If you’re a gamer, you know how annoying high ping can be—it makes everything lag and ruins the fun. The good news is, that you can fix it, and one way is by using a VPN. I’m gonna tell you all about how to use a VPN to get your ping down.
What is Ping?
Before diving into solutions, let’s understand what ping is. Ping, measured in milliseconds, represents the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the gaming server and back. A lower ping results in less lag and a smoother gaming experience, while a higher ping can cause noticeable delays.
How to Lower Your Ping Without Moving Closer to the Server?
Relocating closer to the gaming server isn’t always feasible. One effective alternative is using a VPN to reduce your ping.
How Can a VPN Help with Ping?
You might wonder how a VPN, which adds an extra step to your internet traffic, can reduce ping. While it’s true that VPNs can sometimes increase ping, they can also optimize your connection route. By rerouting your traffic through a more efficient path, a VPN can lower your ping in certain situations.
How Choosing a Different VPN Server Can Lower the Ping?
In games where you can select the server, like Quake Champions, Apex Legends, or Valorant, choosing an optimal VPN server can significantly reduce your ping. Aim to achieve a ping of at least 50 milliseconds for the best experience. While a VPN might not help with servers close to you, it can greatly reduce ping for distant servers.
How Does a VPN Reduce Ping in Games?
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a VPN to reduce ping in games:
- Get a VPN: If you don’t have one, NordVPN is a good option.
- Identify Your Game Server: For example, in Valorant, you can find this information in the Play menu by hovering over the connection icon.
- Connect to a VPN Server: Close the game, then open your VPN app and connect to a server close to the game server’s location. This can optimize your route and lower your ping.
- Reopen the Game: Once the game is reopened, check your ping. You should see a noticeable improvement.
This method works well for Valorant, but may not be as effective for other games like Fortnite. Experiment with different servers to find the best results for each game.
What are the Benefits of Using a VPN for Gaming?
Using a VPN for gaming offers several benefits beyond reducing ping. It can help you access games that are unavailable in your country, protect you from DDoS attacks, and prevent ISP throttling.
What are the Best VPNs for Gaming?
Some of the best VPNs for gaming include NordVPN, Surfshark, and IPVanish. These VPNs offer numerous advantages for gamers.
Benefits of Using a VPN While Gaming
Why These VPNs are the Best for Games?
Extensive Server Networks
These VPNs have vast server networks spread across dozens of countries, reducing the likelihood of server overcrowding and providing more options for connection.
High Speeds
They utilize last-gen tunneling protocols and maintain numerous servers, contributing to high-speed connections. NordVPN is known for its speed, but Surfshark and IPVanish also offer impressive performance.
User-Friendly Interfaces
Each VPN features a straightforward UI. Often, the Quick Connect function is sufficient to find an optimal server quickly and easily.
Conclusion
Now you know that a VPN can indeed lower your ping and how to use it effectively. Plus, you have insights into the best VPNs for gaming. Thanks for reading, and feel free to ask any questions you might have. I’ll be happy to help!
