Lag can affect anyone and any game, and Minecraft is no exception. Fortunately, there are things you can do to significantly reduce lag. In this post, we’ll cover what lag is, why Minecraft is so laggy, and how you can fix the issue. This should allow you to play Minecraft and other online video games lag-free.
What is Minecraft lag?
Lag refers to a delay between your action (such as pressing a button or moving a mouse when playing Minecraft) and the resulting action on your screen. Almost everyone experiences lag to some extent. In some cases, it’s so minimal that you won’t even notice it. In others, it will have a very negative impact on your online gaming experience.
When playing online, lag is often associated with latency, otherwise known as “high ping”. This occurs when data packets sent between servers and players are delayed, which can cause lag in the form of stuttering or rubber banding.
Why is Minecraft so laggy?
There are multiple potential reasons why Minecraft is laggy. Most often, it’s to do with the speed and stability of your internet connection or your device’s hardware.
If you find Minecraft is laggy, it’s likely for one of the following reasons:
- Slow internet connection: While you don’t always need super fast internet speeds to play Minecraft online, a particularly slow internet connection can still cause lag.
- ISP connection throttling: Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) engage in bandwidth throttling in order to manage their networks. Depending on the extent of this throttling, it can have a significant impact on your online gaming.
- Hardware limitations: Like all video games, Minecraft has certain system requirements. If you have an older device that’s not powerful enough, this can cause performance issues, lag included.
- Too many mods: The more mods and high-resolution resource packs you use, the more you put a strain on your system’s resources.
- Outdated Java version: Minecraft was originally developed using the Java programming language. If you’re using the Minecraft: Java Edition and your Java version is outdated, this can lead to performance issues.
- Too many background apps: Programs running in the background consumes system resources. Your machine has to work harder, which can result in lag.
- Distance from server: The further you are from a Minecraft server, the higher your latency (or ping) is likely to be. The distance for data to travel to the server and back is increased, causing noticeable lag.
How can I fix Minecraft lag?
Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to reduce or rid yourself completely of Minecraft lag. Of course, which steps you take really depends on what’s causing the issue in the first place (though this may not always be obvious).
Lower your graphics settings
If you’re experiencing lag, lowering your graphic settings in Minecraft can help improve performance. Just some of the settings you’ll want to experiment with include render distance (how far you can see in the game), max framerate, and graphics quality.
Upgrade your hardware
It may be that your hardware is holding you back, in which case upgrading it could have a significant impact on how it performs with Minecraft. Upgrading to a faster CPU, a more powerful graphics card, and increasing RAM should all allow for smoother performance.
Clear unnecessary mods and plugins
Some Minecraft mods are very resource-intensive, particularly those that add advanced physics or high-resolution textures. Furthermore, some mods may not be compatible with each other, causing performance issues. Removing or disabling some mods can potentially reduce lag.
Optimize your Java settings
Minecraft: Java Edition runs on Java so optimizing these settings may help. Allocating more RAM to Minecraft may make for a smoother gaming experience. You should also ensure you’re using the latest version of Java. Excessive Java notifications can also cause lag so you may want to disable them.
Update your software
Software updates often include performance improvements as well as bug fixes. You should make sure you’re running the latest version of Minecraft and Java. It’s also important to update your graphics driver and your operating system, both of which can affect how Minecraft runs.
Use a VPN to bypass ISP throttling
It may be that your ISP is throttling your bandwidth when you’re playing online games (or streaming or torrenting). This can cause lag. Using a VPN hides your internet traffic from your ISP so you can then play Minecraft with unlimited bandwidth.
Close unnecessary background applications
When you have multiple applications running simultaneously, they consume precious resources such as CPU, RAM, internet bandwidth and GPU power. Closing apps such as web browsers and instant messaging services frees up resources for Minecraft.
Minecraft lag: FAQs
How do I check my ping in Minecraft?
Ping is the time it takes for your console or PC to send a request to the server and receive a response. The lower the ping, the faster the connection to the server and the better the performance while playing Minecraft. However, lag is not always due to ping as it has many possible causes.
If you’d like to check your ping in Minecraft, know that there are multiple ways to do this. On Windows, use the command prompt by searching CMD in the taskbar. You can then enter the command ping followed by the server’s address. The average time displayed should provide you with a good indicator of what to expect.
What’s the difference between client-side lag and server-side lag?
Client-side lag or local lag refers to performance issues that are specific to your device. This may be due to hardware limitations (CPU, GPU, or RAM), graphics settings, or resource-intensive mods.
Server-side lag or server lag is performance issues related to the game server itself. It may be due to insufficient resources or high server load due to too many players. Regardless of whether lag stems from the client-side or server-side the effects on your gaming session are the same.
Can using a VPN affect my Minecraft gameplay experience?
Yes, using a VPN could positively or negatively affect your Minecraft session. A VPN is a service that encrypts your internet traffic and lets you connect to a server in another location, spoofing your location. Encryption and re-routing of traffic to the VPN server can slow your connection. This may cause lag and be a reason to turn off your VPN when playing Minecraft.
However, in some cases a VPN can help. If you’re suffering from ISP throttling, a VPN hides your traffic and lets you play Minecraft without restriction. Furthermore, if you’re some distance from the Minecraft server you want to play on, a VPN allows you to connect to a server in or close to that location. This may boost your connection and reduce lag as a result. The best VPNs for Minecraft also offer faster, gaming-friendly protocols such as WireGuard.
How can I increase my FPS in Minecraft?
There are a few things you can try in order to potentially increase your FPS, or frames per second, in Minecraft. One of the most common methods is to lower your graphics settings. This includes settings such as graphics quality and render distance. You may also want to consider adjusting in-game settings including shadows and smooth lighting. However, following all of the steps in this post can potentially help boost your FPS in Minecraft.
