If you are a gamer, you know that there’s nothing more frustrating than experiencing a lag or delay while playing your favorite game. Packet loss is one of the most common issues that competitive gamers face while playing games, and it can seriously affect your gaming experience. 

In this article, we will explore packet loss in gaming in detail, including what it is, why it’s important, how it affects gaming performance, and more.

Quick Guide: Fix Packet Loss in Gaming

Here are quick solutions to fix packet loss while gaming:

1. Use a VPN
2. Restart a router
3. Update network drivers
4. Switch to an Ethernet connection
5. Disable firewalls
6. Adjust network settings such as MTU size, QoS, and TCP/IP
7. Check for malware
8. Update outdated hardware
9. Contact ISP to investigate the issue

What is a Packet?

Before we dive into packet loss, it’s important to understand what a packet is. 

In networking, a packet is a unit of data that is transmitted from one device to another over a network. A packet contains information such as the source and destination IP addresses, the sequence number, and the payload, which is the actual data being transmitted.

What is Packet Loss?

Packet loss occurs when one or more packets of data traveling across a network fail to reach their destination. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, including network congestion, hardware failure, wireless interference, and a faulty Ethernet cable.

How Does Packet Loss Affect Gaming Performance?

In gaming, packet loss can have a significant impact on the player’s experience. When a packet is lost, it means that the game data contained within that packet is lost too. 

This can result in stuttering, lag, and delays, which can make the game unplayable. Imagine trying to play an online shooter game, Valorant or PUBG, where your shots aren’t registering or your character is teleporting all over the map due to packet loss. It’s a frustrating experience that can ruin the game for you and your teammates.

What Are the Causes of Packet Loss?

Network Congestion

One of the primary causes of packet loss is network congestion. This happens when there is too much traffic on the network, causing the network to delay or drop packets. Network congestion can occur when too many devices are connected to the same network, or when there is a high demand for bandwidth, such as during peak usage hours.

Hardware Failure

Hardware failure can also lead to packet loss. This can happen when a network device, such as a router or switch, malfunctions or fails. In some cases, a hardware failure can cause packets to get lost or delayed.

Wireless Interference

Wireless interference is another common cause of packet loss. This occurs when there are other wireless signals in the area that interfere with the wireless connection between your device and the router. This can cause packets to get lost or delayed, resulting in a poor gaming experience.

Faulty Ethernet Cables

A faulty Ethernet cable can also cause packet loss and poor connections. If there is a problem with the cable, such as a cut or break, packets may not be transmitted properly, leading to packet loss.

Software Bugs

Sometimes, the cause of discarded packets might be as sneaky as a software bug. If you’re not very tech-savvy, you might not detect this issue, meaning that it can go under the radar for a longer period. In most cases, you can resolve this problem by rebooting your hardware or updating your software and drivers.

Security Threats and Security Breaches

Lastly, you might experience high packet loss if you become a target of a cyberattack. This is often the case when there’s a massive drop in data transmission efficiency.

For instance, denial-of-service attacks (DDoS) are a prevalent form of such threats. When hackers attack using this method, legitimate users have to refrain from accessing the remote servers.

How to Test for Packet Loss

If you suspect that you are experiencing packet loss while gaming, there are several ways to test for it.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to test for packet loss:

1. Determine the IP address of the destination server that you want to test for packet loss. This could be a website, game server, or any other network device.
2. Open a command prompt or terminal window on your computer.
3. Type “ping [IP address]” into the command prompt or terminal window, replacing [IP address] with the IP address of the destination device.

4. Press Enter to start the ping test. The ping command will send a series of data packets to the destination device and measure the time it takes for the device to respond.
5. Look for any packets lost in the results. The ping test will display a summary of the results after it has finished. If any packets were lost during the test, the summary will show a percentage of packet loss.
6. Analyze the results to determine if there is a problem with packet loss. If the percentage of packet loss is high (usually above 5%), it may indicate a problem with network connectivity.
7. Repeat the test several times to ensure accuracy.

It’s recommended to perform the test at different times of the day to get a more accurate picture of the network performance.

Using Online Tools

One of the easiest ways to test for packet loss is to use an online tool. There are many free tools available online that allow you to test your network performance, including packet loss issues. Simply search for “packet loss test” online, and you should find several options to choose from.

Running Diagnostic Commands

You can also test for packet loss by running diagnostic commands on your device. For example, you can use the “ping” command on Windows or the “traceroute” command on Mac to test your network connection and look for packet loss.

Monitoring Network Performance

Finally, you can monitor your network performance using specialized software. This software can help you identify the cause of packet loss and take steps to fix it. There are many options available online, including free and paid software with free trials.

How to Fix Packet Loss?

Use a VPN

Using a VPN can be a quick, easy, and efficient solution to fix packet loss in gaming. A VPN encrypts your data packets, which can prevent packet loss due to interference or throttling by your ISP (Internet Service Provider). 

It can also help to reduce high latency and prevent congestion on your network, which can cause high ping. A VPN sometimes streamlines your internet connection taking a more direct route to a server thus improving packet loss rate. 

However, it’s important to note that using a VPN may sometimes introduce additional latency, so it’s important to choose a low-ping VPN that offers low-latency connections.

Restarting the router

One of the quickest and easiest solutions to try is simply restarting the router. This can help to clear any temporary issues that might be causing packet loss. Turn off your router, wait for a few minutes, and then turn it back on. You may need to wait a few minutes for the router to fully reboot before checking your internet connection again.

Checking cables and connections

Loose cables and damaged connections can cause packet loss. Check all the cables that connect your router to your computer, modem, or other network devices. If any of the cables are loose or damaged, replace them immediately. You should also make sure that all the connections are secure and properly plugged in.

Updating network drivers

Outdated network drivers can also cause packet loss. Check the website of your network adapter’s manufacturer for the latest driver updates. Download and install any available updates to ensure that your network adapter is working properly.

Configure Router Settings

Changing the router channel

Sometimes packet loss can be caused by interference from other devices in your area that are using the same Wi-Fi channel as your router. Changing your router’s channel can help to alleviate this issue. Access your router’s settings and look for the Wi-Fi channel setting. Try changing it to a less crowded channel and see if this helps to reduce packet loss.

Enabling Quality of Service (QoS)

Quality of Service (QoS) is a feature that prioritizes internet traffic, giving priority to important traffic like gaming data. Enabling QoS on your router can help to reduce packet loss by ensuring that gaming traffic gets prioritized over other traffic on your network. Look for the QoS setting in your router’s settings and enable it.

Adjusting router transmission power

Another setting that can affect packet loss is your router’s transmission power. If your router is set to transmit at too high or too low of a power level, it can cause interference or weak signals.

 Adjusting the transmission power can help to improve your router’s signal strength and reduce packet loss. Look for the transmission power setting in your router’s settings and adjust it as needed.

Update Hardware

Switch to a wired connection

If you’re still experiencing packet loss, it might be worth considering switching to a wired connection. Ethernet cables provide a more reliable and stable internet connection than Wi-Fi and can help to reduce packet loss. If your gaming device is located far from your router, you may need to run a longer cable or invest in a network switch to ensure that all your devices are connected via Ethernet.

Upgrading to a newer router

If you’re still experiencing packet loss even after trying the above solutions, it might be time to consider upgrading your router. Newer routers are better equipped to handle modern internet traffic and can support current speeds to provide faster, more reliable connections. Look for a router that supports the latest Wi-Fi standards and has features like QoS and traffic prioritization.

Adding a network switch

If you have multiple devices on your network, adding a network switch can help to reduce packet loss by ensuring that each device gets enough bandwidth. A network switch is a device that allows you to connect multiple devices to a single router. This can help to alleviate congestion on your network and reduce packet loss.

Final Thoughts

Packet loss is a common issue that can significantly impact gaming performance. By understanding what packet loss is, what causes it, and how to test for it, players can take steps to identify and resolve the issue quickly.
Using a VPN for gaming could be the easiest solution. We think that NordVPN is the best gaming VPN that should solve most network-related problems while gaming.

Other solutions might include restarting a router or more complex troubleshooting methods, fixing packet loss is an important part of ensuring a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.

Fix Packet Loss FAQs

What is packet loss in gaming?

Packet loss in online games refers to the loss of small units called packets that are sent between a player’s device like Play Station and the game server. This can result in lag, stuttering, or even disconnections, which can negatively impact the player’s experience.

Can a VPN fix packet loss?

A VPN can fix packet loss by optimizing the network route, bypassing ISP throttling and protecting from DDoS attacks.

How much packet loss is normal when gaming?

Packet loss under 1% is considered good. When playing online games, network packet loss of up to 2.5% is still acceptable. However, anything over this can noticeably worsen your online gaming experience.

How to monitor packet loss?

To reliably look for data transmission errors, you must use a comprehensive network monitoring solution that ensures seamless network monitoring. Regularly look for network signals and improve network aspects to ensure you have a stable connection and that your devices have enough capacity to handle the network traffic.

IS UDP or TCP better for reducing packet loss in gaming?

Both UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) have their pros and cons in this regard. Namely, UDP is faster and more efficient. But, unlike TCP, it doesn’t have the ability to retransmit lost packets.

You can also pick the right gaming VPN protocol that might increase your speeds.

Do wireless networks experience more packet loss than wired ones?

Yes, WiFi packet loss is much more common than that on networks that use wired networks. The vast majority of wireless connections are more vulnerable, as issues like weaker signals, radio frequency interference, and physical barriers can lead to dropped packets and high ping.

Is packet loss in gaming always fixable?

Yes, you can always fix packet loss issues or at least minimize packet loss enough to improve your online gaming sessions. This is because you have many tools at your disposal. So, the most important thing is to determine the cause of the problem, as that will let you know what you need to do to fix it.

Can I fix packet loss in Valorant and other online multiplayer games?

Yes, you can fix packet loss in Valorant and any other online multiplayer game by using a VPN. If the VPN doesn’t fix your issue, you might be dealing with faulty hardware issues.