You can only make the most out of your online gaming experience if you have a stellar internet connection. However, you should keep in mind that it doesn’t only depend on the internet service provider (ISP) that you opt for. Rather, there are some responsibilities and steps that you need to fulfil so you can make the most out of your internet experience.
The first step you need to take is to decide on a good internet service for your home. For instance, I believe that Xfinity is one of the most reliable internet services in the country. The best Xfinity internet plan comes with various speed offers that meet your gaming requirements, along with other online activities.
After picking out the best internet service, here are some other steps you can take to make the most out of your internet service. Just make sure you do all of them to have the best online gaming experience ever.
Use a Wired Internet Connection
The first thing that you should do to get the best internet speed is to connect your console or your PC to your router directly using an Ethernet cable. If you use a wireless internet connection, most of your signals are dissipated into the environment because of obstructions such as cement walls, pieces of furniture, and so on.
However, when you connect your device directly to the router, the data travels straight from the router into your device which eliminates any possibility of data dissipating in the form of signals. So, to retain your internet speed, you must ensure that your gaming device is connected to the internet directly through an Ethernet cable.
Change Your Router’s Frequency Band
This is a very small setting that you can change in your router to achieve great results. However, this works best if you are using your router wirelessly instead of a wired internet connection.
You can access your router’s settings and check which frequency band it is set to. Before you change the band, you should ideally move your router closer to your console or PC. Once that is done, head to the router settings and change the frequency band to 5 GHz.
There are two options for you to choose between: 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz. 2.4 GHz works best when your router is at a distance from your device since it emphasizes signal distance. The 5 GHz band, on the other hand, emphasizes the internet speed and works best when your router is close by. Therefore, remember to place your router closer to your gaming device and change the frequency band to 5 GHz.
Place Your Router in a Central Position
Speaking of positioning your router, you should try placing it in a central position in your home. Not only is this beneficial while you are gaming, but it also works differently for all the other devices in your home, such as your laptop, smartphone, smart TV, and many more.
When your router is in a central position, the signals are uniformly distributed all over your home, which means you don’t have to grab your device and walk around to try to grab a signal. So, you need to be smart about this one. If your living room is at the center of your home, then you should definitely consider placing your router there (which works ideally if you have your console in your lounge, connected to your TV.
Change Your Router’s NAT Type
The NAT type determines how well your local network’s devices can connect to other devices and servers on the internet. Usually, it is set to Type 3, which is “Strict,” and it hinders your connection to servers. For instance, if you have a PS5 and your router is set to NAT Type 3, then your PS5 will have a strict connection with the PlayStation Network (PSN) servers.
Therefore, it is recommended to set your NAT type to either Type 1 or Type 2. Type 1 is “Open” communication, which works best for online gaming but may have slight security vulnerabilities.
If you want to strike a balance, then you should set it to Type 2, which is “Moderate” communication. Not only does it give you a brilliant online gaming experience, but it also ensures that you are well-protected as you play your favorite online games.
Here concludes some of the most basic things you can do to make sure you have a stellar online gaming experience, because if you frequently get disconnected from the internet, you can get caught in some embarrassing situations. So, to avoid that, make sure you follow all of these steps, and you’ll see a positive change for sure.
