Understanding a Network Lag Switch GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Internet, Networking, & Security > Home Networking 162 162 people found this article helpful

Guide to a Network Lag Switch

What is it and how does it work?

By Bradley Mitchell Bradley Mitchell Writer Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Illinois An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 10, 2020 Reviewed by Jerrick Leger Reviewed by Jerrick Leger Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Home Networking The Wireless Connection Routers & Firewalls Network Hubs ISP Broadband Ethernet Installing & Upgrading Wi-Fi & Wireless A lag switch is a piece of equipment installed on a home network that temporarily delays the flow of traffic to the internet. In an online gaming context, the physical toggle can be switched on to delay gameplay to give the lag switcher the upper hand. Lag switches are unrelated to normal network switches and are typically not the cause of general lagging on computer networks. Jared DeCinque / Getty Images

How a Hardware Lag Switch Works

One example that indicates a lag switch is being used is if the opponent jumps around on the screen when you shoot at the character. Or maybe the character appears invisible and completely unscathed from point-blank shots. Lag switches are not part of normal gameplay; online gamers who care about sportsmanship do not use them. Some gaming communities ban players that they suspect are lagging on purpose. When a lag switch is activated, it runs on a short timer that typically lasts a few seconds. During this time, it effectively blocks all network traffic between the gaming console and the internet. Because the game recognizes that the user's internet is down, the player appears to be paused and unresponsive. However, the game doesn't kick out the user because it assumes the connection will resume shortly. However, during this time, the user can play locally. When the lag switch timer expires, the local device re-synchronizes with the online game, which appears to opponents in a sudden burst.

What a Hardware Lag Switch Looks Like

The basic hardware lag switch is a small Ethernet device where either the orange or green wire of a CAT5 cable has been spliced to a push button or other physical switch. This device connects to the game device (typically a PC or console) from the home network router (or broadband modem if no router exists).

Other Types of Lag Switches

Some video game consoles are designed to detect hardware lag switches through a voltage indicator that understands when the switch has been flipped. However, there are other ways to simulate a loss of internet connection that works much like a physical lag switch. For example, unplugging the network cable for a few seconds disrupts the flow of traffic to the point that the game can't synchronize with the internet. Much like using a lag switch, pulling the Ethernet cable for long enough, and then reattaching it, is an innocent way to lag without using a lag switch. There are also software-based lag switches that use a program to flood the local network with so much data that the bandwidth is almost used up. This is similar to disconnecting the Ethernet cable or toggling a lag switch. However, it can't be used for too long or the game will assume the player isn't returning and will disconnect them from the game. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What Causes Network Lag and How to Fix It What Is Bandwidth Throttling? Why Does Anyone Do It? Ethernet Cables, How They Work and How to Choose the Right One How to Fix Netflix Error Code NW-2-5 on Any Device How to Connect Two Home Computers Through a Network How to Connect Two Routers on a Home Network What to Do When Windows 11 Can't Connect to a Network What Is a Network? How to Fix the PS4 'Cannot Connect to the Wi-Fi Network' Error How to Fix Network Cable Unplugged Errors in Windows The Best Router Settings for Home Networks What Is a Switch? Computer Networking Wired vs. Wireless Video Game Networks What Is a LAN (Local Area Network)? How to Set Up Port Forwarding What Is a Hub in a Computer Network? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies