For the past few weeks, my game latency has become extremely unstable. I used to get around 8–14 ms on nearby servers, but now I'm seeing 300–2000 ms with constant spikes that freeze the game. This happens even when I connect to a nearby server with a normally good ping. My computer has more than enough performance for the games I play, and I use Ethernet. I've updated my drivers and closed unnecessary background programs. A speed test through Google Wi-Fi looked normal, but gameplay is still nearly impossible. The issue briefly disappeared for about six hours before returning. I recently installed Deadlock and Overwatch and used a driver-updating utility, but otherwise nothing major changed. What should I check?
3 Answers
Check your router for upload traffic and bufferbloat. Cloud backups, large downloads, game updates, torrents, or another device saturating the upload can cause huge in-game latency even when download speed looks fine. Pause those devices and test again, then try rebooting the modem and router. If possible, test another computer or device on the same network to see whether the problem follows the connection.
First figure out whether this affects only games or the entire connection. Run a continuous ping to your router’s local address and another to a reliable public address while the problem is happening. If the router ping spikes, the issue is likely your Ethernet connection, adapter, router, or local network. If only the public ping spikes, it may be your modem, ISP, routing, or congestion. Also check whether other devices are using the connection heavily.
I wouldn’t rely on a quick driver-updater program. Remove it if you don’t need it, and install the Ethernet or Wi-Fi driver directly from your computer or motherboard manufacturer. Check the adapter’s power-management settings too. For security, run a full scan with Windows Security and a second reputable on-demand scanner, but malware is only one possibility and shouldn’t be assumed from high game ping alone.
I already tried an offline Windows scan and it didn’t find anything. I’ll still check the network and adapter more carefully instead of assuming the scan explains the issue.
A normal speed test doesn’t necessarily rule this out because it may not show latency spikes or bufferbloat. The fact that the issue disappeared temporarily could point to an intermittent network or ISP problem.