Dota 2 Ping — How to get lower ping or latency

If you’ve ever missed a last hit or cast an ultimate a second too late, the most common excuse is to say that you’re “lagging.” In Dota 2, that frustration often comes down to your network ping. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about ping. 

What is Dota 2 Network Ping?

In Dota 2, the term “ping” can mean two very different things. The first one is the communication tool that lets you use signals to warn your teammates. The second one, which this guide will focus on, refers to network ping — also more formally known as network latency.

Network ping essentially determines the latency between your computer and the Dota 2 servers. It directly affects how quickly your actions are sent to the game. If you have low ping, your actions will be registered with almost no delay. But if you have high ping, playing the game properly will be difficult, and your teammates might report you for playing badly. 

What is Good Ping in Dota 2?

Your Dota 2 ping is displayed numerically, making it easy to understand. And as we’ve briefly explained above, “good ping” generally means you have a low and stable latency.

As a baseline, here are some common comparisons:

While these raw numbers tell their own story, ping stability is generally more important than the exact value. For example, you would want a stable 60 ms connection rather than ping that constantly jumps between low and high values. Sudden spikes can ruin your tempo and spell timing, while stable ping makes everything predictable. 

How to Show Ping in Dota 2

There are two ways to see how much ping you have in Dota 2. The first one allows you to check it once during a game, while the other one permanently shows your ping in the corner of your screen. Here are both ways to show ping in Dota 2:

Check Your Ping During a Match

If you just want a quick check on your ping, you can type “-ping” in the in-game chat and hit Enter. This command displays your ping for a few seconds, allowing you to confirm whether you’re lagging. 

Enabling Always-On Ping Display

If you want to constantly monitor your ping, there is a Dota 2 setting that displays your network ping in the corner of your screen. To enable it, follow the steps below:

1. Launch Dota 2 and open your Settings.
2. Head to the “Game” category and go to “Miscellaneous.”
3. Finally, enable “Display Network Information.” 

This setting is also how to show FPS in Dota 2, as it shows both your ping and frame rate in the corner of your screen. 

How to Lower Ping in Dota 2

Having high or spiking ping is one of the most frustrating things to have in Dota 2. The good news is that there are a few simple things you can check before calling your internet provider.

Queue on the Correct Server Region

The most important thing you can do is play on servers that are physically close to you. If you’re in Asia but queuing on European servers, no internet service provider can save you. The distance alone will cause high ping, no matter how good or fast your connection is. 

This is why Valve allows you to choose which servers to queue on. The server menu shows the expected ping for each server. Make sure to only select the ones that give you less than 60 ms for the best experience. 

Avoid Background Downloads and Streaming

Remember that downloading, updating, or streaming can eat up your network speed, which can ultimately increase your ping. This includes other people in your household using the same internet connection. 

So, if you’re queuing for your Dota 2 rank-up game, make sure you’re not downloading in the background, and also tell your family not to download any large files. 

Use a Wired Connection (When Possible)

Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s also more prone to instability. Using an Ethernet cable is highly recommended, as wired connections usually provide you with more stable internet and ping. 

If wired connection is not available, make sure you’re playing close to your router for the best possible connection. The last thing you want is ping spiking up and down.