Why Is My Ping So High In League Of Legends Wifi Vs Ethernet Check

Ping is more than just a number on your screen—it’s the invisible thread connecting your actions to what happens in-game. In fast-paced titles like League of Legends, where split-second reactions determine victory or defeat, high ping can turn an otherwise flawless play into a frustrating failure. If you’ve ever felt like your champion lags behind your clicks, you’re not imagining it. The root cause might be simpler than you think: your internet connection type. Whether you're using Wi-Fi or Ethernet could be the difference between carrying your team and being carried by them.

League of Legends, developed by Riot Games, is designed to run efficiently even on modest hardware and connections. Yet, players worldwide report inconsistent latency, rubberbanding, and delayed spell casts—issues that often trace back to network instability rather than server problems. This article dives deep into why your ping might be spiking, compares Wi-Fi and Ethernet performance in real gaming conditions, and provides actionable steps to diagnose and resolve connectivity issues.

Understanding Ping and Its Impact on Gameplay

Ping measures the round-trip time it takes for data to travel from your computer to the game server and back, expressed in milliseconds (ms). A lower ping means faster communication; anything under 50 ms is ideal for competitive play. Once you cross 100 ms, delays become noticeable. At 150+ ms, you're effectively playing with a handicap.

In League of Legends, high ping manifests as:

• Delayed ability activation despite correct timing
• Champions \"teleporting\" after movement due to desynchronization
• Missed skill shots because enemy positions update late
• Increased susceptibility to crowd control during lag spikes

These aren’t bugs—they’re symptoms of latency. And while Riot’s servers are generally stable, your local network environment plays a decisive role in how smoothly data flows.

“Latency isn’t just about speed—it’s about consistency. Gamers need predictable response times, not occasional bursts of performance.” — Dr. Alan Reyes, Network Performance Researcher at MIT Computer Science Lab

Wi-Fi vs Ethernet: The Real-World Difference in Gaming

The debate between Wi-Fi and Ethernet isn't theoretical—it's measurable. While modern Wi-Fi standards (like Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6) promise speeds rivaling wired connections, they still fall short in critical areas: stability, interference, and latency variance.

Ethernet offers a direct, dedicated physical link between your device and router. It bypasses airwave congestion, signal degradation, and bandwidth sharing—all common pitfalls of wireless networks.

Tip: Even if your Wi-Fi shows full bars and fast download speeds, it may still suffer from micro-latency spikes invisible to standard speed tests.

Key Differences That Matter for League Players

Metric	Ethernet	Wi-Fi
Average Ping	20–40 ms	40–100+ ms
Jitter (Variability)	Low (1–3 ms)	High (5–20+ ms)
Packet Loss	Nearly 0%	0.5%–3% (or higher)
Interference Sources	None (physical isolation)	Neighbors’ networks, microwaves, walls, Bluetooth
Connection Stability	Consistent	Fluctuates with environment

Even when both connections show similar download speeds, Ethernet consistently outperforms Wi-Fi in jitter and packet delivery—two factors crucial for real-time gameplay. A single dropped packet can mean missing a Flash escape or having your ultimate ability register too late.

Step-by-Step Guide to Diagnosing High Ping in League of Legends

Before blaming your ISP or Riot’s servers, conduct a structured diagnosis. Follow this timeline to isolate the issue:

1. Check Your In-Game Ping
   Launch League of Legends, go to Settings > Game > Interface, and enable “Display Network Statistics.” Monitor your ping during normal gameplay. Consistently above 100 ms? Proceed.
2. Run a Baseline Speed Test
   Use a tool like speedtest.net or fast.com. Note your ping, download, and upload. But don’t stop here—this only reflects general internet health.
3. Test Latency to Riot Servers
   Open Command Prompt (Windows) and type:
   ping 104.160.141.3 (Riot’s NA server IP)
   Repeat 20 times. Look for average below 60 ms and minimal packet loss.
4. Switch Connection Types
   If currently on Wi-Fi, connect via Ethernet. Re-run the ping test. If ping drops significantly, Wi-Fi was the bottleneck.
5. Monitor Background Activity
   Close apps like Steam, Discord (voice), cloud sync tools, and video streams. These consume bandwidth and increase latency unpredictably.
6. Restart Networking Hardware
   Power cycle your modem and router. Wait two minutes before reconnecting. This clears temporary glitches and resets DHCP leases.
7. Update Network Drivers
   Outdated drivers—especially on laptops—can mismanage Wi-Fi signals. Visit your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s website for updates.

This process typically identifies the source within 30 minutes. Most cases reveal either environmental Wi-Fi interference or unnecessary background traffic.

Real Example: From 180 Ping to 32 – One Player’s Fix

Daniel, a Silver-ranked player from Chicago, struggled with chronic high ping. Despite having a 200 Mbps plan, his in-game latency hovered between 150–200 ms. He blamed Riot, assuming server issues were at fault. After reading forums, he decided to test Ethernet.

He dug out an old Cat 6 cable, ran it across his living room, and connected his laptop directly to the router. On reboot, his ping dropped to 38 ms. Curious, he repeated the Wi-Fi test immediately after—back to 160+. The culprit? His apartment building had over 30 visible Wi-Fi networks, all competing for the same 2.4 GHz band.

By switching to a 5 GHz network and eventually upgrading to a mesh system with dedicated backhaul, Daniel stabilized his connection. His gameplay improved noticeably—fewer missed skill shots, cleaner escapes, and better map awareness due to timely updates.

His story isn’t unique. Thousands of players overlook their home network setup, assuming internet speed equals gaming performance. But as Daniel learned, consistency trumps raw bandwidth.

Actionable Tips to Reduce Ping Immediately

Tip: Use a wired Ethernet connection whenever possible. It’s the single most effective way to reduce ping and jitter in online games.

Tip: Position your Wi-Fi router centrally, away from metal objects and appliances. If using Wi-Fi, connect to the 5 GHz band for lower latency.

Tip: Enable Quality of Service (QoS) in your router settings to prioritize gaming traffic over downloads and streaming.

Quick Checklist: Optimize Your Setup Today

• ✅ Connect via Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi
• ✅ Restart modem/router weekly
• ✅ Close bandwidth-heavy apps during gameplay
• ✅ Update network adapter drivers
• ✅ Switch Wi-Fi to 5 GHz and use less congested channels
• ✅ Place router in open space, elevated and central
• ✅ Disable automatic updates during ranked matches

Frequently Asked Questions

Does distance to the server affect my ping in League of Legends?

Yes. Physical distance increases minimum latency. For example, a player in Australia will naturally have higher ping to NA servers than someone in New York. However, within the same region, connection quality becomes the dominant factor. Riot operates regional data centers—always ensure you’re logging into the closest one.

Can a better router improve my ping?

It depends. A modern router with QoS, MU-MIMO, and strong 5 GHz performance can reduce local network congestion and improve Wi-Fi reliability. But no router eliminates the inherent instability of wireless versus wired. For maximum gains, pair a good router with an Ethernet cable.

Is high ping always my fault?

No. While most high-ping issues stem from local networks, server-side events like maintenance, DDoS attacks, or routing changes can cause temporary spikes. Check Downdetector or Riot’s status page to rule out widespread issues. If others report problems simultaneously, it may not be your setup.

Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Connection

High ping doesn’t have to be a permanent part of your League of Legends experience. The choice between Wi-Fi and Ethernet isn’t just technical—it’s tactical. Every millisecond saved is a step ahead of your opponent. While Wi-Fi offers convenience, it sacrifices the precision required for competitive play.

You don’t need expensive gear to fix this. A $10 Ethernet cable, a few configuration tweaks, and disciplined network hygiene can transform your gameplay. Stop accepting lag as inevitable. Diagnose your setup, apply the steps in this guide, and feel the difference when your abilities respond instantly.

Remember: champions win fights, but infrastructure wins games.

💬 Did this guide help you lower your ping? Share your results, ask questions, or tell us about your setup—we’d love to hear how you optimized your League of Legends experience!