Stutter vs Input Lag vs Network Lag
Before you can fix a problem, you need to identify it correctly. These three issues feel similar but have completely different causes and solutions.
Not sure which one you have? Take our interactive diagnostic!
Start DiagnosisQuick Comparison
| Aspect | Stuttering | Input Lag | Network Lag |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it looks like | Game freezes for split seconds, choppy movement | Actions feel delayed, sluggish response | Teleporting, rubberbanding, desync |
| Affects | Visual smoothness only | Control responsiveness | Online gameplay only |
| Happens in | Single & multiplayer | Single & multiplayer | Multiplayer only |
| Measured by | Frame time, 1% lows | Input-to-display latency (ms) | Ping (ms) |
| Caused by | CPU, GPU, drivers, thermals | V-Sync, display, GPU queue | Internet, server, routing |
Game Stuttering (Frame Time Spikes)
What is it?
Stuttering occurs when individual frames take longer than expected to render, causing visible "hitches" or micro-freezes. Even with high average FPS, occasional slow frames cause the stutter you see.
Symptoms
- Game "freezes" for a split second, then catches up
- Camera movement looks choppy despite high FPS
- Consistent micro-freezes every few seconds
- Happens in both single-player and multiplayer games
Common Causes
- CPU bottleneck or background processes
- GPU driver issues or shader compilation
- Thermal throttling (overheating)
- Storage issues (especially on HDD)
- Memory problems (RAM/VRAM)
Input Lag (Response Delay)
What is it?
Input lag is the delay between your physical input (mouse click, key press) and seeing the result on screen. The game runs smoothly, but your controls feel "mushy" or delayed.
Symptoms
- Mouse movement feels floaty or sluggish
- Actions have a noticeable delay before appearing
- Game feels smooth but unresponsive
- Worse in some games than others
Common Causes
- V-Sync enabled (adds 1-3 frames of delay)
- High display response time
- Triple buffering or excessive GPU queue
- Frame rate limiters (some add latency)
- Mouse polling rate too low
Solutions
- Disable V-Sync or use G-Sync/FreeSync
- Enable NVIDIA Reflex or AMD Anti-Lag
- Use Game Mode on your display
- Cap FPS slightly below refresh rate
- Increase mouse polling rate to 1000Hz
Network Lag (Ping/Latency)
What is it?
Network lag is delay in communication between your PC and the game server. It only affects online multiplayer games and has nothing to do with your PC's performance.
Symptoms
- Rubberbanding: player teleports back to previous position
- Enemies teleport or skip around
- Hit registration issues ("I shot him first!")
- Only happens in online games
- Single-player games work perfectly
Common Causes
- High ping to server (distance, routing)
- WiFi instability or interference
- ISP throttling or packet loss
- Server-side problems
- Background downloads or updates
Solutions
- Use Ethernet instead of WiFi
- Choose servers closer to your region
- Close bandwidth-heavy applications
- Quality of Service (QoS) settings on router
- Check with ISP for routing issues
How to Identify Your Problem
Ask yourself these questions:
- Does it happen in single-player games?
- Yes → It's Stuttering or Input Lag
- No (only multiplayer) → It's likely Network Lag
- Does the game visually freeze or hitch?
- Yes → It's Stuttering
- No, just feels sluggish → It's Input Lag
- Does disabling V-Sync fix it?
- Yes → It was Input Lag from V-Sync
- No → It's Stuttering (frame time issues)
Still Not Sure? Let Us Help!
Take our interactive diagnostic to identify your exact problem and get personalized solutions.
Start Diagnostic