Online games are becoming more and more popular as time goes by. Unfortunately, lags are one of the major problems that gamers may experience. Though there is no guaranteed way to stop lags, there are certain tips that can be followed to reduce them. These include reducing the number of programs running in the background, closing any unnecessary browser tabs, reducing the graphics settings, and keeping the game up to date. By following these tips, gamers can reduce the occurrence of lags and enjoy their gaming experience.
Lags: Fast fixes for game, app and stream lag
Annoyed by lag? Whether your game stutters, a video buffers, or an app freezes, lag usually comes from two places: the network (slow or unstable internet) or the device (CPU, GPU, storage, or overheating). Start by figuring out which one is causing trouble—this directs the right fix.
Quick diagnosis first: run a speed test and check ping for online games. If ping is high or speeds drop a lot, you’re likely looking at network lag. If your frame rate drops, audio stutters, or apps hang even offline, the device is the suspect. Try a simple restart of the app and device before anything else—this often clears temporary glitches.
Common network fixes are simple and effective: switch to a wired Ethernet connection if possible, or move closer to your router and use the 5GHz Wi‑Fi band. Pause heavy downloads, cloud backups, or streaming on other devices while you play. Reboot your router, check for firmware updates, and consider changing DNS to a faster provider. For competitive play, use a server region with the lowest ping.
Quick fixes you can try now
Lower in-game graphics settings—shadows, anti‑aliasing, and effects hit frame rates hard. Turn off V‑Sync if it causes stutter, or lock FPS to a stable value instead of chasing max frames. On PC, update graphics drivers and enable a game or performance mode. Clear temporary files and free up at least 10–20% of storage so the OS can swap without slowing down.
On phones, close background apps, turn off background app refresh, and reduce animations (iPhone: Reduce Motion). Install app updates and the latest OS. For consoles like PS5 and Switch, keep system software updated, and move large games to an SSD if the internal drive is slow. For Nintendo Switch, use a wired LAN adapter for docked play when possible.
For streaming: match your encoder bitrate to your upload speed (leave 20–30% headroom). Use hardware encoding (NVENC/AMF/Quick Sync) if available. Lower output resolution or frame rate if viewers buffer. If you use OBS or similar software, set a sensible keyframe interval (usually 2s) and pick a CDN or region close to your location.
When to upgrade or get help
If lag keeps coming back after the steps above, consider hardware or network upgrades. Add more RAM, move games to an NVMe SSD, or upgrade the GPU if you need higher stable FPS. Swap an old Wi‑Fi router for one with better range or mesh coverage, or upgrade your ISP plan if upload speed is the bottleneck for streaming.
Check for overheating: clean dust, ensure airflow, and replace thermal paste if a laptop or old PC is throttling. If you suspect ISP problems, run tests at different times and contact support with your results. Finally, test after each change—one small tweak at a time helps you see what actually fixed the lag.
Try these steps and note which one stops the lag. Small fixes often work fast, and you’ll spend less time troubleshooting and more time enjoying games, apps, or streams.