Let us consider some of the most common issues which arise with a poor connection and steps which can be taken to rectify problems.

Latency/ping value showcases the strength of your broadband connection. A good ping value is somewhere around 1-30ms (milliseconds). Any ping value below 80ms is still considered playable with just a minor lag but anything above that can ruin your gaming experience. In competitive environments, precision is the key and the minutest of clicks matters; thus if you are participating in an online tournament, you will be handicapped if your connection doesn’t support a good ping - a disadvantage which can be costly. Fluctuating pings might also occur giving you an unstable and constantly changing ping value. This issue is quite common with poor connections or damaged wires and makes gaming a pain rather than pleasure while competitive gaming becomes totally out of the question. 

A trial and error solution is the most dependable when you want to rectify your latency problems. Let us consider a few steps which can help you overcome this problem. 

·  You should disable any downloads in the background because they can result in an increased ping. Closing programs which take up excess RAM is also recommended. A number of programs might have minor downloads of their own which automatically start when an internet connection is detected so closing them beforehand is recommended too. 

·  Usually a number of devices have access to a Wi-Fi connection in a household. Streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube eat up a lot of data and if someone else is using the same internet you are, that will result in a higher and unstable ping. You should make sure your device is the only one connected if you want a great gaming experience. 

·  Bad sectors are sometimes created between the router and your computer and the easiest way to resolve this issue is to restart your router. Give at least a 1-minute pause before turning the device back on and that should resolve the issue. 

Another issue that alters the dependability of an internet connection is insufficient speed. Advanced games have been introduced in the market with amazing graphics but they require more bandwidth to operate seamlessly in an online environment. If the connection is not sufficiently fast to support the upgraded engine that would result in constant lags and failures while playing online. 

To rectify this problem, you should contact your service provider and ask for a connection upgrade. Opting for a fiber-optic connection is recommended for gaming purposes as they are quite dependable and capable of providing a higher speed without the need to upgrade the wires. If an upgrade is not available, you should consider going for a high speed internet option available in your area.

Line connectivity needs to be improved if you want to make the most out of your internet connection. Fiber optic connections don’t suffer from these issues due to advanced infrastructure but if you are not using a fiber connection, you should observe the following steps:

· Old routers and modems often have old definitions installed and consequently, they are unable to support modern traffic. As a result, you will experience lags, but your connection is not the issue in this scenario, rather it’s the hardware. Replacing old hardware with new is the only option here. While buying new equipment, make sure you get components which are compatible with your connection. You can consult your network provider for advice in this regard as they often assist customers in replacing older equipment.

· Some devices such as mobile phones can disrupt the magnetic and electric fields of equipment around them and it is advised to charge or keep them a safe distance away from your router and line to be able to enjoy a noiseless connection. 

·  Your router settings can also get messed up in certain instances. You can monitor the ADSL light on top of the router for a while and if it blinks there might be an issue with the settings. Contact your service provider if that is the case and they will be able to solve this in a jiffy. 

Wi-Fi connections might offer you the flexibility of being able to carry your workstations around with you, but when it comes to purely dedicated internet speeds for gaming, wired connections are still the kings. Wi-Fi connections often limit the bandwidth which can be accessed and a number of connected devices can lower your speeds too as discussed before. Direct wires might look somewhat messy but solve these issues as their potential for delivering speed is many times that of Wi-Fi connections. So an Ethernet cable connection should be a priority, if available, to enjoy gaming at its finest. 

Acting on the aforementioned solutions might help you get rid of your internet nightmare. Being a gamer and having a poor connection in your gaming environment is absolutely unacceptable, and we know that. So, now you might be able to identify the issue with your connection and solve it ASAP to do what you love, so get gaming!