Fix Input Lag on PC – Best Tips to Reduce Latency & Improve Gaming 2025

How to Fix Input Lag on PC – Ultimate Guide 2025

When it comes to gaming on PC, speed and responsiveness are everything. Whether you’re aiming for precise headshots in FPS games, executing frame-perfect inputs in fighting games, or reacting instantly in fast-paced esports titles, input lag can ruin your experience. If your movements feel delayed, your clicks don’t register instantly, or your gameplay seems sluggish, it’s time to fix input lag and optimize your PC for real-time responsiveness.

What Causes Input Lag on PC?

Input lag on PC is the delay between your action (clicking, moving the mouse, pressing a key) and when it happens on screen. Several factors can contribute to this, including:

  • 🖥️ Display & Refresh Rate Issues – A low refresh rate or high response time can slow down reaction speed.

  • 🎮 Peripheral Latency – Your mouse, keyboard, or controller might have a slow polling rate or wireless delay.

  • ⚙️ System Performance Bottlenecks – Background apps, outdated drivers, and CPU/GPU bottlenecks can introduce lag.

  • 🌐 Network & Online Lag – High ping, packet loss, or unstable connections can cause delayed inputs in multiplayer games.

  • 🎛️ Windows & Game Settings – Incorrect system settings can add unnecessary processing time to your inputs.

If you want the smoothest, most responsive PC gaming experience possible, this guide will walk you through every step to reduce input lag and improve reaction times.

Let’s optimize your PC and eliminate input lag once and for all! 🚀🎮

Updated: March 26, 2025

Best ways to fix input lag on PC for a smoother gaming experience
Step-by-step guide to reducing input lag on PC and improving response time

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How to Reduce Input Lag on PC & Improve Gaming Performance

At inputdelay.com, we’ve tested and optimized the best settings and hardware tweaks to eliminate input lag on PC. In this guide, we’ll cover:

✅ Monitor & Refresh Rate Optimization – Enabling high refresh rates, low response times, and VRR (G-Sync/FreeSync).
✅ Mouse, Keyboard & Controller Tweaks – Adjusting polling rates, wired vs. wireless settings, and raw input configurations.
✅ Windows Performance Fixes – Disabling unnecessary background apps, game mode settings, and power-saving features.
✅ Graphics & FPS Boosting Settings – Optimizing GPU drivers, frame cap settings, and system performance.
✅ Network & Online Lag Fixes – Lowering ping, reducing packet loss, and stabilizing connections for competitive gaming.

Optimize Your Display Settings 📺

Disable Background Applications

Too many applications running in the background can consume CPU and RAM resources, leading to input lag on PC.

  • 🛠 Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and close unnecessary programs under the Processes tab.

  • 🚫 Disable startup applications via Task Manager > Startup by right-clicking and selecting Disable.

  • ⚙ Use “MSConfig” (Windows Key + R, type msconfig) to disable non-essential services under the Services tab.

  • 🛡 Consider using a lightweight antivirus program or gaming mode in your security software to minimize background resource usage.

  • ❌ Disable unnecessary system processes like OneDrive syncing, Windows indexing, and Cortana background tasks.

  • 📊 Use the Windows Resource Monitor (open with resmon in Run) to identify resource-hungry processes.

Optimize display settings on PC to reduce input lag and enhance gaming visuals
Display optimization tips to minimize input lag on PC

Enable Game Mode

Windows has a built-in Game Mode that optimizes system resources for gaming.

  • 🎮 Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turn it on.

  • 🚫 Ensure Xbox Game Bar is disabled if you don’t use it, as it may impact performance.

  • ⏺ Disable Captures & Background Recording under Settings > Gaming > Captures to free up system resources.

  • 🟣 Disable hardware acceleration in apps like Discord, Chrome, and Spotify to free up GPU resources.

Additional Advanced Windows Tweaks

  • 🟢 Enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling via Settings > Display > Graphics Settings if your GPU supports it.

  • ⏱ Set your system timer resolution to 0.5ms using a tool like ISLC (Intelligent Standby List Cleaner) to reduce input lag on PC.

  • 🟡 Deactivate HPET (High Precision Event Timer) via Device Manager and test if input lag decreases (results vary by system).

  • 💾 Ensure your system is running in AHCI mode instead of IDE mode (check in BIOS) for optimal storage latency.

  • 🆙 Update motherboard BIOS, chipset, network, and storage drivers to the latest versions.

Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

Fullscreen optimizations can introduce latency in some cases.

  • 🪟 Right-click the game’s .exe file, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check Disable Fullscreen Optimizations.

  • 🖱 Click Change High DPI Settings and enable Override high DPI scaling behavior, setting it to Application.

  • 🔑 Consider launching the game with administrator privileges for better resource access.

Adjust Power Settings

Set your PC to high-performance mode to reduce input lag on PC.

  • ⚡ Open Control Panel > Power Options, select High Performance or Ultimate Performance (if available).

  • 🔋 In Advanced Power Settings, disable USB selective suspend, and set Processor power management > Minimum Processor State to 100%.

  • 🖥 Check BIOS/UEFI settings for CPU power-saving options and disable C-States or SpeedStep if available.

  • 🟣 Ensure PCIe power settings are set to Maximum Performance to avoid unnecessary downclocking.

  • 💡 Disable hard disk sleep timers to prevent performance dips when accessing game files.

Optimize NVIDIA Settings (For NVIDIA Users)

Adjust V-Sync and G-Sync

  • 🟣 Disable V-Sync in games for lower latency but be aware of screen tearing.

  • ✅ If using G-Sync, ensure V-Sync is OFF in-game but ON in the NVIDIA Control Panel.

  • ⚡ Enable NVIDIA Reflex (if supported by the game) to further reduce latency.

  • 🎮 If using FreeSync or G-Sync, ensure Fixed Refresh Rate is selected in games without native support.

Set Maximum Pre-Rendered Frames

  • ⚙ In NVIDIA Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings, find Max Pre-Rendered Frames and set it to 1.

  • 💪 Set Power Management Mode to Prefer Maximum Performance.

  • 🚫 Disable Triple Buffering unless using G-Sync.

Update Drivers and Optimize Settings

  • 🔄 Download the latest NVIDIA drivers from NVIDIA’s website.

  • 🧹 Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to perform a clean installation of the latest drivers.

  • 🟡 Set Texture Filtering Quality to High Performance.

  • 📺 Ensure your monitor is set to its highest refresh rate in Change Resolution.

Enable Low Latency Mode

  • 🎯 Open NVIDIA Control Panel.

  • ⚙ Go to Manage 3D Settings > Low Latency Mode.

  • 🟢 Set it to Ultra for the lowest possible input lag on PC.

Update drivers and optimize PC settings to reduce input lag and improve performance
Steps to reduce input lag on PC through driver updates and settings optimization

Optimize AMD Settings for Low Input Lag on PC

Radeon Anti-Lag

  • 🟣 Open AMD Radeon Software.

  • ⚡ Enable Radeon Anti-Lag for reduced input lag on PC.

Adjust Radeon Chill and Boost

  • 🚫 Disable Radeon Chill, as it can lower frame rates to save power.

  • ✅ Enable Radeon Boost if available, but only if you notice smoother gameplay without additional artifacts.

Set Surface Format Optimization

  • 🟢 Enable Surface Format Optimization for better GPU efficiency.

FreeSync

  • 🟣 Enable FreeSync if your monitor supports it.

  • 🚫 Make sure to disable in-game V-Sync when using FreeSync.

Update Drivers

  • 🔄 Keep your AMD drivers up to date via the AMD Adrenalin Software.

  • 🧹 Perform a clean driver install occasionally using AMD Cleanup Utility.

Optimize Steam and Game-Specific Settings

Steam Settings

  • ⚙ Go to Steam Settings > In-Game.

  • 🚀 Enable High Performance Mode.

  • ❌ Disable Shader Pre-Caching if it causes stuttering.

  • 🚫 Disable Steam Overlay to prevent additional latency.

Advanced Steam Launch Options

  • 🟡 Use commands like -dx11, -dx12, -novid, -high, and -nojoy for faster startup and reduced input delay.

  • ⚡ Always prefer DirectX 11 or DirectX 12 unless the game performs better on Vulkan.

Game-Specific Settings

  • 🟢 Use Low Latency Mode or NVIDIA Reflex if the game supports it.

  • 🚫 Disable Motion Blur, V-Sync, and limit post-processing effects to reduce render latency.

  • 🖥 Set games to run in Borderless Fullscreen or Exclusive Fullscreen depending on which performs better on your system.

Optimize Steam and in-game settings on PC to reduce input lag and improve gaming responsiveness
Reduce input lag by optimizing Steam and individual game settings on PC

Optimize Peripherals and Monitor Settings

Reduce Mouse Input Lag on PC

  • 🖱 Set Polling Rate to 1000Hz.

  • 🚫 Disable Mouse Acceleration in Windows.

  • 🎮 Enable Raw Input in-game.

  • 🔌 Use wired peripherals when possible.

Improve Keyboard & Controller Input

  • 🔗 Use a wired connection instead of wireless.

  • 🔄 Update firmware of your gaming keyboard or controller.

  • 🎯 Reduce input smoothing options if available.

Monitor Optimization

    • 🖥 Use a monitor with a high refresh rate (144Hz+ recommended).

    • ⚡ Enable Overdrive.

    • 🌙 Disable Deep Sleep or Eco Mode.

    • 🔄 Use DisplayPort instead of HDMI.

    • 🟣 Set the monitor’s Response Time to the fastest stable option.

Optimize Network Settings (For Online Games)

Networking Tips

  • 🌐 Use a wired Ethernet connection for low input lag on PC.

  • 📶 Prefer 5GHz Wi-Fi if Ethernet is unavailable.

  • 🎛 Enable QoS (Quality of Service) on your router.

  • 🌎 Use fast DNS servers like Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).

  • 🚫 Disable Windows Auto-Tuning with netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled.

Pro Tips for eSports and Low Input Lag Builds

  • 🖥 Use a 240Hz+ monitor if you are a competitive gamer.

  • 🔌 Set your mouse and keyboard to wired mode even if they offer wireless options.

  • 🎯 Use a DisplayPort 1.4+ cable for high refresh rates and reduced latency.

  • ⚙ Consider disabling C-States and SpeedStep in BIOS for consistent CPU performance.

  • 💡 Keep your GPU power target at 100% or higher to avoid downclocking.

  • 🎵 Use professional audio interfaces or sound cards with low latency drivers.

  • 🟣 Use frame capping to keep your frame rate just below your monitor’s refresh rate (e.g., 237fps on a 240Hz monitor) to reduce input latency.

  • 🧰 Consider process priority tweaks via tools like Process Lasso to keep games running with higher CPU scheduling priority.

Pro tips for eSports players and recommended PC builds to reduce input lag and maximize performance
Pro strategies and PC builds to reduce input lag on PC for eSports and competitive gaming

Best Settings for Low Input Lag on PC

SettingRecommended
Game Mode✅ Enable in your PC settings to reduce processing lag.
Refresh Rate✅ Set to 120Hz or higher, if your monitor supports it.
V-Sync⚠️ Turn off V-Sync in games to reduce input lag.
G-Sync / FreeSync✅ Enable G-Sync (for NVIDIA) or FreeSync (for AMD) to reduce screen tearing and improve input response.
Mouse DPI✅ Set your mouse DPI to a level that feels comfortable and responsive for gaming.
Wired Keyboard and Mouse✅ Use wired peripherals to minimize input lag compared to wireless ones.
Graphics Settings✅ Lower graphics settings in-game to ensure smoother performance and reduce input delay.
Background Processes✅ Close unnecessary programs running in the background to optimize system performance.
Ethernet Connection✅ Use a wired Ethernet connection for a more stable and faster internet connection.
High Performance Mode✅ Enable high performance power mode in your system settings for better responsiveness.

Game Mode

✅ Enable in your PC settings to reduce processing lag.

Refresh Rate

✅ Set to 120Hz or higher, if your monitor supports it.

V-Sync

⚠️ Turn off V-Sync in games to reduce input lag.

G-Sync / FreeSync

✅ Enable G-Sync (for NVIDIA) or FreeSync (for AMD) to reduce screen tearing and improve input response.

Mouse DPI

✅ Set your mouse DPI to a level that feels comfortable and responsive for gaming.

Wired Keyboard and Mouse

✅ Use wired peripherals to minimize input lag compared to wireless ones.

Graphics Settings

✅ Lower graphics settings in-game to ensure smoother performance and reduce input delay.

Background Processes

✅ Close unnecessary programs running in the background to optimize system performance.

Ethernet Connection

✅ Use a wired Ethernet connection for a more stable and faster internet connection.

High Performance Mode

✅ Enable high performance power mode in your system settings for better responsiveness.

Final Thoughts: How to Reduce Input Lag on PC 🎯

On PC, where performance should be at its peak, input lag can still sneak in and ruin even the sharpest mechanics. Whether you’re flicking for headshots in CS2, outplaying opponents in Valorant, or sweating in a late-game Fortnite zone, input lag can quietly rob you of the split-second advantage you need.

At InputDelay.com, we know that reducing input lag on PC is about more than just raw hardware power. It’s about how well you dial in your system. From display settings and driver updates to GPU optimizations and latency-reducing features like NVIDIA Reflex or AMD Anti-Lag, every adjustment can push your system closer to real-time precision. Even small tweaks—like disabling V-Sync, using a high refresh rate, or switching to a wired mouse—can noticeably improve responsiveness.

Competitive players don’t ignore these details. They optimize every part of their setup, not just for higher FPS, but for lower input latency. If you want your clicks and movements to feel as instant as they should, don’t settle for stock settings. Refine your PC, reduce input lag, and give yourself the competitive edge you’ve been missing.

Want to go deeper? Check out our full guide and start playing with the responsiveness your setup is truly capable of.