Are you experiencing lag when playing Fortnite on your Nintendo Switch? This article should help you fix the problem.
Lag is a complicated issue that many gamers experience every day. In Nintendo Switch gaming, lag is usually caused by network issues although some people may experience the problem due to other factors.
What is lag in Fortnite?
Many Nintendo Switch gamers complain that they experience lag a lot. But what exactly is lag, specifically in a Nintendo Switch?
Lag, an often dreaded word in gaming, is best described as unresponsive in a game, usually in very short bursts. Severe lag can result to a game becoming unplayable to certain extent. When it comes to fast-action games like Fortnite, a split-second lag can mean certain death of your character as firefights happen very quickly.
There are two types of “lag” and some gamers may interchange one for the other. The first type of lag is what we call low FPS or FPS lag. This happens when the frame rate of the game drops to certain low level, especially in frantic moments. FPS lag can be caused by a malfunction Nintendo Switch console, a game bug, or storage device issue.
If you experience FPS lag in your Nintendo Switch when playing Fortnite, there’s a few things that you can try to fix it, as long as the real reason if not due to a hardware damage.
The other type of lag is what we call “network lag.” Between the two, this one is the more difficult to fix and may sometimes require intervention from a user, Internet Service Provider, or the game developer. Network lag, like FPS lag, may make the game stutter or freeze periodically.
Why your Fortnite game is lagging on Nintendo Switch?
There are a number of possible reasons why Fortnite is lagging on your Nintendo Switch.
Random game bug.
Games like Fortnite are prone to both FPS lag and network lag. As a shooting game, it requires heavy use of your Nintendo Switch resources as well as a stable internet connection. Sometimes, new updates may bring coding changes that may result in problems. In my experience, network lag is the more dominant issue although I’ve had a few experience of FPS dropping when the console has been in continuous use for a long time.
Server issues.
Being a multiplayer game, the performance of Fortnite may sometimes be affected if there’s an issue with the game servers. Too many players trying to play at the same time may sometimes put pressure on the server and cause overcapacity.
At other times, the developer may fix the servers and indirectly cause lag, long matchmaking loading times, and connectivity problems.
Poor local network connection.
In other cases, your own local network may be to blame. The internet connection being supplied by your Internet Service Provider may slow down or become intermittent.
For some users, they may encounter issues while playing Fortnite in a party.
If you use wifi, it’s also possible that you may be experiencing issues with the wireless signal. Others may have experience in Fortnite due to unresponsive modem or router.
Low network bandwidth.
If there are too many devices using your local network at the same time, you may experience lag in your Nintendo Switch while playing Fortnite too as the bandwidth being allocated to your console becomes too low. The best way to determine whether or not lag is being caused by low bandwidth is to disconnect all devices from your network except the Nintendo Switch.
Slow internet connection.
In order to play Fortnite reliably, it’s highly recommended that you have at least 5 Mbps download speed on your Nintendo Switch. If your speed goes lower than that, there’s a chance that the game may become laggy, especially if there are other devices using your local network.
Nintendo Switch console problem.
If other games and not just Fortnite are lagging as well, it’s possible that the issue may lie within your console. It can be caused by corrupted game files, internal storage/SD card issue, or general hardware failure.
If the Frame Rate Per Second (FPS) of your games, even when playing offline, keeps dropping, it may be due to a console issue and by server or internet connection troubles.
How to fix Nintendo Switch lag (network lag) when playing Fortnite?
In order to fix lag when playing Fortnite, there are a number of troubleshooting steps that you must do in your Nintendo Switch. Because of the multiplayer nature of the game, majority of lag problems in Nintendo Switch are likely caused by network lag so most of the suggestions in this guide are geared towards fixing that.
Check for on-going network issues.
If changing the game’s matchmaking region won’t make a difference, it’s possible that the problem is caused by a server glitch. Sometimes, game servers may go down due to maintenance or outages. Try to check the official Fortnite Twitter page to see if there’s any on-going issue with the game servers at this time.
Use wired configuration.
If you’re using wireless connection, there’s a chance that Fortnite may be lagging due to signal interference. Try using an ethernet or LAN cable on your Nintendo Switch and see if that will fix the problem.
Turn off other devices in your network.
Having too many devices using your internet connection at the same time can reduce bandwidth drastically, resulting in lag. If you have devices that are streaming high resolution Netflix shows, online gaming, or downloading large files, there’s a chance that your Nintendo Switch is not getting enough bandwidth. To improve the situation, disconnect all devices from your network except your Nintendo Switch and see if that will fix the problem.
Enable QoS.
Some routers are capable of prioritizing game packets in order to lessen network lag in games. This feature is called Quality of Service (QoS). if your router has this capability, do some research using Google on how to enable QoS for your Nintendo Switch as exact steps vary for every device.Alternatively, you can consult the documentation or manual of your router to know. If your router is provided by your Internet Service Provider, contact their technical support team to get help in enabling QoS.
Get a faster internet subscription.
If your internet connection download speed is slow, it may not be ideal for multiplayer gaming. I’ve personally tried playing Fortnite with 3 Mbps download speed without problems but I would recommend that you get a higher speed, especially if there are other devices in your network. Consult your ISP if you want to get the best plan for your lifestyle.
Suggested readings:
- How To Fix Fortnite Error Code 91 | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
- How To Fix PS4 Update Issues | Won’t Update Or CE-30002-5 Error
- How To Fix Battle.Net App Won’t Go Online | Blizzard Warzone Won’t Load
- How To Force Close A PS4 Game | Easy Fix For Freezing Game Or App
Visit our TheDroidGuy Youtube Channel for more troubleshooting videos.