If there’s anything gamers cannot stand, then it’s slow internet speeds. Whether you’re a casual or competitive gamer, sluggish internet speeds kill all the fun of online games.
Most gamers I’ve met believe that the internet plan they’re subscribed to is the primary reason for inconsistent speeds. However, slow internet speeds are caused by different factors, and they do not solely depend on the internet plan you’re subscribed to.
Below, I will share five factors that significantly affect internet speeds in gaming. Plus, I will also explain a workaround so you can achieve the best possible internet speeds and enjoy gaming sessions with your friends.
So, let’s get started:
The internet speeds you get in gaming heavily rely on the type of internet connection. Below, I will discuss different internet connection types and explain how they can affect your gaming experience:
It is the fastest internet connection type, and exclusively offers symmetrical speeds, i.e., similar upload and download speeds. It uses fiber-optics, thin strands of glass, to deliver internet signals in the form of light.
That said, fiber internet has only 43% nationwide availability[LS1] . However, if you do find an internet provider offering a fiber connection in your area, opt for it because it will elevate your gaming experience, for sure.
This internet connection type can offer reliable internet speeds to support your intense gaming sessions with friends. Cable Internet uses coaxial wires, the same technology used to deliver TV, and therefore, has 82% nationwide availability[LS2] .
However, nearby cable internet users share bandwidth. As a result, cable Internet Service Providers (ISPs) might throttle internet speeds during peak hours to manage the bandwidth demands, which can potentially affect your gaming.
It uses cellular towers to deliver the internet signals. 5G home internet is a good choice for casual online gaming. However, there are a few factors you need to watch out for.
5G home internet requires optimal conditions to provide seamless connectivity. Since internet signals travel through the air, the distance from the cellular tower to the user’s home can impact their strength. Plus, tall buildings, trees, or other obstacles can also decrease their strength and lower internet speeds.
The position of your router matters a lot, especially if you are using a cable or fiber connection. A router is an important piece of equipment because it’s responsible for delivering the internet signals to the connected devices.
Your router’s performance can be compromised if you have placed it near a thick wall or electronic devices, like a refrigerator or microwave. It’s because internet signals emitted from the router travel in radio waves. And, their movement can easily be interrupted by the surroundings.
Internet signals might not be strong enough to penetrate thick walls. Plus, electronic devices also emit radio waves, which can interfere with internet signals. In both cases, internet signals can lose their strength and ultimately affect your connection’s speed.
Bear in mind that every internet connection, irrespective of how fast it is, has limited bandwidth. Most internet users rarely consider their network’s bandwidth capacity and keep connecting new devices to it. As a result, the bandwidth of their connection shrinks to a point where there is not enough left to support the new devices.
The internet speeds on the previously connected devices are also affected by this bandwidth shortage. So, the best way to have sufficient bandwidth is to disconnect the unused devices. Additionally, close the background applications as they can also drain your network’s bandwidth.
Most routers might not have digital displays, but they are also electronic devices. And like the rest of gadgets, routers also receive frequent software and firmware updates.
In most cases, such updates install additional features, enhance network security, or fix the existing loopholes from the previous updates. In short, router updates are extremely crucial in ensuring top connectivity to complement your online gaming sessions.
Other than this, your router is likely outdated if it does not receive updates anymore. In such a case, it’s best to buy a new router, preferably one with a Quality of Service (QoS) feature. With QoS, you can allocate network bandwidth to a specific activity, including online gaming.
These two factors often go unnoticed, but they are significantly important in determining your internet speeds. Our WiFi connections communicate with electronic devices via different channels.
Here, keep in mind that nearby WiFi connections with the same channels might interfere with your network. This can lead to more interference and ultimately affect your internet speeds.
Additionally, WiFi bands, notably 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, also play a significant role in defining your internet speeds. 5 GHz bands often provide faster internet speeds. However, such frequency bands cover shorter distances. According to Local Cable Deals 2.4 GHz bands have more range but are often slower than the 5 GHz frequency bands.
So, these are the five major factors that impact your internet speeds in online gaming. But before winding up, here’s one more thing you need to watch out for.
It’s critically important to ensure that your internet connection is secured from online threats. Malware and viruses can affect your network’s performance and consequently lower the internet speeds. So, keep your router up-to-date and protect it with a strong password to ensure top security for your network.
