Packet loss is one of the most frustrating issues for anyone relying on a stable internet connection, especially for gamers.
Whether you’re experiencing packet loss in all games or constant interruptions while streaming, understanding the problem and how to fix it can significantly improve your online experience.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about packet loss, from its causes to practical solutions.
What is Packet Loss?
Packet loss occurs when data packets traveling between your device and a server are lost or fail to reach their destination. These packets are tiny units of data that carry information across networks. When packet loss happens, it can cause disruptions like lag in gaming, stuttering, or incomplete downloads.
In simpler terms, packet loss refers to the inability of your network to deliver all the data it’s trying to send.
This is often noticeable in activities that require real-time communication, such as online gaming or video calls.
Source: BlogGeek.me
To understand what network packet loss is in a bit more detail, think of it like sending a series of letters through the postal service. If some letters are lost or delayed, the person receiving them might miss parts of the message, making the communication incomplete or incoherent.
Similarly, packet loss disrupts the intended communication between devices on a network, leading to poor performance.
What Causes Packet Loss?
Packet loss can occur for various reasons, disrupting your online gaming and causing noticeable performance issues.
From network congestion to faulty hardware and interference, understanding the root causes is essential to diagnosing and resolving the problem effectively.
Network Congestion
Network congestion is one of the most common causes of packet loss, particularly during peak hours when many people are using the internet simultaneously.
When too much data is being transmitted across a network, the infrastructure may struggle to handle the load, leading to dropped packets.
This is often the reason why some users experience packet loss at night, as evenings tend to see increased online activity from households streaming, gaming, or working remotely.
Congestion affects both local networks and larger infrastructure managed by Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
To reduce packet loss caused by congestion, you can try scheduling online activities during off-peak hours or enabling Quality of Service (QoS) settings on your router. These settings allow you to prioritize specific types of traffic, such as gaming or video calls, ensuring they receive the bandwidth they need even during high-traffic periods.
Hardware Problems
Faulty or outdated hardware can also contribute significantly to packet loss. Routers, modems, and network switches are critical components of your network infrastructure, and if any of these devices are damaged, overloaded, or operating with outdated firmware, they may drop packets during transmission.
Additionally, Ethernet cables that are frayed, bent, or improperly connected can disrupt the flow of data, leading to constant packet loss.
Wi-Fi Signal Issues
Wireless connections are inherently more prone to packet loss than wired connections due to signal interference and range limitations.
Wi-Fi signals can be disrupted by physical barriers like walls, electronic devices emitting radio frequencies, or even neighboring networks operating on the same frequency band. If your device is far from the router, the signal may weaken, causing data packets to be lost along the way.
You might notice packet loss when using Wi-Fi, but the problem disappears when you switch to Ethernet. This happens because Ethernet provides a direct, interference-free connection, whereas Wi-Fi is susceptible to disruptions.
To combat Wi-Fi-related packet loss, consider optimizing your network setup. Place your router in a central location, away from potential sources of interference, and use dual-band routers to reduce congestion on the 2.4 GHz frequency.
ISP-Related Issues
Sometimes, the cause of packet loss lies with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISPs are responsible for managing the infrastructure that connects your home network to the internet, and problems on their end can result in dropped packets.
Common ISP-related issues include outdated network equipment, oversubscription (too many users on the same infrastructure), or routing inefficiencies that cause delays or data loss during transmission.
If you suspect ISP-related issues, contact your provider to report the problem. Inquire about network maintenance or capacity upgrades in your area, as these could improve your experience.
Environmental Factors and Interference
Environmental factors can also contribute to packet loss, especially in wireless networks.
These issues are particularly problematic for users relying on Wi-Fi. For example, a gaming laptop placed far from the router in a room with thick walls may experience packet loss, making it nearly impossible to play without lag. The interference from neighboring networks can also worsen this issue, especially in urban areas with overlapping Wi-Fi channels.
To address environmental factors, ensure your router is placed in an open, central location free of obstacles. Use Wi-Fi extenders or mesh networks to improve coverage in larger spaces, and switch to less crowded frequency bands if possible.
More Detailed Causes of Packet Loss
Understanding the causes of packet loss is the first step toward fixing the problem. So, here’s more detailed causes of this problem:
Heavy uploads congest the home router
When large uploads are happening on the network, like cloud backups, video uploads, or torrents, the home router can become overloaded.
The upload queue fills up quickly, and the router begins to drop packets to manage the excess. Since game traffic uses the same channel, some of these dropped packets will affect your game, causing noticeable packet loss during matches.
Noise in old cables at the provider’s cabinet
The provider’s street cabinets often contain aging or poorly maintained wiring. These cables are susceptible to electromagnetic interference and signal noise, which lead to data transmission errors. When frames arrive corrupted because of this interference, they’re automatically discarded by the equipment, resulting in packet loss before the data even enters the provider’s core network.
Overloaded routers inside the ISP
Inside the ISP’s core network, high-performance routers handle millions of packets per second. When these routers become congested, their buffers (temporary storage areas) can fill up.
Once that happens, any excess traffic — including game data — is dropped to maintain stability.
Congested international links cause random packet drops
When your traffic crosses borders, it goes through international links that have limited bandwidth. During peak times, these links can hit full capacity. To avoid broader failures, the system may perform random packet drops, arbitrarily removing some of the traffic to relieve pressure. This has a major impact on real-time services like gaming.
Microcracks in undersea cables corrupt data
Undersea cables carry a large portion of global internet traffic. When they develop microcracks — due to geological activity or mechanical stress — they can introduce bit-level transmission errors.
The resulting corrupted data frames are dropped by network equipment, leading to packet loss.
Long-distance radio links suffer from weather interference
Networks relying on radio links, common in rural or remote areas, are vulnerable to weather-related disruptions like heavy rain, wind, or lightning.
These conditions degrade signal quality and often corrupt UDP packets used by online games, leading to temporary or even frequent packet loss.
DDoS protections discard excessive traffic
During a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, protection systems kick in to shield the network. These systems often enforce strict limits on the number of connections or data per second. As a result, even legitimate traffic might be flagged as excessive and dropped, affecting game stability.
Misconfigured firewalls block game packets
Firewalls are essential for network security, but poor configurations can cause them to mistake game packets for suspicious or malicious traffic.
This is especially common with games that use nonstandard ports or UDP traffic. The firewall may block or drop these packets, resulting in packet loss.
Overloaded router CPU silently drops packets
Home or business routers with CPUs running at 100% struggle to process network interrupts in real time. This can happen due to outdated firmware, too many concurrent connections, or attacks.
When the CPU can’t keep up, the router may silently drop packets without logging the event, causing mysterious loss of data during gaming.
Fast route changes break session states
Dynamic routing changes — when the provider reroutes traffic through a different path — can break the state of ongoing sessions. If packets are already in transit but the destination state is lost due to the route switch, those packets are discarded. This typically happens during emergency maintenance or link failures.
Incorrect DNS resolution leads to missing responses
If the DNS server resolves a game server’s name to the wrong or outdated IP address, packets will be sent to the wrong destination and receive no response. Since the game client waits for replies that never arrive, these packets count as lost. This can happen due to stale DNS caches or DNS spoofing attacks.
Dirty optical ports cause physical errors
Optical ports in switches and routers transmit data via lasers. If these ports are dirty, dusty, or loosely connected, there’s a loss of signal strength, resulting in physical errors. Packets with failed integrity checks are dropped by the receiving device, causing packet loss even when the rest of the network is functioning normally.
Aggressive traffic shaping discards excess data
Some ISPs apply traffic shaping policies to regulate bandwidth usage. When a user exceeds their data quota or hits a usage cap, the system may begin dropping excess traffic.
Online games, which rely on a steady stream of outgoing and incoming packets, are especially vulnerable when this shaping is too aggressive.
Backup link activation creates instability
If a primary link fails, the network might automatically switch to a backup route. However, this failover process is not instantaneous. During the transition period, routing tables and paths may not be fully stabilized, and many packets sent during this time get lost — leading to noticeable interruptions in your game.
Why Do I Have Packet Loss?
If you’re asking yourself, why do I have packet loss, the answer depends on several factors:
Is Your Hardware Functioning Properly?
One of the most common reasons for packet loss lies in malfunctioning or outdated hardware.
For example, an aging router might struggle to handle the bandwidth demands of modern applications, leading to dropped packets. Similarly, overheating or overworked hardware can cause inconsistent performance, resulting in interruptions to your connection.
Are You Using Wi-Fi or Ethernet?
Wi-Fi connections are much more prone to packet loss compared to Ethernet due to the nature of wireless communication.
Environmental factors, such as walls, floors, or interference from other devices, can weaken the signal and cause data packets to be dropped.
Is Your ISP Responsible?
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) plays a significant role in maintaining a stable connection, and issues on their end can often lead to packet loss.
ISPs may face challenges such as network congestion, outdated infrastructure, or poor routing, all of which can disrupt the transmission of packets. For instance, during peak usage hours, your ISP might throttle speeds or experience server overloads, resulting in dropped packets.
Is Network Congestion Affecting You?
Network congestion can impact your connection both at a local level and on your ISP’s infrastructure.
When too many devices are using the same network, such as in a busy household, the router may struggle to manage the data flow efficiently, leading to packet loss.
Similarly, if your ISP’s network is overloaded, particularly during evenings or weekends, you might experience packet loss as the system prioritizes certain types of traffic over others.
Diagnosing whether the issue lies within your network or with your ISP is crucial for finding a solution.
How to Fix Packet Loss
Fixing packet loss requires identifying the root cause and taking targeted steps to address it. From hardware checks to optimizing network settings, these solutions can help restore a stable and reliable connection for smoother online experiences.
1. Check and Upgrade Your Network Hardware
Faulty or outdated hardware is a common cause of packet loss, but it’s also one of the easiest to fix.
Start by inspecting your router, modem, and Ethernet cables for visible damage or signs of wear. Ensure all connections are secure and that you’re using high-quality cables capable of supporting your internet speed.
If you’re experiencing frequent packet loss, consider replacing aging devices or investing in a router with better processing power and features like dual-band Wi-Fi or Quality of Service (QoS) settings.
Updating the firmware on your router or modem can also resolve packet loss issues, as manufacturers frequently release updates to improve device performance and fix bugs.
If your network relies heavily on Wi-Fi, consider using range extenders or upgrading to a mesh network to improve signal strength and reduce interference.
2. Switch to a Wired Connection
Wireless networks are prone to interference from physical obstacles, competing devices, and signal congestion, which can lead to packet loss.
Switching to a wired Ethernet connection eliminates many of these issues, providing a more stable and reliable data transmission path. If you’re gaming or streaming, using Ethernet ensures that packets are sent and received with minimal interference or delay.
3. Reduce Network Congestion
High network traffic can overwhelm your router or ISP’s infrastructure, resulting in packet loss.
To mitigate this, start by limiting the number of devices connected to your network, especially during bandwidth-intensive activities like gaming.
Routers with QoS settings allow you to prioritize traffic for specific applications or devices, ensuring that critical activities get the bandwidth they need.
4. Update and Optimize Your Network Settings
Incorrect or outdated network settings can contribute to packet loss, but optimizing these settings can enhance your connection.
Start by updating your router’s firmware and ensuring your devices’ network drivers are current. If you’re gaming or using applications sensitive to packet loss, manually setting a DNS server or using a dedicated gaming VPN can improve data routing and reduce dropped packets.
Additionally, enabling features like QoS or limiting the number of simultaneous connections on your router can help prioritize essential traffic. For Wi-Fi users, switching to a less congested channel or using the 5 GHz band can reduce interference and improve performance. Properly configured network settings ensure smoother data flow and reduce the chances of packet loss.
5. Test and Troubleshoot with Network Tools
Using diagnostic tools like ping tests, traceroutes, or network monitoring software can help you identify the root cause of packet loss.
These tools allow you to pinpoint where data packets are being dropped—whether it’s within your local network, at your ISP’s infrastructure, or on the server you’re connecting to.
For instance, if a traceroute shows delays or losses at a specific hop, it might indicate a problem with your ISP or the destination server.
Use NoPing
This is where things get a little more interesting — especially if you’ve already tried the basics and your ping is still awful.
NoPing is a service designed to optimize your route to more than 2000 games. Sometimes, the normal path your internet provider uses isn’t the fastest — NoPing reroutes your data through a better, more direct path.
Here’s how to use NoPing to fix packet loss:
- 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 your game, 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.
Step-by-step to fix packet loss
If you prefer, here’s a step-by-step guide to fixing packet loss:
- Restart Your Router or Modem
Often, a simple restart can resolve temporary network glitches. - Check Your Cables
Ensure all Ethernet cables are properly connected and free from damage. - Switch to a Wired Connection
If you’re using Wi-Fi, consider switching to Ethernet to minimize interference and boost stability. - Update Firmware
Outdated router or device firmware can cause inefficiencies. Make sure all network devices are up to date. - Contact Your ISP
If you’ve tried everything and the problem persists, your ISP might be the culprit. Request a service check or inquire about network congestion in your area.
If you’re wondering how to stop packet loss, these steps should help you take control of your connection.
One easy way to stop packet loss and every other problem you might face in your online gaming sessions is a game booster software. It solves issues like high ping, lag, jitter and ping spikes with just one application. You can try NoPing for free here.
Getting Packet Loss in Games but Not on Test
A common frustration is running a network test and finding no issues, yet experiencing packet loss while gaming. Why does this happen?
- Server-Specific Issues
The game server you’re connecting to may be experiencing high traffic or technical problems. - Routing Problems
The path your data takes to the server could be inefficient, causing delays and packet loss. - Regional Congestion
Some regions face higher levels of congestion at certain times, affecting specific games or servers.
If you’re getting packet loss in games but not on test, consider switching servers, using a VPN to change your route, or contacting the game’s support team for assistance.
Packet Loss in All Games at Night
If you notice frequent packet loss in all games at night, it’s likely due to network congestion during peak hours. ISPs often struggle to handle increased traffic during evenings when most users are online.
To minimize this issue:
- Schedule game sessions during off-peak hours if possible.
- Use a Quality of Service (QoS) feature on your router to prioritize gaming traffic.
- Upgrade to a higher-tier internet plan if congestion is a recurring problem.
Why Am I Getting Packet Loss with Ethernet?
Many people assume that switching to Ethernet solves all connection problems. However, if you’re still experiencing packet loss with Ethernet, consider these potential causes:
- A damaged Ethernet cable can disrupt data transfer.
- Your device’s network card might be malfunctioning.
- The problem could lie with your ISP or the game/server you’re connecting to.
Troubleshooting these issues involves testing different cables, updating drivers, and ensuring your ISP provides a stable connection.
How to Know if My ISP is Getting Packet Loss?
To determine if your ISP is experiencing packet loss, start by observing common symptoms like lag in online gaming, buffering during video streaming, unstable video calls, or slow download speeds despite a strong connection.
Ensure the issue isn’t related to your local network by checking your modem and router for loose connections, outdated firmware, or overheating. You can also test with a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi rule out signal interference.
Next, use diagnostic tools to measure packet loss. Tools like the Ping command or tracert/traceroute can help identify if data packets are being lost along the path to a specific server.
For more detailed analysis, tools like MTR (My Traceroute) or software such as PingPlotter visualize packet loss over time and pinpoint whether the issue lies with your ISP or other parts of the network. If the tests consistently show packet loss occurring at your ISP’s servers, contact them with the results so they can investigate further.
How Packet Loss Impact Online Games?
Even small percentages of lost data can disrupt animations, delay inputs, or make actions feel inconsistent. Below, we break down exactly how packet loss affects different aspects of gameplay and why even a small amount can ruin an otherwise smooth match.
Even 1% packet loss breaks animations
Online games depend on a constant flow of data to render smooth movement and character actions. With just 1% continuous packet loss, animation frames start arriving out of sync or not at all.
Characters may jitter or teleport, projectiles can look erratic, and actions feel unresponsive. This kind of distortion is especially noticeable in fast-paced games like shooters or MOBAs.
At 5%, the game becomes a slideshow
When packet loss reaches 5% or more, the experience deteriorates rapidly. Movements freeze, rubberbanding becomes constant, and it feels like you’re playing in slow motion.
The game struggles to reconstruct missing information, causing choppy gameplay or full freezes, turning what should be a real-time experience into a frustrating slideshow of delayed reactions.
Hits don’t register, heals fail, and items disappear
With moderate to high packet loss, in-game actions become unreliable. You might land a perfect shot, but the server never receives it, so nothing happens.
The same goes for healing spells or using consumables: they may appear to trigger on your screen, but they don’t take effect. Items might vanish after being picked up, or not be registered at all. It creates a disconnect between what you see and what actually happens on the server.
Severe packet loss leads to disconnection
When packet loss becomes too frequent or intense, the game server may flag your connection as unstable.
To maintain performance and fairness for other players, the server can forcefully disconnect clients whose communication is failing. This is especially common in competitive online games with strict anti-lag mechanisms.
Voice chat drops out completely
Voice chat in online games typically uses real-time UDP streams, which don’t retransmit lost data. That means when packet loss hits, your voice can cut out, lag behind, or drop entirely.
Communication becomes nearly impossible, making teamwork or coordination a major challenge, especially in team-based games.
Gameplay collapses under silent data loss
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of packet loss is that it often happens silently. There’s no error message, just a lack of response. This can be caused by full queues on routers, physical signal issues (like cable noise), or misconfigured firewalls and filters that block game packets. To the player, it feels like inputs are ignored or the game is “buggy”, when in reality, the data is simply being lost along the way.
Packet loss can significantly impact your online activities, but understanding its causes and solutions can help you regain control. Whether you’re dealing with packet loss in all games at night, computer constant packet loss, or packet loss in gaming, the steps outlined above can improve your connection.
Remember, if the issue persists after troubleshooting, it’s essential to reach out to your ISP or the game’s support team for further assistance. With the right approach, you can enjoy smoother gaming, streaming, and online communication experiences.
NoPing solves packet loss and every connectivity issue you may encounter in your gaming sessions. Try NoPing for free now!
