing ping and packet loss.

Here’s how to use NoPing to stop lag in games:

• Sign-up through the website and download NoPing (you can test it for free).
• Open NoPing and search for your game inside the software

• Once you find it, click on it and, on the next screen, select “Choose automatic” or “Choose manual” and click “Continue”. We recommend choosing automatic, as NoPing’s technology analyzes all routes on a global scale and automatically selects the best option for you.

• On the next screen, click on “Optimize Game”.

• And that’s it, you can start playing with optimized ping!

You can test different servers within NoPing to see which gives you the lowest latency.

10. Change Your DNS Settings

Your ISP’s default DNS server might not be the fastest. Switching to a public DNS can reduce latency.

Step-by-Step:

• Go to Network Settings: Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings.
• Properties: Right-click your connection > Properties > Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > Properties.
• Enter DNS: Use Google’s (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare’s (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1).

11. Upgrade Your Hardware (If Needed)

Sometimes, no amount of optimization will help if your hardware is outdated.

Key Upgrades:

• RAM: Aim for 16GB for modern games.
• Storage: Switch to an SSD for faster load times.
• GPU: Upgrade if you’re consistently below the recommended specs for your favorite games.

12. Monitor Your Temperatures

Overheating causes your hardware to throttle performance.

Step-by-Step:

• Install MSI Afterburner: It’s free and helps monitor temps.
• Adjust Fan Curves: Increase fan speed if your GPU or CPU is overheating.
• Clean Your PC: Dust can clog vents and cause overheating—clean your PC regularly.

13. Disable Unnecessary Animations on Windows

Windows animations can eat into resources.

Step-by-Step:

• Open Performance Options: Type sysdm.cpl into the search bar > Advanced tab > Performance Settings.
• Adjust for Best Performance: Select this option to disable most animations.

14. Defragment Your Hard Drive (HDD Only)

For those still using HDDs, defragmenting can help organize files and improve load times.

Step-by-Step:

• Open Defragment Tool: Type defragment in the Windows search bar.
• Analyze and Optimize: Choose your HDD and click Optimize.

15. Enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling

This setting allows your GPU to handle its memory more efficiently, reducing lag.

Step-by-Step:

• Open Settings: Go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics Settings.
• Enable Hardware Acceleration: Turn it on and restart your PC.

Source: Major Geeks

16. Turn Off Background Recording

Windows 10 and 11 have a feature that records gameplay in the background, which can cause lag.

Step-by-Step:

• Go to Game Bar Settings: Settings > Gaming > Captures.
• Turn Off Background Recording: Toggle it off to free up resources.

These steps should help you tackle lag from every angle, whether it’s caused by network issues, outdated hardware, or system settings. Give them a try, and see which ones make the biggest difference!

Common Types of Lag

Not all lag is created equal. Understanding the different types can help you diagnose and fix the issues more effectively. Here are the most common types of lag in online games and how to identify each one:

1. Network Lag (Ping Lag)

Network lag, often referred to as ping lag, is caused by delays in communication between your device and the game server. It’s the most notorious type of lag in online gaming and usually manifests as delayed actions—like when you shoot in an FPS game but the shot registers a second later.

How to Identify:

• High Ping: Check your in-game ping (usually in the settings or by pressing TAB). Anything above 100ms can cause noticeable lag.
• Rubberbanding: This is when your character moves forward but suddenly snaps back to a previous position.
• Delayed Actions: Actions like shooting, reloading, or casting spells take longer to execute.

Causes:

• Slow internet speed or unstable connection.
• Long physical distance between you and the game server.
• Network congestion or interference, especially on Wi-Fi.

2. FPS Lag (Frame Rate Lag)

FPS (Frames Per Second) lag is caused by your computer struggling to render graphics quickly enough. If your FPS drops too low, your game will feel choppy and unresponsive, making it hard to aim or react quickly.

How to Identify:

• Stuttering: The game feels like it’s skipping frames or freezing momentarily.
• Low FPS Counter: Most games have an option to display your FPS; anything below 30 FPS is problematic.
• Delayed Inputs: Your mouse movements or key presses feel slow and unresponsive.

Causes:

• Outdated or underpowered GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).
• Insufficient RAM or CPU bottlenecks.
• High graphics settings that your hardware can’t handle.

3. Input Lag

Input lag is the delay between pressing a button or moving your mouse and seeing the corresponding action in the game. Even if your FPS is high and your ping is low, input lag can make your gameplay feel sluggish and unresponsive.

How to Identify:

• Delayed Response: Pressing a key or clicking the mouse feels slow, even with stable FPS.
• Testing: Some monitors have a built-in input lag tester. Alternatively, compare your actions in a single-player game to see if the issue persists.

Causes:

• V-Sync enabled (synchronizes FPS with monitor refresh rate but adds input lag).
• Wireless peripherals with low polling rates.
• High latency settings in your display or gaming gear.

Causes:

• Outdated hardware or drivers.
• Insufficient cooling or dust buildup.
• Lack of system resources (e.g., running out of RAM or VRAM).

4. Server Lag

Sometimes, lag isn’t your fault at all. Server lag happens when the game’s server struggles to process all incoming data due to high traffic or technical issues. In this case, every player on that server will likely experience lag.

How to Identify:

• Server Status: Check if other players are experiencing lag in the same match.
• Official Channels: Look for server status updates from the game’s social media or website.
• Consistent Ping Spikes: If your ping is usually stable but spikes suddenly, it could be a server issue.

Causes:

• High server traffic or insufficient server resources.
• DDoS attacks targeting the game servers.
• Server maintenance or technical issues.

Why is it Important to Stop Lag on Video Games?

Lag isn’t just annoying—it can ruin your gaming experience. In competitive games, even a slight delay can be the difference between winning and losing. High lag can also lead to more disconnects, wasted time, and a lot of frustration.

Reducing lag helps:

• Improve reaction times: Smooth gameplay means you can react faster.
• Enhance precision: No more blaming lag for missed shots.
• Boost enjoyment: Less lag means more fun.

Lag might be a common enemy for gamers, but it’s definitely beatable. By following these tips, you’ll be better equipped to stop lag on video games and keep your matches smooth and frustration-free.

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