How to Fix Packet Loss in Games by Flushing DNS and Resetting TCP/IP

What Causes This?

Packet loss in games often happens when Windows is using outdated or corrupted network settings. A bad DNS cache can slow down name lookups or send traffic the wrong way, while a damaged TCP/IP stack can cause dropped packets, unstable routing, or connection timeouts. It can also show up after a VPN install, driver change, Windows update, or router issue that leaves your network configuration in a bad state.

Common Symptoms

• Ping spikes or random lag in online games
• Rubberbanding, stuttering, or delayed hit registration
• Frequent disconnects from game servers or voice chat
• “Request timed out” errors in network tests
• Games work sometimes, then suddenly become unstable

How to Fix It Manually

1. Close your game and restart your PC

   • Save your progress and fully exit the game launcher too.
   • Restarting clears temporary network glitches before you reset anything.

2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

   • Press Start and type cmd.
   • Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
   • Click Yes if Windows asks for permission.

3. Flush the DNS cache

   • In Command Prompt, type:

     ipconfig /flushdns

   • Press Enter.
   • You should see a message saying the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed.
   • This removes old or incorrect DNS records that can interfere with game server connections.

4. Release and renew your IP address

   • In the same window, run these commands one at a time:

     ipconfig /release
     ipconfig /renew

   • Press Enter after each one.
   • Your connection may drop for a few seconds while Windows requests a fresh IP from your router.

5. Reset Winsock and TCP/IP

   • Still in Command Prompt, run:

     netsh winsock reset
     netsh int ip reset

   • Press Enter after each command.
   • Winsock reset clears broken network socket settings. TCP/IP reset rebuilds core network configuration used by Windows.

6. Restart your PC again

   • This step is required for the Winsock and TCP/IP reset to fully apply.
   • After restarting, reconnect to your Wi-Fi or Ethernet if needed.

7. Test your connection

   • Launch your game and check whether packet loss is gone.
   • If you want to test outside the game:
     • Press Start, type cmd, and open Command Prompt.
     • Run:

       ping google.com -n 20

     • If you see repeated timeouts or high variation in response times, the issue may also involve your router, ISP, Wi-Fi interference, or a background app using bandwidth.

8. Check for other network bottlenecks if the problem remains

   • Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
   • Click Processes and look for apps using heavy Network bandwidth, such as cloud sync tools, launchers, browser downloads, or streaming apps.
   • Pause VPNs, downloads, and overlays, then test the game again.
   • If possible, switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet for a more stable connection.

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

If you do not want to dig through command-line resets and background network usage yourself, Kudu can help. It can detect common Windows network bottlenecks, identify apps and settings hurting gaming performance, and guide you through safe fixes faster than doing it all manually.

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