When you are deep into a game, even a slight delay between pressing a button on your controller and seeing the action happen on screen can make a big difference. Known as input lag, it can seriously affect your gameplay and overall experience.
Input lag depends on various factors, including the connection type, game settings, and system performance. Thankfully, there are ways to measure it in real-time, so you can figure out how much delay exists between your input and the on-screen response.
If you are looking for someone to help you check your gamepad’s latency and improve response time in games, we can help. We have provided the details you need to know in the guide below.
What Is Input Lag?
To put it in simple words, input lag is the delay between you pressing a button on your game controller and the action showing up on the screen. Normally, it should happen instantly, but sometimes, there’s a short pause, which is referred to as input lag.
Let’s say, you are playing a fast-paced game and you pull the trigger. But instead of firing right away, there’s a slight delay before the shot happens on screen. This can throw you off, especially if you are in the middle of a heated battle where even a split-second reaction matters.
This kind of lag can happen for many reasons like slow hardware, wireless connection issues, or a laggy display. Regardless of the reason, it can make the gameplay feel sluggish and unresponsive.
For competitive gamers, input lag is not just annoying, but it can even make you lose a match. Well, that’s the reason, why reducing input lag is so important if you want a smoother, faster gaming experience.
How To Measure Input Lag?
Although it is not easy to spot input lag with the naked eye, it has a big impact on how smooth and responsive your games feel. While many gamers rely on gut feeling, there are more precise ways to measure it, especially if you are serious about optimizing your setup.
- High-Speed Camera
One of the most accurate ways to measure input lag is by using a high-speed camera that allows you to record your screen and count the number of frames that pass between your button press and the action that shows up on the screen. This is a trusted method used by competitive gamers and tech reviewers because it gives you exact numbers.
- Software Tests
Some games and performance testing programs include basic tools for checking input lag. While they are not as exact as physical tools, they can still help you spot serious delays or compare settings. With the help of these tools, you can enhance your gaming experience without using expensive gear.
- Input Lag Tools
There are also dedicated tools made to measure input lag that are designed to test the time it takes for your input to show up visually. Compared to high-speed cameras, they are easier to use and also more accurate.
Ways To Fix Input Lag
Input lag can make even the best games feel unresponsive if you don’t take care of the problem early. If your game feels slow or sluggish, you can try these methods to reduce input lag and also in real-time.
Before you start, figure out what’s causing the delay. This will help you choose the right approach to fix the issue.
- Optimize Your Hardware
When it comes to optimizing your hardware, you may assume wireless devices are convenient. While it is true, they can sometimes cause delays because of connection problems. But you don’t need to worry if you use a wired controller, keyboard, or mouse as they connect directly to your system and offer a faster response time.
You should also consider upgrading your gaming gear if you using outdated models. Modern gaming peripherals not only look good but they are built for low-latency input.
- Tune Your Display Settings
Many new monitors and TVs come with the “game mode” option that skips some of the video processing to prioritize speed and reduce lag. If you have this feature on your device, make sure to enable it.
Playing at a high resolution may feel good, but it can put a heavy load on your system. This is why, it is better to reduce the resolution a bit, so you can enjoy a greater performance and also reduce input lag.
You should also check your monitor’s settings and ensure it’s running at the highest refresh rate, instead of the default 60Hz. As for V-Sync, it helps enhance visual quality but tends to increase input delay and that’s the reason, why should turn it off for a smoother experience.
- Tweak Your System Settings
Before you launch your game, make sure to close all apps in the background. From music players to browsers, many apps operate silently in the background and occupy memory. By shutting them down, you can speed things up.
Besides that, you should upgrade your motherboard, graphics card, and peripheral drivers because new drivers often come with performance improvements and bug fixes.
If you are tech-savvy and understand the risks, overclocking your CPU or GPU can give you a performance boost. Just make sure your system stays cool and stable.
- Adjust In-Game Settings
Turning down graphics settings, like effects, shadows, or anti-aliasing can help reduce the strain on your system and speed up frame rendering. This in turn can reduce lag and enhance your gaming experience.
Some games offer advanced settings to reduce input latency, so look for terms like “Reduced Input Lag” “Raw Input” or “Low Latency Mode,” in your game’s settings.
- Test Your Connections
Understand that not all DisplayPort or HDMI cables are built equal. While some are high-quality, others are not so great. If you are aiming for 120Hz or more, make sure to get certified cables that can support your desired resolution and refresh rate.
If you use wireless peripherals, place the USB receivers close to the devices. This way, you can avoid interference from metal objects, or other electronics that could block the signal.