The experience of network latency, or lag simply put, during a gripping movie scene can be so frustrating. Getting one between an online gaming session? Blind-rage inducing. To say it’s frustrating would be quite an understatement, and we’re sure there are no disagreements there if you’ve ever had that experience whilst gaming online. In 2025, there should be little to no network latency, but yet it happens. However, one can take some proactive measures to fix this issue. Let’s talk about them in this blog.
The time it takes for data to travel from one point to another over a network, like from your device to the server and back, is called network latency. The delay between a user’s action and the network’s response is the culprit and that is what we’re trying to fix.
To really drive the point home, think of it this way. You’re playing an online game. The latency is how long it takes for an action you take in the game, like shooting in a game like Counter Strike, and the response registering and coming back with a result. Yes, the reason why sometimes you see users teleporting or just standing there and not doing anything is due to latency; for all practical purposes they’re clicking their mouse the entire time hoping for a reaction.
Several factors contribute to network latency such as:
There simply is no 8K gaming with a network riddled with latency, so in order to achieve a smoother gaming experience, consider the following strategies:
The physical router that you may have might be the problem, not particularly your internet connection. You see, modern routers are capable of higher-tier performance and can handle multiple devices. Outdated routers may be the bottleneck here. If your WiFi keeps dropping, it might be an indication that you need an upgrade. Generally speaking, it is best to replace routers every 5 years or 2 to 3 years if your home uses several high-bandwidth devices.
WiFi is super convenient and there is no doubt about it, however, for something as intensive and demanding as 8K gaming, a wired Ethernet connection might be the way to go. It is much more stable and faster.
The position of your router greatly impacts the signal strength. Walls, other devices, elevation, etc. all make a huge difference. Ideally, you want to place it on an elevated surface, in a central region, with no obstruction if you want optimal coverage. Also, if possible, keep it away from other electronic devices to avoid potential for interference.
Each device that is connected to your WiFi, be it smart home devices, laptops, TVs, tablets, etc. is eating up bandwidth and contributing toward creating a network traffic jam, so to speak. You need to remove any unnecessary devices as they might be slowing down the network.
Those annoying “a software update is available” messages that you often get are, ideally, not to be ignored. Manufacturers are always working toward making their product better, improving its performance and security, and these reach you via firmware updates. So, regularly update your router so it operates at its peak and handles the latest devices and meets the latest standards.
If you’re currently on Wi-Fi 6, you might be considering if it’s worth it and required to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7.
However, do you really need to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 if you already have Wi-Fi 6? Well, for most users, Wi-Fi 6 does a good enough job and they can stick to it. However, if you have numerous devices, and you plan on doing a ton of 8K gaming and streaming, it might be worth the upgrade. It is also always a good idea to get some professional Home WiFi Help and get the professionals to evaluate your needs and offer their recommendations.
By having a solid understanding of what network latency is, how it is caused, what you can do to fix it and perhaps with some assistance from professional home WiFi help, you can bid laggy gaming experiences and buffering videos goodbye forever.
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