Experiencing lag while gaming or watching a video can be very frustrating for a live video streamer. I can only imagine the stress one might face when a stream they worked so hard to create does not play at the quality it should and the viewers are left disappointed. Engaging with your followers can quickly take a downturn if this becomes a continuous thing. Your casual fans will never become hardcore nor will they donate if they can’t find good quality videos to watch. They might even lose interest in your channel and leave for good.

If you have been facing such problems as a live streamer, then we totally feel for you and want you to know that we are here for you. That is why we have compiled this article to help you troubleshoot many of your issues right away. Also, keep in mind that even though it may seem like it, but you are not the only one facing such issues, and rest assured that they can easily be sorted.

However, before getting started on the reasons behind these problems and offering you solutions, let us clarify that for you to both watch and broadcast a live stream you need a high-speed internet connection. A high-speed internet provider like Grande adds an advantage by offering multiple services. For example, if you also want cable TV service at your house, you can sign up for its Cable TV services along with the internet service.

If you can agree that you have a good enough internet provider backing you, then let us look into the two types of lag and how you can troubleshoot them.

Network Lag

Network lag is also known as network latency and it is the kind of lag that we are all used to. Normally when we are talking about internet lag, it is the network lag we are pointing out. Another name for it is ping. Technically, it is the speed at which our data is transmitted between our device and the distant server. The less time it takes, the better your connection’s performance while gaming or streaming. When gaming online, a ping any higher than 150ms can be a problem because you will start experiencing lag and may even be kicked out of the game if it reaches an unacceptable level.

Similarly, if the latency is too high it will cause problems for you while broadcasting or streaming live videos. You may face lower quality videos, spotty connection, and in the worst case, lost viewers too. So, you must control the lag before it creates havoc for your live streams.

Graphic Lag

As discussed earlier, everyone knows about the network lag we face on and off. However, there is another kind of equally irritating lag that is called the graphic lag. Many of us may face it without knowing what exactly is going on. Graphic lag is the lag in data transmission to your screen. A good example to explain this would be the delay of data transmission from your game controller to your game.

This means that whatever you input will take longer to register, thus resulting in delayed action. This could result in deterring viewers from watching your streams in the future. And may cause you a lot of irritation if you were watching a video.

Troubleshoot Network Lag

There is a solution to every problem and it is the same for network lag too. The easiest way to fix it while streaming is by using an Ethernet cable to connect your device directly to your modem. A wired connection offers much better speeds than a wireless network because there is an interruption or disturbance in the signal. If your internet provider did not provide an Ethernet cable with the equipment, then you can purchase one from any electronics/computer store.

Stop any program or apps running in the background to improve your latency. Often updates and downloads are running in the background that we normally don’t pay attention to. However, it is important to check these when you want to enjoy seamless streaming.

Besides this, you can also shed any extra devices connected to the internet, especially if you’re a big family. Everyone likely has all of their devices connected simultaneously even if they’re not using them. So when you want to stream, ensure that only the devices that need to be connected are connected. Also, try managing a schedule for downloads and streaming so not everyone is doing this simultaneously.

Troubleshoot Graphic Lag

Just like network lag has a solution, so does graphic lag. The easiest solution, in this case, is to lower the resolution of your stream. There is a possibility that your device does not support the resolution you’re trying to broadcast or watch a video in. Thus, the lag. Also, check for any pending driver updates that may be causing the lag.

Background downloads, programs, or apps can also cause graphic lag so in this case, as well, you’ll need to ensure that only the programs you’re currently using are open. A stream management program can be of great help if you want to declutter your desktop and make sure that when you’re streaming the entire capacity of your device is focused on it.

Conclusion

Now you know what to do when you face these two types of lag. We hope that you have a wonderful streaming experience from now onwards.