Lag can be a frustrating issue that gets in the way. Whether it’s trying to meet a tight deadline or playing a video game with friends, lag slows down your device.

For the majority of businesses that rely on digital platforms, lag can slow down productivity and create unhappy customers.

But what is lag? Lag is the delay between an action performed and the corresponding response on a digital device. For example, when you click a button with your mouse but it takes ages for your device to perform that action.

Activities where real-time interaction is needed are often the most frustrating when lag occurs. For example, gaming or working online.

• Lag can be frustrating, especially when working or gaming

• Lag means the time between trying to perform an action and the action being performed is long

• There are several ways to reduce lag, including:

  • Ensuring your device, software, and router are all kept up to date

  • Reducing the number of devices and apps using your Wi-Fi network

  • Upgrading your internet to ensure you have the fastest speeds and best bandwidth

  • Using a wired connection like an ethernet cable if needed

Top tips for reducing lag

Before we understand how to reduce lag, we need to understand what might be causing it. The most common causes are internet connection problems, old or slow devices, and network congestion (when too many devices are trying to connect using the same channel).

If you’re wondering how to stop lag, follow the steps below:

• Upgrade internet speed: The faster your internet is, and the higher your bandwidth, the more smoothly the data will be transferred.

• Optimise router placement: For improved lag, place your router somewhere central and make sure there are no obstructions between the router and your devices. More tips on where to place your router.

• Use wired connections where possible: Wired connections, for example ethernet cables, often offer more stable connectivity than Wi-Fi.

• Limit background apps and devices: Close any apps you aren’t using and disconnect any unused devices from the internet.

What causes lag?

In order to work out how to reduce lag, we need to make sure we understand the causes. Some of the common causes of lag are:

• Internet speed and bandwidth limitations: Slow internet speeds can delay data transmission. Low bandwidth can also cause lag. Find out more about internet speed and how to increase it.

• Network congestion from lots of connected devices: Too many devices on the same network can cause congestion.

• Older devices or outdated software: Older devices or software may lack resources to process data efficiently. This includes your computer, tablet, game console, phone, but also your router.

• Distance from the router: If your devices are too far from the router, you may experience weaker signal, which increases lag.

Common signs you’re experiencing lag

How do you know if your problem is buffering, lag, or something else? Here are the key signs that what you’re experiencing is lag:

• Slow load times for different apps or programmes

• Delayed response in games, such as stuttering or frame drops. For faster gaming, browse Hyperoptic’s gaming broadband deals

• Webpages take a long time to load

• Downloading takes longer than it should

• Your videos keep buffering during streaming

How to stop lag?

There are a few different ways you can stop lag:

Check your Wi-Fi connection & speed

Begin by testing your Wi-Fi speed. Use Hyperoptic’s Wi-Fi speed tester here. This will tell you whether you might need a faster broadband package, or if there’s a problem with your connection. Find out more information on why your internet is slow.

Consider going wireless with an ethernet cable

Ethernet connections offer faster speeds than Wi-Fi, and are often more stable as well. Ethernet provides a direct physical connection between your device and the network, which reduces the amount of interference and data loss. The signal from the Wi-Fi connection can be affected by obstacles like walls and interference from other electronic devices.

To connect your device via an ethernet cable:

• Check your router for available ethernet ports

• Use an ethernet cable to connect your device (laptop, desktop computer or gaming device) to the router. For some devices, you may need to use an adaptor to connect the ethernet cable

• Check the connection again to see if the speed has increased

Minimise lag by reducing the number of devices connected to your Wi-Fi

Reducing the number of devices connected to your Wi-Fi network can minimise network congestion, which frees up more bandwidth for the tasks you want to focus on. Each device takes up a certain amount of bandwidth, which reduces the amount available for the device you’re using. Your router may have a limited number of devices it can handle at a time, which will cause lag if too many are connected.

You could also try limiting high-bandwidth activities like streaming video, video conferencing, large file downloads, and live gaming.

Boost or extend your Wi-Fi

Extending your Wi-Fi network is a great way to reduce lag, especially in larger homes or offices where the signal from a single router might not be able to reach every corner. Weak or patchy Wi-Fi coverage can lead to slower data transmission and disconnections, which causes lag in devices that are too far from the router.

You can fix the problem and reduce lag by extending your Wi-Fi using Wi-Fi extenders, mesh systems, or additional access points. Find out more about Wi-Fi extenders.

Consider your router options for reducing lag

Reduce the distance from your router

Reducing the distance between your router and the device you’re using minimises lag by improving signal strength.

The further your device is from the router, the weaker the signal, which leads to slower data transmission and reduced speeds. When you move your devices closer to the router, the signal becomes stronger.

Restart your router

If your device is experiencing excessive lag, it could be because of network congestion, memory overload, or small software glitches in the router. When you restart your router it clears its cache, refreshes network connections, and reassigns IP addresses, which can resolve these issues.

To restart your router, simply find its off button, press it and wait for a couple of minutes. Then press the same button to turn the router back on.

This simple reset often helps improve performance by clearing up temporary problems that might be causing lag, such as data bottlenecks or outdated network configurations.

Get a new router

Upgrading to a new router can significantly reduce lag. This is because different routers have different speeds and connectivity types. Modern routers usually offer both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency options.

The 2.4 GHz band provides better range (devices can be further from the router) but can be slower due to more congestion. The 5 GHz band, on the other hand, offers faster speeds but with a shorter range. Choosing a router that supports both bands allows devices to connect to the best frequency.

To explore the best routers for your needs, check out Hyperoptic’s range of Wi-Fi routers here.

Upgrade your Wi-Fi or broadband package

Upgrading your Wi-Fi or broadband package is an effective step to reduce lag, especially if you’re experiencing slow internet speeds.

If you have lots of people, devices, or high bandwidth activities connected to your broadband, a higher-tier package might be better for you. These allow for faster data transmission, smoother streaming, and reduced latency during online activities like gaming or video conferencing. With a faster broadband package, you’ll also experience less network congestion, particularly if you have multiple devices sharing the same connection.

For faster and more reliable internet, consider upgrading with one of Hyperoptic’s broadband packages, which you can explore here.

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