Is it low FPS, stutter or ping?
Everyone calls it "lag", but there are three different problems with three different fixes. Answer four questions and we will tell you which one you have.
Does the picture itself look choppy, like a slideshow, even when nothing is happening?
Turn on an FPS counter (Steam: Settings, In Game, FPS counter; or Xbox Game Bar with Win + G). Under about 30 is low FPS.
- GamerKit symptom model for stutter causes (Why Is My Game Stuttering?)
- Steam FPS counter and Xbox Game Bar (Win + G) are the two built-in ways to read your FPS
Lag Doctor is guidance built from the usual causes of each problem. It is not a measurement of your PC or your connection.
FAQ
What is the difference between FPS, stutter and ping?
FPS is how many pictures your PC draws each second. Stutter is a few very slow frames that break smoothness even when the average looks fine. Ping is the delay between you and the game's server. A faster PC fixes the first two, never the third.
How can I tell if it is my internet or my PC?
If your own screen is smooth but other players teleport or your hits register late, it is the network. If the picture itself is choppy, even in an offline or practice mode, it is the PC.
Do FPS booster or ping booster apps work?
We do not recommend them. The settings that genuinely help are free and listed in the fixes above.
Does a faster graphics card fix lag?
Only low FPS, and only when the graphics card is the limit. It does nothing for ping, and little for stutter caused by memory, storage or heat.