How to prioritize your internet connection for gaming

There are several types of internet connections, each with their own benefits. The most common types include DSL, cable, fiber-optic, satellite and wireless broadband.

• • DSL: Uses telephone lines to provide internet access. It offers moderate speeds and is widely available, but degrades with distance.
  • Cable: Uses the same coaxial cables as cable television. Faster than DSL and is widely available, but bandwidth is limited.
  • Fiber: Uses thin glass fibers to transmit data as light. Fast and reliable, and available in areas where fiber infrastructure already exists.
  • Satellite: Provides internet access via satellites orbiting the Earth. Available in remote and rural areas, but suffers from high latency and weather-related disruptions.
  • 5G home internet: Uses 5G infrastructure to offer internet access. Convenient for mobile use and in areas without fiber or cable infrastructure, but 5G home internet limitations may affect your gaming experience.

Some types of internet connections may affect gaming performance more than others, and might be more susceptible to interference.

Even with a high-speed internet connection, like 5 Gig internet, many factors can impact gaming performance. Let’s review them below:

• • Latency: The time for data to travel from your device to the game server and back. Low latency is crucial for real-time gaming. High latency can result in lag.
  • Bandwidth: The maximum rate at which data is transferred over your internet connection. Higher bandwidth allows for smoother downloads and streaming.
  • Jitter: Variability in packet arrival times. High jitter creates inconsistent gameplay.
  • Packet loss: Occurs when data packets fail to reach their destination, causing disruptions in gameplay.
  • Network congestion: High usage by multiple devices on the same network can slow down your connection.
  • WiFi interference: Physical obstructions, materials and other wireless devices can weaken your WiFi signal.

Understanding these types of internet connections and factors affecting gaming performance can help you make informed decisions to optimize your gaming experience and increase and improve your WiFi speed overall.

A high-quality gaming router can optimize your gaming experience. Let’s review some of the key features to look out for when choosing the right router.

• • Dual-band vs. tri-band: Dual-band routers offer two frequency bands (2.4GHz and 5GHz), while tri-band routers provide an additional 5GHz band, reducing network congestion and improving performance.
  • QoS: Quality of service (QoS) settings can help prioritize gaming traffic over other types of traffic, ensuring smoother gameplay and providing dedicated bandwidth, controlling jitter and lowering latency.
  • Processors and RAM: Try to find a router with a processor and enough RAM to handle multiple devices and your high-speed internet connection.
  • MU-MIMO technology: Multi-user, multiple input, multiple output (MU-MIMO) allows multiple devices to receive data simultaneously, enhancing network efficiency and providing better connectivity.
  • Beamforming: If you’re relying on WiFi instead of Ethernet for gaming, find a router with beamforming capabilities to focus signals towards your devices.
  • WiFi standards: Use routers that support modern WiFi standards, like WiFi 6, WiFi 6e or WiFi 7 for better performance, capacity and efficiency. These standards will also support routers that are rated for AX speeds.
  • Ethernet: If gaming on Ethernet is preferable to you, make sure your gaming router has built-in Ethernet ports for the option of wired vs. wireless gaming.

We recommend models like the NightHawk Gaming Router to create the best WiFi for gaming. If you’re a gamer on-the-go, you might also consider gaming with a mobile hotspot.

When using your router for gaming, follow these tips for set up, placement and optimization.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to set up your router and keep the firmware up-to-date. Enable QoS to prioritize your gaming devices and configure any additional gaming settings. Additionally, make sure to check for firmware updates.

When placing your router for the first time, put your router on a shelf in the center of your home or in the specific area where you will be gaming.

If your router has adjustable antennas, position them at different angles to optimize coverage. You can also use network analyzers to check signal strength in different areas of your home. You may need to test often and make adjustments in order to find out what works best for you.

After you’ve purchased your router, follow these tips to get started setting up your router for gaming and to maximize your internet speed for gaming.

Learn more: How to set up your WiFi router for gaming

Quality of Service (QoS) allows you to prioritize certain types of network traffic. With specific priorities set for your activities, correctly configured QoS settings will help reduce latency, jitter and packet loss.

If you want to access, enable or modify QoS settings, follow our steps below.

• 1. Access the admin interface: Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address. Log in with your admin credentials.
  2. Navigate to the QoS settings section. This is usually found under advanced settings, network settings or traffic management.
  3. Turn on the QoS feature if it’s not already enabled. Identify your gaming devices by their IP or MAC addresses and assign them higher priority. Some routers have predefined settings for gaming that you can select. Save your changes and restart the router if necessary.

Port forwarding directs specific incoming internet traffic to a particular device on your network, such as a gaming console or PC. Game data reaches your device more efficiently, reducing latency and connection issues. Check out our quick tips on how to set up port forwarding.

• 1. Similarly to QoS settings, you’ll need to access the router’s admin interface. Find the port forwarding section in the router’s settings.
  2. Enter the required information, including the device’s IP address, the port range and the protocol (TCP/UDP) specified by the game. Save your changes and restart the router if necessary.

By configuring QoS and port forwarding settings on your router, you can prioritize gaming traffic and reduce latency.

Choosing between wired and wireless connections isn’t always easy. Wired connections offer stability, low latency and high speeds, making them ideal for competitive or real-time gaming. However, they limit mobility and require cable management.

Wireless connections provide greater flexibility and easier setup but can suffer from higher latency and interference from physical obstructions and other electronic devices.

Use wired connections for gaming whenever possible to ensure the most stable and low-latency experience. This is especially important for competitive or real-time online games.

Pros of wired connections

• • Stability: Wired connections offer stability and consistency, with minimal interference.
  • Low latency: Ethernet cables provide low latency, which is crucial for real-time gaming.
  • High speeds: Wired connections handle higher data transfer rates, meaning faster speeds.

Cons of wired connections

• • Limited mobility: Devices are tethered to the router, limiting where you can place them.
  • Cable management: Running cables can be cumbersome and may require additional setup.

Use wireless connections for devices that need mobility or when running Ethernet cables is impractical. Optimize your wireless setup to minimize interference and maximize performance.

Pros of wireless connections

• • Flexibility: Wireless connections offer greater mobility, allowing devices to be placed anywhere within the router’s range.
  • Easy to set up: No need for additional cabling, making setup simpler and cleaner.

Cons of wireless connections

• • Interference: Wireless signals can be affected by physical obstructions and other electronic devices.
  • Higher latency: Wireless connections typically have higher latency compared to wired connections.
  • Variable speeds: Performance can fluctuate based on distance from the router and network congestion.

Here are some tips on how to reduce interference from other devices.

• • Router position: Place your router in a central, elevated location away from walls.
  • Router distance: Keep the router away from other electronic devices which can cause interference.
  • Channel selection: Choose the least congested WiFi channel.
  • Antenna adjustments: Adjust the router’s antennas to optimize signal strength.

To get started finding the best wireless channel for your gaming session, use specific apps to help you identify which channels are least congested in your area.

After identifying the least congested channels, do the following:

• 1. Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address. Log in with your admin credentials. Find the section for wireless settings or WiFi configuration.
  2. Choose a channel that has the least interference based on the WiFi analyzer results.
  3. Save your changes and restart the router if necessary.

By understanding the pros and cons of wired and wireless connections and implementing strategies to minimize wireless interference, you can significantly reduce latency and improve your overall gaming experience.