It is fun to play online games over the weekend; however, the quality of your internet connection determines your gaming experience. If you start encountering lag or unexpected slowdowns, then it can be very frustrating to pause your game until a professional technician fixes your internet connection. While it can be fixed using various tips and techniques, we recommend you switch to Windstream to avoid the risk of losing your game. The more stable your internet connection is, the better your chances of winning the game. In this article, we will introduce some of the most effective ways to prevent internet slowdowns for a smooth gaming experience.
How Your Internet Connection Can Influence Your Gaming Experience
Whether you are a professional gamer or just a beginner, stepping into the gaming world means you need an internet connection that does not disrupt your gaming experience. Hence, make sure that your internet connection gives little to no latency along with fast upload and download speeds. This way, you can play as much as you want even during peak usage hours when multiple users are using the same network to perform bandwidth-intensive tasks. Apart from that, you must ensure that your internet provider gives little latency with a low ping rate for faster movements in competitive multiplayer games. If you are confused about choosing the right internet connection that fits your gaming requirements, then Windstream Internet offers exactly what you are looking for!
5 Ways to Reduce Internet Slowdowns for Online Gaming
We have shortlisted 5 different ways for you to minimize the risk of internet slowdowns so that you could play your favorite games without any disruptions:
Restart Your Router
The first step to fixing almost any internet connectivity issues is to reboot your router. Start by switching off the power button on your router. Then, unplug your router from the power supply and wait for 1-2 minutes. Then, plug it back into the power outlet and press the button power on. This way, you will notice a significant difference in the performance of your connection.
Relocate Your Router
If you are experiencing internet slowdowns due to poor signal strength, then it’s time to find another location for your router. Make sure that you choose an area that is equidistant from every corner of your house. This will allow your router to transmit signals that will cover higher distances within your house. For example, your living room could be a great area for placing your router as it is situated in a central location that connects with all rooms on the same floor of your house.
With stronger signals, your games will remain uninterrupted, as your router will deliver consistent speeds and a signal strength that enables faster responses from your server.
Switch to Another Wi-Fi Frequency Band
Nowadays, most Wi-Fi routers offer two different frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This means that your Wi-Fi signals are divided into channels to deliver an internet connection to your devices. So, if you notice that some of your home appliances, such as security cameras or even microwave ovens operate on 2.4 GHz frequency, then you should consider switching your router to the 5 GHz band. This way, your router’s frequency band will not become congested over time. In addition, your device will get much higher speeds and stronger signals, which will help you play online games without any hassle.
On the other hand, you can change your router’s settings to 2.4 GHz if you want it to cover a larger area within your house. Besides, the 2.4 GHz band allows signals to pass through physical obstructions, such as walls, furniture, and even staircases, which makes it ideal for medium to large houses. Whereas, the 5 GHz band is less susceptible to interferences that may disrupt your internet connection.
Close Unnecessary Tabs and Windows on Your Device
Many people don’t realize that leaving a few tabs or windows open on your device can take up a lot of bandwidth. Since these apps or files may be running in the background, they can influence the latency and ping rates you get. As a result, these two factors can disrupt your gaming experience.
To prevent slowdowns, it is always better to close any web pages or apps that are still running in the background. See if any of your apps are taking up your bandwidth for automatic updates or notifications. You can simply go to your device’s settings and disable such apps from running in the background.
Switch to a Fiber Internet Connection
Among various internet connection types available in the US, fiber internet promises to deliver symmetrical speeds. Therefore, it offers upload speeds that are equivalent to its download speeds. This allows you to play online games without stressing about delayed responses or other connectivity issues.
Wrapping Up
A stable internet connection that does not disrupt is essential for online gaming. However, if you can’t find a fiber internet connection in your area, then follow our tips listed above to avoid the risk of internet slowdowns while playing games over the internet.
