Packet loss is common in gaming, mostly resulting in lagging and stuttering, especially for FPS games. This post is going to explain the definition of packet loss and how to test packet loss in gaming. Also, you will find out the best way to fix packet loss in any online co-op games.
What is Packet Loss & What are the Effects?
Packet loss is an error in data transmission. It usually happens in games. Simply put, it means that one or more packets of data fail to reach their destination. According to Wikipedia, packet loss is “measured as a percentage of packets lost with respect to packets sent.”
Packet loss has many effects on your gaming experience. Most commonly, you will feel laggy when you play, the movement in the game is not smooth anymore. Instead, you feel like you are watching PPT slide by slide. In that way, it is impossible for you to enjoy your game.
How to Test Packet Loss?
It is quite easy to test your packet loss. In general, there are two ways to do a packet loss test. You can do a packet loss test online or do a packet loss test cmd.
Method 1. Test Packet Loss with Device Checker
In order to get an accurate result, you can use some professional software like DeviceChecker, an incredible game accelerator, to do a packet loss test online.
If you use Device Checker to accelerate your games, you will see your packet loss on the interface of DeviceChecker. It is quite clear. If you don’t know how to use it, don’t worry, I’ll teach you later.
Method 2. Test Packet Loss with Game Settings
In some games, the developer provides you with an option to display packet loss on the screen. For example, in CS:GO(Counter-Strike: Global Offensive), you can go to the settings and enable Developer Console, then turn on it and type “net_graph 1” in the console.
Then you will see that packet loss is shown on the bottom of your screen. If you don’t play CS:GO, you can search for the game you play and check if there is any method to show packet loss.
The above method is to do a packet loss test online, you can also do a packet loss test cmd. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt/Windows PowerShell (either will work).
Right-click the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner.
Select Command Prompt or Powershell.
Step 2: Enter the command as follows: ping -n 100 1.1.1.1
ping = The command to ping, leave unchanged.
-n XXX = This allows you to set the number of times it tests.
X.X.X.X = This is the IP address you are testing the connection to. We recommend CloudFlare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8).
Step 3: Check the summary when completed for the percentage of packet loss. Then your packet loss test cmd is completed!
If you find that you have packet loss, don’t worry. In this article, we will also provide you with 2 ways to fix packet loss.
How to Fix Packet Loss?
There is no one fix-all solution to packet loss, since it can be caused by a number of issues. As such, there are different methods to fix any occurrences:
Increase bandwidth
If the issue is only with network congestion, then increasing bandwidth enables more requests to be handled at once, avoiding further delays.
Perform deep packet inspection
DPI is a type of packet filtering that locates, identifies, classifies, reroutes or blocks packets with specific data or code payloads. This can help network congestion by streamlining the flow of network traffic. For example, packets can be tagged as high priority and then be routed ahead of low-priority packets.
Update hardware and software
Old hardware and software can slow down network traffic and cause packet loss. Microsoft Windows Task Manager may help a network administrator identify software that is taking up too much bandwidth. Updating hardware and software can also help avoid introducing additional bugs.
Use wired connections
Compared to wireless networks, wired networks are less likely to have data packets get lost in transmission since the wired connection is more stable. However, be sure the wired Ethernet cables have not deteriorated, as faulty wires can adversely affect packet transmission.
Reduce opposing obstructions
Interfering signals from Bluetooth devices, such as headphones and keyboards, could cause static. Disconnecting these devices may help.
Conclusion
Packet loss is annoying and everyone will try to avoid it. If you are bothered by packet loss, this article is exactly what you should read. We explained what it is and taught you how to do a packet loss test and how to fix it. I believe that LagoFast will help a lot.
