One thing that every online gamer hates is lag. Whether you are trying to score a last-minute goal in FIFA against your friend or score that perfect headshot, even a bit of lag can get in your way and disrupt everything. One of the ways to improve your online gaming performance is by optimizing your router for gaming.
You don’t need a specific gaming router to get better performance while gaming, you just need to optimize your current WiFi router and tweak a few router settings. Most of this can be done through the router admin panel page i.e. 192.168.1.1 and here are some ways by which you can optimize your wireless router for online gaming.
Use a Wired Connection Whenever Possible
Although this is not much of an optimization, you should use an Ethernet cable instead of a WiFi connection, whenever possible. A wired connection, especially the Gigabit Ethernet always outperforms WiFI connections and provides lower latency and higher speeds, which translates into better online performance. So the next time you are playing gaming on your gaming PC or console, prefer an Ethernet connection instead of a wireless one.
Rearrange Your Setup
Router placement is also crucial in getting better online gaming performance. If you live in a large house, you need to change the router placement and place the router as close to your gaming setup as possible. A device that is far away from the router has a greater chance of experiencing low internet speeds and increased latency. Therefore, make sure to place the router close to your setup, or move close to the router.
If you cannot physically move the router close, you can invest in powerline adapters. These can function like a LAN and overcome any distance-induced latency that you may be experiencing. Purchasing a range extender or WiFi Booster is another great option.
Enable UPnP
Universal Plug and Play is a feature that can improve your online gaming performance significantly. It is a feature that automatically handles port forwarding and can streamline online gaming performance, as you don’t need to do any port forwarding yourself. The only problem is that it comes with security risks and there could be unwanted traffic on the network. If you are fine with that, UPnP is a great way to improve your internet’s performance.
Enable QoS
Most wireless routers nowadays come with the Quality of Services or QoS feature and enabling it will improve performance. You can access the QoS feature through 192.168.0.1 or any other default gateway address and from there, you can prioritize online gaming traffic over other forms of traffic. So the next time you are gaming, it will slow down other forms of traffic on the network so that you can have a smooth gaming experience.
Use the MU-MIMO Feature
Just like QoS, MU-MIMO is another advanced feature that you can find on most wireless routers nowadays. MU-MIMO stands for “Multi-user, multiple input, multiple output” and it is a feature that allows your router to service each one of the connected users on the network individually. After you enable the MU-MIMO feature on your router, your router creates multiple smaller networks to cater to all the connected devices at the same time. It is a great feature that allows efficient usage of bandwidth and improves speeds for all the connected devices on the network.
FAQ: Optimizing Your WiFi Router for Online Gaming
Q: Do I need a specific gaming router for better online gaming? A: No, you don’t necessarily need a specific gaming router. Optimizing your current WiFi router’s settings can significantly improve your online gaming performance.
Q: What is the best connection type for online gaming? A: A wired connection, preferably Gigabit Ethernet, is recommended for online gaming. It offers lower latency and higher speeds compared to a WiFi connection, enhancing gaming performance.
Q: How does router placement affect my gaming experience? A: Router placement is crucial for better performance. Ideally, the router should be close to your gaming setup to minimize latency and increase internet speed. For large houses, consider using powerline adapters or a WiFi booster.
Q: What is UPnP and how does it help in online gaming? A: Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a feature that handles port forwarding automatically, streamlining online gaming. However, it may introduce security risks due to potential unwanted network traffic.
Q: How can I prioritize gaming traffic on my network? A: You can enable Quality of Services (QoS) on your router. This feature allows you to prioritize gaming traffic over other types of traffic, ensuring smoother gaming experiences.
Q: What is MU-MIMO and how does it improve gaming? A: MU-MIMO stands for “Multi-user, multiple input, multiple output.” It allows the router to service each connected user individually, creating multiple smaller networks for efficient bandwidth usage, which can improve overall speeds for gaming.
Q: Can router settings be adjusted from any computer? A: Yes, router settings can typically be adjusted from any computer connected to the network, usually through the router admin panel (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
Q: Is it necessary to be tech-savvy to optimize my router? A: Basic technical knowledge is helpful, but most optimizations involve straightforward adjustments that can be made by following the router’s manual or online guides.
Q: Does optimizing my router guarantee elimination of all lag? A: While optimizing your router can significantly reduce lag, it doesn’t guarantee complete elimination, as lag can be influenced by external factors like ISP issues or server performance.
Q: Are there any risks associated with optimizing my router for gaming? A: The main risk involves security, particularly when enabling features like UPnP. It’s important to understand and weigh these risks against the benefits for your gaming experience.
