Packet loss and high ping in ARC Raiders come either from the game's servers or from your connection. If your whole squad rubber-bands at the same time, it's probably the servers. If it's only you, the usual fixes apply: Ethernet, a clean network, SQM on the router, and a ping booster if the route is the problem. In an extraction shooter where dying means losing your gear, it's worth fixing properly.
Step 1: Server or you?
- Does your squad lag too? Shared lag points to the servers.
- Are there known issues? Check the official ARC Raiders channels and community forums, especially after updates.
- Do other online games work fine? If yes, and only ARC Raiders lags, the problem is the route to its servers or the servers themselves.
Step 2: Measure it
Turn on any network or performance stats the game offers, so you can see ping and packet loss during raids. Outside the game, run:
pathping 1.1.1.1
on Windows. Loss that starts at your router or your ISP's first hops is on your side. Loss that continues to the end of the route points to the route.
Step 3: Fix your connection
- Use Ethernet. Wi-Fi is the most common cause of packet loss. See Ethernet vs Wi-Fi.
- Pause downloads and uploads — game launchers, cloud backups, streams on other devices.
- Enable SQM or QoS on your router to stop lag when others use the internet. See what is bufferbloat.
- Restart the router and update its firmware.
- Update your network driver from your motherboard or laptop maker.
- Disconnect any VPN you don't need. It can route you far from the servers.
Step 4: Fix NAT on console
Strict NAT can cause squad and matchmaking problems. Enable UPnP or forward ports. See NAT type explained.
Step 5: Try a booster for route problems
If your network is clean but loss or high ping continues, especially in the evening, the path between your ISP and the servers may be the problem. A multipath booster such as ExitLag sends copies of your packets over several routes, so a packet lost on one path still arrives on another. Use a free trial and compare loss on the same server region at the same time of day. Other options are in ExitLag alternatives.
Quick fixes summary
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Whole squad rubber-bands | Servers | Wait or change server |
| Loss only on Wi-Fi | Wireless interference | Ethernet |
| Lag when others stream | Bufferbloat | SQM |
| Evening loss, clean home network | ISP or route | Report to ISP, booster trial |
More: what is packet loss · how to fix packet loss · how to fix lag in games
