How To Test And Fix Bufferbloat For Gaming

Getting lag, packet loss, stuttering or hit registration issues in games like Warzone, Fortnite or EA FC? It might not be your internet speed. It could be bufferbloat.

Watch The Video Guide

Guide Time

Around 8 minutes

Difficulty

Easy to Medium

Best For

Online gaming, streaming and reducing latency spikes

What Is Bufferbloat?

Bufferbloat happens when your network gets congested and your router or connection struggles to manage traffic properly. This can cause high latency, lag spikes, stuttering, packet loss and poor hit registration, even if your internet speed looks fast on a normal speed test.

What This Guide Covers

What bufferbloat actually is in simple terms
Why fast internet can still feel bad for gaming
How bufferbloat can cause lag, stuttering and hit registration issues
How to test your connection properly
How to read your bufferbloat result from A to F
Fixes you can try straight away
Router tips, including common limitations with ISP supplied routers

Run The Bufferbloat Test

You can test your connection using the Waveform Bufferbloat Test. This will help show whether latency is getting worse when your connection is under load.

Run The Bufferbloat Test

Quick Fix Checklist

Turn off Windows Delivery Optimisation
Reduce upload usage from streaming, cloud sync, backups and downloads
Use Ethernet instead of WiFi where possible
Enable QoS or traffic priority settings if your router supports it
Set bandwidth limits to around 85 to 90 percent if using QoS
Prioritise your gaming PC or console on the router
Restart your router after making changes

Step By Step Guide

Step 1: Run A Normal Speed Test First

Before testing bufferbloat, run a normal internet speed test so you know your download and upload speeds. This gives you a baseline before making any changes.

Step 2: Run The Waveform Bufferbloat Test

Open the Waveform Bufferbloat Test and let it check your connection. The test will measure how your latency changes while your connection is under load.

Step 3: Check Your Grade

The test will give your connection a grade from A to F. A better grade usually means your connection is handling traffic more smoothly. A lower grade can point to latency spikes and poor traffic management.

Step 4: Reduce Upload Pressure

Upload congestion is one of the biggest causes of gaming lag. Pause cloud backups, large uploads, streaming software and background sync tools while gaming.

Step 5: Use Ethernet Where Possible

WiFi can add extra latency, interference and instability. For the best gaming experience, connect your gaming PC or console directly to the router using an Ethernet cable.

Step 6: Check Your Router Settings

If your router supports QoS, traffic management or device priority, enable it and prioritise your gaming device. Some ISP supplied routers may have limited options, so you may not see every setting shown in guides online.

Step 7: Test Again After Changes

After making changes, run the bufferbloat test again and compare the result. The aim is to reduce latency spikes and make your connection feel smoother while gaming.

Important To Know

Bufferbloat is not just about slow internet. It is usually caused by network congestion and poor traffic management. This means you can have very fast download speeds but still suffer from poor gaming performance, especially when other devices are using the connection at the same time.

If your games feel delayed, shots are not registering properly, or your ping spikes when someone else is uploading or streaming, bufferbloat is worth checking.

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