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Troubleshoot lag (latency) problems in online games, VoIP & browsers?

2012.10.05 06:45
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Lag or high latency are major frustrations for every online gamer, web surfer or VoIP user! Lag or high latency happens when online games start to stop, freeze, disconnect, high buffering rates, websites taking too long to open, flash games stopping or voice and video calls are of a very bad quality. Each of us knows at least one of the forms of lag or high latency that can cause issues. There are tons and tons of possible causes for lag or high latency issues, and it is very hard to spot the actual problem that causes the lag or high latency!

This article will provide all our readers lists to troubleshoot how to fix lag and reduce high latency!

Fix lag and high latency issues in online games, by uploading/downloading, streaming videos, web services, web browsers and Voip!

	Fix lag and high latency caused by game, web and application servers
	Fix lag and high latency caused by your ISP
	Lag and high latency caused by your computer

Troubleshooting reasons that could cause the slow performance, lag or high latency of surfing, downloading, videos, online games and VoIP:

	1. The web browser's security settings are too high. (!) Balance between security and usability.
	2. Too many plug-ins, apps, add-ons and toolbars are installed.
	3. Firewalls, antivirus scanners and other security applications are slowing the communication with online games, web services, VoIP or web browsers.
	4. An irregularly updated web browser can cause issues!
	5. Winsock, IP and DNS issues can be responsible if your web browser doesn't open specific pages or open them too slowly!
	6. Misconfiguration or wrong internet connection settings are slowing down online games, downloading, uploading, web services and VoIP.
	7. Corrupted or wrongly configured system settings.
	8. Wrong or missing system processes.
	9. Generally slow performing computer because insufficient hardware setup and/or a slowly performing operating system.
	10. Wrong or missing registry settings.
	11. Virus, spyware, Trojan, root-kits or other malware infections harming your internet connection and system performance.
	12. CPU is overloaded (100%) because of driver issues, hardware issues or infections.
	13. Third party applications interfering with the TCP/IP protocol and using system resources.
	14. System memory is generally to low even if the amount of hardware RAM is sufficient.
	15. Wirelesses internet connection signals are too weak and cause lag spikes.
	16. LAN or Wireless card / adapter settings are wrong, configured wrongly or corrupted.
	17. Read for more info about slow internet connection issues: https://www.badosoft.com/blog/fix_slow_internet_repair_no_internet.php
	18. Your ISP oversold the bandwidth he provides in your area and your internet connection speed went down.
	19. Your ISP has bandwidth problems in rush hours.
	20. Low signals or weak lines provided from the ISP (mostly in country areas) cause your internet connection to be laggy.
	21. Restrictions in the router/modem harming your internet connection speed.
	22. Temporary maintenance or internet gateway issues.

Suggestions to fix lag and reduce high latency::

	1. Download Latency Optimizer that will help you fix lag and speed up your internet connection and computer.
	2. Install a proper anti-virus scanner.
	3. Maintain your computer and system on a weekly basis.
	4. Download Connectivity Fixer from our website in the case Winsock or IP is corrupted. Buy Connectivity Fixer PRO to assist you with limited or no connectivity and many other internet connection and Internet Explorer issues.
	5. Troubleshoot your internet connection speed. Test the upload and download speed, test the ping, test the latency and send a full report to your ISP if you notice something isn't right. This is a good base to getting attention as you are dealing with facts. (You can use Latency Optimizer and Speedtest4free to save and compare speed test and ping test results. Latency Optimizer will also allow you to do a latency test).
	6. Send a support ticket and explain the issue to your ISP if the issue is caused on his end.
	7. Look periodically for announcements on the ISP's website (maintenance, technical issues).
	8. Ask your ISP if he can advise you on some router/modem tweaks or to port-forward your connection. Port-forwarding has a slightly higher chance of solving lag issues and speeding up web services, VoIP and online games. At least check if filters block your games, applications or web browser.
	9. Change your ISP if the issues are clearly caused on his end and no steps are taken to improve your internet connection.
	10. Update all drivers and firmware regularly.
	11. Change malfunctioning hardware parts.
	12. Study the manual of your firewall and anti-virus scanner on best uses while surfing the Internet, playing online games, making VoIP calls or using online services.
	13. Update your flash player.
	14. Enable JavaScript, if not already enabled! (Many web services require JavaScript. Note that enabling JavaScript can make your browser vulnerable to attacks)

Troubleshooting how to fix hardware problems that cause lag and high latency:

	1. RAM In order to find out if your RAM sticks are corrupted you can test them with www.memtest86.com.
	2. Processor If your CPU usage is high, one of the main hardware issues (there are tons of software issues) is dust on the CPU ventilator!
	3. Graphic Card Troubleshoot graphics card issues are not that easy and can be very time intensive! The fastest way to troubleshoot a possible issue is to use the integrated graphics card test (included in most of leading graphics card software packages) or to temporarily plug another graphics card in the motherboard slot. Note that you should disable your onboard graphics card if you use a slot card.
	4. Audio Card Issues with audio cards are in most cases not connected with sound issues. Well of course if you don't hear anything in the game it's obviously that your audio card has issues. But there are many situations where a malfunctioning audio card causes problems but you still hear the sound. The best way to troubleshoot this is to plug in another audio card for a test!
	5. Mouse The well-known slow, stopping, lagging mouse cursor when you start a game or while playing is most of the cases not caused by your mouse. It's caused rather by your CPU or graphics card! Mouse incompatibility is in this time almost gone. And if your mouse doesn't work, just plug in new one.
	6. Router/Modem A malfunctioning router or modem will cause a big headache! Sometimes it's an improperly plugged in wire, not enough electricity, unstable electricity, wrong position of a wireless router and tons of other reasons. We wrote a very good article on our blog, helping you to fix slow internet connections. There you will find a section how to troubleshoot routers and modems!