Ping spikes when you’re playing Overwatch? Don’t worry… Although it’s incredibly frustrating, you’re definitely not the only person to experience this problem. Thousands of players have recently reported the very same issue. More importantly, you should be able to fix it pretty easily…
Fixes to try:
Here’s a list of fixes that have resolved this problem for other Overwatch players. You don’t have to try them all. Just work your way through the list until you find the one that does the trick for you.
- Reboot your network
- Update your network driver
- Reset Winsock data
- Flush your DNS and renew your IP
- Close bandwidth hogging applications
- Change your DNS server
- Avoid wireless interference
- Disable the proxy server
- Run Blizzard’s Battle.net Looking-Glass
Fix 1: Reboot your network
By rebooting your network, your Internet connection speed may be back to normal. So maybe it will also resolve the high ping issue. Here is how to do it:
1) Unplug your modem (and your wireless router, if it’s a separate device) from power for 60 seconds.
2) Plug in your network devices again and wait until the indicator lights are back to its normal state.
3) Try launching Overwatch again.
See if ping spikes in Overwatch again. If Overwatch still lags after you reboot your network, try the next fix, below.
Fix 2: Update your network driver
An outdated or missing network driver may also trigger this issue. Try updating your network driver and maybe this issue can be fixed.
There’re two ways to update your network driver: manually and automatically.
Manually update your network driver – You can update your network driver manually by going to the manufacturer’s website, and searching for the latest driver for your network adapter.
Or
Update your network driver automatically – If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update your network driver manually, you can, instead, do it automatically with Driver Easy. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing. Driver Easy handles it all.
1) Download and install Driver Easy.
2) Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
3) Click Update next to your network adapter to automatically download the correct version of its driver, then you can install it manually. Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (This requires the Pro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All. You get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee).
After you update your drivers to the latest version, launch Overwatch to see if this issue persists. If not, congratulations! You’ve resolved this issue. If this issue reappears, try the next fix, below.
Fix 3: Reset Winsock data
Winsock is a programming interface and supporting program in Windows operating system. It defines how Windows network software should access network services. If its data went wrong, this issue may occur. In this case, resetting Winsock data may resolve this issue, because resetting Winsock data is helpful for dealing with some network connection issues. Here is how to do it:
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and then type cmd in the search box. When you see Command Prompt in the list of results, right-click it and then select Run as administrator. You will be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run Command Prompt.
2) In the Command Prompt, type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
3) Restart your PC to complete the reset.
Launch Overwatch after you restart your PC to see if Overwatch lags or not. If this issue reappears, try the next fix, below.
Fix 4: Flush your DNS and Renew your IP
The high ping issue is also probably caused by the DNS and IP issues. Try flushing your DNS and renewing your IP and maybe this issue will be resolved. Here is how to do it:
To flush your DNS:
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and then press Ctrl, Shift and Enter on your keyboard at the same time to run Command Prompt as administrator. You will be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run the Command Prompt.
2) Type the command line ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter on your keyboard.
To renew your IP:
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and Rat the same time to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and then press Ctrl, Shift and Enter on your keyboard at the same time to run Command Prompt as administrator. You will be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run the Command Prompt.
2) Type the command line ipconfig /release and press Enter on your keyboard.
3) Type the command line ipconfig /renew and press Enter on your keyboard.
4) Launch Overwatch.
See if the high ping issue reappears. If not, you’ve fixed this issue. If Overwatch still lags, don’t worry. Try the next fix, below.
Fix 5: Close bandwidth hogging applications
If you’re running other applications like OneDrive, Dropbox and iCloud that require Internet connection to download and upload files, or if your family members are watching TV shows at the same time, the high ping issue may occur when you’re in the middle of your online FPS game.
To resolve this issue, you need to close those bandwidth hogging applications. Here is how to do it:
1) On your keyboard, press Ctrl, Shift and Esc at the same time to open the Task Manager.
2) Right-click the bandwidth hogging applications and then select End task.
Launch Overwatch to see if this issue reappears. If not, try the next fix to change your DNS server.
Fix 6: Change your DNS server
Google Public DNS provides you with a speed boost and an increased security. Try changing the DNS server in your PC to the Google Public DNS addresses to see if this issue can be resolved. Here is how to do it:
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Then type control and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
2) View the Control Panel by Category. Click View network status and tasks.
3) In the pop-up window, click Change adapter settings.
4) Right-click your current network and then select Properties.
5) Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4) to view its properties.
6) Select Obtain an IP address automatically and Use the following DNS server addresses. For the Preferred DNS server, enter the Google Public DNS address: 8.8.8.8; for the Alternative DNS server, enter the Google Public DNS address: 8.8.4.4. Then click OK to save the changes.
7) Restart your PC and launch Overwatch.
See if the high ping issue reappears. If not, you’ve fixed this issue. If it persists, try the next fix, below.
Fix 7: Avoid Wireless interference
If Overwatch high ping issue appears when your PC connects to the Internet via your Wi-Fi network, this issue is also probably caused by wireless interference. To resolve this issue, you need to avoid wireless interference and improve your Wi-Fi signal. Here is how to do it:
- Move your router to a new location. If your router is in the center of your home, you’ll get a better Wi-Fi signal.
- Move wireless devices such as cordless phones or microwave ovens away from your router; or turn off those devices.
Launch Overwatch again to see if the high ping issue reappears. If so, try the next fix, below.
Fix 8: Disable the proxy server
You may run into the high ping issue if you’re using a proxy server. Try disabling your proxy server and maybe this issue can be resolved. Here is how to do it:
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Type inetcpl.cpl and press Enter.
2) Navigate to the Connections tab. Select Never dial a connection if you see it (somewhere below Choose Settings if you need…). Then click on LAN settings.
3) Uncheck the box next to Use a proxy server for your LAN. If it is already unchecked, check the box next to Automatically detect settings. Then click OK.
4) If you’re using a VPN or a third-party proxy sever, disable it.
Launch Overwatch to see if this issue persists. If so, try running Blizzard’s Battle.net Looking-Glass.
Fix 9: Run Blizzard’s Battle.net Looking-Glass
Blizzard’s Battle.net Looking-Glass is a network diagnostic tool that can be used to test your server connection. Follow the steps below to test your server connection:
1) Visit Blizzard’s Battle.net Looking-Glass.
2) Select your region and the service (Overwatch). Check all of the testing items and then click Run Test.
3) You can post the test results with the detailed information of your problem on the official forum of Overwatch and see if anyone can help you analyze the results and solve your problem.
If you have any questions or suggestions, you’re more than welcome to leave us a comment below.