Few things are more frustrating in Valorant than packet loss. Missed shots, rubberbanding, or delayed ability casts can turn a clutch situation into a disaster. While Riot’s servers play their part, much of the problem stems from local network conditions—and the good news is, there are proven fixes that players can try to minimize packet loss and stabilize their connection.
Quick Wins to Reduce Packet Loss
The first step is addressing your home setup. Small adjustments can make a major difference:
- Switch to ethernet: Wired connections are far more stable than Wi-Fi, eliminating interference from walls or competing devices.
- Restart hardware: Rebooting your router, modem, and PC often clears cache issues and temporary bottlenecks.
- Try custom DNS: Switching to Google’s (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare’s (1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1) servers can improve routing and reduce drops.
- Disable IPv6: If your provider prioritizes IPv4, shutting off IPv6 in network settings may cut inconsistencies.
- Check server status: Sometimes the problem isn’t you. Riot’s server hiccups or regional outages are visible on status pages or Downdetector reports.
These fixes target the most common culprits—unstable home connections and suboptimal routing.
Advanced Solutions and Tools
For players still struggling, deeper solutions may help:
- Cloudflare WARP: A free tool that reroutes traffic more efficiently. It may slightly increase ping, but often smooths out packet delivery.
- ExitLag (paid): A gaming VPN that builds custom routes directly to Riot’s servers, designed to eliminate packet loss and jitter.
- Driver and overlay cleanup: Update network drivers, disable overlays like Discord or GeForce, and close bandwidth-hungry apps.
- Network reset: Use Windows’ built-in network reset or run commands like ipconfig /flushdns to refresh DNS tables.
These steps go beyond the basics, targeting software conflicts and traffic optimization.
When to Contact Your ISP
If packet loss continues after every local fix, the issue may lie with your internet provider. Common problems include faulty lines, overloaded regional nodes, or inefficient routing to Riot’s servers.
- Document the issue: Gather screenshots of in-game packet loss and run traceroutes to Riot servers.
- Escalate with your ISP: Share this data with your provider and request a line check or routing fix. Persistent packet loss often requires adjustments on their end.
A Stronger Connection, Better Gameplay
Valorant rewards precision, and even minor disruptions can tilt the balance of a round. Reducing packet loss is about more than smoother gameplay—it’s about keeping your competitive edge intact.
By combining basic network fixes, advanced routing tools, and proactive ISP communication, players can cut down on lag, reduce rubberbanding, and ensure every bullet and ability lands exactly as intended.
Written by:
Christian