A comprehensive guide to optimizing your ping and network stability for online gaming through Windows Registry tweaks and in-game settings adjustments. Originally compiled with Counter-Strike 2 in mind, these optimizations can help improve performance for a wide range of multiplayer titles. If you notice something isn’t right or if any part of the guide is outdated, please reach out so we can improve it further.

Disclaimer ⚠️

Always exercise caution when modifying the Windows Registry. It’s highly recommended to back up your registry before applying changes. Results may vary depending on your system and network conditions.

Windows Registry Optimization 🖥️

Below are steps for adjusting various Windows Registry settings that can potentially enhance your network performance and reduce ping in online games.

Access the Registry Editor:

  1. Press Win + R and type regedit, then press Enter.

Modify TCP Settings in Network Interfaces:

  1. Navigate to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces
  2. Identify your local IP address:
    • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
    • In the Command Prompt, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the “IPv4 Address” (e.g., 192.168.X.X or 10.X.X.X). For example: 69.69.69.148.
  3. In the Registry Editor, find the entry under Interfaces that matches your IP (IPAddress or DhcpIPAddress).
  4. Right-click > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value for each of the following, then set their values:
    • TcpAckFrequency: Value = 1 (Hexadecimal)
    • TCPNoDelay: Value = 1 (Hexadecimal)
    • TcpWindowSize: Value = 65535 (Decimal)

Set NonBestEffortLimit:

  1. Navigate to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Psched
  2. Right-click > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
  3. Name it NonBestEffortLimit
  4. Set the Value to 0 (Hexadecimal)

Adjust NetworkThrottlingIndex:

  1. Navigate to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Multimedia\SystemProfile
  2. Right-click > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
  3. Name it NetworkThrottlingIndex
  4. Set the Value to FFFFFFFF (Hexadecimal)

After Applying Changes:

Restart your PC to ensure all modifications are applied. Test your online game’s performance afterwards. If you don’t notice an improvement, or if something seems off, revert the changes or seek further assistance.

By following these steps, you can potentially lower your ping and enjoy a smoother online gaming experience across various competitive and multiplayer titles.