How to Fix High Ping in Games An Analytical Breakdown
High ping in games can turn a thrilling experience into a frustrating mess. Whether you're dodging alien cartel enforcers in High On Life or navigating Hong Kong's criminal underworld in Sleeping D...
Pedro Dias
February 28, 2026 · 4 min read
High ping in games can turn a thrilling experience into a frustrating mess. Whether you're dodging alien cartel enforcers in High On Life or navigating Hong Kong's criminal underworld in Sleeping Dogs, latency issues can break immersion. This guide organizes troubleshooting steps by symptom, so you can quickly identify the cause and resolve it. Let's dive into specific solutions for the most common high ping scenarios.
10. High On Life
Squanch Games
Dec 13, 2022
From the mind of Justin Roiland (Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites) comes High On Life. Humanity is being threatened by an alien cartel who wants to …
High On Life, Squanch Games' chaotic shooter, relies on online multiplayer for co-op missions and competitive modes. Players often report sudden spikes in ping during these sessions, leading to rubber-banding and delayed actions. The root cause is typically server distance or unstable connections. To fix this, first, check your router settings for Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization. Assigning your game traffic a higher priority can reduce lag. If you're on PC, use the Steam Network Test to identify bottlenecks. For console players, ensure your network is set to Wired Connection in the system settings - Wi-Fi is notoriously unreliable for fast-paced games like this.
A secondary issue arises from High On Life's dynamic world. If you're experiencing lag in single-player areas, it might be due to background processes or corrupted game files. On PC, verify game files via Steam and disable unnecessary background apps like Discord or browser tabs. Console players should try a PS5/Xbox SSD Check to rule out hardware throttling. Justin Roiland's signature humor and weapon personalities shine brightest when the game runs smoothly, so these fixes are critical for enjoying the full experience.
10. Sleeping Dogs
United Front Games · Bandai Namco Entertainment
Aug 13, 2012
Wei Shen, an young officer working for the San Francisco Police Department gets tasked to go back to his hometown of Hong Kong. In Hong Kong Wei is…
Sleeping Dogs' 2010 open-world action is still beloved for its deep martial arts combat and Hong Kong setting. However, modern players might face high ping in the World of Gangs online mode, which pits players against rival crews. The issue here is often outdated server infrastructure. To mitigate this, try connecting during off-peak hours (late at night or early mornings) when server loads are lower. If you're on PC, launch the game in Borderless Windowed Mode to force DirectX 11 compatibility - this can stabilize frame rates and reduce input lag for the game's demanding visuals.
For single-player lag in mission-critical sequences (like the iconic rooftop chase), adjust your Graphics Settings to lower shadows and draw distance. The PS3/Xbox 360 ports also benefit from using a 5GHz Wi-Fi band if playing online DLCs. While the base game is a 81.5/100 IGDB hit, its legacy is best appreciated when your connection doesn't interfere with Wei Shen's kung fu mastery.
10. Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition
United Front Games · Square Enix
Oct 10, 2014
The Definitive Edition of the critically acclaimed, award winning open-world action adventure, reworked, rebuilt and re-mastered for the new genera…
The Definitive Edition brings enhanced visuals and new content to United Front Games' classic. However, players on PC report high ping during Open World Challenges hosted online. This is usually due to firewall/antivirus interference. Temporarily disable these programs and retest. If the problem persists, use Port Forwarding for UDP ports 3074 and 4380 (common for older titles). Console players should ensure their firmware is updated to the latest version for better network protocols.
For local lag in missions like the Golden Triangle heist, check your GPU driver version. Outdated drivers can cause stutter that mimics ping spikes. The Definitive Edition's 78.3 IGDB score is well-earned, but its remastered graphics demand a stable 60FPS to maintain immersion. Consider reducing Reflection Quality if your GPU is struggling - a small tweak that prevents latency-related frustration.
Fixing high ping requires a mix of network optimization, hardware checks, and game-specific tweaks. While High On Life demands modern servers and wired connections, Sleeping Dogs benefits from timing and compatibility adjustments. If these steps don’t resolve your issue, consider reaching out to the game’s support team or community forums. With these solutions, you’ll be back to enjoying co-op chaos and kung fu showdowns without delay.