Millions of players log into League of Legends every day, expecting a smooth, competitive experience. But for many, that experience is interrupted by a familiar frustration: lag. Whether it’s a delayed skill shot, rubberbanding movement, or a frozen champion in the middle of a teamfight, lag can turn even the best-planned game into a chaotic mess.
So why is League of Legends lagging — and what can players do to fix it?
This article breaks down the technical, regional, and gameplay-related reasons behind lag, as well as practical steps to identify and resolve the issue.
Understanding the Basics: What Is Lag?
“Lag” in online gaming refers to a delay between a player’s input and the game’s response. In League, it usually manifests in one of two ways:
- High ping (network latency): Delays caused by slow or unstable internet connections.
- Low FPS (frames per second): Performance issues on the user’s machine, often due to hardware or software conflicts.
Knowing which type you’re dealing with is the first step to solving the problem.
Network Issues: The Most Common Culprit
High Ping
Ping is the measure of how long it takes data to travel from your computer to Riot’s servers and back — measured in milliseconds (ms). Anything over 100ms is noticeable, while 200ms+ can make the game unplayable.
Common Causes:
- Poor Wi-Fi signal or interference
- Background apps using bandwidth (e.g., downloads, streaming)
- Internet service provider (ISP) issues
- Playing on the wrong regional server
Solutions:
- Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi
- Close background apps like Steam, Netflix, or cloud backups
- Restart your router/modem
- Switch to the correct region in the game client
Riot’s Servers: Not Always in Your Control
Though Riot boasts one of the most stable server networks in gaming, outages and maintenance do happen.
Server Lag
- Occurs when Riot’s servers are overloaded or under maintenance.
- May affect multiple players in a game simultaneously.
- Usually shows up as everyone lagging, not just you.
How to Check:
- Visit status.riotgames.com to see if your region is having server issues.
- Check Reddit or Twitter for real-time community reports.
FPS Drops: When Hardware Struggles
Lag isn’t always about the internet. Sometimes your computer can’t keep up.
Signs of FPS Lag:
- Stuttering graphics
- Freezing during teamfights
- Fan spinning loudly or system overheating
Causes:
- Outdated or low-spec hardware (CPU, GPU, RAM)
- High graphics settings in-game
- Overheating or dust buildup
- Background applications hogging resources
Solutions:
- Lower your in-game video settings
- Update graphics card drivers
- Clean your PC’s internals (especially fans and vents)
- Close resource-heavy apps like Chrome or Discord overlays
Software Conflicts and Background Processes
Sometimes, the issue lies in how your operating system or third-party programs interact with League.
Examples:
- Antivirus scans running mid-game
- Windows updates downloading in the background
- Overlays (e.g., Discord, Nvidia ShadowPlay) causing performance hits
Fixes:
- Set League of Legends to “High Priority” in Task Manager
- Pause or reschedule updates
- Disable overlays temporarily
Riot Vanguard and Firewall Issues
Riot’s anti-cheat and security systems (like Vanguard, used with Valorant) can sometimes interfere with League if improperly configured.
Pro Tip: Add League of Legends and Riot Client as exceptions in your firewall and antivirus settings to avoid connectivity issues.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Endure Lag — Fight It
Lag can feel like an unavoidable part of online gaming, but it doesn’t have to be. With a bit of troubleshooting — from checking ping and closing background apps to adjusting graphics settings and checking Riot’s server status — most players can dramatically reduce or eliminate lag in League of Legends.
Because when you’re chasing that final kill or landing the perfect Malphite ult, every millisecond counts.
Written by:
Christian