Understanding latency or ping in Fortnite

We understand that how impactful latency or ping can be while playing Fortnite. We want to provide you with a better understanding of ping and what you can do to improve it.

• What is latency or ping?
• How is latency or ping determined?
• What can I do to improve my ping?

What is latency or ping?

Latency is the time it takes for a data packet to travel from your computer to the Fortnite servers and back to your computer. This time is measured in milliseconds (ms).

How is latency or ping determined?

Latency is determined by multiple factors including but not limited to:

• Bandwidth: The maximum amount of data that can be sent through your network connection.
• Throughput: The actual amount of data that is successfully sent/received over your network connection. This is commonly measured in kbps or Mbps.
• Routing: The path the data has to travel from your computer to the server and back again.

We are often asked questions such as, "My ping is normally 30ms and all of a sudden it's now 60ms, please help me fix it!"

So, what could be causing this increase? 

Well, this is almost always due to an issue with your internet service provider's way they are routing to our Fortnite servers. Internet service providers use things called internet exchange points to efficiently carry data from your computer to any destination. These points are along a path where data from your computer is sent to the Fortnite servers and back to your computer. If an internet exchange point is having trouble or goes down, this can impact your ping. While this is understandably frustrating, there isn't anything that we are able to do to fix these issues. The best thing to do is to reach out to your internet service provider with a traceroute so they can provide you with more information about what could be is causing the increase in your latency or ping.

You can check your ping to our data centers listed below.

• NA-West: qosping-aws-us-west-1.ol.epicgames.com
• NA-East: qosping-aws-us-east-1.ol.epicgames.com
• Europe: qosping-aws-eu-west-3.ol.epicgames.com
• Oceania: qosping-aws-ap-southeast-2.ol.epicgames.com
• Brazil: qosping-aws-sa-east-1.ol.epicgames.com
• Asia: qosping-aws-ap-northeast-1.ol.epicgames.com
• Middle East: qosping-aws-me-south-1.ol.epicgames.com

Windows 10

1. Click on Start.
2. Type cmd and press Enter.
3. Enter the following ping <datacenter url> -n 50
   Example: ping qosping-aws-us-east-1.ol.epicgames.com -n 50
4. Press Enter and this will send 50 packets to the datacenter then provide you with your average latency and packet loss.
   

OS X

1. Click on the magnifying glass in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
2. Type Network Utility and select the result.
3. Click the Ping tab.
4. In the Enter the network address to ping field, enter the data center you want to ping.
   Example: qosping-aws-us-east-1.ol.epicgames.com
5. In the Send only _____ pings field, enter 50.
6. Click Ping and this will send 50 packets to the data center then output the results when completed.

What can I do to improve my ping?

If you notice your ping has increased, it could be due to external factors such as your internet service provider routing. However, if the issue is on your end, below are common solutions that may improve your ping or latency:

• Restart your modem and router: Unplug your modem and router for 30 seconds and then plug them back in. 
• Use an ethernet cable connection: Wireless connections can easily get interrupted and have signal degradation which results in lag. Connecting to your modem or router with an ethernet cable eliminates this possibility and provides you with the fastest connection possible.
• Try a different router: If your existing router is defective this could be creating the lag you're experiencing. Try a different one or connect directly to your modem to see if this improves your performance.
• Make sure your router is in an ideal location: If your router is located in a closet, the basement, or hidden behind objects or furniture this can heavily impact signal quality. The ideal place for your router is to be up high, centrally located, and without any obstructions. Test various locations and then use tools such as SpeedTest.net to see what provides the highest speed.
• Upgrade router firmware: Firmware is software that provides low-level control of your router. This can improve performance similar to a graphics driver.
• Adjust your router WiFi band: Routers nowadays usually have two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. 2.4 GHz is a common band for most household devices so if you have a lot of these connected to your WiFi network it can cause congestion and result in lag. Your 5 GHz band is used a lot less but doesn't travel as far so if your router is not in a good position to connect to your computer it can result in poorer performance too. Be sure to try both bands to see which works best for you. Changing this setting varies from router to router so be sure to check with your manufacturer on how to do this.