Gaming is great, thrilling, and sets us glued to the screen for hours, but how is it fun with the constant lagging? For a game like Overwatch, the biggest issue is that it takes up or requires huge amounts of bandwidth, but how can you keep up with it when your ISP is throttling your internet connection? This guide will show you how to fix Overwatch lag spikes and packet loss with a simple solution – a VPN.
Most of us who use VPN services, often get one to bypass censorship and regional blocks to access some of the best streaming content available on the internet. Some of you even want a VPN to get access to the best games – in this case is Overwatch.
However, a VPN offers far many other benefits that can come real handy like avoiding lag spikes or packet loss while playing Overwatch. It happens quite regularly on the game and a VPN is the best solution to it.
However, not every VPN is the best for it, which is why in this circumstance, you will need the best gaming VPN.
How to fix Overwatch lag spikes and packet loss
- Subscribe to the best Overwatch VPN service
- Download and install the VPN on your device
- Launch the VPN, sign in, and connect to the best server.
- And that’s all! Your lagging and packet loss issue should now be resolved.
Besides a VPN, how else can you fix lag & packet loss on Overwatch?
Other than using the best VPN to fix Overwatch lag and packet loss, there are other steps you can take. The thing is, other than your ISP, there might be other reasons for causing this issue. Take a look at them below and what steps you can take to fix them:
- You could try checking up on your network settings. If you’re currently using a slower package, ask your network provider to offer a faster one.
- Check the game settings too. If there are certain visuals within the game that are taking up too much bandwidth and you don’t necessarily need, change the settings to something lower. Preferably to something that does not take up that much bandwidth.
- Make sure there is nothing excessive like a software etc that is running in the background. There are times when too much load takes up bandwidth other than the Overwatch game you’re playing.
- Others might be stealing your WiFi. Try changing the password and make sure no one but you knows it, if you’re living alone.
- Check to see if any hardware is causing some issues. Maybe overheated cables etc. Or, try restarting your router and modem; could be the reason everything is lagging or not working.
- Sometimes too many devices connected to the same network is an issue. Try disconnecting the devices that are not being used and then start gaming on Overwatch. Maybe then you won’t experience the lagging or packet loss issue.
The best VPNs to fix Overwatch lag spikes and packet loss
As mentioned above, not every VPN is the best for this task, which is why we’ve chosen and tested the top 3 providers that are the best. They are:
1. ExpressVPN – Fastest speeds and loading time
ExpressVPN usually gets great reviews for its overall performance. The reason why it tops the list to fix Overwatch lag spikes and packet loss is because of its speedy servers. It has around 3000+ servers in 94 countries, all of which are optimized for gaming, streaming and torrenting.
Speeds and lagging and loss of bandwidth are one of the major concerns for the Overwatch ping spike and this is why ExpressVPN will be just the fix you need. During testing, it fixed most of the latency issues, and the speeds were some of the fastest. You could compare it to other providers for results.
Other than that, with ExpressVPN, you won’t have to encounter any DDoS attacks during the game or while gaming in general. The provider operates using 256-bit encryption, matched with secure protocols. It has a Split-Tunneling feature, is DNS and IP leak protected, and comes with a Kill Switch on all its apps. Plus, even if Overwatch is blocked where you’re located, ExpressVPN can help you bypass geo-blocks.
Another perk is that ExpressVPN can be added on most gaming consoles, be it PS4, Xbox, and other devices that you play Overwatch on. The provider allows its users to simultaneously connect on up to 5 devices at a time.
It is true that ExpressVPN is more on the expensive side, but it’s definitely worth it. You could always test the VPN using its 7-day free trial or its 30-day refund period. Either way, if you’re not satisfied, ExpressVPN offers a full refund within the 30-day mark.
2. Surfshark – Fast, Secure and Affordable for Overwatch players
Other than ExpressVPN, we have Surfshark that is another crowd favorite; especially for gaming and streaming. It is affordable, secure, fast, offers numerous servers and the list goes on. Let’s discuss in detail why Surfshark is one of the best to fix Overwatch lag spikes and packet loss.
Firstly, Surfshark has around 3200+ servers in 65 countries, all of which are quite fast – great enough for bypassing ISP speed and bandwidth throttling. It can help fix the Overwatch lag spikes and packet loss that is a major issue that most users face – offering unlimited bandwidth and faster speeds.
Other than gaming, Surfshark is the best for streaming. It unblocks Netflix, Disney Plus, and other platforms without any buffering issues.
Plus, if ever there is a particular device that you’d like to game Overwatch on, Surfshark allows unlimited device connections and supports apps for all the major devices. It can be set up on your PS4, Firestick, routers, Xbox, and others.
Security and privacy will never be a major issue for you again, nor having to experience DDoS attacks. It’s because Surfshark is one of the best for online protection and privacy. It operates using AES 256-bit encryption, matched with OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. Other features include GPS Spoofing, a Kill Switch, an Ad-blocker and other necessary features for online protection.
Other than this, if you feel that you should be testing the Surfshark app, it offers a free trial and a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee. You can hack a free trial during those 30-days or contact the support chat for a refund if you’re not happy with the service.
3. NordVPN – DDoS protection & maintains ping time for Overwatch gaming
If bypassing or fixing the lag spikes and packet loss is your main concern while gaming on Overwatch, then NordVPN makes one of the best VPN choices for it. It’s widely known for its strict no-logging policies and advanced security features, matched with speedy servers.
NordVPN offers around 5400+ servers in 59 countries that you can connect to, to either unblock Overwatch from within your country, or to maintain the speeds or lagging issues on it. The speeds were some of the fastest recorded, when we tested the NordVPN app.
While testing, we also made sure to try and unblock multiple other gaming platforms, and streaming platforms just to check the overall performance levels. I got access to Netflix libraries, Hulu, Amazon Prime and much more. Best of all? NordVPN works in China too, so accessing Overwatch there without lagging and packet loss issues will be a breeze.
We mentioned above that NordVPN is the best for security and privacy. It comes with DDoS protection, and operates using AES 256-bit encryption. There’s even a CyberSec feature to help block malicious ads, if ever the need arises.
Furthermore, the NordVPN apps are DNS leak protected and come with a Kill Switch to help protect your connection if ever the VPN stops working. If you’re running Overwatch on your Xbox or PS4, you can do so since NordVPN allows up to 6 multi-device simultaneous connections.
Just for an idea, NordVPN supports Windows, macOS, Firestick, Android, iOS, Linux, PS4, Routers, browser extensions, Xbox, and others. Of course, I wouldn’t expect you to just jump into the app without testing it. NordVPN offers a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy with its performance within the 30 days, you could always ask for a full refund!
How does a VPN help fix Overwatch lag & packet loss issues?
Overwatch is a multiplayer game, and comes with advanced graphics and other utilities that can easily take up a lot of data. It’s not even just you, but the bandwidth shared between you and other players over the game.
Other than that, there are other members of your family over the same network that are using up bandwidth too. This causes the entire connection to slow down, especially considering that a game like Overwatch needs a lot of bandwidth – not manageable by just any internet provider’s network.
Another issue that takes place is ISP throttling. ISP stands for internet service provider. Your ISP is probably or most certainly controlling the amount of bandwidth and speeds you use up.
It’s like, if you’re paying for a certain internet package and the speeds you receive are nothing in comparison. So, how is it going to help you play Overwatch? Or any other multiplayer game for that matter?
The entire picture is, you’re playing Overwatch, and strike your move, but your move has not been shot until after a few seconds or minutes. Before you know it, you’re already shot on the game.
This is where and why a VPN is beneficial to you. It can help make the speeds consistent, reduce ping time and latency issues.
To conclude
And that’s a wrap! You now have access to the best VPNs and other methods that you can use to fix Overwatch lag spikes and packet loss issues. Hopefully this guide will have solved most of the issues you’re facing while playing the game.
