Lag

Lag is a noticeable delay between something you do and the result appearing on screen. In online games it usually means network delay between you and the server; in other software it can mean slow rendering or processing on your own device.

Why it matters

"Lag" is a catch-all word, and fixing it depends on the real cause. Network lag comes from high latency, jitter or packet loss. Local lag comes from a slow GPU or CPU, low frame rate, or a display and controller adding delay (see input lag). Treating one as the other wastes time: upgrading your internet plan does nothing for a game that runs at 20 FPS.

Example

A quick way to tell the cause apart:

1. Check in-game FPS. If it is low or erratic, the problem is local hardware or settings.
2. Check ping. If FPS is steady at 60 but ping jumps from 30 ms to 250 ms, the problem is the network.
3. Check whether others on your connection are streaming or downloading at the same time.

Common misconceptions

• More bandwidth always fixes lag. Latency and stability matter more than raw speed for most games.
• Lag only affects games. Typing delay in a slow editor is also lag.
• A low ping guarantees smooth play. A busy or distant server can still respond slowly.

Related

• Latency
• Ping
• Packet loss
• FPS

This page is general information written by our editorial team and updated when documentation changes. Servers and providers differ, so test changes safely first. See our editorial policy and disclaimer.