Ping Before You Play: The Smart Way to Test Your LoL Connection
In the world of League of Legends (LoL), milliseconds can be the difference between landing a game-winning ability or missing it completely. Your in-game responsiveness hinges on one critical element—your ping. Ping is a measure of how quickly your device communicates with the game server. A low ping means fast response times, while high ping leads to frustrating delays and unpredictable gameplay. That’s why it’s essential to test LoL ping before queuing up for any match.
Understanding What Ping Really Is
Ping is measured in milliseconds (ms) and indicates the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the game server and back. If you’re playing LoL with a ping under 50ms, you’ll barely notice any delay. Anything above 100ms can cause issues like input lag, spell delay, and rubber-banding. Understanding this helps you appreciate why a ping test is an absolute must before logging in for competitive or ranked matches.
How Ping Influences Your Gameplay
Let’s say you’re playing a fast-paced champion like Zed or Riven. Your combos require precision timing. With high ping, even perfectly timed keystrokes can register too late, ruining the flow of your play. This delay doesn’t just impact your mechanical skill—it affects your decision-making. Poor ping can make you hesitate, misjudge enemy cooldowns, or mistime objectives. Testing LoL ping helps you enter the game with confidence, knowing that your connection won’t hold you back.
The Best Times to Check Your Ping
Not all hours are equal when it comes to your internet speed. Peak hours—usually in the evening when everyone’s streaming, browsing, or gaming—can cause your connection to slow down. By performing a ping test at different times of the day, you can figure out when your network is most stable. This information helps you plan your ranked grind during optimal hours when your connection won’t betray you.
What Affects Your Ping in League of Legends
Multiple factors can cause your ping to spike or remain consistently high. These include:
- Distance from the server
- Network congestion
- Background apps using bandwidth
- Wi-Fi interference
- Outdated hardware
Identifying these can help you take preemptive steps to stabilize your connection. Running a test LoL ping process is like running a diagnostic scan—it tells you what’s wrong before you enter the game.
Wired vs. Wireless: Does It Matter?
Yes, it does. Wireless connections are more susceptible to interference from walls, other devices, and even your microwave. If you’re using Wi-Fi and experiencing ping spikes, switch to a wired Ethernet connection for a more stable experience. Testing your ping over both setups can give you a clear picture of which one offers the best performance.
Ping vs. FPS: Know the Difference
Some players confuse ping with FPS (frames per second). Ping measures your connection speed, while FPS measures how well your hardware renders the game. Both are important, but they’re not the same. You can have high FPS and still lag due to poor ping. Conversely, low FPS with great ping will also cause issues. Doing a ping test ensures at least the network side of your setup is solid.
Real-Time Ping Monitoring in LoL
League of Legends allows you to monitor your ping in real-time while in-game. You can enable it through the settings, and it will display your current ping at the top-right of your screen. This helps you track any mid-game changes. But even with this feature, it’s smart to test LoL ping before the match begins—especially in competitive environments where disconnects can cost you LP or team morale.
Why One Ping Test Isn’t Enough
Your network conditions change throughout the day. A single ping test provides only a snapshot, not the full picture. Try testing your ping before every session to ensure consistency. This helps catch issues early—like background updates or someone else streaming in your house—that might be affecting your latency.
Pro Players and Their Ping Rituals
Many pro players and streamers routinely test their ping before starting their matches or scrims. Why? Because even they know that mechanics are only as good as the connection supporting them. When your livelihood or reputation depends on milliseconds, skipping a ping test isn’t an option. Adopting this same discipline, even as a casual player, sets you up for a better and more consistent performance.
When to Avoid Playing Ranked
If your test LoL ping results show inconsistent or high latency, it’s better to avoid ranked play. Use this time for casual matches, ARAM, or even practice tool sessions. Protecting your MMR and mental state is more important than forcing yourself into a laggy ranked match. Wait until your connection stabilizes before jumping back into serious games.
Fixing High Ping: The Basics
If your ping is consistently high, try these simple fixes:
- Restart your router and modem
- Close background applications
- Stop downloads and streaming on other devices
- Use a wired connection
- Switch to a less crowded Wi-Fi channel
After making changes, run another ping test to see if your situation improves. Repeat this routine until you find a setup that consistently works for you.
Building a Pre-Game Checklist
Create a quick checklist before playing LoL:
- Restart your PC and router if you haven’t in a while
- Close unnecessary apps (like browsers, downloaders, or VPNs)
- Use a wired Ethernet connection
- Run a test LoL ping
- Confirm stable FPS
This checklist will soon become second nature and will drastically improve your gaming sessions.
Ping and Champion Selection
Believe it or not, your ping should also influence what champions you pick. High-ping environments are harder for mechanically intensive champions that rely on quick reactions and combos. In such cases, pick champions that are more forgiving, like Malphite, Garen, or Sona. But if your ping test comes back clean, feel free to lock in Lee Sin or Akali and flex your micro-skills.
Staying Calm in High-Ping Situations
Even with all precautions, sometimes your ping will spike. When it happens, don’t tilt. Avoid forcing risky plays. Communicate with your team if your connection is causing problems. Focus on safer, more controlled gameplay. Losing one match due to unavoidable ping is better than losing your mental composure for the rest of the session.
Why Consistency Matters More Than Just Low Ping
A lot of players obsess over achieving the lowest possible ping, but consistency is often more important. A stable 60ms ping is better than one that jumps between 30ms and 150ms. Use your ping test results not just to measure speed, but also to check for fluctuations. You want your connection to be steady, not just fast.
Avoiding Common Myths About Ping
Many players believe that only “bad internet” causes high ping. But even high-speed internet can deliver poor ping if it’s not optimized for gaming. Location, routing, and background network activity all play roles. Don’t assume your connection is flawless just because your download speeds are high. Always back it up with a ping test.
Final Thoughts: Play Smarter, Not Harder
Competitive gaming is not just about raw mechanics. It’s about preparation. Running a test LoL ping before you queue up is like checking your gear before a raid or ensuring your weapons are loaded before battle. Don’t give yourself an avoidable disadvantage. Play smart, test often, and dominate the Rift with precision.
Summary
Your ping is more than a number—it’s a key factor in your success in League of Legends. Testing it before each session helps you avoid game-breaking lag, make informed decisions, and play to your full potential. By understanding and controlling this one variable, you take your gameplay to the next level. Always ping before you play—because smart players don’t leave things to chance.
