One of the most irritating moments in browsing or gaming is when you start experiencing delays. If you use the satellite network, you probably understand what latency is. However, how do you reduce latency on satellite internet for the best performance at home?
In addition, how bad is satellite internet for gaming? If you are looking to play online games with friends and family, satellite internet may not be the best option. It has high latency times that make your gameplay laggy and hard to enjoy.
However, if you live in a rural area where there aren’t many options for high-speed internet, satellite internet might be the only choice available to you. When you are on satellite internet, you can always get frustrated. You may also be wondering what makes the connection have slow performance.
Latency is a challenge that most people deal with, especially gamers and online streamers. Latency happens almost to every connection, but it may be not easy to notice. However, when it becomes extreme, you will need some quick intervention to fix latency on satellite internet.
What is latency?
Latency is something you may not quickly notice until it becomes extreme. If you do heavy tasks on the internet, you may have a better clue about latency. Understanding how a computer works will make you will also understand latency at an advanced level.
A computer sends and receives information as it communicates with the servers. The speed of transmitting information and receiving its feedback is what determines your latency. If the process is quick, the rate of latency becomes lower.
Whenever the communication takes a long time to receive responses, then the latency is higher. Another challenge that you are likely to experience when there is latency is when you command your computer. You can press a button then it takes some time before you get a response.
Why is latency bad?
Latency is frustrating because it wastes time and sometimes causes losses. Many gamers and online streamers will want to have the performance at per with the commands they implement. However, latency will make machines dysfunctional, making viewers miss something they have been eagerly waiting for.
The result of such delays is poor performance on your online tasks. A series of poor performances leads to mistrust which then affects the usage of the connection.
Latency is the time it takes for the sender’s computer to prepare, send, and receive data to and from the satellite. It is the time required for a signal to propagate in space. The lower the latency, the faster your Internet connection will be.
The ideal range of latency is less than 100ms. For the most part, DSL, cable, and fiber internet tend to have lower latency, while satellite internet tends to have higher latency.
The term “latency” refers to the time delay between when you send a request for information (commonly known as a packet), and when you receive its reply. Your latency depends on how quickly each of your devices can process requests for information, route them through space, and send them back again.
This article will teach you how to reduce latency on satellite internet so that your Internet connection speeds are faster.
How does satellite connection work?
Satellite connection which is also called dish connection picks information from the globe using radio waves. The named satellite is because the connection works with a satellite that is always in motion orbiting around the earth.
Signals from the satellite hit your dish, and then it is amplified and channeled to your receiving devices which use the signals.
Satellite internet works by sending data signals to satellites in space and then back down to the Earth. The signal is transmitted by satellites orbiting the Earth, which are constantly moving.
The satellite transmits your data signal up to an orbiting satellite, which bounces the signal down to the ground station. The ground station receives your signal and sends it back up to an orbiting satellite that then transmits it back down to you.
You will notice that the dishes are usually pointed in a specific direction. This is the direction that promotes a quick and reliable reception of the internet. If it means in the wrong order, there are very high chances that the communication with the satellite will be abysmal.
If you are using the internet for gaming, there are times that it performs to the maximum. Other times, you will experience an imperfect and very unreliable connection. Interestingly, a satellite is the most available type of connection that serves the most locations.
After receiving the connection, you can choose to transmit it using cables and Wi-Fi. When you have it serving as Wi-Fi, you have an option to connect as many devices as you wish so long as they have wireless technologies.
Latency and packet loss
People tend to confuse latency and packet loss. Latency is the delay that comes when you send communication to the servers, and then you fail to get responses. Packet loss is slightly different because information does not make it to the servers.
Packet loss mainly happens when gamers have gamed a lot and machines behave like they are tired. It could be as a result of the connection cutting off or when there is too much latency. This situation does not have a quick solution except waiting for some time before getting to the next gaming session.
If you want to play online games, watch Netflix or YouTube videos, stream movies and TV shows, or do any other data-intensive activity on your laptop or smartphone while camping in the great outdoors—you need a strong satellite internet connection.
How to reduce latency on satellite internet?
Satellite internet gets signals from satellites that operate around 22300 miles above the surface of the earth. Therefore, data will travel such a long distance to reach your devices, which could result from latency. The ideal range of latency is less than 100ms.
You can always check to ensure that you are getting the best internet service provider for your area. This includes comparing the different companies such as HughesNet, Viasat, and the new kid on the block Starlink. Starlink’s latency is being discussed to be less than 20 Milliseconds as disclosed by SpaceX.
There are things you can always do to make sure that the effect of the latency lowers. Below are ways you can fix latency in satellite internet:
Use wired connections
Wired connections involve the use of Ethernet cables. Using the Wi-Fi connections will have more effect because the signal is transmitted wirelessly hence losing the signal power.
When you plug the Ethernet cables, you will have an easy time because the speed and the signal quality get maintained as received from the satellite.
Wireless connections will continue to experience a challenge because of the existing obstacles. Penetration of the walls, especially if there are multiple floors, makes the signal quality lower.
It will create more latency making the performance of specific tasks unreliable. Streaming and gaming work best when you use wired connections.
If you live in an area where there aren’t any options besides satellite internet, we recommend you use a wired Ethernet connection instead whenever possible so that you don’t have any interruptions while playing games online.
The best option would be connecting directly through the Ethernet cable for a better gaming experience.
Work on the dish
Sometimes you experience latency because of the placement of the dish. When looking at the dish, you have to climb to the place where it is located.
Check if there is anything that is covering the dish, such as debris and fallen leaves. Look at the cables running from the receiver into the home.
Sometimes the dysfunction is because they are loose. You can also repair or replace any damaged part of the dish. If the stand holding the dish is also shaky, it can be the source of the whole problem.
Check on obstructions
When we talk of obstructions, you may think we are talking about the leaves and debris on the satellite. Sometimes the problem is the branches that grow closer to the dish.
It can also happen that there are severe obstructions such as buildings that make the signal poor.
Keep the dish at a point where you know there will be no obstruction. If there are no hindrances to remove, then remove the dish and get another better position.
Position the dish
There is a direction that your satellite dish must face for it to function as expected. Most of the time, wind and other obstacles tend to change the direction of the dish hence tampering with the signal.
A slight deflection will make the performance of the dish have serious challenges.
You will need an assistant to change the angle effectively. A compass app will make the process of changing the angle conveniently. Using the guide, you will have the device in a convenient position that it will serve as you expect.
Reset the modem/ router
Sometimes the problem will not be with the dish or the outside factors. Your internet devices should be the problem causing latency. A good example is when the settings of the modem or router are the cause of the latency.
Resetting the router or modem is essential as it will ensure that the previous settings are erased, and you can use new settings. Let the router or modem take its time to reboot until it is ready for functionality.
Once the configuration process is over, the speed and other functionalities should be at the maximum. This way, you will reduce latency when using satellite internet.
In addition, some challenges can be solved by rebooting the router and modem. This is because some challenges just require the machines to restart to enable “rest and rejuvenation”.
Update the firmware
Sometimes when the router becomes dysfunctional or experiences latency, the problem is the router’s firmware. The major challenge is when the firmware is outdated. So long as the firmware is outdated, the performance lowers.
When updating the router’s firmware, you will log in to the IP address, directing you to the internal page.
After clicking the firmware update option, you will have the router update a few things and solve the connection problem.
You can also ensure that your router makes automatic updates. This will not only help in reducing latency on satellite internet but also keep you safe from online threats.
Look at the number of devices
Simultaneous streaming and accommodating too many devices will make the performance of the router fluctuate. The fluctuation and prioritization of devices make the speeds lower.
When you have too many devices, you will experience a challenge connected as the devices struggle to get a proper connection.
Sometimes, you may be having few devices, but your neighbors congest the router. The performance will improve drastically lower in such a case. Changing the router’s SSID codes will help you quickly reduce the number of devices making the performance stand out.
If connected devices are not used, the best way to deal with them is by disconnecting them. This way you can be able to reduce latency on the connected devices when you are on satellite internet.
The first step is to optimize your computer’s settings. Ensure that the number of active connections on your computer is set to 3 or less; this will help reduce latency.
You should also disable any VPNs or other data-sharing programs. These programs share data through the Internet and will increase the time it takes for data to reach the satellite modem.
Assess the connection between the dish and the router
The challenge could be the connection between the router and the dish. Your connection cables could be loose or damaged. If they are loose, you will quickly fix the challenge by tightening them up.
If the cable is the challenge, then you can create a solution by replacing it. Wireless connections usually have a challenge because they become interfered with by simple obstructions such as walls and long distances.
Change the router
Changing the router is also very, very important. Sometimes you may be having a dysfunctional router that will not get good service from the connection. There may be a need to change the router you are using because of poor performance.
Satellite connection may be very okay, but the router could be having challenges such as outdated features or may have stayed for too long. Therefore, a good router can help to reduce latency on your satellite internet.
When buying the router, it is essential to ensure that you have bought the best router to serve satellite internet. If the router comes with several features that will also make network extension convenient, it will be the best router.
Manually assign the mac IP Address
The next step is to check your router settings if you have a wireless router in place. If you have a wireless router, you’ll need to manually assign your Mac IP address to automatically obtain an IP address through DHCP without using ARP caching, or ARPC for short.
Your network card has a cache of IP addresses it has already obtained from DHCP servers, so if they’re not used by another device, they won’t be available for use by your devices.
This would lead to slower speeds because that IP address was already used up by another device.
Is satellite internet good for gaming and streaming?
This is a burning question, especially for gamers who experience the challenge of latency from the network. A simple answer is yes. You can comfortably use the satellite internet for gaming.
When you have a reliable signal quality from your network, and the latency rate is minimal, the connection delivers an outstanding performance. The primary thing you need to ensure is that the gaming devices are connected using Ethernet cables as they supply a stable and very reliable connection.
Understanding the amount of data online gaming or streaming uses is very important as it helps you get compatible devices.
Such information will help you to get a router that serves live streaming and also a gaming. An ideal router should have the potential to deliver remarkable performance and manage the connection, reducing lags and latency.
While it’s possible to use satellite internet for gaming, we don’t recommend it due to its slow speeds and high latency times making gameplay difficult. If you have no other options available, however, then using this type of connection might be worth a shot.
This is because some people still manage to get decent ping rates from their provider despite the issues with connectivity that come along with having such a service as your primary source of web access.
What if you implement all measures and you still experience latency?
At times you can implement various measures and still experience lags and latency. Under these circumstances, you may need to have some changes that concern the satellite itself.
You will need to get in touch with the service provider to see if they can make some changes and bring you a new satellite connection.
This is because the service provider can help to reduce latency when you are on satellite internet by giving you better equipment or connection.
The service provider may have better tips on correcting the dish and making your connection function better. It is vital to keep in touch with the dealers to help you get a dish that will deliver an outstanding service for your connection.
Check on the speeds of the connection and the quality of the whole device so that you get one that stands out. Also, you can check if we have a better service provider coming up in your area.
Viasat vs HughesNet
There are several satellite internet providers available today. Two satellite service providers provide wide coverage and also enable stable use for your connection. HughesNet and Viasat are large service providers of the satellite internet that serve specific roles.
If you use the wrong service provider for your area or speed, there are very high chances that you will experience latency.
These two ISPs’ differences have everything to do with speeds. Viasat seems to have better speeds than HughesNet. It can deliver speeds of up to 100 Mbps, while HughesNet delivers up to 25 Mbps. Speeds keep changing depending on the location of your connection.
You will need to check on the availability of the service in your area before you acquire any of these services. However, the speeds of HughesNet are also high enough to serve your activities like streaming or gaming.
When choosing a plan, you will also need to look at the data caps. When the data cap exceeds the stipulated usage, the speeds begin to lower as you experience high levels of latency.
Although we say that latency is something you cannot control, the choice of your devices and the features contribute to the performance. When you have a suitable device, you will experience the most outstanding performance. When the devices are unreliable, you are likely to experience bad performance.
Hughesnet not receiving or transmitting troubleshooting
Hughesnet is a reliable satellite internet service, but it can be frustrating when you have problems receiving or transmitting data. The most common problem with the service has to do with receiving and transmitting data not working properly.
While there are many different reasons why your satellite modem, router, or connected devices may not be working properly, the most common culprits include loose connections and damaged equipment.
This can be caused by several different issues, so it’s important to troubleshoot them all before calling customer support or scheduling an appointment for repair work.
The best way to find out what’s wrong with your HughesNet system is to start by checking the main areas where problems tend to occur. These areas include the modem, router, and dish itself.
If any of these three components are having problems then they will need to be replaced before you can begin using your internet again correctly.
If you want help solving these problems yourself without involving technicians and contractors, you can check the steps above on how to reduce latency (HughesNet ping fix) and also troubleshoot your connection.
Hughesnet latency
Many people are looking for ways to reduce latency on satellite internet, which can sometimes be high. Hughesnet offers satellite internet with a latency of about 724 ms.
You should note that both Viasat and HughesNet satellites use considerably higher “geosynchronous” orbits of approximately 35,000km around the earth. This makes them cover more area but increases the latency. For Viasat, the latency is around 630 ms.
However, HughesNet averaged 19.84Mbps down internet speed by the end of 2020 which enables you to enjoy your internet even if you are far away from the cities.
How bad is latency on satellite internet?
Latency is the time it takes for the sender’s satellite to send and receive data. It is the time required for a signal to propagate in space. The lower the latency, the faster your Internet connection will be.
The most common problem with satellite internet is that it has higher latency than DSL, cable, or fiber internet. Satellite latency ranges from 200ms-800ms, while DSL, cable, and fiber range from 50ms-100ms.
This means that you’ll have to wait longer for things like videos, images, and other files to load on your computer when you have satellite internet versus DSL or cable internet.
Conclusion: Making the Best of Your Satellite Internet Speed
Satellite connection is good and very reliable for multiple tasks if you are not in an area served by cable or fiber. When you have proper devices, there are very high chances that you will enjoy a stable connection.
However, Satellite internet is not recommended for online gaming. This is because packet loss and latency are higher than other forms of internet, making it a poor choice for online gaming.
If the connection has a problem, we have brought you various methods that will help you to create solutions as quickly as possible. That is why we have explored the best ways to reduce latency on satellite internet. If your problem persists, the service provider should guide you on the best remedy.
Latency on Satellite internet FAQs
Which satellite internet is best for gaming?
If you’re looking for the best satellite internet provider for gaming, then Viasat is your answer. We’ve tested all of the major providers and found that Viasat delivers better download speeds than HughesNet and WildBlue at lower monthly costs (and with more data). They have plans starting at $49/month which offer up to 100 Mbps downloads with 150 GBs of high-speed data each month! That’s equal to 20 hours of HD video streaming per day or 60 hours of standard definition streaming! Plus, if you live in an area where other services don’t have coverage, then Viasat might be your only option.
Is Starlink internet good for gaming?
For people without access to cable, DSL, or fiber internet, you can use satellite internet for gaming. In this regard, the Starlink internet is good for gaming. However, if you have access to cable or fiber internet, we recommend getting a cable or fiber internet for gaming. This is because there is reduced packets loss and latency over cable and fiber internet as compared to satellite internet.
Is satellite internet faster than cable?
Cable internet is much faster. Cable internet can reach maximum speeds of 2,000 Mbps. Moreover, the lower cable speeds are faster than satellite internet speeds in most cases. In addition, cable internet has less latency and packets loss as compared to satellite internet. That is why cable internet is excellent for gaming and HD streaming as compared to satellite internet. If you are using a VPN service for gaming, using satellite internet will give you lots of frustration because of the latency experienced.
Which satellite internet is the best?
Viasat gives you faster but costly plans as compared to Hughesnet. Thus if you want higher speeds, go for Viasat. If you want cheaper plans go for Hughesnet. You can always switch between the two and other satellite internet providers to get better performance.
How can I conduct a Hughesnet ping fix?
There are several ways to conduct a Hughesnet ping fix. The most important ones are getting a better satellite router, ensuring the dish is clean, making sure that the cabling is well done, using wired connections, updating the router firmware, and getting a WiFi extender among others.
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