For a responsive and lag-free online experience, you’ll want to establish a stable connection from your PC to the server. Speed requirements for online gaming are relatively modest, so you should be safe there provided you have a cable, DSL, or fiber connection with adequate speeds up and down. However, lag issues can still crop up. Here’s how to resolve them.
Play on a different server. If you’re noticing a lot of lag — in other words, delay between your inputs and the game’s reaction to them — try playing on a server with a better connection, indicated by the green signal bars next to the server’s name in the server selection interface. Some server connections are simply more stable than others.
Use a wired connection. Ethernet cables provide a reliable connection at high speeds with minimal latency from your PC to your router. That means less lag within your home network.
Boost your signal strength. If you’d rather use a wireless connection, make sure you have a good signal. Ideally, you should be as close to your wireless router as possible. Adjust your router placement to get an optimal signal. Place your router at the same height as your gaming PC, not on the floor. Don’t enclose it inside a confined space. The fewer walls the signal passes through, the better.
Pro-tip: you can test your signal strength by typing “netsh wlan show interfaces” in Command Prompt (accessed by typing “cmd” in the search bar and press enter) and looking for the “Signal” reading.
Connect using Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6. A substantial upgrade over previous generations, Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6 brings wired and wireless connections closer to parity. Crucially for gaming, Wi-Fi 6 has up to 75 percent less latency than Wi-Fi 5, helping to keep Minecraft lag at a minimum. You can learn more about Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6 here.
Close open apps. Use the “Network” column in Task Manager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC) to keep tabs on your system’s current network usage. While it’s natural to have some apps open while gaming, watch out for apps consuming an excessive swath of bandwidth.
Close background apps. Some apps will download sizable updates when you least expect it. If you notice a sudden spike in lag while playing, pull up the Task Manager to see if you can identify a culprit. It would be listed in the “Processes” tab under “Background Processes.” Once the intrusive app is identified, revoke its background permissions following the steps provided in the “Optimize your PC” section of this guide.
Reduce network traffic. When networks become congested, it causes packet loss, which results in lag. Instead of fussing with your roommates over who gets to use the internet, use a quality of service (QoS) tool to prioritize gaming traffic over other types of traffic. Many routers have this functionality built in. Another option is upgrading to a Gigabit connection, which provides high bandwidth to improve latency on busy networks. If you want to learn more about how to fix packet loss, check out our guide.
Update your router’s firmware. This not only helps protect your network from outside attacks, but can also clear up connectivity issues like untimely lag spikes. Router updates must be performed manually from within the router’s app or configuration interface. See the manufacturer’s instructions.
Build the optimal network for gaming. Learn everything you need to know about gaming on a wired or wireless network here.