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Boost Connectivity: How to Eliminate Lag Whilst Gaming

Esports Player at NEPC

Boost Connectivity: How to Eliminate Lag Whilst Gaming

Mimi Craig
8 min read | 3 Oct 2024

We’ve all been there—you’re in the middle of an intense match, a split-second away from victory, and suddenly… lag. Your screen freezes, your character rubber-bands, and before you know it, you’ve lost, all thanks to a bad connection. In competitive gaming, a poor Wi-Fi signal isn’t just frustrating—it can be the difference between victory and defeat. Did you know that even a 100-millisecond lag can cause a 7-10% drop in response time? That’s huge when every moment counts.

Whether it’s rage-quitting from disconnecting mid-game or losing a crucial team match because of stuttering frames, players know the pain of unreliable connections. However, with the right setup, you can fix lag in games, wave goodbye to bad Wi-Fi for good and focus on what really matters: competing and winning.

Tips to Boost Your Internet and Stop Lag in Games

  1. Give Games Priority – Go to your router settings and turn on “Quality of Service” (QoS) to make sure your games get the best connection.
  1. Use a Cable – Connect your gaming device directly to the router with an Ethernet cable. It’s faster and more stable than Wi-Fi.
  1. Get a New Router – If your router is old, consider upgrading to one that supports newer Wi-Fi standards like Wi-Fi 7 for faster speeds.
  1. Move Your Router – Put your router in the middle of your home, up high, and away from walls or electronics that could block the signal.
  1. Limit Other Devices – Pause or reduce activities like streaming or downloading on other devices while gaming to keep your connection strong.
  1. Update Everything – Make sure your router and devices have the latest updates for better speed and security.
  1. Check Who’s Using Your Wi-Fi – Use your router app to see which devices are connected. Kick off any devices you don’t recognise or don’t need online.
  1. Restart Your Router – Turn your router off and on once in a while. This can refresh your connection and make things run smoother.
  1. Test a VPN – A VPN might help if your internet provider is slowing your connection, but be sure to pick one with fast servers close to you.
  1. Boost Wi-Fi Signal – If you have Wi-Fi dead zones, get a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system to spread a strong signal throughout your home.
  1. Use a Local Server – To reduce ping and latency, you can play on servers that are located closest to you. A lot of games allow you to choose this manually, so for better gameplay opt for the nearest to your location.

Why Connectivity Matters in Esports

York College Visting the NEPC Playing on the Alienware PCs

Lag isn’t just an annoyance—it’s a killer. In esports, precision and timing is everything. Poor connectivity can ruin strategies and throw off even the best players. Competitive games like VALORANT, Overwatch 2, or Rocket League demand fast, stable connections to deliver data in real-time. A single drop in your connection can turn a sure win into a devastating loss.

So, what’s the solution? Stable, high-speed internet that can handle the intense demands of modern gaming. That’s where the National Esports Performance Campus (NEPC) and our Preferred Networking Provider CommScope’s RUCKUS Networks come in. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, RUCKUS ensures that the NEPC is fully equipped to meet the high-performance needs of esports athletes and teams.

High-Performance Connectivity for High-Performance Gaming

Sapphire Gaming House - Bootcamp Room with Alienware PCs

The NEPC is built with one thing in mind: delivering excellence. And you can’t do that without reliable, high-speed connectivity. Whether you’re running back-to-back scrims in one of our Bootcamp Rooms or live-streaming a match from our Gaming Houses, the last thing you want to worry about is lag. So we made sure you don’t have to.

With ICX® switches and top-tier Wi-Fi access points throughout the NEPC, RUCKUS provides stable and fast connections in every room. This isn’t your average Wi-Fi setup—it’s built for the intense demands of high-density gaming environments, where multiple players are online at once, streaming, strategising, and playing. RUCKUS AI takes things a step further, using predictive analytics and automated optimisation to keep everything running smoothly.

Why the NEPC Is the Ultimate Bootcamp Destination

RAF Bootcamp at the NEPC

Esports teams need more than just a space to play—they need an environment that helps them thrive. At the NEPC, we’ve created a training ground that caters to the needs of today’s competitive gamers. The Gaming Houses provide a unique blend of comfort, cutting-edge technology, and seamless connectivity. With RUCKUS ensuring your sessions are uninterrupted, you can focus on honing your strategies and improving your performance.

The NEPC also offers additional spaces designed to enhance the esports experience, from Photography Studios and Sim Racing Rigs to Players Lounges and Podcast Studios. Everything is interconnected through a reliable network, ensuring a consistent, reliable experience no matter where you are on campus.

Ready to Play?

Gaming Houses Living Room at the NEPC

Whether you’re preparing for a tournament, planning a team bootcamp, or just looking to up your game, the NEPC offers everything you need. With our Gaming Houses, state-of-the-art facilities, and RUCKUS Networks powering our connectivity, the NEPC is the perfect place to train, grow, and most of all, win.

Let’s talk about how we can make your next big esports moment a reality.

Find out more and book your visit.

Learn more about how RUCKUS Networks can take your gaming to the next level.

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