You’ve got a fast connection, but games still lag or VoIP calls crackle. That’s because bandwidth ≠ latency—and most users don’t realize their network delay comes from software bottlenecks, misconfigured drivers, or background tasks.
Here’s how to lower your latency without changing your internet provider.
Step 1: Use Ethernet, Not Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi adds jitter. Even a high-speed Wi-Fi 6 router can’t match the stability of a wired connection.
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Use Cat6 or Cat6a cables
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Connect directly to the router, not through a switch or extender
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Disable Wi-Fi entirely when gaming to avoid dual-stack interference
Step 2: Disable Network Throttling in Windows
Windows limits network performance under heavy load by default.
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Open Registry Editor
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Navigate to:
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Set NetworkThrottlingIndex to:
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Reboot
Step 3: Disable Interrupt Moderation
NICs often batch packets to reduce CPU load—but this increases latency.
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Open Device Manager
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Find your Ethernet adapter → Properties → Advanced tab
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Set Interrupt Moderation to Disabled
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Optional: Disable Energy Efficient Ethernet
Step 4: Prioritize Packets with QoS (Router)
Log into your router:
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Enable Quality of Service (QoS)
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Prioritize your gaming PC’s MAC or IP address
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Add rules for UDP ports commonly used by games (e.g., 3074 for Xbox/PC)
Step 5: Clean Up Background Traffic
Use Resource Monitor → Network tab to spot:
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Automatic updaters (Adobe, Steam, Windows)
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Cloud sync tools (OneDrive, Dropbox)
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Torrent clients running in background
Disable or schedule these tasks outside your gaming/work hours.
Real-World Impact
A competitive FPS player reduced ping from 42ms to 19ms by switching from Wi-Fi to Ethernet, disabling interrupt moderation, and using QoS. The result? Less packet loss, zero rubberbanding, and smoother aim.
Your internet might be fast—but unless your PC is tuned for low latency, you’re not getting the real-time edge.