If you’ve ever been in the middle of a heated match in Black Ops 6, trying to land a crucial headshot, or frantically building in Fortnite only to realise your moves aren’t registering—or worse, you’re suddenly teleporting across the map—congratulations! You’ve experienced packet loss.
This blog is for beginners who want to understand what packet loss is, what causes it, and why it’s making your gaming life harder than it needs to be. Don’t worry, we’ll keep it straightforward, no unnecessary jargon. By the end, you’ll know why packet loss happens and, more importantly, how to prevent it.
What Is Packet Loss, and Why Should Gamers Care?
Let’s start simple. Imagine you’re sending a letter to your friend. You write it, stamp it, and send it off. But along the way, the mailman loses your letter, or it gets delivered torn in half. That’s packet loss.
In gaming, instead of letters, your computer or console sends small chunks of data called packets to the game server. These packets contain information about what you’re doing in the game—your movement, actions, position, etc. The server then processes these packets and sends responses back.
When packets are “lost” (never arrive or arrive damaged), the server can’t process the data properly, and the game can’t keep up. That’s when you experience lag, rubber-banding, or players freezing in place.
The Real-World Impact of Packet Loss
Here’s how packet loss can feel in some of your favourite games:
Black Ops 6: You’re lining up the perfect shot, but before you pull the trigger, you teleport behind cover—or worse, the enemy shoots you before you even see them. That’s packet loss messing up your hit registration.
Marvel Rivals: You’re pulling off a killer combo, but your character suddenly stops mid-animation, leaving you wide open for an attack. Blame the packets that never made it to the server.
Fortnite: You build a wall to block an incoming shot, but it doesn’t appear fast enough, and boom—you’re back to the lobby. Those missing packets got you eliminated.
What Causes Packet Loss?
Packet loss can be caused by a variety of factors. Let’s break them down:
1. Network Congestion
Think of a highway during rush hour. Everyone’s trying to get to their destination, but the sheer number of cars (packets) slows everything down, and some don’t make it. This happens when too many users are connected to the same network or when servers are overloaded with requests.
Gaming Impact: In games like Fortnite, high congestion means your actions might not register in time, causing delays in building or shooting. You can read our Fortnite Lag Fix blog here for additional help.
2. Poor Wi-Fi Signal
Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s also prone to interference. Walls, other electronic devices, or simply being too far from your router can weaken your signal, causing packets to drop.
Gaming Impact: In Black Ops 6, a weak Wi-Fi signal can make it seem like you’re moving through molasses while other players zip around like they’re on caffeine. Check out our Black Ops 6 Lag Fix Guide for additional assistance.
3. Faulty Hardware
Sometimes, the problem isn’t your connection but the devices managing it. A damaged Ethernet cable, an aging router, or even your gaming PC or console can cause packet loss.
Gaming Impact: In Marvel Rivals, a faulty connection can make your game stutter or crash entirely, costing you the match.
4. Server-Side Issues
Not all packet loss is your fault. Sometimes, the game’s servers are experiencing problems. This could be due to maintenance, high traffic, or inefficient server infrastructure.
Gaming Impact: No matter how good your setup is, server-side issues can make even the most stable connection feel like you’re playing through a dial-up modem.
5. Software Configuration
Firewalls, outdated network drivers, or poorly configured settings can also cause packets to be dropped.
Gaming Impact: Even if you’re playing a less intensive game like Marvel Rivals, bad software settings can leave you frustrated. Here’s our blog on fixing connection issues in Marvel Rivals.
How Can You Reduce Packet Loss?
Now that you know the causes, let’s talk about what can be done to fight back the packet loss. Here’s how you can minimise packet loss and improve your gaming experience:
1. Switch to a Wired Connection
If possible, use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. A wired connection is faster, more stable, and less prone to interference.
2. Upgrade Your Router
If you’re still using a router from 2010, it’s time for an upgrade. The Netduma R3 is a gaming router and its SmartBOOST feature, eliminates packet loss and prioritises gaming traffic on your network.
3. Optimise Your Network
- Place your router in a central location.
- Reduce interference by keeping it away from other electronics.
- Use the 5GHz band if your router supports it; it’s faster and less crowded than 2.4GHz.
4. Check for Server-Side Updates
Before blaming your setup, check the server status of the game you’re experiencing issues with. Here’s some helpful links for some popular games.
Call of Duty (BO6 and Warzone) Server Status
For games without an official server status service, we recommend you check DownDetector. This site tracks player-reported server issues. If you can see other players reporting issues, it's likely that the servers are experiencing issues.
Unfortunately, there’s no immediate fix for server issues on your end. It’s up to the game devs to resolve the problems or release a patch before your connection returns to normal.
5. Contact Your ISP
If you suspect throttling, contact your ISP to discuss your options. Upgrading to a faster plan or switching providers might help.
6. Update Your Software
Keep your network drivers and gaming systems updated to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.
Final Thoughts
Understanding packet loss isn’t just about improving your gaming experience—it’s about taking control of your setup. Packet loss might seem like a mysterious enemy at first, but now you know what it is, what causes it, and how to fight back. With the right setup and a little troubleshooting,