10 Best Ethernet Settings for Game on Windows 11

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10 Best Ethernet Settings for Gaming on Windows 11

As gaming becomes more competitive and demanding, optimizing your network connection plays a crucial role in achieving unbeatable performance and a seamless experience. For gamers using Windows 11, fine-tuning your Ethernet settings can offer significant advantages over using a wireless connection. With a wired connection, you can minimize latency, reduce packet loss, and enjoy a stable and faster internet experience. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the 10 best Ethernet settings to enhance your gaming performance on Windows 11.

1. Adjusting Quality of Service (QoS) Settings

Quality of Service (QoS) settings allow you to prioritize specific traffic on your network. By configuring these settings for gaming, you can ensure that your gaming packets arrive faster without unnecessary delays caused by other network activities.

How to Set QoS:

  1. Access Router Settings: Type your router’s IP address into a web browser. Common addresses are 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
  2. Log In: Enter your router’s credentials. If unsure, check your router’s manual or the label on the device.
  3. Find QoS Settings: Look for a section labeled ‘QoS’ or ‘Traffic Management’.
  4. Enable QoS: Turn on QoS and prioritize your gaming device by adding it to the list.
  5. Save Settings: Always remember to save changes.

By prioritizing gaming packets, you can reduce lag and jitter, leading to a smoother gaming experience.

2. Disable Background Applications

Windows 11 tends to run numerous background applications that can consume bandwidth and processing power. Disabling or limiting these applications can free up valuable resources for gaming.

Steps to Disable Background Apps:

  1. Open Settings: Press Win + I to open the Settings menu.
  2. Go to Privacy & security: Click on this option from the sidebar.
  3. Select Background apps: View a list of applications running in the background.
  4. Turn Off Unwanted Applications: Toggle off applications you don’t need while gaming.

By streamlining your operating system, you can ensure a more efficient connection and high-quality gaming experience.

3. Set Ethernet as the Preferred Network

Sometimes, Windows prioritizes Wi-Fi over a wired Ethernet connection, which can lead to connectivity issues if both are enabled. Ensuring that Ethernet is set as the primary network can resolve this.

How to Set Ethernet as Preferred Network:

  1. Open Control Panel: Type ‘Control Panel’ into the search bar and open it.
  2. Go to Network and Internet: Click on this option.
  3. Network and Sharing Center: Select the link titled ‘Network and Sharing Center’.
  4. Change Adapter Settings: On the left sidebar, click on ‘Change adapter settings’.
  5. Prioritize Ethernet: Right-click your Ethernet connection and select ‘Properties’. Go to ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)’, select ‘Properties’, and then prioritize it.

By ensuring your Ethernet connection takes precedence, you can achieve stable and consistent performance for online gaming.

4. Enable Network Discovery

Network discovery allows your system to see other devices on the network and vice versa. Enabling this feature can sometimes improve connectivity with gaming servers.

Steps to Enable Network Discovery:

  1. Open Control Panel: Go to Control Panel from the Start menu.
  2. Network and Sharing Center: Click here.
  3. Change advanced sharing settings: Find this option in the left panel.
  4. Enable Network Discovery: Select the option to turn on network discovery.

This change ensures your system can effectively communicate on local and online networks, providing more stability during gameplay.

5. Optimize Windows Network Settings using Command Prompt

Optimizing your Windows network settings through Command Prompt can help clear out bottlenecks and enhance performance.

Commands to Run:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Type cmd in the Windows search bar, right-click, and select ‘Run as administrator’.

  2. Run Commands: Enter the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:

    netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=normal
netsh int tcp set global congestionprovider=none
netsh int tcp set global disableisreceivesettings=enabled
netsh interface tcp set global ecncapability=enabled

These commands adjust your TCP/IP settings, ensuring optimal data flows during gaming sessions.

6. Disable Windows Auto-Tuning

Auto-tuning is a feature designed to optimize network performance, but in some cases, it may introduce latency or network hiccups. Disabling it can yield better results for gamers.

How to Disable Windows Auto-Tuning:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: As described above.

  2. Enter the Command:

    netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled

  3. Press Enter: This command will turn off the auto-tuning feature, allowing greater control over your connection.

Disabling auto-tuning often improves connection stability during intensive gaming sessions.

7. Change DNS Settings

Switching to a faster DNS provider can reduce the time it takes to convert web addresses into IP addresses, thereby reducing lag. Google DNS and Cloudflare DNS are excellent options to consider.

Steps to Change DNS Settings:

  1. Open Network and Internet Settings: From the Settings menu, navigate to ‘Network & internet’.

  2. Select Ethernet: Click on your Ethernet connection.

  3. Click on ‘Edit’ under IP assignment.

  4. Set DNS Settings: Change from ‘Automatic’ to ‘Manual’. Enter your preferred DNS server addresses:

    Google DNS:

    • Preferred: 8.8.8.8
    • Alternate: 8.8.4.4

    Cloudflare DNS:

    • Preferred: 1.1.1.1
    • Alternate: 1.0.0.1

  5. Save Settings: Ensure you save the changes.

Switching DNS servers can lead to a noticeable improvement in browsing speed and online gaming performance.

8. Optimize Ethernet Adapter Properties

Adjusting the properties of your Ethernet adapter can minimize latency and enhance overall performance.

Steps to Optimize Properties:

  1. Open Device Manager: Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.

  2. Locate Network Adapters: Find your Ethernet adapter from the list.

  3. Right-Click and Select Properties: Click on the adapter and choose ‘Properties’.

  4. Advanced Tab: Under the ‘Advanced’ tab, you can adjust several properties:

    • Set ‘Speed & Duplex’ to match your network speed (e.g., 1.0 Gbps Full Duplex).
    • Disable options like ‘Green Ethernet’ or ‘Energy Efficient Ethernet’.

  5. Save Changes: Click ‘OK’ to apply the settings.

Optimizing adapter properties can maximize the potential of your Ethernet connection, leading to better performance in gaming.

9. Enable Windows Game Mode

Windows 11 comes with a Game Mode that optimizes your PC for gaming by focusing resources on your game rather than background tasks.

Steps to Enable Game Mode:

  1. Open Settings: Press Win + I.
  2. Select Gaming: Click on ‘Gaming’ from the sidebar.
  3. Enable Game Mode: Click on the Game Mode option and toggle it on.

By having Game Mode activated, you’ll free up system resources for your games, allowing for smoother graphics and performance.

10. Monitor Your Network Performance

Finally, keeping an eye on your network performance is essential for sustaining a stable gaming experience. You can use third-party applications such as PingPlotter, NetSpeedMonitor, or even Windows built-in Resource Monitor to monitor your Ethernet throughput, latency, and packet loss.

Steps to Monitor Using Resource Monitor:

  1. Open Resource Monitor: Type ‘Resource Monitor’ in the Windows search bar and hit Enter.
  2. Go to the Network Tab: Click on the ‘Network’ tab to view detailed information regarding your network performance.
  3. Analyze the Data: Monitor your DNS, bandwidth usage, and processes using the network in real-time.

This constant oversight allows you to identify any issues that could hinder your gaming experience promptly.

Conclusion

Optimizing your Ethernet settings for gaming on Windows 11 can dramatically improve your online gaming experience. With reduced latency, increased stability, and streamlined connections, these settings aim to provide a competitive edge in various online gaming scenarios. From adjusting Quality of Service parameters to utilizing DNS optimization, each setting plays a pivotal role in enhancing your connectivity.

Incorporating the above strategies into your Windows 11 setup will not only enhance your gaming performance but also ensure that you can enjoy lag-free, smooth gameplay. Implement the settings that suit your needs, regularly monitor your performance, and adjust as necessary for the best results. Happy gaming!

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