How to Fix Warzone Lag and Stuttering: Improve FPS and Ping

Every second counts in the high stakes of Call of Duty: Warzone. However, lag can ruin fast-paced gunfights and rob you of rightfully earned victories. Congested game servers, bad Windows updates, and ISP throttling can all cause your game to lag.

That said, there are a few quick and easy solutions that you can use to get a smooth Warzone experience. If you’re getting high ping and random connection issues, then using a VPN can help you play COD: Warzone without stuttering. The best gaming VPNs offer a global server network and excellent speeds with unlimited bandwidth, so you can play as much as you want.

My team and I tested over 30 VPNs, and my top pick for fixing Warzone lag is ExpressVPN. It was the fastest VPN I tested, with a vast network that lets you connect to less congested Warzone servers around the world. Better yet, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free as your subscription is backed by a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee. So, getting a refund is easy if you’re not 100% satisfied. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Fix Warzone Lag With ExpressVPN >>

What Are the Main Causes of Warzone Lag?

The first step in fixing Warzone lag is to identify the root cause. Once you understand why you're experiencing lag, you can take specific steps to remedy the situation. Here are some of the most common reasons:

1. Slow internet connection. A slow or inconsistent connection is often the primary cause of lag in Warzone. This can be due to bandwidth limitations, WiFi signal strength, or high ping.
2. ISP throttling. Internet service providers can throttle or limit your bandwidth, especially during peak hours or if you've been using a lot of data. This can cause spike lag or stutters while gaming.
3. Server issues. Sometimes, the issue might not be on your end at all but rather with the Warzone servers. Overcrowded servers can lead to lag because the server can’t process the actions of too many players at once.
4. Slow router. An outdated or slow router can hinder your connection speed and cause lag. Older routers can sometimes have weak signals or be incapable of keeping up with the speed of your internet service.
5. Hardware limitations. If your computer or console isn’t powerful enough to handle Warzone’s graphics and processing requirements, you can experience lag and stuttering. This can be due to insufficient CPU power, GPU performance, or slow RAM speeds.
6. Incorrect software configuration. If your game settings are too high for your hardware to handle, or if there is conflicting software installed on your device, you may experience issues. This also includes outdated graphics drivers.
7. Power-hungry background applications. Running too many applications in the background while playing Warzone can consume a significant amount of your system's resources, causing the game to lag.
8. Warzone lag after update. You might also experience latency after a buggy update. Some updates can be incompatible with your hardware and cause stutters while gaming online.

How to Fix Warzone Lag and Stuttering — 7 Tried-And-Tested Methods

Here are 7 easy methods to enhance Warzone performance and your in-game experience.

Method 1. Fix Warzone Lag With a VPN

If your lag issues are caused by a poor connection to Warzone’s servers or ISP throttling, a VPN can help.

VPNs route your internet connection through an encrypted server of your choice. This gives you the option to change which region’s game servers you connect to — just choose a VPN server in the same area. If you’re having issues with your local Warzone server, try one in a nearby country instead (the closer the VPN server is to your real location, the better the speeds).

Since the VPN encrypts your connection, it prevents your ISP from monitoring what you do online as well. This means your ISP can’t detect that you’re gaming, so it can’t deliberately reduce your speeds or bandwidth based on your online activity.

However, not all VPNs are created equal — some may significantly slow your connection or have high ping. It's recommended to use a tested VPN service like ExpressVPN.

Here’s how to fix Warzone lag using a VPN:

Step 1. Head to ExpressVPN’s website and download the app for your device. The VPN can also be installed on routers to play Warzone lag-free on consoles like Xbox and PS.

The VPN provides simple setup guides for installing the VPN on a range of devices

Step 2. Subscribe to a plan that fits your needs and log in with your credentials.

Step 3. Connect to a VPN server that’s near the Warzone server you’d like to use. ExpressVPN can also automatically choose the fastest server for your location. Here are some COD: Warzone server regions:

• US — 12 locations (Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, and more)
• Europe — 7 locations (the UK, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden)
• Other countries — 9 locations (Chile, Brazil, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Australia)

The Smart Location feature connects you to the fastest nearby server

Step 4. Run COD: Warzone and play online without any interruptions.

Method 2. Close Background Apps and Use Performance Mode

Every app or program that runs on your device consumes system resources. Closing this software can free up resources for Warzone, improving its overall performance. Follow these steps to close background apps on Windows:

Step 1. Use your system's task manager by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Delete buttons.

Step 2. Select any app you want to kill and click the End Task button to free up more RAM.

The End Task button helps you kill processes running in the background

Windows also has a Performance Mode or Power Mode that you should toggle on while playing Warzone. This mode maximizes the resources allocated to games and minimizes distractions, potentially providing a smoother gaming experience. Here’s how you can enable Performance Mode on your device:

Step 1. Go to Settings and click on the System tab.

Step 2. Select the Power & Battery option and toggle Best Performance in the Power Mode button.

You can also choose to conserve battery life with the default option

Method 3. Reduce Warzone’s Graphics Settings

Warzone offers a variety of graphics settings that can significantly impact the game's performance. By reducing these settings, you can often improve the game's frame rate (FPS) and reduce lag.

Try lowering settings such as texture resolution, shadow quality, and particle effects. You can also reduce the render resolution to drastically improve performance, though it'll decrease the overall visual quality. Follow the steps below to change your graphics settings in Warzone:

Step 1. Run Warzone and click on the Settings button.

Step 2. Go to the Display section and configure the following options:

• Screen Refresh Rate — 144Hz+
• Render Resolution — 100
• Display Resolution — 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
• NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency — Enabled + Boost
• Texture Resolution — Low
• Particle Quality — Low
• NVIDIA DLSS — Performance

Choose the settings depending on your device’s hardware

Method 4. Update Windows OS & Graphics Drivers

Outdated operating systems and drivers can cause numerous issues (including lag) while playing Warzone. Updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can enhance your gaming experience.

Here’s how you can make sure your Windows OS is up-to-date and that you have the latest drivers installed for your graphics card:

Step 1. Go to Settings and click on the Windows Update tab.

Step 2. Click on the Check for updates button and download the latest Windows update.

You can also get security updates or bug fixes using the same "Check for Updates" button

Step 3. To update your graphics driver, use your browser and go to the driver's page for your GPU to download and install the latest available update.

• NVIDIA GPU drivers page
• AMD GPU drivers page
• Intel GPU drivers page

Updating drivers will give you the best gaming performance

Method 5. Configure Game Settings

In-game settings can also have a significant impact on performance. Warzone even has some CPU utilization issues that you can fix by editing the game’s config file. For example, you can make the following changes for improved performance:

Step 1. Go to the Graphics tab in the Windows Settings and toggle Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling on or off.

Look for the best performance and stability while testing this setting

Step 2. Limit Warzone’s VRAM usage by going to the game’s Quality settings and changing the Video Memory Scale option to around 60% of overall video memory.

Step 3. Run Warzone in Fullscreen Exclusive mode. You can do this by turning off the Focused Mode toggle found in the Graphics settings of the game.

Step 4. Set the Spot Cache option to High or Ultra. You can find this option under the Quality settings of the game.

If you experience slowdowns while using the Ultra option, try setting it to High

Step 5. You can also edit the config file by heading to the Documents > CallOfDuty > Players folder and editing the options.3.cod22 file. Just change the RendererWorkerCount:0.0 = 8 from its default value.

Method 6. Uninstall Bitdefender

Some users have indicated that the Bitdefender antivirus suite may cause lag and stuttering in Warzone. Consider turning it off or entirely removing it to address the problem. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1. Look for the Control Panel App in the Windows Search bar.

Step 2. Go to the Programs tab and click it.

Step 3. Right-click on Bitdefender Total Security.

Step 4. Click Uninstall and confirm with the Yes button.

Step 5. Choose the I want to uninstall Bitdefender option.

Method 7: Fix Game Files

Consider narrowing down the issue by checking if other games with comparable system requirements have the same problem. If the issue is exclusive to Warzone, I recommend running a Scan and Repair to identify and fix any game file issues. You can carry out this action on either Steam or Battle.net.

Fixing game files in Steam:

• Open Steam.
• Right-click on Warzone in your library.
• Choose Settings and Properties.
• Select Local Files and click on Verify integrity of game files.

Fixing game files in Battle.net:

• Select the game on Battle.net.
• Click on the cog wheel icon.
• Choose Scan and Repair.

Bonus Fix: Uninstall Windows & Driver Updates

If nothing else works, try uninstalling all the latest Windows updates and rolling back to old GPU drivers. Some OS revisions and GPU drivers can be buggy, so it's best to remove them for a smooth Warzone gaming experience.

You can remove your latest Windows update by following the steps below:

Step 1. Go to Windows Settings and select the Windows Update tab.

Step 2. Click on Update History and select the Uninstall updates button to remove the latest Windows update.

Make sure you backup important data before uninstalling any updates

You can also remove buggy GPU drivers and roll back to a reliable version by using the Device Manager tool in Windows. Just follow these steps:

Step 1. Use the search button and run Device Manager.

Step 2. Select the Display Adapters tab and right-click on your GPU.

Step 3. Click on the Properties button and select the Driver tab.

Step 4. Tap the Roll Back Driver button and wait for the process to complete.

Best VPNs to Fix Warzone Lag in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — Impressive Speeds to Play COD: Warzone Without Interruptions

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested December 2024

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN offers a reliable and speedy connection for your Call of Duty: Warzone gaming sessions, no matter where you're located. My ping on the nearby servers was only 34ms, which gives me no competitive disadvantage. Most VPNs drastically slow your connection, but I experienced an unnoticeable 4% drop with ExpressVPN, giving me download speeds of 124.6Mbps. This is great for gaming, as you can focus on winning games — not battling lag.

The extensive server network spans numerous Warzone locations, allowing you to minimize latency by changing your IP address and connecting to a different game server. This helps you get a stable connection from the UK, Brazil, Germany, or any other country. During my ExpressVPN tests, I managed to connect to a US server in just 5 seconds, and my Warzone gaming sessions ran smoothly without any random connection drops.

ExpressVPN apps are user-friendly and compatible with the latest versions of Windows and even consoles. You can use the MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) feature to help you access ExpressVPN servers on devices not compatible with VPNs like Xbox and PS. This means you can quickly install the VPN and jump into your next Warzone match on your preferred device.

Although the plans can be pricey, ExpressVPN often offers special deals to offset the cost. I opted for the 12-month plan, which came with a significant 61% discount and an additional 3 free months of service for a final price of just $4.99/month. Plus, your purchase is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test ExpressVPN risk-free.

Useful Features

• Works on restrictive networks. The VPN includes obfuscated servers that automatically disguise your VPN traffic as regular internet activity when a restrictive network is detected. This ensures you have a reliable Warzone experience in environments that might otherwise block VPNs, such as workplaces, schools, or countries with strict censorship.
• Split tunneling. ExpressVPN allows you to choose which apps use the VPN tunnel and which don’t. For instance, I set Warzone to always use the VPN connection while allowing other apps like Netflix to use my regular network for streaming my local library.
• Multiple device connections. The service lets you connect up to 8 devices simultaneously on a single subscription without facing any slowdowns. This means you can set up Warzone on your console, PC, and gaming laptops without any restrictions or connection drops.

2. CyberGhost — Gaming-Optimized Servers for Reliable Warzone Sessions From Anywhere

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost provides optimized servers specifically designed for playing games like Warzone lag-free. These servers are equipped to handle the heavy bandwidth needs of high-speed online gaming, so you can enjoy all your Warzone matches without slowdowns. The VPN itself offers unlimited bandwidth too, meaning you can engage in as many intense Warzone battles as you like without worrying about data caps.

In my tests, I recorded excellent speeds on the US and UK CyberGhost servers. I got an average speed of 121.9Mbps, just 6% slower than my usual connection. While this isn’t as fast as ExpressVPN, it’s more than quick enough for gaming (Warzone recommends a download speed of at least 15-25Mbps for the smoothest experience).

The app interface is very intuitive, and it took me just around 2 minutes to install CyberGhost on my Windows 11 laptop. The VPN also has a proprietary feature, Smart Rules, that allows you to automatically launch Warzone after CyberGhost establishes a VPN connection, saving you precious gaming time.

One concern is that CyberGhost has a pricey monthly subscription with a short 14-day money-back guarantee. However, long-term CyberGhost plans provide better value and let you get the VPN for just $2.03/month. Plus, the longer plans extend the refund period to 45 days.

Useful Features

• Dedicated IP. You can get a dedicated IP address exclusively for yourself for an additional fee. This unique IP address keeps you safe from being blocked or restricted when gaming online (which can happen when using a shared IP address with other VPN customers).
• Router support. CyberGhost works with a range of routers, allowing you to use the VPN with any device on your home network (ideal for playing lag-free Warzone on consoles that aren’t VPN-compatible).

3. Private Internet Access — Unlimited Simultaneous Connections to Play Warzone on All Your Devices

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA lets you connect as many devices as you like — allowing seamless Warzone gameplay across all the consoles and gaming PCs in your household. I tested PIA on 7 devices at the same time and didn’t notice any performance issues or speed drops. My connection maintained a steady 119.2Mbps throughout, which was more than enough for getting through battles without latency.

If you want to boost your speed, PIA has some unique customization options in its settings. For example, I usually use WireGuard protocol and AES 128-bit encryption to achieve faster speeds during my Warzone sessions. While abundant customization options might be overwhelming for VPN newcomers, the pre-configured optimized settings mean no adjustments are necessary unless desired.

PIA’s extensive network lets you try out any COD: Warzone game server you want, irrespective of your location — be it the UK, Brazil, Germany, or other countries. In my tests, PIA reliably connected to the US locations near Warzone servers, helping me avoid network congestion and have minimal ping during intense matches.

Useful Features

• 30-day money-back guarantee. PIA’s plans are reasonable, starting at $2.03/month, and every plan is covered by a reliable refund policy. That means you can test the VPN out for free and get your money back if you don’t like it.
• Unlimited bandwidth. PIA doesn’t restrict your bandwidth or data, so you can play as many long sessions of Warzone as you want.

Tips on How to Choose the Best VPN for Fixing Warzone Lag

All the VPNs highlighted here have fast speeds and many servers in various locations — including the US and UK — helping you get minimal latency while playing COD: Warzone from anywhere in the world. However, if you're interested in doing your own testing, here are the criteria I used:

• Excellent speeds. For a smooth and lag-free gaming experience, your chosen VPN must provide excellent gaming speeds. Any VPN that drops your base speed by more than 50% and has a ping higher than 100ms on nearby servers won't cut it.
• Extensive global server network. To maintain a consistent gaming experience and low ping rates in Warzone, select a VPN with many servers in various locations like the US, UK, EU, and more. A vast network also lets you play COD on worldwide servers.
• User-friendly apps. Look for a VPN with a simple interface and easy setup for various devices, including Windows and consoles. Plus, reliable 24/7 customer support is crucial if you encounter connectivity or setup issues.
• Dependable money-back guarantee. Ensure that your chosen VPN offers a trustworthy money-back guarantee. This allows you to easily get a refund if the VPN fails to meet your expectations.

FAQs on Fixing Warzone Lag With a VPN

How do I stop Warzone frame lag?

Try adjusting your game's graphics settings and closing background apps. Alternatively, you can use a VPN to avoid network lag and get the best Warzone experience. VPNs let you connect to game servers in different regions that are less congested. A VPN can also encrypt what you do online so your ISP can’t detect that you’re gaming and deliberately throttle your connection.

Why are Warzone 2 servers so laggy?

Warzone servers can be laggy due to factors like server overcrowding, ISP throttling, or a slow internet connection. However, using a VPN to connect to a server can help you bypass connection issues and get a better Warzone gaming experience.

How can I bypass faulty Warzone servers?

To bypass faulty Warzone servers, use a reliable VPN that allows you to switch to a different server location. Just connect to a server in the US or another location where Warzone is available to play without interruptions.

How can you fix Warzone lag on PC/PlayStation/Xbox?

Configure the in-game settings and ensure you’re on a high-speed internet connection. However, if you’re facing stutters or spike lag when landing, you can use a VPN and connect to a location near Warzone’s servers to minimize latency. Just choose a VPN that supports your PC or console of choice (or one that supports routers).

What can I do if my VPN doesn't fix lagging on Warzone?

Try changing your VPN server. Like Warzone servers, some VPN servers can get overcrowded — but switching locations usually fixes this issue. You might also be using a VPN that isn’t up to the job. Look for a VPN with fast speeds and a vast server network to ensure your Warzone experience is stutter-free.

Can I use a free VPN to fix lag problems in Warzone?

It's not recommended. Free VPNs often have limitations in terms of speed, bandwidth, data usage, and server options compared to paid versions. This means they can’t fix lag problems in Warzone. A premium VPN like ExpressVPN with a money-back guarantee is a better alternative instead. This way, you get reliably fast connections for playing without annoying stutters.

Fix Warzone Lag and Stutters in Minutes

Using a VPN, you can connect to a location near Warzone servers and play smoothly from any country. The services I’ve listed offer fast speeds and global server networks, giving you an uninterrupted gaming experience regardless of your actual location.

That being said, my top pick for enhancing the Warzone experience is ExpressVPN. Its vast server network, impressive speeds, and easy-to-navigate apps make it the most reliable VPN I've tested for playing Warzone. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. If it doesn't meet your expectations, getting a refund is hassle-free.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for fixing Warzone lag…

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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