Genshin Impact Lag: Why It Happens & How to Fix?

Genshin Impact lag can be incredibly frustrating because it disrupts your immersion in the game and often also renders it unplayable.

There are many reasons why you might experience Genshin Impact lag. It could be related to outdated drivers, ISP throttling, or lack of optimal routing, to name a few examples. 

A VPN can help you overcome lagging by subverting bad routing or ISP throttling. It also allows you to bypass congested servers by connecting to a VPN server near your local Genshin Impact server.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to troubleshoot and fix Genshin Impact lag. We’ll also cover other related topics, including why Genshin Impact lags on some devices and not others. Read on to learn more.

How to Fix Genshin Impact Lag with a VPN?

A VPN can easily overcome ISP throttling and stabilize your ping, giving you a lag-free experience. Follow the steps below to use a VPN to resolve Genshin Impact lagging:

1. Get a VPN that works for online gaming (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN on your device (PC or mobile).
3. Launch the VPN and sign-in using your credentials.
4. Choose the closest VPN server to your local Genshin Impact server.
5. Connect and enjoy lag-free Genshin Impact. That’s all!

You need to know where Genshin Impact’s servers are located to select the optimal VPN server. Right now, they offer four servers to choose from, including Europe (EU), America (NA), Asia, and SAR (Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Mexico). So, for example, if you play on the American game server, choose a VPN server close to it. 

Why Is Genshin Impact Laggy?

Genshin Impact can lag for multiple reasons including your device not meeting the game’s minimum operating requirements, slow internet speeds, or outdated drivers. 

Let's start with the game itself. 

Genshin Impact requires moderate PC specifications. To run the game properly, your system must meet the following minimum requirements:

Operating System	Windows 7, 8.1, 10, 11
Processor	Equivalent to Intel Core i5 or higher
Memory	8GB RAM
Storage	30GB
Graphics Card	NVIDIA GeForce GT1030 or higher
DirectX	Version 11 or above

However, miHoYo, the maker of Genshin Impact, recommends the following requirements for optimal performance:

Operating System	Windows 7, 8.1, 10, 11
Processor	Equivalent to Intel Core i7 or higher
Memory	16GB RAM
Storage	30GB
Graphics Card	NVIDIA GeForce GT1060 6GB or higher
DirectX	Version 11 or above

If your machine doesn't meet the requirements listed above, the game will produce lower Frames Per Second (FPS), resulting in lag.

Also, there are many user reports where even players with recommended PC configurations are experiencing lagging. Those reports suggest frequent unoptimized updates to the game are at fault. So, if your game is lagging for that reason, you must wait for more optimized patches from the developers.

Even on mobile devices, Genshin Impact requires high-end specs to run smoothly. Its recommended Android requirements call for at least a hefty Snapdragon 845 processor along with 4 GB RAM. For iOS, you need an iPhone SE (2nd generation) or above. If you use a phone with lower specs, you will experience Genshin Impact lagging on your device.

Apart from the developer's involvement in the game's optimization, there are many other reasons your game can lag. Like these: 

• Slow internet speeds: You need a stable connection to create a lag-free gaming experience (>5 Mbps). Also, your connection’s latency should be under 100ms. 
• ISP throttling: Many ISPs throttle speeds if you exceed bandwidth limitations. A VPN is the best solution here, as explained just below.
• Outdated drivers: Genshin Impact is constantly updated, which means it requires updated drivers to work optimally.
• Too many background applications: Background applications can clog your system's resources and slow down Genshin Impact.
• Unknown server issues: In a few cases, your local Genshin Impact server can have technical problems. In those cases, all you can do is wait. 
• Overheated device: Your PC or mobile device can overheat, throttling the device’s performance and causing lag.
• Virus infection: If your device is infected, it can cripple your system, causing Genshin Impact lag.

How Can a VPN Help You Stop Lagging on Genshin Impact?

A VPN can help you overcome Genshin Impact lag by helping you bypass congested servers overcrowded with players. This congestion can get even worse during peak hours or holidays. You must choose a fast VPN provider such as NordVPN to fix server- and routing-related lags.

The best Genshin Impact VPN can help you create a lag-free gaming experience. It starts by opening an encrypted tunnel to the game server while assigning you a new IP address. Due to this, it overcomes ISP bandwidth restrictions and throttling. Moreover, you can achieve better routing if you choose a VPN server located close to the game server. 

A VPN will also solve problems with overcrowded or congested servers by circumventing them. Furthermore, a VPN can protect you from DDoS attacks as it hides your IP address.

How to Make Genshin Impact Less Laggy?

To make Genshin Impact less laggy, you must investigate and address multiple potential issues.

First, make sure your device meets Genshin Impact’s minimum requirements. If it does, ensure everything is updated, including the operating system (OS) and the game itself. 

Also, ensure your drivers are updated, especially network and graphics drivers. The network drivers ensure optimal connectivity to Genshin’s servers. The GPU driver optimizes the game’s performance, running at an FPS level high enough for smooth, lag-free gameplay. 

Ensure your Internet is fast enough to play Genshin Impact lag-free. To determine the speed of your connection, go to speedtest.net and run the test. It is recommended to have at least 5 Mbps download speed to play Genshin Impact without lagging.

Next, make sure that there are no background apps using the internet. And finally, check your ISP’s bandwidth limitations. Generally, ISPs start throttling speeds if you exceed their limits. If Genshin Impact lags on a mobile device, you should check if you have exhausted your wireless provider’s bandwidth limit. 

If all else fails, try re-installing Genshin Impact. If re-installing doesn’t work, you can contact Genshin Impact’s customer support or your ISP’s support.

If none of those troubleshooting steps work, we suggest a VPN such as NordVPN to overcome lousy routing, bypass overcrowded and congested servers, and protect yourself from DDoS attacks.

Why Is Genshin Impact Lagging on Different Devices?

Genshin Impact can lag on different devices because developers need to optimize the game for a wide range of platforms, including computers, consoles, and mobile devices. As some platforms are less popular than others, they may take a backseat, resulting in varied performance. So, if you enjoy playing Genshin Impact on different devices (as it supports cross-saving), you may find the overall experience quite inconsistent.

However, you may experience gameplay lag on any device. Read on to learn how you can fix lag on various devices.

Why Is Genshin Impact Laggy on My PC, Windows, or Mac?

Genshin Impact users playing on a desktop or laptop may suffer from lag for multiple different reasons, like these:

• Your computer doesn’t meet the minimum requirements: The best solution is to upgrade your hardware, if possible. 
• Your ISP routing to the game server is not optimal: Try to contact your ISP’s customer support to fix routing.
• Your PC is not updated: Update your operating system and drivers (graphics and network drivers, especially).
• Your chosen server is overcrowded: Use a VPN to connect to a different server.

Why Is Genshin Impact Laggy on My Xbox or PS Console?

Genshin Impact is equally popular on consoles. If you are playing on a PS or Xbox, you may still suffer from lag. Here are some causes and potential solutions below:

• Your console is overheating: Clean it to ensure it doesn't overheat, which can often lead to lags. Of course, make sure to be careful while cleaning your console.
• Your console is not updated: It's best to play with an updated console for optimal performance. Visit its settings and check if a system update is available. 
• You’re using an outdated version of Genship Impact: Ensure you're playing the latest version by updating the game on your console.
• Your server or ISP is having problems: Use a VPN to bypass ISP restrictions and switch servers. 

Keep in mind that you cannot install a VPN directly on your console, so you have to install it on your router instead. For further instructions on how to accomplish this, read our guide on how to set up a VPN on a router.

Why Is Genshin Impact Laggy on My Android, iOS, or Tablet?

In general, smartphone and tablet users are more prone to Genshin Impact lagging. This can happen because of a weak mobile connection or due to other reasons mentioned below (with fixes):

• Your mobile connection is unstable: Ditch the mobile data for stable Wi-Fi.
• You have too many background apps running: Close all apps and turn on Game Mode if available (supported on many Android devices).
• You’re using an old version of Genshin Impact: Update to the latest version using your device’s Play Store or iOS/iPadOS App Store.

We suggest an excellent gaming VPN if you still have Genshin Impact lagging on mobile. It helps to bypass ISP, server, and internet connection issues.

Final Thoughts

No one wants to play online games like Genshin Impact with lag, as it completely ruins your experience. We covered the reasons why Genshin Impact might be lagging and practical solutions for each one. 

Lagging-related issues often occur because your ISP is throttling your connection, or you’re connected to a congested server. It could also be that your machine needs either a software or hardware upgrade.

In any case, it’s worth trying a VPN when attempting to solve your Genshin Impact lag. We recommend NordVPN as the go-to gaming VPN provider. It can solve your problems by overcoming ISP restrictions by helping you choose an optimal Genshin Impact server.

We hope you enjoyed our guide to solving Genshin Impact lag. If you have any questions, let us know via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!